A Happy New Year to you All or more precisely may you have a peaceful and healthy lockdown. If you are struggling a bit at this time please feel free to speak to your Wellbeing officer for a friendly chat. You will find a contact sheet attached to this newsletter with post codes allocated for each of our Wellbeing team. Many of you will have had the first vaccinations by now, so there is light at the end of the tunnel for us all and I hope that by the summer we can resume some meetings or events.
There is nothing planned at present for obvious reasons, but I do hope that by May or June we can resume some events , starting with a lunch, perhaps with an entertaining speaker to make up for the loss of our usual March AGM meeting with speaker and lunch.
You will find attached to this newsletter (click here), details of our first virtual AGM by Zoom to take place on the 10th March at 1100hrs. All you need to do is have a device, whether desktop computer, laptop, tablet etc. or mobile phone, with a camera and microphone included. Details in the note from Lyn Green, our Zoom guru! The meeting will last less than 40 minutes and will get us through the usual reports, formalities of voting people in, confirming our committee set up and the financial situation. Some of the AGM reports are enclosed here along with the 2020 accounts summary. Do have these to hand when joining us for the Zoom AGM. Go on, give it a go!!
That’s all for now and I look forward to seeing some of you at our Zoom AGM. Keep safe and healthy.
Garry Adams, Chairman & Treasurer
A thought for lockdown:- Two things to make your day better (1) Do not watch the News and (2) Stay off the bathroom scales!
A recent observation from an out-of-work actor attending an audition:- Director “ Well done. You‟re being offered a role as a husband who‟s been married for 30 odd years.” Actor “Oh. I was hoping for a speaking part”.
Secretary’s Note
We do like to keep you well-informed of your Club’s activities – even in these difficult times of being currently unable to plan events! BUT you can only know this if you have kept us up-to-date with your home and/or email address. Please do keep us informed if you move home or change internet provider as we would hate to lose touch.
The majority of Newsletters are now sent out by email, saving the Club considerable costs in paper, printing and stamps. So, if you are now able to receive your copy electronically, do let us know.
Until life begins to return to a new normal, please keep well and stay safe.
Barbara Johnson, Hon. Secretary
Wellbeing
I suspect that like most of you, you are counting the days until we can emerge from cowering from Covid. By the time that you read this, I hope that the vaccination programme will be in full swing, and we can once again look forward to seeing our friends and family. As I know all too well, it could be another 12 months before we are able to return to some sort of normal, but sincerely hope that we can get to see all of you at one of our events that we expect to hold as things relent. This is especially the case with those members that the Wellbeing Team spoke with in Lockdown.
In the interim, please do not hesitate to give any one of us a ring, as we shall be only too pleased to help!
The Committee of the Exeter Spread Eagle Club invite you to join our AGM via Zoom at 11 am on Wednesday 10th March.(click here)
It is really EASY to do! All you need to do is have a device, whether desktop computer, laptop, tablet etc, or mobile phone, with a camera (so you can see us and we can see you), and a microphone. You will need to download the Zoom app/programme, but you do not need to have a Zoom account yourself.
Just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday 10th March, click on the link below, the screen should then say something like ‘wait for the host to start the meeting‘. After a little while, there should be a window which says ‘connecting‘, after which with a bit of luck and a fair wind, you should be able to see us!
At the bottom of your screen, you should see symbols for “start audio and video”. Make sure these do not have a red line on them by clicking on each – then you should be flying!
You should also click on “Gallery View” and then you will be able to see multiple participants. If you have a problem, give us a ring on 01884 855340. The meeting will last no more than 40 minutes before we all get logged out.
Lyn Green is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting by clicking on this link, if reading on a device,
OR enter these details when prompted in the app:
Meeting ID: 751 2816 9366
Passcode: Please contact Lyn Green
The Committee are looking forward to seeing you all!!
From the November Newsletter here are the Christmas Quiz answers from Les Rendell
Quiz Answers
1. OLTOB = O Little Town of Bethlehem
2. AGAMW = A Great and Mighty Wonder
3. BTGCM = Behold, the Great Creator Makes (himself a house of clay)
4. ISMKSC = I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus
5. CASTHM = Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn
6. HTHAS = Hark the Herald Angels Sing
7. RTR-NR = Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
8. ICUTMC = It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
9. JBJBJATW = Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Way
10. OCAYF = O Come All Ye Faithful
11. GKWLO = Good King Wenceslas Looked Out
12. IDOAWC = I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas
13. WSWTFBN = While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night
14. ISTSCSB = I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing By
15. WTKOOA = We Three Kings of Orient Are
16. WWYAMC = We Wish You a Merry Christmas
17. AWGMOO = As With Gladness Men of Old
18. OTFDOCMTLSTM = On the First Day of Christmas my True Love sent to me
19. DTHWBOH = Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly
20. THATI = The Holly and the Ivy
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This is the final Newsletter of 2020, a most peculiar year.
