This years round of refurbs are now being organised. On the table are a complete refurb of the family lounge, a major facelift of the foyer and front doors, and a brand new outdoor patio area with canopies at the front of the club (a La Millsy's but bigger and better) The bar and the concert rooms will also see redecoration, all of which should boost club trade for this summer

Tenders will be invited for all this work in due course.

50 Moor Street which is the house immediately to the left of the car park gates and is a property that the club own, maintain and lease. It has recently been fully refurbished and has been snapped up in the first week of advertising availability. An electrical rewire, a fitted kitchen and bathrooms, upgrading of plumbing, repair of floors windows and doors, replastering and decorating, and new carpets have all been done.

Following last years hugely popular and successful Members Night at The Albany Club we're going to do it again. A date of Thursday 22 May has been set for this year and we're going to stick with the formula that proved so good last time - Las Vegas style Casino tables, a laid back Cabaret and a knock-you-off-your-feet Comedian. We hope to get the excellent table magician back too, he was fantastic.

Several of the audience and most of the Committee bore the brunt of Lee Lard's wicked onslaught last time around, myself included, but it was a great night. We should have recorded it on video for posterity.

The club will close in the afternoon as it did last year so we can get everything ready. Members only are invited (NO GUESTS OR CHILDREN) and they will need both a paid up subscription book AND their grey door fobs to get in. If you haven't renewed your subs now is a good time and if you've lost your fob or given it to the dog to play with get another one now.

Drinks will be half price all night and there will be food laid on - this has yet to be finalised so if you have any suggestions, don't be shy and get your pennorth in now on the Forum! No good complaining that you don't like the burgers on the night and "why don't they put a curry on" if you haven't bothered putting your views forward.

I've always wanted to say "Pies ave cum" wearing a flat cap over a dodgy PA system......

Doncaster Races on Saturday August 2nd.

09.00am Depart from Club in Earlsdon Street
11.30am Stop for Full English Breakfast
01.00pm Arrive at Doncaster Racecourse
12.00 midnight Depart Doncaster and return to Coventry

PRICE £30 per person. Price includes travel, breakfast and ticket to the Grandstand. The Secretary is "running a book" for those of you who wish to put a little away towards the cost as you are able. Suits you sir!
Non-members are welcome on a first served basis - there are only so many seats available on the bus.

Interested parties should contact Mick Goodreid or Trevor Groom for tickets.

We've got Green King's "Abbot" ale for starters at a very reasonable £2.20 a pint with more guest ales coming our way if it really takes off (Oh, it will, it will, it will!). Abbot is now the official tipple of yours truly when I'm in the club and you really should buy me a pint if I'm awake next time you see me!

My real ale friends have informed the CAMRA chappies who are set to decend upon the place in their thousands.........

REDS from £7.00 per 75cl bottle

Rocco Bay A fresh, fruity red from South Africa

La Chasse Du Pappe Full, ripe, peppery, spicy Rhone red from France, with a touch of oak and liquorice, excellent value.

Viña Gracia Merlot from Chile. Superb ripe blackberry fruit with smooth tannins and excellent balance

Porta Pinot Noir from Chile. Soft and ripe, with a delicate range of aromas including cherries, strawberries, and lovely floral notes especially roses. "This is an amazing pinot for a teeny price…Bold,ripe, plummy and spicy, it is a model of the variety, at half the price it should be." Daily Mail - Matthew Jukes

Lindemans Merlot Australian. From down under by a company that produces wines of consistent quality across the board. Smooth and rich with soft plum, blackberry and red berry fruit.

Melbourne Lounge Merlot from Australia. With hints of ripe plum and cinnamon. Recommended

Blackwing Shiraz from Chile. Errazuriz were the first to plant and produce Shiraz in Chile. This, their flagship Shiraz, is a wine produced from the very best fruit across the Errazuriz vineyards each vintage, and is typically peppery and spicy.

ROSE from £6.80 per 75cl bottle

Echo Falls Pinot Grigio from California USA Fruity strawberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavours are delivered in a crisp, sweet and well balanced wine. A medium bodied wine with a pleasant aftertaste.

Gallo White Grenache from California USA. This medium-dry 'blush' wine is light and fresh with soft, berry fruit. Made from red Grenache grapes.

Melbourne Lounge Rose Australian. Laid back strawberry and mellow redcurrant flavours, deliciously fruity.