In this the seventh volume of the Corona Chronicles, I must start by giving my sincere apologies. No, not for the lack of Chronicles in recent weeks (although I would concede my input has been lacking) but for something far worse. As we all know someone up there has been gifting us with fantastic weather over the last few weeks of lockdown. Fantastic weather, which all came to a crashing end yesterday (Wednesday) and now we’re stuck with grey and drizzle until next week. So I feel I must apologise and take responsibility for the much-needed rays of sunshine we’ve had during these uncertain times coming to an end. For I am the fool who spent a good few hours on Tuesday evening blowing/filling up a paddling pool for the kids to use for the rest of the week…. The Met office have been in touch asking me to notify them when I intend to put the pool away so they can announce the imminent heat wave, at present I’ve declined to comment but I’ll be sure to notify the membership in good time so you can prepare for another wave sunshine.
School-boy errors on my part aside, despite our club house being closed lots has taken place since volume six which believe it or not was back on April 30th. During the past month we have announced Proprietor, John Blain, as General Manager on an interim basis. It has been great to work with John over the past few weeks and i’m incredibly excited for what the coming months have in store. We have welcomed 15 new members to the Clubs! Thanks go out to the Membership Secretary, Maria Checkland, for successfully steering the Club towards its Membership targets for 2020 despite the Club being closed. Members have also enjoyed the first Interest Group meetings, with presentations from the Literature Group, and more recently a brilliant talk by Jim Bellew for the Architecture Group. If you have not yet watched ‘Sheds on roofs’ you can do so here – give it a watch, you will not be disappointed!
Looking ahead, the question on many people’s lips understandably is ‘when is the Club going to reopen’?
Ultimately, it will be when it is safe and practicable do so. The safety of our staff, members and visitors is our priority, and planning continues to ensure the Club is a safe environment for all. I must thank you all for your continued patience, understanding, loyalty and support shown to your Club, when the building does reopen myself and the staff very much look forward to welcoming you all back!
Lastly, many will have been keeping up to date with David Brazendale’s seven-part series, ‘The Story of The Athenaeum’, in part five published today there is an amazing image of the old Athenaeum library from our previous premises. Have a look at the furniture and the items on the walls. See if you can recognise any and picture where they are in the Club today. I’ll get you started, the mirror on the back wall is now above the coffee station in the Newsroom.
Take care!
Jack Birley
Club Secretary