By Hayley Gastmeier
In just over a week the Masterton Cosmopolitan Club will be a thing of the past.
But its camaraderie won’t be lost, with some of its members banding together to create a new group.
Five members have formed a transition committee to get the Horseshoe Club up and running.
Spokesman for the new committee Jim Laird said it is to be based at Trust House’s Horseshoe Bar, adjoining The Farriers Bar and Eatery.
The Cossie Club’s last day is December 18, with the club’s assets set be auctioned on January 16.
It is closing its doors after a dwindling membership and overheads the club’s finances can no longer cover.
Mr Laird said the first day of trading for the Horseshoe Club would be Tuesday, December 20.
“It’s a club were members of the Cossie Club have automatic right of entry, members of Chartered Clubs New Zealand may enter, and the guests of any member will be signed in.
“That’s how it will run for the interim, until we get things going on a more formal basis.”
It will be open in the late afternoons of Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“But the hours can be brought forward and it could be open other days of the week providing there is the custom there to justify the premises being open.”
It will be staffed by Trust House, and a courtesy coach will be in service for members.
The menu would be priced to the tune of that of the Cossie Club.
Mr Laird said the committee hoped to keep subs to the Horseshoe Club modest.
The subscription would be set early next year, when Cossie Club memberships expire.
Cosmopolitan Club president Bruce Alderson said the club’s “wind up” on Sunday week would be a chance for members to “get together and talk about old times”.
Money raised at the auction in January will go to paying off debenture holders and any outstanding creditors.
Mr Alderson said the club had recently been extremely busy despite its imminent closure.
“They are just absolutely snowed under.”
He said additional staff was having to be rostered on.
“If it was like that every week we’d be still there.
“But unfortunately it only happens around Christmas.”
Mr Alderson said members “were quite keen” for some form of new club when the idea was raised at the last AGM.
Trust House operations and marketing manager Jerry Crump said the trust was “really looking forward” to their new venture.
“We’re very pleased to be hosting it free of charge.”
He said the trust were operating the bar and food, with the club running its own facilities.
“It’s a great adventure for us.”
Cool. Are the ex Horseshoe Club members invited to join also?