December Venue Circular
- cbarber98
- 16 hours ago
- 7 min read
Download our December Venue Circular as a PDF or read all news articles below (mobile friendly option) - forthcoming news and events occurring at Venue 360.
Our Top Stories
New Year’s Eve Party in the Balcony Bar
Bring your party to ours for a night of glitz, glamour & good vibes as we welcome 2026!
On the night
Doors open: 8.00pm
DJ Courtney Brown spinning tunes for all ages on our LED dance floor: 8.00pm-1am
Photo booth fun all night long
Fully staffed bar
Book early for your perfect celebration!
Only £15
The Balcony Bar – Where the party begins.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit venue360.co.uk/nye or contact our main reception at 01582418873 (option 1).
Raising Awareness & Funds for Prostate Cancer
In November, we were proud to host a special event in support of Carl and Liz, who are on an incredible mission to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer. The evening was a huge success, welcoming nearly 300 guests for a three-course meal, drinks, live music, and a DJ - all in aid of this vital cause.
Carl’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection. After receiving an email from a friend who had been diagnosed, Carl booked a check-up that revealed his own cancer. Thanks to that timely action, Carl’s cancer was caught early, and following treatment, he is now cancer-free. Even more inspiring, four other men booked appointments after reading that same email - and their lives were saved too.
Determined to make a difference, Carl and Liz began their journey to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer. Their recent charity ball alone raised over £8,000, and donations are still welcome.
Carl’s message is simple but urgent: “If you have a prostate, get it checked NOW! It could be the difference between life and death.”
How You Can Help
Donate Today: Every contribution makes a difference. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carlscaminodesantiago
Spread the Word: Share Carl’s message with friends, family, and colleagues.
Book Your Check-Up: If you haven’t already, make that appointment - it could save your life.
Together, we can help Carl and Liz continue their incredible work and save lives.
Congratulations to our Members of the Month!
A big well done to Naomi and Funmi, our Members of the Month! Their consistency and dedication have truly been inspiring. Both have shown incredible commitment to their training plans, turning up with amazing energy at every session.
We’re thrilled to see their hard work paying off and can’t wait to watch their strength and confidence continue to grow. Keep up the fantastic effort - you’re setting a great example for us all!
Serving Up 40 Years of Fun
The Flemons Badminton Group Story
In 1983, myself (Pauline), my husband Trevor, my brother Peter, Martin, and a few others joined a local beginner coaching group run by Sheila Neale. After two years, at the age of 33, I branched out on my own in November 1985 and took a few players with me. The Flemons Badminton Group was born.
The Flemons Badminton Group officially started on November 23rd, 1985, when the courts were around 75p. Over the years, roughly 150 players have joined from all walks of life - myself with 42 years in the NHS, GPs, teachers, electricians, carers, truckers, psychologists, lawyers, an MBE, and even a war hero - all coming together to play badminton on Saturday mornings. We have played at multiple centres but have settled at Venue 360, where the staff look after us so well.
I remember shopping in Asda, trying to book courts and collecting subs for the first 25 years, but luckily I’ve had help over the last 10-15 years, which has been great. I’d like to thank Peter Crossley, my right-hand man, who has been with the group for at least 20 years now. He is approaching 80 and still going strong!
The group has always given people a great reason to get out of bed on a Saturday morning after a tough week. I feel immensely proud that I have held it together for forty years - who would have thought it!!! Of course, it is the people who make it a success, and without the Creeky Bones, we would not be the thriving group we are.
As the years have gone on, we renamed the group Creeky Bones, as many of us are ageing but still love the game. We currently have 12 regular players. Some have relocated to Oz, some have moved away, some have injuries, and sadly some are no longer with us.
Thanks to all past, present, and regular members. It has been great to have your company over the years.
Pauline Flemons
In Other News...
Warm up this Winter with our Soup & Roll Special!
There’s nothing better than a comforting bowl of hot soup on a chilly winter’s day - and now you can enjoy it in our Balcony Café Bar for just £4.50! It’s the perfect way to keep warm this season without breaking the bank.
Our soup of the day is freshly prepared and served with a soft, crusty roll - great value and great taste! Simply ask one of our friendly team members what today’s flavour is, and treat yourself to a little winter warmth.
Stay cosy, stay nourished, and enjoy unbeatable value this winter!
