Hi, One or two people have complained that as club members they feel that they should get a discount on the ticket price for the family fun day, our hopefully annual event where we aim to get all club members and their families together together, to have a ride, some food and get to know one another. We also made the event open to non club members and organized some guided rides to suit all abilities. The cost of the ticket was keep low for all to encourage as many as possible to attend. The aim was to cover the cost of the food, hire of hall and expenses to run the event, mainly coal for the barbecue etc. Many many kind people then donated cakes etc( and bought a ticket!) which when sold put us in profit! So any reduced ticket prices would come from this money, is that fair? Everyone involved paid full price for their ticket, so my poor mum, her friend Pam and my uncle Steve, not only gave up their time to cook, 4 hours on a barbecue, not a lot of fun, but they paid to do so! as did the wives of many riders. Jackie, spent many hours of her free time to organize the event, risk assessments etc etc do not write themselves.( She and Matt bought the first tickets!) The rides were led by club members who gave up their time to plan the routes and in doing so did not really get a proper ride themselves on the day and during the time they spent planning, to my knowledge not one of these people expected a discount! The money raised  is to be used in full by any youth club member who applies for it to help with their cycling. I would much appreciate club members comments on this matter. 

i was more than happy to pay the small fee for the family day for myself and my wife and kids.

not only that but we spent over £25 on ingredients for the scones and cakes that andrea spent many hours preparing.

the fact that we managed to make abit of money for the club made my wife very happy knowing that her hard work was worth it.

this is what we do when we are part of a club, not worry about saving a pound or two!!

I would like to clarify some issues here and make something clear about the club:

1. The club exists because of the hard work by a few members all of whom are volunteers.  we are a club and as I see it as a community that support each other for the good of the club membership as a whole.  I could mention many people in the club who give up there time to help fellow cyclists and there are a lot - that is why I like this club and think that our approach is correct. 

2. The club is run by a commitee not by one person - all of who are club members this committee rely on honest up front feedback from its members which can be raised  at club meetings or direct through the secretary. All issues will be listened to and acted upon if possible. - In fact things will be discussed at the next meeting which have been brought to my attention and we will sort as a committee.  All I ask is for people to raise such issues with us. 

3.  The club puts a lot back to its members - free coach courses, loan of equipment, free prizes at club time trials, prizes at club meetings, subsidised trip to the velodrome, funding for young cyclists, coaching for members, youth cycling every week and of course time and effort that people put into the club. I cannot think of another club that does all this!      

I am not sure if the comments on the BBQ are to be taken seriously or who has said ti at all but I would ask everyone to speak their mind and if you think the club can be improved then please let us know, if you think the BBQ should be subsidised for club members then please let us know.