Socially it started well enough with a February coffee morning and our March AGM with the wonderful entertainment of the Rev‟d Alan Dodds, but quickly went downhill after that as the Covid virus took hold.
After six months of no events, we tried a social lunch in October at the Tiverton Hotel where 28 were booked in, socially distanced in pods of up to 6 and safely looked after by the hotel staff. Not quite the same as a normal function, but the food was excellent and it was lovely to see some of our people again. Thank you to those who ventured out.
Sadly, as the second wave of Covid strikes, regulations have been tightened and the interpretation of guidelines has changed to the extent that we are unable to hold the Christmas luncheon at the Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth. This will be the first time that we have not been able to hold a Christmas celebration together as a Club. Similar venues have also not been available to put together large social gatherings at this time. My apologies therefore to all those who so look forward to this annual function.
As to 2021, who knows what will happen and when we will be able to socially mix again. I think it safe to assume there will be nothing before the end of March, unless a super vaccine comes along.
ZOOM TIME. Your committee continues to meet by Zoom and our next meeting is on Thursday, 3rd December at 6.30pm. If you would like to join us for a chat and some Christmas goodwill, then please advise Lyn Green on greens@1camelot.eclipse.co.uk and she will send you the link to join us. You would be most welcome. It is easy to do!!
I have run out of new golf terms, but did come across the Irish medical Dictionary with some examples here:-
Artery = the study of paintings
Bacteria = back door to cafeteria
Benign = what you be, after you be eight
Cauterize = made eye contact with her
Colic = a sheepdog
Coma = a punctuation mark
Dilate = to live long
Impotent = to be well known
Fester = to be quicker
Urine = opposite of „you‟re out‟
Fibula = a small lie
Tablet = a small table !!!!!
At the end of this relatively short newsletter, with sadly no invite to a Christmas lunch, you will find the answers to the September fun quiz and a new Christmas themed fun quiz from our own redoubtable Les Rendell. Do have a go at your leisure and keep those “little grey cells” working.
Finally, I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a safe, healthy New Year. Let us hope it will not be too long “before we meet again ……some sunny day”.
Best wishes.
Your Chairman, Garry Adams
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Secretary’s Notes
Well, the clocks have just changed and now we have lighter mornings but darker evenings and as the year draws to a close I think we will all be glad to look forward to a happier and hopefully healthy year in 2021.
We do look forward to planning, organising and holding events for our club and we would welcome any suggestions you can offer. Variety is the spice of life! Also if you have changed any of your details e.g. address, email or telephone numbers, do please let me know so that I can update our records.
As I write this on 25th October we are recovering from Storm Barbara (my namesake and apologies for the rain!) earlier last week. By the time you read this, we may well have experienced a few “events‟ like Halloween, Bonfire Night and, more importantly, Armistice Day on 11th November. I’m sure that, like me, you have family members and friends who were involved in wars and sadly for many, their ultimate sacrifice. We will always remember them.
May I also take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and “All the Best for 2021‟.
Most importantly keep well and stay safe.
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
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Wellbeing
A timely reminder from the Bank Workers Charity!
Winter is fast approaching, so it’s important you prepare for the colder months ahead to stay well and look after your wellbeing. Here are some simple things you can do to make sure you and your home are prepared for winter:
Food and medicine – keep extra supplies of long-life foods and basic medicines in your cupboards. If you’re not able to leave your home, ask for support from a family member or friend, or get in touch with your local council for help.
Keeping active – move regularly – it’s good for your physical and mental wellbeing. If you’re unable to get out of the house for a short walk, just getting up to make a cup of tea will do you good.
Safety – ensure your smoke and carbon dioxide alarms are in working order. Get in touch with a local Engineer or the Gas Safe Register to check your heating and gas are safe too.
Insulation – check if you’re eligible for support with insulating your home under the Energy Energy Company Obligation scheme. A more energy efficient home could reduce your bills.
Schemes and grants – look into whether you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount or Green Home Grant schemes or other schemes that could reduce costs over winter.
To find out more, read the Bank Workers Charity‟s guide on “How to prepare for winter‟. If you’d like more advice and guidance, call their free and confidential Helpline on 0800 0234 834 – they’re open 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
As ever, your Wellbeing Officers are always available to talk with you and please contact us as and when you wish.
Seasonal Greetings from us all!
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
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Initially it’s Christmas
No prizes – it‟s just for fun!
