20 QUESTIONS

 

Bob Daybell likes a pint or two of real ale and would go to a fancy dress party as Adonis. He’s dislikes paperwork but is a liver of life and believes the glass is always half full.
1. How the devil are you?

Relaxed after a holiday in Madeira.

2. What are you up to at the moment?

Organising quarterly accounts and a treasurer’s report for the next committee meeting.

3. Club Mirror is buying, what’s your poison?

Butcombe Bitter pleases [Me too, Ed].

4. Why did you pursue a career in the club trade?

Upon leaving school, I started work in accounts for a local utility. During this time, I became involved with the trade union, UNISON. After 34 years, I took early retirement and this coincided with the election of a new club committee and the start of a new career, where my previous experience could be of use.

5. If you were not in the club trade, where would you be working?

I also have a small garden maintenance business and a large allotment which I would devote more time to.

6. What advice would you give to a new club manager?

Learn the history of the club, get to know the customers. Do not assume that you have all the answers or that you know better than others.

20 Question

7. What’s the best and worst aspects of your job?

The best is being part of a hard working team. The worst would be the very rare occasion when disciplinary action has to be taken.

8. What is your biggest gripe about the club industry?

Irresponsible managers giving the trade a bad name.

9. Are club managers paid a decent wage or not?

I am not a club manager but, part of a team who give their time free. Our club steward and her staff are paid well and in excess of the minimum set by CORCA.

10. How has your club been affected by the supermarkets selling cut-price alcohol and the general stay-at-home culture in the UK at present?

Life would be easier without their unfair buying powers and perceived intention to close competition. We concentrate on the social side and provide a safe and friendly environment where people on their own feel welcome.

11. Describe your fancy dress of choice.

As a 60’s hippy, is there a choice?

12. How do you keep your members interested in the club?

We have four rooms in use 365 days a year. A lounge, a snooker room, a function room with skittles, pool, big screen and 50 inch TV and entertainment every Saturday. The Main Hall provides various forms of entertainment every night of the week ranging from dancing, line dancing, bingo and whist. There are also self-organised groups that use the rooms during the day. If this did not keep members interested, we have a problem.

13. How important is food to your business and why?

At present, we do not have the facility to provide food, although our steward sells rolls.

14. You're on Death Row. Describe your last meal.

Smoked trout, providing it is one that I had caught.

15. Apart from being on Death Row, what is your greatest fear?

As a Bristol City supporter, my greatest fear would be watching Rovers.

16. Which living person do you most admire and why?

Nelson Mandela: strong in principle and full of forgiveness. A true statesman.

17. Sum yourself up in a sentence.

Content with my lot because the grass is always greener on my side.

18. Is the glass half full or half empty?

Always full.

19. What would your superpower be?

I would leave that for those who feel they need one.

20. How would you like to be remembered?

‘Happy with life, he tried to help others and always looked for the good and not the evil side.’ !