Report from NOTED 's Annual Sit Round the Table with A Pint Evening

Thanks to the intrepid adventurers who braved the icy wastes in order to prop up the bar, there was a lively discussion about NOTED's next steps.

Here is the summary, excluding the distracting conversations regarding Girls Alound on the pub TV...

• FUNDS. The £3 charge goes towards the hire of the PA and room hire. However, room hire is free at the moment, so we have some money in the kitty.
• CHARITY. Two suggestions: The first is to divert some of our excess cash each month to a musical charity. The second is to have a Charity Ball - see below.
• TABLES AND CHAIRS. We have had requests to for the room layout to be more "lounge-bar" than "Boeing 737", so we will try to put out tables for drinks in future.
• INSURANCE. As an informal club, we have no insurance cover for accidents, so Stuart Marshall will follow up his Musicians' Union contacts to see what we could do.
• OTHER BAND IN PUB ON CLUB NIGHTS. This has been a distraction recently, and Stuart Crawford will raise the issue with the pub.
• ADVERTISING. We haven't done much advertising, traditionally, as word-of-mouth has sufficed. However, we could consider notices in the Tourist Info office, the Library etc. Pete T has also suggested links with the schools to help encourage youngsters. Thoughts and ideas welcome.
• CLUB FORMAT and NUMBERS. We currently get around 40 people to club night, of which about half perform. By restricting the number of songs each person or combo perform we give the maximum number of people an opportunity. We all like this format, so no changes proposed. Quiz nights may be held at quieter times of the year.
• THEMED EVENINGS are very popular, and totally ignored. We aim to maintain this contradictory state, and January NOTED is declared The Christmas Special.
• HOSTS and COMPÈRE. Volunteers wanted - we would like to plan well in advance. The preparing of the evening order can be done through the website, so hosts only need to introduce the acts.