The Hungerford Club committee rejects favouritism claims

MANAGEMENT at The Hungerford Club is prioritising the sporting facilities at the expense of the social aspect, it has been claimed.

Critics suggest the clubhouse has been allowed to deteriorate and that the management committee has refused to discuss their concerns.

However, the claims have been vehemently denied by the management committee, with the accusations being branded "vexatious".

The club, which boasts more than 500 members, is a regular recipient of West Berkshire CAMRA's (the Campaign for Real Ale) Club of the Year award.

However one critic, Jim Priest, said: "It has been felt for some time by numerous social members of the club that the way membership funds are collected and accounted for is fundamentally flawed."

He suggested that had resulted in the social club being under-funded and added: "This is borne out by the many structural issues with the clubhouse that are readily apparent - the roof has leaked rainwater for many years, there's significant damp in a number of the external walls, the interior decoration is in need of updating and so on."

He said there was no suggestion of anything underhand but claimed the committee had "flatly refused to discuss such matters".

Former club member Terry Jones said: "Early in 2020, I wrote a letter to the committee which had 17 signatures on it, highlighting our issues.

"[Last year] the committee said they didn’t have the funds to carry out the work on the club building roof.

"One member suggested selling the club building and transferring the bar to the pavilion."

The club management has rejected the claims and suggested the vast majority of the membership disagrees with the criticisms.

A statement issued in response said: "The Hungerford Club is thriving.

"It has come through the pandemic stronger and more popular than ever, with many new members.

"This is despite a sustained campaign of false allegations by two or three vexatious complainants who, for more than two years, have sought to create discord where none exists.

"Their allegations have been answered repeatedly but they refuse to accept the facts.

"Meanwhile the club's hundreds of happy members continue to enjoy the excellent facilities and superb bar.

"Visitors who would like to see for themselves are always welcome."

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