The following are the initials of the words of the first line of Christmas carols and songs, e.g. AIAM = Away in a Manger
1. OLTOB
2. AGAMW
3. BTGCM
4. ISMKSC
5. CASTHM
6. HTHAS
7. RTR-NR
8. ICUTMC
9. JBJBJATW
10. OCAYF
11. GKWLO
12. IDOAWC
13. WSWTFBN
14. ISTSCSB
15. WTKOOA
16. WWYAMC
17. AWGMOO
18. OTFDOCMTLSTM
19. DTHWBOH
20. THATI
Les Rendell, Committee Member
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Fun Quiz Answers from September
Name the film
1. Intergalactic struggles STAR WARS
2. Burning conveyances of old CHARIOTS of FIRE
3. Many spotted dogs 101 DALMATIANS
4. Elevated musician FIDDLER on the ROOF
5. A Garrett ROOM at the TOP
6. A valuable digit GOLDFINGER
7. Dangerous amphibian on Tayside CROCODILE DUNDEE
8. What you hear from an Orchestra THE SOUND of MUSIC
9. A trip on the P & O Line, perhaps PASSAGE TO INDIA
10. Reds dispatch with affection FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
11. Waltzing in the pigsty DIRTY DANCING
12. Louis Armstrong or Ella Fitzgerald THE JAZZ SINGER
13. Busy day at the church 4 WEDDINGS and A FUNERAL
14. The Glittering Set HIGH SOCIETY
15. At least 14 attended this wedding 7 BRIDES for 7 BROTHERS
16. Roundabout CAROUSEL
17. Top of the Clock HIGH NOON
18. Leo Rex THE LION KING
19. A short meeting BRIEF ENCOUNTER
20. Everybody Out! EXODUS
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Dear Members, I hope this “last of the summer” newsletter finds you safe and well.
We have had no meetings or gatherings since our AGM back in March, but it does look like we can have a lunch together in October. See later in this edition for details with restricted numbers and on a “first come, first served” reply basis. An early response is therefore recommended. Your committee will be there in force to greet you and keep you safe!
We are still planning to hold the December lunch at the Victoria in Sidmouth (Thursday 3rd December), again with restricted numbers (unless Government guidelines change) and we will review this in October in the light of the success or otherwise of the Tiverton lunch. Generous subsidies for members will be made available for both of these planned events. A further newsletter will be issued in late October.
Following on from my “Dominic Cummings” new golf term in the June newsletter (a long shot, but with no penalty), I have come across some more. An “Alastair Campbell” is a shot with “Too much spin on it” — An “Arthur Scargill” is “A good strike with a poor result” —-a “Le Pen” (Jean-Marie variety) is “A shot that drifts too far to the right” and predictably a “Jeremy Corbyn” is “ A shot that drifts too far to the Left”. Finally, a “John-Wayne Bobbitt” (remember his wife?) is “A vicious slice, ending up short”!!!
Congratulations time. To Doug and Kath Drysdale who celebrated on the 19th of August their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Some feat—well done! Also to Valerie Sharp who has transferred in to our Club from Torbay, on her move to Exmouth. Welcome as an active member. Finally, best wishes to Dave Burgess who had a heart operation in August and is said to be recovering well. Let us hope so.
To conclude my comments, a big “thank you” to Gordon Ball who has provided a wonderful nostalgic look at the life of a Junior in the 1960’s in this newsletter. From me, the answers to the fun “chocoholics” quiz from June are at the end of this edition and a new fun quiz on “naming the film” is included. Enjoy.
Garry Adams, Chairman
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Secretary’s Notes
It is now three months since our June newsletter and some things have changed, thank goodness. The good news is that the number of Covid-19 cases has dropped and, for me, is that I have had my hair cut and re-styled (and maybe you too?) but the ‘not so good news’ is that we have had the longest day and nights are drawing in, and will have had the final Bank Holiday Monday before Christmas! But, many of us can enjoy some of the easing–up of restrictions during this ongoing problem with Covid-19 – for example, many shops have re-opened, along with parks and some National Trust gardens and homes etc.
Okay, we now have to wear ‘face-coverings’ when we enter some premises or use public transport etc. but if it helps, it has my full backing and I have now got used to wearing/carrying face masks and hand sanitiser with me, it’s a ‘new normal’ way of life that we have. Crumbs, 2020 will be well remembered for so many reasons and quoted in history books as an extraordinary year when things ‘ground to a virtual halt’ for some months.
As I write this on 25th August we are recovering from Storm Francis with the high winds and heavy rain albeit we didn’t suffer any damage – just the sun umbrella blown over and my outdoor tomato plants are leaning at an awkward angle! As you may know, some cruise ships have been anchored both near Torquay and Weymouth whilst they are unable to cruise on the high seas with passengers. Some friends are currently staying near Corfe Castle in their caravan and on a walk along the coast path on Monday, they were lucky enough to see Cunard’s three ‘Queen’ ships and others in the bay at Weymouth. Here are two of the pictures which Stuart took, sent over to us and who has agreed to share them with you. What an amazing sight.
PS The picture of ducks featured in the last newsletter was a memory I have of a Sundry account number which had loads of 222222s!
