A new team has transformed Mundesley's Haig Club into a thriving social venue after 18 months of hard graft.

Eastern Daily Press: The Haig Club, Mundesley. Committee members, left to right, Norman Grisdale, Trevor Fuller, Ronnie Fuller, Carol Cooke, David Barnes, Val Beales and Tim Lloyd.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYThe Haig Club, Mundesley. Committee members, left to right, Norman Grisdale, Trevor Fuller, Ronnie Fuller, Carol Cooke, David Barnes, Val Beales and Tim Lloyd.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

Today the newly-redecorated club boasts pool and darts teams, cribbage, re-covered snooker tables, a membership of 270-280, a full events programme, and it is also a popular meeting place for local organisations, according to club chairman David Barnes.

The six-strong committee had rolled up their sleeves and set to work putting things right after a slide in the fortunes of the club, which is believed to have opened in the 1930s and was named in honour of Earl Haig, the first world war commander.

'I had been coming to Norfolk for 15-20 years and I knew what the club could be like in its heyday. We all wanted to give something back to the community,' said Mr Barnes, who retired four years ago from Spalding, Lincolnshire, to Mundesley, where he and his wife had spent holidays.

The new committee - which also included Valerie Beales, Ronnie and Trevor Fuller, Carol Cook and Norman Grisdale - had set to putting the club's affairs in order, cleaning and painting the building, helped by Mundesley lifeboat coxswain Brian Hall, his crew and some of the club's loyal regulars.

'It's been heartwarming to see how many people helped us out,' said Mr Barnes.

The club was now used for meetings by the local lifeboat crew, coastwatch, Royal British Legion and freemasons. There was also a regular programme of theme nights and live music or a disco every Friday.

The committee had also succeeded in attracting more families and holidaymakers by making sure the club was both dog and child-friendly with a play room and enclosed cliff-top garden.

'The atmosphere now is brilliant,' said Mr Barnes. 'Everybody loves it. We get loads of positive comments. It's an important part of Mundesley's community life again.'

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