To provide a village social club which is welcoming and inclusive for the whole community.
Berden Sports and Social Club has around 180 members and a committee which plans and organises events for members and guests. It runs a variety of events including Quiz Nights, Music Nights, Food Nights, Sociable Lunches during the winter, a Film Club, an Easter Egg Hunt, a Barn Dance, BBQ’s and the annual Firework display. It has an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in January every year where members have an opportunity to comment on the running of the Club, to join the committee and vote in the committee members and officers of the Club, as well as to suggest activities for the coming year.
There is an annual adult membership fee, which is currently £5 (children are free). This is to cover fixed costs such as the Premises Licence, the TV and the Film Club Licences. The Bar sells drinks and snacks at reasonable prices, and the aim of the club when running events is to cover costs and ideally to provide a modest surplus, which can be added to the Club’s reserves. Reserves are needed to cover the cost of replacing broken or worn-out equipment, and to cover unexpected losses on events due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather.
The Berden Sports & Social Club is one of the main users of Berden Village Hall. It hires the Hall at a reduced rate in recognition of its service to the community. The Club is the custodian of some of the village’s community resources – such as a marquee, gazebos, BBQs, tables and chairs. These are available to be used for village events. The Club is an integral part of the village, in that it works with the Parish Council, the Village Hall Management Committee, the Fete, Open Gardens, the Repair Café, and St Nicholas Church to share village resources and ensure co-operation and success for all village events.
The Social Club bar is run by a team of volunteers and is open from 8pm every Friday for Social Club members and their guests to enjoy a drink and good company. It opens at other times, such as Bank Holidays and by popular request to show major sporting and national events.
The first Friday of every month is Family Night where families with children of all ages are welcome from 6.30pm to socialise and play games. On many Family Nights in Summer a local food van will be on hand; the Events page will have details of these occasions.
A variety of sports are played including Darts, Table Tennis, Pétanque (Boule)and Pool.
Keep an eye on the Events page for special events, of which there are many, taking place during the year or add yourself to the Email list for regular updates and important village information Berden Mailchimp link here
John Walker (Chairman)
Membership Enquiries: berdensportsandsocialclub@outlook.com
Village clubs and activities
Thriving clubs and village events make Berden the special place it is and the envy of many surrounding villages. New members and volunteers are always welcome so why not check out what’s going on, come along and get involved.
Berden Book Club
This friendly group of keen readers meets about once a month in each other’s houses to discuss, informally, their chosen books. Recent titles have included Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. For more information about joining the group contact John Walker on 01279 777470.
Berden Choir
Berden Choir is an enthusiastic group of singers which meets under the direction of Bronwen Burton. Activity is mainly in the autumn and winter, to rehearse for the village carol service. They have also sung at other events such as weddings. New singers are always welcome, and there are no formal auditions. For more information, please contact Bronwen Burton on 01279 777674.
Croquet Tournament
Croquet is a game that is fun to learn and a good way to meet different people in the village. Newcomers to the annual tournament are always most welcome. Contact Mary and Andrew Nelson on 01279 777784.
Berden Film Club
Classic and arthouse films are shown throughout the year once a month on a Saturday night, at 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start, in the Village Hall. The Social Club bar is open for the sale of drinks and snacks.
Membership of the Film Club is open automatically to all members of the Berden Sports and Social Club. Details of screenings can be found on the Berden website Events | berden or through the village Mailing List. For more information, please contact John Walker on 01279 777470.
Berden Village Tennis Tournament
The annual tennis tournament usually takes place on a Sunday towards the end of September and is played in the village. It’s a social tennis event and a trophy is presented to the winning doubles pair at the end of the day. Players bring along a picnic lunch and there is tea and cake at the end of the tournament when the trophy is presented.
For more information, please contact Richard Little on 01279 777123 or Keith Dunn on 01279 777466.
Open Gardens
This biennial event at which several village gardens are displayed at their best, has proved a great success for both enjoyment and fund raising towards the upkeep of our Church, Village Hall and Playground. The day has included a quiz, woodland walk, cream teas and plant shop. The set up and execution of the day relies on village volunteers and is a lovely social summer event. Please contact John Tippett on 01279 777446 if you would like to include your garden.
Women in Berden
Social get togethers, often in people’s gardens, involve friendly chat, tea and cake! Held throughout the year these meetings are the perfect way to get to know your neighbours. For more information, please contact: Ulla Magnusson-Murray on 01279 777994.
The Busstopshop
Watch out for the dates in the Parish News for when the seasonal Busstopshop is to be held. Edible donations and gift items are sold with all proceeds going towards essential church repairs and improvements to the Village Hall. It provides a fun morning, a chat with your neighbours and a chance to buy homemade produce.
berden 