Hi there to everyone…..

I took a quiet sabbatical from the newsletter during the pandemic, we had enough bad news to deal with….but with things starting to return to normal, I thought I would subject you to my weekly sprinkling of news and thoughts.

Over the last two weeks, I have found that the North is feeling some sense of normality….it was wonderful to see the junior soccer players and hear their shouts of joy and glee as they scored a goal, or dismay as things possibly didn’t go their way….the young cricketers were also around as their trials were held…..there was a junior hockey tournament up at the Astro….our main soccer fields had all of our sides playing at home for a change… the hockey players made their presence felt after the conclusion of their matches….the music was blaring forth from the Karaoke speakers….all the bars were busy with people requiring refreshments…it was marvellous to see….it started to feel almost normal and more like home again…

Uncle Cyril announced relaxed regulations during our family meeting last night and the extended trading hours are most welcome at the Club…..to give everyone a quick rundown of our news and to keep you all up to speed with what is happening at the Club….here goes….

CLUB

The Joker draw still has not been won and now stands at R48 208…we are 38 weeks into this draw and currently have 15 cards left….each week the chances of a member taking home some cash increases, as every paid up member has two chances to win….if they draw the joker, obviously they will take home the jackpot, but if they don’t find it and their selection matches the playing card displayed above the cabinet…they will receive 10% of the jackpot immediately transferred onto their membership card to spend at their leisure at the bar!! ….. that alone is reason enough for Members to join us on a Friday….please come down this week, we have missed you all….

The craft / cocktail bar is open on Saturdays and Sundays for some fine fare to enjoy, whilst on Fridays their cocktail selection will be available from the mobile bar….the Scimitar bar will be open every day from 3-8 and on Fridays it will be open from 12pm-8pm…..Saturdays and Sundays see the operating times alter to 10am-8pm……our main bar will only open on Friday nights and Saturday as demand requires….

Everyone will have notice the well-appointed grey container near the flag poles that houses our coffee shop that is now open….a most welcome addition….please support this awesome venture…it is open from pretty early every day apart from Mondays…and they offer delicious cappuccino and different hot (and cold) drink choices and amazing home-made sweet treats to make your mornings more fun….our pizza kitchen is still open and making their delicious tasty wares…their hours being very similar to the Scimitar bar…..so while you wait for your order to be made up, have a beer or two to pass the time….

The public holiday that is coming up, we are planning to have a braai day, in conjunction with a day market….keep an eye on our social media for more details…I will also divulge the more info through this medium as well….I think this will be a fantastic day to get out and join us…

With the COVID reduction of our trading hours…we have decided to move our music and karaoke offerings to a Saturday afternoon on home soccer days from 16h00 until further notice…so come along and have singalong fun with us….

COVID protocols and regulations are still enforced…please wear a mask when entering, ordering at the bar or using the restrooms and please keep it with you at all times…wash your hands regularly and maintain the relevant social distancing….

SPORT

Our soccer leagues and teams are really busy with the premier league still in action for another 7 or so weeks…the next three Saturdays we have home matches…and although there are no spectators allowed, please come along and enjoy some light refreshments, while you “aren’t watching”….

Hockey also has a good few weeks still to complete their season, so we are chock’n’block with the Ladies from their leagues on Saturdays and Men on Sundays. All Rugby leagues and matches were called off for this year, so sadly these will only resume in the new year.

Baseball is continuing and the junior leagues will begin in early October…as mentioned earlier we had junior cricket trails recently, followed by the senior trials… so the click of leather on willow will resume soon as practices get into full swing….

The runners have started their time trials and of course have their club runs too….keep an eye out for all our sports people who are continuing in their quest of fitness and improvement.

That’s it for this week… Stay safe and COVID free…. See you soon….

Rod