This is an important message, perhaps the most important we have sent you for some time. It is also longer than most emails we usually send so we would really appreciate you taking the time to read it .

 For many years the bar and social areas in our beautiful and historic pavilion at Clarence Park have been unloved and uncared for and we recognise that it is currently not a particularly attractive place to spend any amount of time. We understand that the bar really ought to be an important revenue driver for our club and should provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for teams and members to spend time together. We know , that with some thought, time and resources we can make the bar and the long room  somewhere we can be proud of. 

 With those things in mind we are determined to sort it out before the new season starts.

 We have a strategy to replace the flooring, the furniture , the lighting, to make the toilets in the bar area unisex, to remove some unnecessary features, to replace some worn out fixtures and to give the whole area a new coat of paint.

 We want to create a friendly and inviting space that members, their friends and their families will want to spend time in and that third parties might want to hire for events, thus bringing in much needed income for the club. The bar is also used by the families of our junior members particularly during Friday evening training sessions throughout the summer at Clarence Park. We would like it to be a nicer environment for them too.

 To make this happen we need three important things - expertise, manpower and money.

1: Expertise

 Are you a builder, electrician, plumber, upholsterer or other skilled tradesman, or do you know someone who is who might volunteer their services? The jobs aren’t too big - just putting up some plasterboard walls, moving a fire door, relocating some lighting fixtures, re-upholstering the banquette seating. If you can help or advise could you let us know please? We would probably need your help some time during week commencing 27^th March. Please email our Chairman Paul Sands on paul.sands2@gmail.com or call him on 07540 705966

 2: Manpower

 Could you spare a couple of hours to help clear the pavilion bar and other areas to get them ready for further reburbishment? You might have to wield a screwdriver, sledgehammer or a paintbrush or carry some stuff out to a skip - nothing too taxing but we do need arms and legs to get things ready. We will probably need you over the weekend of 1^st and 2^nd April. It shouldn’t take long if we get enough willing volunteers. Again please email Paul Sands on paul.sands2@gmail.com or call him on 07540 705966 if you are able to put your name down for this.

 3: Money

This is the big one. Nobody likes asking for money but as this is such an important initiative could you possibly help us with a donation please? We are not a wealthy club. We don’t have big cash reserves to help us with projects like this.

 We are working hard to raise money through sponsorship , grants and other activities and we should have some good news to share about that in the near future but if you, your company, your friends or any clients you may have could help us out we would really appreciate it.

 We have now established a Just Giving page , which makes it really easy to make a donation and to help crowdfund this project. If you click on this link it will take you straight to our dedicated donations page :

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stalbanscc

 We are also fully registered as a Community Action Sports Club (CASC) with HMRC so there may be significant tax incentives if you donate a sizeable amount as an individual or a company.

 More information about that can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/overview

 If you prefer you can make a donation directly to the club via bank transfer or cheque. Please contact us directly via Paul Sands our Chairman on paul.sands2@gmail.com or call him on 07540 705966 if you would prefer to do that.

 As an added incentive any donations received through this initiative will be recognised on a new 'supporters board', which will be placed in a prominent position in the refurbished bar area. Alternatively, donations can be made anonymously if you would prefer.

 Any amount would be greatly appreciated so please give what you can afford.

If you, your company, your clients or friends would prefer to take a sponsorship package for the new 2017 season we have a brand new sponsorship presentation detailing all of the advantages for your business being involved with our club. Please contact Nick Button on nsbutton@gmail.com and he will send the new presentation through to you or arrange to meet you to discuss the various options available.

 Thank you , please help us if you can.

 Regards,