With 2011 behind us, we look forward to what 2012 has in store.

On behalf of the staff and myself, I express our thanks to you, the Membership, for your support and goodwill during the past year. We now look forward to serving you to the best of our ability in the New Year.

We will celebrate the Chinese New Year holidays – “The Year of the Dragon” – from Monday 23 January to Wednesday 25 January. Some of the facilities will be closed during the holiday period. Notices will be displayed in the Clubhouse; on the HKCC’s website of www.hkcc.org They are also included on page 4 of the January/February Pinkun.

Preparations are in hand for improvements and there are important reviews under way of existing service standards in the Club’s and DotCod’s operations. In similar vein, the Club Management Team has commenced in-depth appraisals of the HKCC’s annual ‘Events and Entertainments Programmes’ - with a view to improving established traditions and to implement changes to meet Membership expectations. Club Management recognizes that there are always areas where improvements can be achieved. You can be assured that we continue to strive towards this aim.

With improvements in mind, the Swimming Pool Complex, including the Children’s Playground, will be closed for necessary maintenance from Monday 13th February, re-opening on Friday 2nd March.

Redevelopment Projects include refurbishment of Function Suites; 1st and 2nd Floor Clubhouse Toilets are also programmed for attention during the period February to April (however, Members can be assured that these will be phased to ensure availability on at least one level at a time during the works period!).

Also, I wish to compliment and thank the Club’s Staff – both ‘front and back-of-house’ – for their tireless work over the past year and most especially over the period of Christmas and the New Year. I am most appreciative of their particularly sterling efforts in ensuring a very, very memorable 160th Anniversary Year for the Club.

There are times when I use these Notes to highlight Management and Committee concerns regarding the use of the Club and this month I must ask for the support of Members with regard to By-law 22. Concern has been expressed that ‘outside’ sporting coaches have inadvertently but improperly been invited to Club premises and given private lessons to Members. This is, of course, not permitted “whether or not for a fee or any form of other reward without the prior Approval of the Committee.”

In closing, the President, Chairman, Members of the General Committee, Management and Staff of the Hong Kong Cricket Club wish Members and their families a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

‘KUNG HEI FAT CHOY’ for the Year of the Dragon.

Nigel P. Stearns
General Manager.