March Venue Circular!
- cbarber98
- Mar 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Download our March 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
Venue 360 Celebrates 30 Years at Gipsy Lane!
This year, Venue 360 is marking an exciting milestone: 30 years at its Gipsy Lane location! While this chapter is a special one, our story goes back even further. Venue 360’s roots stretch all the way back to 1931, when Vauxhall Motors recognised the importance of leisure and sport for its employees and laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Vauxhall Recreation Club.
After many years of support from Vauxhall, it was time for the Recreation Club to stand on its own. With the construction of its facilities at Gipsy Lane, it evolved into a self-sustaining, non-profit business, a legacy that continues to this day.
Our mission has always been to continuously enhance our facilities and services, all while maintaining the warm and welcoming atmosphere our customers know and love. Over the years, the local community has played an integral role in keeping Venue 360 at the heart of leisure and hospitality in the area.
One of the things we’re most proud of is our incredible team. Many of our staff members have been with us for over 20 years, which is a true testament to the friendly, supportive culture we’ve built and the commitment to progress and improvement that defines our work.
As we celebrate 30 years at Gipsy Lane, we look forward to continuing to serve our community and guests with the same dedication, warmth, and passion that have guided us from the very beginning. Here’s to many more years of success, growth, and shared moments of joy!
Key historic milestones include:
1931 Recreation club first established
1955 Brache Estate sports facilities completed
1963 Brache canteen and clubhouse opened
1966 Airport sportsground and clubhouse acquired at Toddington road site
1978 Chaul End grounds purchased from Vauxhall motors
1985 9 hole golf course opened at Chaul End
1991 All weather artificial football pitch introduced
1995 New leisure facilities opened at Gipsy lane and 18 hole golf course at Chaul End
2011 Club becomes a limited company
2013 Vauxhall Recreation Club limited rebrands to become Venue 360 Limited
2025 Still going strong!
A Weekend of Celebrations at the Riverside Suite
February was another bustling month for events and conferences, and in this edition we’re highlighting two exceptional gatherings that took place in the Riverside Suite over the same weekend - a Prostate Cancer charity fundraiser and the Windrush Awards for Luton & Bedfordshire.
Prostate Cancer Charity Fundraiser – Saturday, 15th February
We were honoured to host a spectacular charity event in support of Prostate Cancer, organised by James, Lauren and family. Nearly 300 guests attended this black-tie dinner and dance, raising an incredible £17,000 for the cause. The evening was a true testament to generosity and community spirit, with attendees going all out to make the night a glamorous success.
A special thank you to our partners - Heineken, Edwards Wine, and Event Rhino - for their generous support, as well as everyone who contributed prizes for the fundraising efforts. James, Lauren and family did a phenomenal job in bringing this event to life, and we were delighted to be a part of it.
Windrush Awards – Sunday, 16th February
The following evening, we had the privilege of hosting the prestigious Windrush Awards for Luton & Bedfordshire. Established in 2021 by Heritage Associates and the Society for the Advancement of Black Arts (SABA), this event celebrates the remarkable achievements, milestones, and contributions of individuals and organisations within the community.
We extend our gratitude to Bob Baker and Heritage Associates for orchestrating such a memorable night. It was an inspiring event, and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming the awards back to our venue next year.
A huge thank you to everyone who made these events so special.
Hospitality Employee of the Month
This month we asked our new assistant manager Octavian to nominate our employee of the month based on the shifts he had worked. His nomination was then supported by the rest of the management team due to this individuals hard work, attention to detail and continued loyalty and dedication to our team at Venue 360.
Over the last year Shanese has shown her ability to support the team whenever possible, with a positive attitude and a very strong work ethic. She has shown her dedication by continuing to travel back and forth from university in Northampton for the odd shift to help the team when needed.
Thank you for your support Shanese and congratulations on receiving our Employee of the Month award.
Lifelines Members Shine at the London Winter Run!
A huge congratulations to Lifelines members Nicqui, Steve, and Ali for completing the London Winter Run in support of cancer research! They finished with impressive times of 59 minutes, 54 minutes, and 56 minutes, respectively. Regular participants in the Luton Sunday Park Runs, they are no strangers to running—though the 10K distance was a step up from their usual routine.
The charity is aiming to raise £1 million, with an incredible £918,000 already collected. Well done to everyone involved in this fantastic cause!
In other news...
Welcoming our new Hospitality Assistant Manager Octavian
We would like welcome our new Assistant Manager Octavian to our team. Octavian comes from years’ experience in Hospitality, with a passion for events he is excited to get involved in the day to day running of our department.
Octavian started his career in Hospitality as a young man in Romania, and his built his knowledge base and experience up over the years, most recently in a venue in Houghton Regis.
Join us is wishing Octavian a successful career with Venue 360.
New Tulip Muffins
Hopefully you have all seen our new Tulip Muffins for sale on our bar, I know many you enjoyed sampling them when they first arrived. For those that didn’t get a chance to try them, for the month of March only will be offering a hot drink* and tulip muffin in a deal, for the price of £3.95.
We will be offering different flavors over the coming weeks, so look out for them and let us know what you think!
*Standard hot drinks apply. Syrups, marshmallows etc. are an additional cost. Membership coffee is excluded from this deal.
Winner of Ski Erg Challenge
Well done to Jaro who was the fastest to complete the Ski Erg challenge, the 200 meters was completed in 36.3 seconds!
This new machine has become a real hit with members so if you would like to give it a go then please ask a member of staff to show you how to use it.
Exercise of the Month
Boost Your Hamstrings with Swiss Ball Curls
Looking for an effective way to strengthen your hamstrings? Try Swiss ball hamstring curls! Start by lying on your back with your heels and lower calves resting on a Swiss ball. Engage your core, lift your hips into a glute bridge, and then pull your heels toward your body, keeping control throughout the movement. For an added challenge, perform the exercise with the soles of your feet flat on the ball. This advanced variation increases stability demands and strengthens your muscles even more. Give it a try and feel the burn!
The Importance of Stretching: Enhance Your Workout & Prevent Injury
We all know exercise is essential, but what about stretching? If stretching takes a back seat in your routine, it’s time to rethink its role. Stretching improves flexibility, increases your range of motion, and reduces the risk of injury - just to name a few benefits.
Why Stretching Matters
Research shows that stretching enhances flexibility, allowing for better movement and joint health. However, stretching cold muscles can lead to injury, so it’s important to warm up first. A few minutes of light walking, jogging, or cycling at low intensity (5–10 minutes) will prepare your muscles. Ideally, stretch after your workout when your muscles are warm and more pliable.
How to Stretch Properly
Target major muscle groups. Focus on areas like your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck, and shoulders. Be sure to stretch both sides evenly.
Avoid bouncing. Hold each stretch steadily for about 30 seconds; in tighter areas, aim for up to 60 seconds.
Breathe naturally. Stay relaxed and maintain steady breathing throughout your stretches.
Make Stretching a Habit
Consistency is key! To reap the full benefits, stretch at least two to three times per week. Even just 5–10 minutes per session can make a difference in your flexibility and overall well-being.
Take a few extra minutes to stretch—your body will thank you!
Dani Completes Hyrox Challenge
In the last newsletter we reported Dani was competing in the Hyrox challenge in Spain, Dani completed the grueling course in 1 hour 25 minutes so well done Dani!
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