Party at Exiles

Manuel Briffa's comments on Exiles beach and on the Exiles Sports Club committee (The Sunday Times, June 25) require some clarification. Your correspondent complained about the volume of the music at a party organised recently at Exiles. I do not hesitate to apologise to Mr Briffa if the event at our club disturbed his afternoon.

May I also add that some of our members had already pointed this out to the committee. Had Mr Briffa been a member of Exiles Sports Club he would have known that we had repeatedly informed members and patrons that on the day of the party our premises were being leased to a third party. Although we stressed that this was a one-off event, the Exiles committee apologised to all those who complained in some way or another.

However, what is noteworthy is that these paying members approached the committee personally to express their grievance. Mr Briffa, on the other hand, preferred to take more resounding measures. Besides, not only does he complain about the party (as he has the right to do), but he also gives the committee advice not to lose "life-long customers and immeasurable goodwill", presumably based on his extensive experience of running sports clubs.  

Then, surprisingly enough, he lashes out in a severe, incontrovertible manner: "Everyone is now warned, keep away from Exiles". This final comment is not only unfair, but also highly offensive to all those who have Exiles Sports Club as well as swimming and waterpolo at heart.

I will not give an account of the various activities organised by the club on the local sport and social scene. The scores of youths and their families who frequent the club are living proof of the committee's endevour which, may I remind Mr Briffa, is carried out totally free of charge.

Your correspondent ought to be aware that his judgment of the club is based on one particular event, which he may have not liked, but his comments are so generalised and far-reaching that they may jeopardise months of hard work.

Nobody is perfect. Sometimes sports clubs and their committees organise events or activities and things do not turn out as planned, despite obtaining the necessary permits and taking all precautions.

So, to turn to the other issue mentioned in Mr Briffa's letter, we ask him to forgive us if our sea at Exiles is sometimes infested with jellyfish. May I assure him that in this case it's not the committee's fault!