MEMBERS of a troubled workingmen’s club say they are prepared to form a committee to take control from its current management.

Members of Cockfield Workingmen’s Club, in County Durham, say they are frustrated at the lack of communication from the committee and the Clubs and Institute Union (CIU).

The club has a debt of about £71,000, and at the end of the month faces a court hearing regarding possible winding-up proceedings.

In March, the club was on the verge of closure because it could not meet its insurance premium.

However, club members and villagers raised more than £9,000 in a matter of hours to meet the insurance cost. Many donated hundreds of pounds of their own money to the fund.

Another meeting at the end of March had representation from the CIU, the brewery, club members and the committee. However, since then the 400- plus members have heard no news.

“We want to be able to do something to help the club, because it is a big part of Cockfield,” said club member Harry Rowe.

“But we feel like we aren’t getting any help. We need to know what the situation is so we can start to think about getting the club on the right track.”

On Sunday, a petition of 32 members’ names was handed to club secretary Donald Metcalfe. CIU rules state that if 30 or more members request a meeting into forming a new committee, a date must be set within ten days.

“Donald and the rest of the committee have done a very good job over the years, and especially in recent months keeping the club open, but we just want to know what is happening now,” said club member Kevin Clarey.

“The members know everything that is going on,” said Mr Metcalfe last night.

Mick McGlasham, secretary of the Durham branch of the CIU, said he would urge Mr Metcalfe to hold a members’ meeting.

“Regarding the process of investigating the size of the debt incurred through the Inland Revenue, the accountant had been working very hard on this and until he comes back to me with a conclusion to get this resolved, that’s all I can say,” he said.

“I understand the members’ concerns and I will endeavour to speak to Donald Metcalfe and get him to call a special meeting.”