BADAC Bar Volunteers 2002 to 2014
By LTC Chairman Peter Clemson
When the former Brewhouse Trust went into liquidation in the summer of 2002 (shortly after HM The Queen’s visit), my dear friend, Richard Frost (sadly no longer with us), rapidly enlisted the help of his neighbour, Brian Alston, myself and other “willing†volunteers to put together a bar team which would at least ensure some form of hospitality for the upcoming Mellow Dramatics production of Me and My Girl.
We started on a small scale with a very limited range and were quite daunted by the prospect of facing hordes of audience members, particularly at the always busy intervals. Gradually we expanded our range, tried to perfect our skills and brought in lots of different faces and helpers to assist in making the Brewhouse experience, whether it be at a performance, a gallery opening or any other of the myriad events that take place at the venue, a more enjoyable and friendly experience.
In the last 12 years, the BADAC Bar Volunteers have never missed an event at the Brewhouse and have always offered the service required.
It is with great sadness, therefore, that we have now been told, at very short notice, by ESBC, that our services will no longer be required. In leaving behind our volunteer duties, I cannot let the moment pass without a special thank you to all those people who have given up so much of their precious free time to serve willingly the many thousands of people who have come through the Brewhouse doors during our period of service. Thank you, also to Pamela Anderson MBE, who spent countless voluntary hours operating the coffee bar and being the familiar face of the “tuck shop†for the Saturday Class young people.
 Of course, the biggest thank you and debt of gratitude must go to Brian Alston (pictured right) who has served the Brewhouse Bar with such distinction over the last 12 years – often working hours over and beyond the call of duty to ensure the Brewhouse was never let down. He, alone, has been largely responsible for the way the bar operation has been built over the years into the very friendly and professional set-up that was in place up to the end of August this year.
In saying goodbye to all those years of service plus the friends and colleagues with whom Brian and I have worked, I wish Derby Quad every success in its endeavours to provide our audiences and members with a level of service they have come to expect and enjoy.
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