-o0o-
Wellbeing
You should all know that I am a believer in utilising the professional independent support of the Bank Workers Charity and their services are summarised on our own website. I make no excuses for issuing a reminder though!
Your committee has received the following message from the Bank Workers Charity:
“When it comes to caring for a loved one, we know it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also have a negative impact on other aspects of life including our relationships and finances.
“But by ensuring we’re equipped with the right information and support, it can make a huge difference to the level of care we can provide and can help to reduce the negative impact it has on our wellbeing.
“Here are a few ways BWC can support you in your role as a carer:
Accessing benefits – they can provide information and support to help you access welfare benefits you may be entitled to.
Looking after your mental health – they can offer you support and, in some cases, counselling or other therapies to help you look after your mental wellbeing.
Identifying technology and devices – they’ll help to identify technology that can make life easier for both you and the person you care for. This may include lighting control, voice activated systems or fall detection devices.
Accessing legal support – they can offer you a telephone consultation with legal experts who can advise you on most aspects of British law, such as power of attorney.
Getting financial support –they may be able to provide you with financial support with general living expenses such as disability aids or home adaptations.
“If you’re a carer looking for support, or you want to know more about the practical things you can do to look after your own wellbeing, read BWC’s guide. Or you can call their free and confidential Helpline on 0800 0234 834 – they’re open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday or visit bwcharity.org.uk/about-us/our-support-services”.
Christmas Grant
Frightening that it is, it is fast approaching that time of year, and the details and submission timetable is as follows:
It’s a one-off grant that’s means-tested in line with the Bank Workers Charity’s (BWC) current grants criteria.
Even if a member has been unsuccessful before, it’s worth them applying again as circumstances can change.
Members who received the Christmas grant last year will automatically be sent a letter inviting them to apply again this year. We’ll be sending these out week commencing Monday, 3rd August 2020.
How to apply To get an application form sent to you, email winter@bwcharity.org.uk or call our free and confidential Helpline on 0800 0234 834, we’re open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm (except bank holidays). Please get in touch for an application form by Friday, 18th September 2020.
Important dates Last date to request an application form: Friday,18th September 2020 Deadline for completed applications: Friday, 30th October 2020
Our team are happy to answer any questions and can assist anyone who might need it.
And Finally
The Wellbeing Team plan to meet up in the autumn for our annual get together, and with the events of this year, will have plenty to talk about! If you have any thoughts as to how we may be of any further help, then please let me know.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
-o0o-
Function
Our next lunch is on Thursday, 15th October at the Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB at 1pm. This is a venue we have used before where we have always had an excellent lunch. There is plenty of parking and entry to the Hotel is all on the level.
With Covid-19 restrictions as they are at present, numbers are limited to 30. Therefore, bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. If receipt of your booking exceeds the limit you will be telephoned to let you know that your cheque will not be processed and your name(s) will be placed on a waiting list.
Menu/booking form is enclosed (click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Wednesday, 30th September. Cheques will be banked on Wednesday, 7th October. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £10.00 or £26.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.
Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40pm. Please do not move them after this time.
Future date for your diary
Thursday, 3rd December 2020 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth
[Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]
-o0o-
A Day’s work for a Bank Clerk Juniorby Gordon Ball
When I joined the Bideford branch of Barclays Bank in September 1952, to replace the Junior who was about to be called up for National Service, it had a staff of 8, and the bank premises were all on the ground floor of a corner building, with the customers’ entrance at the corner. Apart from the Manager, who had his office in the opposite front corner of the premises, the rest of the staff worked in the main room which I guess was about 60 feet square. Next to the Manager’s office was a passage to the staff entrance, then the strong room, where cash and ledgers and customers’ deposit boxes were stored, and then another passage to the toilets and a kettle for making coffee for morning and afternoon refreshments.
The front counter had tills for up to 3 cashiers, and behind that was a second counter with spaces and stools for up to 5 staff. The Chief Cashier was at the front counter, and behind him at the second counter were the Chief Clerk, three ledger clerks, two of whom manned the front tills when there were customers waiting, and the Junior on their right, close to the strong room and the passage to the toilet and kettle. Behind them, facing the back wall was the typist’s desk and typewriter, and in the centre was a solid fuel stove, which was the only heating for the whole room, and keeping it burning well was one of the Junior’s responsibilities. The Junior was also responsible for opening the front doors to customers at 10.00am and closing them again at 3.00pm. Working hours were from 9.00am until the day’s work was finished. The aim was to finish well before 5.00pm, and if we were not busy it might be earlier, but sometimes it was later. At that time the typewriter was the only machine in the office. Adding machines were a thing of the future, so adding quickly and accurately meant we could go home sooner.
