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East Oxford Social Club Enters the Unknown

Paul Spencer | 10.08.2005 18:25 | Culture | Oxford

The Social Club running the bar at East Oxford Community Centre has been forced to take a nervous step into unknown territory and recruit volunteers to run the bar after facing near bankruptcy this year. In a painful upheaval, the long-serving chair and secretary declined to contest their positions at the recent AGM and Andy Smith the barman for several years has been made redundant due to the club's complete inability to cover his pay cheques.


Ian, a long-time customer of the bar and new committe member said tonight that it was "very sad because he [Andy] was part of the place for so long, but the club's not doing so well so we have to have volunteers." Jennie, another new committee member agreed it was sad but added "The bar is quite skint."

Andy Smith accepted redundancy when it was discovered that the social club was losing money at such a rate that there might be no money to pay him (despite his legal entitlement to it) if he didn't take it now. The club has cut its openng times back, only opening Wednesday to Saturday until the figures improve. Ian was hopeful for the future, saying he felt "a new energy trying to bring the club up to what it was before it gradually faded" and Jennie said it was "quite positive to see a community pub being run by the commmunity".

Ian described the East Oxford Social Club as "the secret heart of Oxford" and said "I love coming here, just as a customer. I felt I had to support it more than just by coming here."

The club hosts a Reggae night on Wednesdays and an open DJ night, "Mishmash" on every 2nd Friday. An acoustic open mic night is expected to move in on Thursdays, starting in September. A big gig is planned for Saturday the 3rd of September with bands and sound systems.

Paul Spencer

Comments

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The new mixed with the best of the old

11.08.2005 09:14

I felt I had to respond to Paul's article in a personal capacity (though I'm a member of the social club committee). It reads a bit like a wake for a dying institution, whereas anyone who's attended the club on a Wednesday or a Friday or at any of the special events would definitely not have this impression. The club is in fact currently undergoing a new lease of life, with refurbishment already begun (more volunteers with relevant skills really welcome!). We have applied for an extension to the licensing hours. The club has over twenty years supported East Oxford Community Centre as a whole financially, so its significance is well beyond the immediate benefit to its members. In the current exciting times members of the club have the opportunity to create the kind of club we want for the 21st century. It's always been a very diverse and inclusive place in an increasingly gentrified Cowley Road, where the local community could get reasonably priced drinks and free music nights. We want to carry this on, but better.
What do we want? More and different music nights? Local bands? Internet access? A cafe space during the day for users of the EOCC?
From now until the end of the year, membership of the club is free (it's only £2.50/£1 unwaged a year anyway!) - just sign up at the bar. If you leave an email address, we will inform you of upcoming events. Come down and give your opinions and suggestions for events, decor etc. As a member it's an open space for you to make happen what you would like to see.

richarddirecttv

that's what I meant

11.08.2005 12:11

I didn't mean it to sound so glum. I did a hurried interview with the two volunteers who were happy to be interviewed and they both seemed to regret that the club was in its poor position but were quite excited about the energy that has flowed in from the community to build it up again. The future does look pretty bright to me from what I have overheard around the community centre lately.

Paul

Get involved! :)

11.08.2005 15:22

I didn't read Paul's article as negative.

Just to add on from Richard that if anyone is interested in getting involved in the bar there's a meeting on Saturday (13th Aug) at 3pm. There will also be a bit of a tidy and tart up of the bar beforehand too from 12pm as it's currently a tad shabby - again, volunteers more than welcome! :D

And, on a personal note, I helped out with the bar last night. OK it was challenging (especially when the dishwasher ceased to be) and slightly stressful. BUT it was really enjoyable and great to be with enthusiastic people who *want* the bar to succeed as a community venture that involves and belongs to the East Oxford community.

Oh, and the music was amazing (there's just enough room to boogie behind that bar)!

Hope to see some of you on Saturday armed with feather dusters!

Oh and if you can't make it this weekend - but are still interested - drop an email tothe social club committee:  eocsc@somd.net

Jennie B
mail e-mail: eocsc@somd.net