Chestnut Tree Club to close (From Somerset County Gazette)

Chestnut Tree Club to close

8:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

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A TAUNTON over-50s club opened by Margaret Thatcher in the 1960s is to close at the end of the month.

The £3,000 in the kitty at the Chestnut Tree Club, in Cannon Street car park, will go on staff redundancy payments – and there are fears members and the committee could be liable for a further £5,500 from their own pockets.

Honorary treasurer Barry Nowlan said: “We’d hoped to use our funds to allow the club to continue its activities in other locations.

“But that won’t be possible now with the bill for redundancy payments.

“We’re hoping to protect members and the committee from having to fork out to cover the rest of the £8,500 redundancy bill – the problem is we’re an unincorporated association, which means they could be responsible.”

Mr Nowlan has written to HM Revenue and Customs asking them to reconsider forcing the club to pay off its three members of staff.

He added: “The club has been losing money for some while and this is now the end.

“It has about 100 members who enjoyed lunches, dancing, carpet bowls, darts and other activities.”

Ray Butler, who has been a dance teacher at the Chestnut Tree for several years, said: “It’s very sad – it’s a lovely place in the town centre where older people can come and enjoy themselves. The members are upset it’s closing.”

Member Ken Reed said: “I’ve been coming here for ten years or so and it’s sad, but I’ll look for another club in the town.”

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