Fountain pens were not allowed, as the Bank insisted their ink was not sufficiently permanent, so the junior’s first job each day was to check that the ink wells were full at each work place, for customers and staff, and that each had a clean sheet of blotting paper in the pads, and that the dip pens had good nibs. It was also necessary to check early each day that there were sufficient of the many forms to be sent to Head Office, which had been rubber stamped with the Branch details.
The next job was to collect, from the Post Office, the Head Office Letter bag, which in addition to any correspondence, contained the bundles of cheques drawn against Bideford Accounts and paid in at other Branches and Banks. The Head Office Letter bag was dual purpose, and could be posted in either direction, as there were two labels, one inside and the other outside, so the bag could be turned inside out for posting back. After listing on the special stamped forms the details of amounts due to each Bank, the cheques were sorted into alphabetical customer order, and listed again on Check Ledger Sheets, and the respective totals agreed. The cheques were then passed to the Ledger Clerks who would enter the details on the Ledger sheets and also on the Customer’s bank statements.
The Junior’s next job was to deal with the ‘Local Clearing’, in which cheques paid in by our customers during the previous day and drawn on other banks in Bideford, were exchanged with those banks, who similarly handed over cheques drawn by our customers and paid in by their customers. The totals due to and from each Bank were settled by the equivalent of a cheque, called an Agents Claim Voucher, which would be included in the day’s work and sent to Head Office with other cheques paid in by customers during the day and drawn on other Branches and Banks.
At the cash tills all the customers’ credits and debits were entered by the cashiers on analysis sheets, detailing cash paid out and cash and cheques paid in. Later the Junior would sort the cheques and credit slips into alphabetical order so they could be entered, on strips of ruled paper called Check Ledger Sheets, so that separate totals could be calculated for the various ledgers. There were 4 ledgers for customers, A-D, E-K, L-R and S-Z and a General Ledger in which were entered the totals of the customers’ ledgers and all other miscellaneous accounts, such as Cash and Branch expenses. The Golden Rule was that ‘Every Credit had its Debit’, so that for example, Cash paid in was a credit to the Customer and a debit to Cash Account. At the end of the day the entries in the Ledgers were ‘called back’ by the Ledger Clerks to the Junior, who read from the Check Ledger sheets. The totals from the Check Ledger sheets were then recorded in the General Ledger, and once a week, on Wednesdays, the totals of customers’ balances in each Ledger were written out on large sheets of paper, added up and agreed with the ledger balance as recorded in the General Ledger. At that time Wednesdays were Bideford’s early closing day, which was fortunate as there were usually fewer customers, and the ordinary work would be finished sooner and the work of listing and adding up the ledger balances, could be started earlier.
The Junior’s work was usually confined to the office, but on Thursdays the Junior would accompany a Cashier, either the Manager or a senior Cashier, to operate a sub-branch at Hartland. It was a rather bizarre arrangement as we sat in a lady’s front room, using her table as the counter, where an alarm button had been provided in case of need. There never was a need during my time, but Thursday’s outings provided a welcome change from routine. There were two main customers who came each week, but there were sufficient other customers, apart from occasional holiday visitors, to justify the weekly event. A Similar service was provided on Market days, not only at Hartland but also at Holsworthy where premises were used at a hotel.
After just over 3 years at Bideford, when I had passed part 1 of the exams to become an Associate of the Institute of Bankers, I was offered the option of a transfer to Exeter, which I accepted, but I look back on my time as a Junior Bank Clerk at Bideford, with happy memories.
We are delighted to include this article reminiscing on his early days in the bank. Thank you Gordon and you are quite correct there have been massive changes since then!
Chocoholics Fun Quiz Answers:-
A Star cluster = either GALAXY or MILKY WAY / Voodoo in a Box = BLACK MAGIC / Mother’s Hostelry = MARS BAR / A climbing variety = ROSES / Park Lane or Mayfair = QUALITY STREET / In the mane, you’ll enjoy this one = LION BAR / The bar for Truckers = YORKIE / Mediterranean Islanders = MALTESERS / A passenger carrying vehicle = DOUBLE DECKER / A beauty from Istanbul = TURKISH DELIGHT / Gentle waves are these = RIPPLES / Superman or Batman = HEROES / Up for discussion = TOPIC / Clever Little Things = SMARTIES / Munificence? = BOUNTY / A sadistic Nut = WALNUT WHIP / Al Fresco cuisine = PICNIC / Sounds like a type of Bloomers = SNICKERS / Is this bar nearly a pet-food = KIT KAT / Fiddler on the Roof = MATCHMAKERS
Now try this one. Name the film from the clue.
Intergalactic struggles……………………….
Burning conveyances of old………………
Many Spotted Dogs…………………………..
Elevated musician?…………………………
A Garrett ………………………………………….
A valuable digit ………………………………..
Dangerous amphibian on Tayside …….
What you hear from the orchestra …..
A trip on the P & O Line, perhaps? ……
Reds dispatch with affection …………….
