Letter to Members from Chris Hawkesworth, MWBC President

Dear Member
 
We are all living in uncertain, unsettling and anxious times.
 
Our thoughts and condolences go out to members and committee members that have lost loved ones to Coronavirus. 
 
To our many members that work in the NHS or are key workers, we are so proud of you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts .
 
I am writing to you to advise you how your Trust and Committee members are dealing with the various evolving challenges and what are our priorities in order to come out of the other side as intact as possible.
 
Our joint number one priority is to ensure we have enough money and cash flow to pay the bills. The good news is that currently we have combined cash reserves to last beyond the end of May. We have comprehensive and robust plans in place to manage our cash for the duration by also taking advantage of the various initiatives of national and local government, volunteer organisations and Sport England.
 
Our other priority is to keep our people together, whether they be members, trustees, volunteers, or staff.
 
As you may be aware we have:

• Closed the boathouse building and café.
• Closed all car parks.
• Together with Waterfront Golf we are employing security.

To ensure we re-open with the minimum of fuss we have enacted the following:-

• Holding a weekly staff meeting by remote communication.
• Keeping the monthly committee meetings going again by remote communication.

Some our planned events have been cancelled and others are under review as plans to come out of lockdown develop.  We are looking forward to the Summer and Autumn being very busy.
 
We also have some good news.

1. We have been awarded a further £900 towards our jetty plans.
2. Rotherham Council and the Trust have agreed a licence for the “Station Road Triangle” for car parking. Some work clearing trees and bushes has taken place during the lockdown.

We cannot wait to reopen and start club activities again, we have really missed the social aspect of the club and spending time at the lake.
 
We would like to thank the coaches and volunteers that have provided online activities and coaching during the crisis and hope members have enjoyed being kept busy with these.
 
The committee are looking at how we be fair with the unused portion of your membership during the lockdown and would welcome your thoughts on this. We understand that some members will be suffering financial hardship and the club will be as flexible as possible. However, if it is at all possible please can you to renew your membership when it becomes due?
 
Stay safe, stop at home, help the NHS and save lives.
 
Warm regards,
  
Chris. Hawkesworth.
President MWBC and Chair of Manvers Lake Trust