The 200 Club
| The 200 Club of Irvine Incorporated Trades. |
|
The inception of the 200 Club began in 2001 when then Collector, Jim Burns , mooted the idea as a way of raising funds to provide a Trades House for Irvine Incorporated Trades. This idea was taken up and developed by ex-Deacon Convener Jim Fairgrieve along with Jim Burns. An appropriate application form was designed which included a Standing Order agreement. This form along with the idea of the 200 Club were promoted at the Big Pie in 2001, Wee Pies and other Trades functions. Since then ex-Deacon Conveners Robert Smallwood and Hugh Hutchison have contributed to the set-up. After a lot of hard work, the inaugural 200 Club Draw was held in January, 2002. The first winner, receiving the princely sum of £100, was Fraser Cooper. By the end of 2008 the 200 Club had 112 members and some £28,500 in the bank. What is the purpose of the 200 Club?The main purpose, as stated above, is to assist the Irvine Incorporated Trades with the wherewithal to acquire a Trades House. Ideally it would be the deposit if the Trades House were to be bought. In the event of renting, it would again provide a deposit and funds for refurbishment. The preferred option is, of course, to purchase a suitable building. Were we to be successful in this then the 200 Club would provide the deposit and thereafter help with the running costs of the building. Why should I join the 200 Club?As you can see from the above the aim is to provide premises for all Crafts to use. Each Craft would be able to run its own functions in the House. It would give the Trades a fitting place in which to display the historic documents, memorabilia etc which are currently stored in boxes in Irvine Burns Club. You would be helping to create this. Who can join and what does it cost?Anyone can join. The 200 Club is open to all craftsmen, their family, their friends and their colleagues. The more people that are in the Club then the higher the payout as it works on a 50/50 basis. That means half of all money taken in is paid out in prizes. In 2008 these stood at £150 and £75 in the monthly Draw and prize money of £500 and £100 in the Draws at the May Ball and the Big Pie. The other benefit to encourage people to join is the effect on their own craft. When the Trades House is up and running the Crafts have agreed to pay their share of the ongoing costs. The more people there are in the 200 Club the lower the cost to the individual Crafts. Current membership is £5 per month by Standing Order. I would like to encourage you to join as soon as possible and also to encourage other people you know to sign up. It would be a great step forward for Irvine Incorporated Trades to have its very own Trades House after having been in existence for so long. Please take part in this historic venture. Jim Burns, Ex- Deacon Convener. If you would like to become a member of the 200 Club please download a bank standing order mandate and post a completed signed paper form to Jimmy Burns, 136 Bank Street, Irvine. (I shall send this to your bank after I have noted your details so that we can send you your winnings)
|