Waltzing in the Pigsty ……………………….
Louis Armstrong or Ella Fitzgerald……..
Busy day at the Church……………………..
The Glittering Set………………………………
At least 14 attended this wedding! …..
Roundabout ……………………………………..
Top of the Clock ……………………………….
Leo Rex …………………………………………….
A Short Meeting ……………………………….
Everybody Out! ………………………………..
This is just for fun. Answers next time.
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In this issue we hope to find you well, staying alert and safe, and have tried to put together some items of interest. It is also good to keep in touch.
Welcome to our first ever ‘lockdown’ newsletter where we are unable to report on anything held in the past 3 months because none were allowed! Also, we cannot yet confirm any future social events at this stage. It is strange to think what an impact a micro-organism like Covid-19 can have on human lives. The year 2020 will live long in the memory.
Your committee have been meeting regularly by Zoom and suggest that perhaps some of you might like to try a Zoom coffee morning with us. Just to say hello and chat to some old friends. Let Les Rendell know if you are interested – see also his report.
I have put together a fun puzzle page for ‘chocoholics’ at the back of this edition. No prizes, just some fun with answers next time. It is always good to keep ‘those little grey cells’ working! For our golfers, I see that you are again allowed out on the course, just as the weather takes a changeable turn from the beautiful spring which we have enjoyed thus far. I hear there is a new golf term out there ―The Dominic Cummings. It is a really long drive that goes way out of bounds but there‘s no penalty!!
For information, you may have received a message from the UKRF Trustees (31st March) stating that resilience plans are in place; the fund is safe and there is no impact from Covid-19 on the ability to pay pensions. A comforting thought.
I have also had a notice from the Association of Psychiatrists (UK) which informs that “During quarantine it is considered normal to talk to your plants, flowers and pets. Only worry and get in touch if they start replying”.
Our Wellbeing team are busy making and keeping in contact with many of you, but if you do need a bit of a chat and a friendly voice to help you through these strange times, please get in touch. They are there to help. A list of telephone numbers and covering post-codes is included in this newsletter.
I can continue to remind you that our 2 planned social events; the Tiverton Hotel lunch on 15th October, and the Victoria Hotel Christmas lunch on 3rd December are still booked. We sincerely hope to be able to run them. We will know more about them by the time of our September newsletter. In the meantime, please stay safe and enjoy our summer as best you can.
Finally, will you remember 2020 as the year your wheelie bin went out more often than you! Toodle-Pip.
Garry Adams, Chairman
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Secretary’s Notes
This is my first contribution to our periodic club newsletters in my new role as Secretary. I was elected to take over this role from Andrew Green at our Annual AGM in March 2020. Andrew has done a magnificent job as our club secretary over the last six years so I will have to work hard to follow in his footsteps but I do have the advantage of him remaining on the committee so I can call upon his expertise when needed.
You will see that in this issue I have included an article of my time working for Barclays Bank. We cordially invite you to share some of your work experiences with us. This is your club and as we can‘t organise social meeting events at the moment we do want to include more items of interest in future newsletters. Just drop me a line or email; or perhaps you have discovered a hidden talent whilst we have been told to ‘Stay at Home’ etc. My sister makes flowerpot men (see below) and has been using clean donated plastic pots from her neighbourhood – great re-cycling and fun to see on her small front garden.
As I write this on 4th June, some of the restrictions from lockdown are easing (with plans for more) and ‘fingers crossed’ that this works okay. Then we can continue to return to some kind of ‘normal’ life albeit I think it is going to be different for a long while. In the meantime ‘Stay Alert’ and keep well.
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
PS: do any of you remember what these meant?
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Wellbeing
In my last ramblings, I said that the Wellbeing Team would likely give you a ring. Between us, we spoke with more than 90% of our Membership, and I believe that we all benefited from comparing notes on how we were dealing with the unprecedented ‘Lockdown’. Suffice to say, that many of you who had not been to a recent event, said that you would subsequently hope to join us – when we are finally able to socialise – at one of our functions.
Thanks must go to all of the Wellbeing Team, which also included Les Rendell, Garry Adams (hat number 3!), and Lynne Ring. Their assistance was required as David & Eleanor Jenkins stood down after our AGM: A sincere thank you for their support and assistance. Their resignation meant that we needed a replacement Wellbeing Officer, and I am delighted to let you know that Lynne Ring has volunteered to take on her local Post Codes of EX1 – 5, with Peter and Barbara Johnson now taking on their local area of Post Codes EX10 – 13. As ever, please do not hesitate to ring any one of us for a chat!
Stay safe and hope to see you again soon!
