I AM writing regarding the demise of a Rudheath institution.

Once a busy, bustling and fun place to be, full of characters and laughter, time has not been kind to the social club.

Its days of being a meeting place and melting pot of pigeon fanciers, domino players, bowlers, dart throwers, pool and snooker players, horse racing enthusiasts, football watchers and players has, over the past 10 years, diminished.

Not because of need or want but because of a new generation.

A new small enclave of customers who think it right to flout the rules and bring children into a club where children are not allowed are slowly but surely implanting themselves and establishing themselves with their own rules.

The committee needs to enforce those club rules or people will continue to do so until none of the fabric of what made the place an amazing place to be is left.

On one occasion recently, a racing fan asked for the TV channel to be changed from the pounding music channel to the racing so that they could see the last few races.

They were told no.

When you bump into people outside of this environment now and say ‘not seen you in the club lately’, the response just streams into how bad the place is of late and that if they can avoid going they would sooner go elsewhere.

The council has priced the football team off the pitch on the park at the back despite a club member sorting drainage there to make it possible for them to even play there.

The council overlook the fact that it hasn’t had to pay for things like this.

They destroy the support and pride that people have for their local community and along with it, the business that football brought into the club post-match and for their presentations.

Other than that the club is well kitted out and even has a defibrillator – but sadly it will take more than that to bring this club back to life.

Name and address supplied