Here is the latest club house maintenance update, I have sent hard copies to our members who do not have email facilities so everyone is aware. Tony can you post this update on the Eagle web site, many thanks. Dont forget that can be found at www.eaglerc.org
Well a considerable amount of ground work & hut restoration has been undertaken & I’m pleased to report the hard work is definitely starting to show results. A massive thank you to all who have given their time to get us where we are. However, there are still some members who have yet to show but don’t worry there is still time. I’ll not go down the embarrassment road but you know who you are.
So, although the end is in sight and by end I mean it will be easier to manage things in the future, I feel we have at least 2/4 days work ahead of us. Before you question it, let me reassure you – YES IT REALLY WAS A MASSIVE JOB (bigger than either I or Tony originally envisaged). Now as I see things, there are two ways we can approach this. A small team can carry on & see things through, (discussed later), or & this is what I prefer we can have ONE LAST BIG TEAM EFFORT.
So, let’s look at what needs to be done :-
1. Raking off all the grounds, cutting back the suckers & cutting stumps to below ground level (to enable easier mowing especially back beyond the memorial gates).
2. Finish cutting back the hedge on LHS (boundary with Chequers PH - already half has been done).
3. Removing the ivy from the trees along the frontage (the ivy is actually strangling them).
4. Hedge trimming along the frontage.
5. Trimming of lower tree branches & hedge on RHS.
6. Bonfire (yet another one)
This list might not look like much but believe me, even with a team it will be a full days work. Apart from those jobs listed there are some other jobs to do but I feel they can wait till the New Year.
For me personally this is a bit of a nightmare. Although I have been at the clubhouse most Sundays (my choice), I would have preferred to go cycling, but with the "crunch" I should really have been working the cab. However I, along with some others, now want to see the work, which has been started, finished. Once completed of course, I can split my Sundays between work & pleasure (bike riding!!!!!!!!). The issue with having a small team continuing (as mentioned earlier) is that apart from being unfair the work will just drag on into the New Year & mean those people don’t go cycling on their free days either.
I make no apologies for harping on about this and I certainly don’t want to be seen as a moaning old fart, but the clubhouse & grounds with the exception of grass cutting have been neglected for far too long & the sooner these jobs are done the better.
I am therefore calling on ALL members (& friends, if they fancy a bit of gardening) to make yourself available to assist me in this final push to see this through.
The proposed date for this final big push (weather permitting) will be SUNDAY 18th Jan 2009. Remember the nights in Jan do draw in, so an early start is recommended, preferably arrive at 08.00AM for a Hot mug of Tea & chat ready to start at about 08.30, finishing at dusk. Lunch (supply your own), is normally taken around 12.00 / 1.00 ish.
For those of you who want to do a bit of cycling Damian, Phil & others have, in the past, done a 2/2.30hr stint from the club starting @ 08.00/08.30 prior to getting their gardening gloves on. I would however ask you to consider giving up your Sunday ride for once as it is a club house working day and we need to maximise our team effort!!!!!
So with all angles covered there can be NO EXCUSE NOT TO SEE YOU ALL.
Do not shirk, hide or indeed assume your contribution, however much it may be, will not be appreciated – it will - it might not be mentioned in the press but it will definitely be appreciated.
Although we have some gear, can I ask that people bring rakes, secateurs, small saws, branch cutters gardening gloves & anything else you feel might be of assistance. I’ll bring the milk. Tea & coffee will be supplied.
Remember this is OUR CLUB
It’s down to us
Let us ALL look after it.
Message to Rob W. – although you cycle for that Economic Energy shower oops I mean East London Velo, (a club name change ain’t gonna make you any better), you affiliate yourself to the Eagles. So if you are available it would be great to see you @ the big club spruce up (no pressure there then).
In closing I want to remind you that the 85th club dinner & dance will be held on 31st. Jan @ The Police pad in Chigwell . It would be nice to see as many members as possible to make this a truly memorable occasion. Additionally (& I know this is a bit late but if we move we can get it done) if you have any old photos from the years past so we could make a collage that would be brill. All photos will be returned.
Finally, I would like to thank Chip O’ for helping me draft this mail
Kind regards and may we wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!
Cippo & Chip