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
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Wellbeing (Welfare) Officers for Post Codes as at June 2020
Postcodes EX1-5 Lynne Ring 01392 879446
Postcodes EX6-9 Ray Cavill 01395 275265
Postcodes EX10-13 Peter & Barbara Johnson 01297 599086
Postcodes EX14-19 Lyn Green 01884 855340
Postcodes EX20-24 Chris Leigh 01884 855368 (plus TQ & All Other Codes)
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ePA Password Reset Process
Barclays Welfare Team at Willis Towers Watson has asked us to pass on the updated details for this. Please see the ‘Items of Interest’ by clicking here.
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Introducing your new Secretary (who does love to be beside the seaside!)
As your new secretary and a recent in-comer to Exeter area it was suggested that I put together a resume of my background in the bank. I have to admit that I never planned a banking career and my uncle was wholly responsible for guiding me down this route. He knew his Barclays bank manager very well, took me to meet him and the rest is history. I worked in three regions during my career: London Northern & London Southern, Manchester and then finished up at Radbroke Hall on project work.
I started in branch banking working as a junior (learning ‗the ropes‘ and discovering that staff didn‘t go home when the doors were shut to the public!), then as a machinist processing the work, next as a cashier and other duties eventually becoming a supervisor of a mech room (back office). During this time I joined an interbank team giving periodic talks on banking to sixth formers at schools – not as a career but to tell them how banking operated (in those days).
I progressed from supervisor to become a District Training Officer responsible for new entrants and travelled around branches in the Manchester district. This gave me a good insight into the many variations of sizes of branch ‘set-ups’ and the differences they all had in running them, albeit from a ‘back office’ point of view. When I got married we moved south to London Southern district as Peter, my husband, had become one of ‘the green biro men’ on the Bank‘s Inspection team. During our five years living in Orpington, Kent I worked again as a supervisor in two large branches and had good teams of people working with/for me. We then returned to Manchester region where I did another branch supervisor role before transferring over to Radbroke Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire where initially I worked on a Help Desk and subsequently wrote some instructions for branch procedures.
Finally I worked on various projects for future enhancements to banking systems which was challenging, interesting and very different from branch work. There are so many aspects to banking and I was lucky to have been involved with a variety of them and to have worked with some great people over the years.
We are now living in East Devon in the seaside town of Seaton and enjoying our retirement. We are delighted to have joined the Exeter Spread Eagle Club where we have already made some great new friends since our move in 2014 to the South West!
Barbara Johnson, Secretary
Peony plant in Barbara‘s Garden
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Meeting up via Zoom
Most of you will know that the current crisis has led to many people using facilities such as Facetime and Skype to meet face to face over the internet with family and friends. The ability to arrange meetings and conferences by Zoom has been the most used method for clubs and societies such as ours and your committee has already met twice using this application.
The committee has asked me to determine whether those of you with a computer or iphone would like to meet up via Zoom simply for a social get-together and chat as we are currently unable to meet in the conventional way through our coffee mornings and lunches.
You do not have to have the Zoom app or download anything to take part. We will provide you with a link and clicking on this will take you to the meeting. The meeting time will be limited to 40 minutes and if sufficient of you would like to take part we will set a date for early July.
Just email me on lesrendell41@gmail.com before June 30th if you would like to join in the Zoom meeting.
Les Rendell, Committee Member
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Exeter Spread Eagle Club Quiz Answers
Disappointingly there were only 4 entries for this quiz. Was it too hard or did you simply forget to send it in? No-one had an all-correct answer but the winner was our very own Chairman and Treasurer, Garry Adams, with 22 (there was no insider knowledge!). The runner-up was Barry Cross (21) who will receive his prize shortly.
Les Rendell, who devised the quiz, offered a random prize of £10 to be chosen from all entrants. In view of the low uptake he will instead send this as a donation to a charity of his choice.
The best wrong answer Les received was from Lynne Ring who decided that HWHIL was ‘Handwashing helps in lockdown’ – it certainly does!
INITIALLY PROVERBIAL The initials refer to the words of well known proverbs.
1. PWPF Penny wise pound foolish
2. ASITSN A stitch in time saves nine
3.AFINIAFI A friend in need is a friend indeed
4. HWHIL He who hesitates is lost
5.YCTAHTWBYCMID You can take horse to water but you cannot make it drink
NUMBERS UP
Each number refers to the initials provided e.g. 3 = M in a B, Answer: 3 = Men in a Boat
6. 3 = F in a Y Feet in a yard
7. 7 = C in a R Colours in a rainbow
8. 10 = DS Downing Street
9. 3 = C in a F Coins in a fountain
10. 25 = SWA Silver wedding anniversary
RHYME TIME
Each expression is a clue to a two word rhyming answer e.g. Angry Boy = Mad Lad
11. Enjoyable dessert Sweet Treat
12. Dirty tricks Hanky Panky
13. Empty Seat Spare Chair
14. Very high cost Immense Expense
15. Tumultuous haste Helter Skelter
JACK’S THE LAD
Each clue leads to an answer with the word ‘Jack’
16. Handyman Jack of All Trades
17. Big win Jackpot
18. Weather visitor Jack Frost
19. Tight garment Straightjacket
20. Sweetcake Flapjack
COCKNEY CLASSICS
The following is cockney rhyming slang. To what do the expressions refer?
