An EMERGENCY meeting has been arranged to try and save a much-loved social club.

The people of Haydon Bridge and the wider community are being asked to come together on  Saturday, January  27 to save the Haydonian - which has served the village since 1959 and will be celebrating 65 years’ service this year.

The meeting will commence at 7.30pm and is 'essential' as the current chairman and treasurer will be retiring after 25 years’ service. If no one is found for the voluntary roles- the club will close.

 Chairman Jimmy Carruthers said: "The club is an important part of the Community and is the social hub for many of it’s 300 members.

"For some of our members, playing Bingo once a week on a Sunday night, might be their only social interaction with other people.

"The club host darts and pool teams which play in local leagues and play an important social part in people’s lives.

"The future of the club is dependent on attracting a new chairman, treasurer, and active committee members. Without this, the club will face closure like many CIU clubs have across the country. At present the only paid members of the Haydonian are the bar staff and a cleaner.

"There is a small team of eight committee members who are the custodians of the club and they are looking to attract new members who have time to commit to organising and running activities, helping with maintenance, helping with fundraising events, book keeping and communications on social media platforms.

"The premises provides the village of Haydon Bridge with a large function room, a community bar and lounge which includes pool, darts and snooker, plus televising live sporting events.

"They help to raise money for local clubs and host monthly quiz nights. For the last 28 years the current treasurer has hosted children’s parties at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. The chairman has hosted bingo every Wednesday and Sunday, and post covid, just on Sunday’s.

"The time committed by the Chairman is self less and as a retired joiner, he has completed most of the club’s maintenance with no labour cost.

"I would like to thank the local community for all their support over the years and hopes that this will continue for many generations to come."