Sausage Rolls…
After listening to your feedback, we’ve refreshed our selection - and this is just the beginning! We plan to add even more delicious options in the New Year.
Right now, you can enjoy a Hot Sausage Roll for only £2 - a tasty, warming snack at an unbeatable price. Perfect for a quick bite that won’t break the bank!
Keep an eye out for new additions coming in January - more variety, more flavour, and always great value.
December Battle Rope Challenge – Are you Ready?
This month’s challenge is all about power and endurance! Head over to the free weights area and take on the Battle Ropes for an intense upper-body and cardio workout.
Here’s how it works:
Complete 1 minute on the battle ropes as fast and strong as you can.
Get your name on our Challenge Completion Board and show everyone what you’re made of!
To take part, simply ask one of our instructors - they’ll set up the ropes and time your challenge for you.
Good luck, and let’s see who can dominate the ropes this December!
High Rep Training
What is High Rep Training?
Repetitions: Generally considered to be 15 or more reps per set, with some ranges extending to 15–20 or even 20–30 reps.
Weight: Uses lighter weights, typically around 50% of your one-rep max (1RM) for endurance, or a weight that allows you to perform the target number of reps to failure.
Goal: The key is to push your sets close to or to muscle failure, meaning you cannot complete another repetition with proper form.
Benefits of High Rep Training
Hypertrophy: Can build muscle just as effectively as lower-rep training if sets are taken close to failure.
Muscle Endurance: Improves your muscles’ ability to perform for longer periods.
Metabolic Stress: The build up of metabolic waste products from prolonged muscle engagement promotes muscle breakdown and growth.
Muscle Pump: Increases blood flow to the muscles, which can deliver nutrients and aid in recovery.
Reduced Injury Risk: By using a lighter weight, it can reduce the strain on joints compared to very heavy, low-rep sets.
Exercise of the Month!
Chest & Back High Rep Training Workout
Using the chest press, push out 3 sets of 30 repetitions of a light weight, that you start feeling around the 20 rep mark with only 30 seconds of rest in between
Repeat this next using the pully row or seated row with 30 repetitions and 3 sets. Remember only 30 second rest!
Next onto the cable fly or the fly machine for 3 sets of 30 reps!
Finally finish off on the straight arm pull down with the same set and reps before stretching out.
If the weight does get too much you can always drop the weight during the sets and reps, good luck!
Festive Break for Exercise Classes
Please note that our exercise classes will take a short festive break.
Last class: Saturday 20th December
Classes resume: Monday 5th January
Our class instructors would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your energy and commitment throughout the year - we can’t wait to see you back in January, ready to kick-start 2026 with us!
Game, Set, Grow! Our Next Kids’ Tennis Programme is Coming Soon
Looking for the perfect way to help your child develop their tennis skills? Our Kids’ Tennis Programme is designed for all ages and abilities, offering a clear coaching pathway from fun introductory sessions right through to competitive play.
Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or aiming to take their game to the next level, we have a group to suit every stage of their development.
Led by our highly experienced Head Coach, Danny Pymont, and his dedicated team, the programme has helped countless young players progress. Many of our juniors have gone on to represent the club and county - and some have even competed in junior tournaments at Wimbledon!
If you’re looking for a fun, welcoming, and professionally run environment for your child to learn, grow, and thrive in tennis, this is the place to be.
Sign Up Today! Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out!
Register now at venue360.co.uk/kids-tennis
Call us on 01582 418873 (opt.1) for more information.
Or speak to a member of our team at the club reception.
Give your child the chance to learn, improve, and love the game of tennis - sign up now and secure their spot!
Squash Courts get a Fresh New Look!
We’re excited to share some great news with our leisure community! We’ve recently invested £4,500 to give both of our squash courts a much-needed uplift.
The improvements include:
Light sanding of the courts to refresh and smooth the playing surface.
Repainting of the playing lines for improved visibility and precision.
Fresh paint on the side walls, giving the courts a cleaner, brighter look.
These enhancements have significantly transformed the appearance and feel of the courts, ensuring a better experience for all players.
This investment has been made on the back of the welcome arrival of Harpenden Squash Club, who we are delighted to now have using our courts regularly for play and coaching sessions, following the closure of their previous venue. Their presence has brought new energy to our squash community, and we’re thrilled to support their continued passion for the sport.
We look forward to seeing you on court soon - come and enjoy the upgraded facilities!
