The Referendum that was initiated at the January Special General Meeting has now been completed and has resulted in approval to proceed with the proposed purchase and erection of a Club Room at the Priory School. All members had the chance to vote on the matter either at the January meeting or by postal ballot that closed on February 5^th. The votes were counted at the February meeting on Monday 8^th and the result was that a majority of 44 to 31 supported the motion.

Progress will now be sought to make this project a reality. We still need to raise at least £7 000 to reach our target, with our fund and grants already standing at over £25 000. We will now get current prices for the purchase and the service connections and pursue the ground lease offer made by Suffolk County Council. We will also be meeting with the contractors who are already on-site building an Employment Skills Annexe adjacent to the area planned for our building, to see if any sort of co-operation would be possible.

This is a very exciting prospect for the club, membership of which is continuing to grow, both in respect of cyclists and triathletes, following our recent decision to embrace this sport. But we are not there yet, and much effort will still be required not only in fundraising and organising the purchase and erection, but also in making the venture as successful as it can be.

Whilst I can understand the worries and concerns of those that expressed reservations in respect of the scheme I hope we can rely on the support of ALL members in making it successful. It will enable us to do many things that we have not been able to do previously ~ the club is already much more than just ‘riding on the road’ and this initiative will enable us the make the best club in the area EVEN BETTER.

More news in due course.  ~ Barry Denny, Club Chairman

We have heard from The Havebury Housing Authority that the £5,000 grant they made us towards the building of our own clubroom has been extended to October 2010. This grant was originally planned to expire (if not used) in January, but we have explained the difficulties we have encountered in raising the balance of the funds needed. We now have nine months in which to make a reality of this aim. The issues around this matter will be discussed and debated in full at the Special General Meeting that has been called for January 11^th. All members will receive a notice of this meeting, and we ask for a full attendance.

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