On Monday 30th March 2009 a members meeting was held at Cockfield Club to try and sort out the problems it was facing, and to try and save it from closure. Officials from the CIU were in attendance, and after hearing the facts of what was going on, went away with the promise of trying to sort out the mess the club was in and to try and get a stay of the winding up proceedings. Ten weeks have now passed, and the silence is deafening!

I have in my possession copies of two letters that were sent to Donald Metcalf (club secretary) from Paul Rushworth, who is a solicitor from Clarke Mairs law firm, acting on behalf of the club. They are addressed to Mr Metcalf’s home address and the second letter is followed up with an e-mail.

12th MAY 2009.

Dear Mr Metcalf.

Cockfield Workmens Club and Institute-Winding up Proceedings.

I have now received confirmation from the court that the application to stay the winding up proceedings will be heard on 30th June 2009 at 10am. I will attend that hearing on your behalf.

I will need to know prior to that hearing where you currently stand with the accountant and the re-assessment of the Revenue & Customs liability. Please can I hear from you and/or your accountant on that.

Additionally please confirm what progress is being made on raising the funds required to pay the liquidation debts.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely.

Paul Rushworth.

CLARKE MAIRS LLP.

02 JUNE 2009.

Dear Donald.

Cockfield Workmens Club and Institute-Winding up Proceedings.

I write further to my letter 12th May a copy of which I enclose for ease of reference. Please can I now hear from you and/or your accountant to confirm where you stand with the re-assessment of the Revenue & Customs liability.

Additionally please can you confirm what progress is being made on raising funds to pay the liquidation debts and expenses.

I will need to know this information prior to the hearing on 30th June and therefore I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely.

Paul Rushworth.

These letters were leaked to me in the public interest; the people of this village (especially club members) have a right to know what is going on with the club.

Except we don’t know!

Why wasn’t the first letter dealt with as a matter of urgency?

Why hasn’t there been another meeting, as promised?

Do we know how much money has been taken over the bar and with what profit?

It looks to me that time is once again, running out.

I rang Paul Rushworth today, (Monday 8th June) but he told me that he couldn’t give me any information about what is going on at the club, but did confirm that Mr Metcalf had ‘Been in Touch!’ If anyone can enlighten ‘The Cockfield Blog’ I would be more than grateful.

Footnote… My comments on this blog are for the sole purpose of the Northern Echo, and should NOT be used in any other newspaper publication without the permission of the editor.