St Albans Judo Club

Dear member,

I write to wish you a Merry Christmas and to express the hope that we all manage to prosper in 2009, despite these difficult times. I also hope that you will continue to practise and support judo, and especially that you will find pleasure and fitness with St Albans Judo Club.

This is the time of year for family and friends and for goodwill to all, and in the new year, the Club will certainly need as much goodwill as possible from members and others, if it is to survive beyond its sixtieth birthday. You may already know that the Trustees have been trying for many years to persuade Herts County Council to continue to provide us with a site for our building, after our lease expires in the Spring of next year. Although we have a very sound financial position, we need help to build an up-to-date dojo, but it is impossible to approach funding bodies without an agreed site. We have been lucky enough to have the active support of St Albans councillors of all parties (including a succession of Mayors), and both our local MPs have visited the Club and made representations on our behalf. HCC officials have made suggestions, which we have always investigated, though none has yet been satisfactory. But they seem reluctant to let us stay on or near our present site, and have made no firm offers. Indeed, there have been warnings that, strictly speaking, we are liable for the demolition and removal of our building when the lease expires.

So, I am hoping that all members will make a New Year's Resolution - to help achieve our ambition of a new dojo, and a renewed Club. The Trustees will continue to work for a solution, and I will contact you very soon after the holiday to let you know how you can help.

In the meantime, do have a very Happy Christmas,

Bob Cleevely
Chairman

robert.cleevely@ntlworld.com
07762 417045