21. Apples and Pears Stairs
22. Almond Rocks Socks
23. Gregory Peck Cheque
24. Ruby Murray Curry
25. Mince Pies Eyes
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A 20 Question Fun Quiz – for Chocoholics!
NO PRIZES, JUST A TEST FOR THOSE LITTLE GREY CELLS!
The answers to the clues are all chocolate brands. For instance –―Sssh! Talk Quietly‖ as a clue = WISPA
A Star cluster ( a choice of 2 for this one)…………….
Voodoo in a Box…………………………………………………..
Mother‘s hostelry , perhaps?…………………………….
A climbing variety ?………………………………………….
Park Lane or Mayfair?………………………………………
In the Mane, you‘ll enjoy this one?…………………….
The bar for Truckers ……………………………………………
Mediterranean Islanders? ………………………………..
A passenger carrying vehicle…..……………………………
A beauty from Istanbul…..……………………………………
Gentle waves are these……………………………………….
Superman, Batman or Capt. America are these.…..
Up for discussion? ……………………………………………….
Clever little things ……………………………………………….
Munificence ?…………………………………………………
Is this a sadistic nut? ………………………………………….
Al fresco cuisine………………………………………………….
Sounds like a type of ―Bloomers‖……………………….
Is this bar nearly a pet-food?…………………………..
Fiddler on the Roof?………………………………………
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Welcome to the second newsletter of the year. I am afraid to say it is not all good news.
As you would expect, your committee wish to follow the latest UK Government guidelines on the Covid-19 crisis (as at 17th March 2020) and we have therefore agreed to cancel all meetings and events for the next four months. That will take us through to late July 2020.
At that point we will review the situation and hopefully resume a programme of events from August. Ideally, we are thinking then of a Sidmouth Theatre outing, a September free cream tea afternoon and a November coffee morning to fit in between our pre-planned lunches in October and December. The Tiverton Hotel lunch is booked for Thursday, 15th October and the Christmas lunch at The Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth is set for Thursday, 3rd December.
We think that would be a good rescue programme of five events in the latter part of the year, providing we are allowed to gather together again by that time.
It would then have given us seven events across the year despite the coronavirus disruption. I do feel at the moment that it is all a bit bizarre and as if it were from a science fiction script.
To all of you, please stay safe and healthy
. Garry Adams, Chairman
From the Chair with the AGM Review
Our 45th AGM took place on 10th March at the Exeter Golf and Country Club where following our regular business, 53 members were treated to a wonderfully entertaining musical performance, with several amusing anecdotes, by the Rev‟d Alan Dodds. You could feel the nostalgia of the late 1950‟s and early 1960‟s permeating the room as Alan took up his guitar and had us joining in a number of songs. I think you could safely say that he was “putting on the style”! (See also under Recent Events in the column on the right))
This is now the 5th consecutive year that we have had a speaker at our AGM and so far all have gone down extremely well with members. We will be repeating this exercise next March.
Our activities, including photographs, are all recorded on this website and on our Facebook page. The website also covers our Wellbeing Team and a lot of other information which may be of interest to you.
In summary, we ran four subsidised lunches, two free cream tea afternoons (one included the Seaton tramway), a free coffee morning and two theatre visits: A full programme. Our numbers have stayed steady at 278 active and inactive members on 182 addresses, although a number of people have switched from active to inactive for a variety of reasons. Finances are on an even keel, we have a settled Committee to set up and run the Club and events, as well as an excellent Wellbeing team should you need help or advice. I thank all the team for their efforts in 2019, continuing into this new year.
Andrew Green decided to stand down as our Secretary and main point of contact after a stint of six years in the role and was warmly thanked by all for his sterling service with a bottle of single malt whisky to help him on his way. In fact, he is staying on our committee where his sage advice will continue to be appreciated.
A willing volunteer, Barbara Johnson, was elected as Andrew‟s successor. She has been on our committee with husband Peter since they moved down here from the Manchester area some four years ago. They are a delightful addition to our team.
If there is anyone out there who would like to join us on the committee, we do have a vacancy. Just get in touch.
Do please continue to support this wonderful Club when we are able to meet again.
With best wishes for the year ahead despite all the current disruption.
Garry Adams, Chairman
Financial Matters
With my other hat on, I am pleased to report that once again we had a busy year with (at last) a small deficit achieved of £397. This still leaves us with funds to carry forward into 2020 of £3,593. With our lunch subsidies running at 52% of true cost, we can afford to run a deficit each year of up to say £500 for at least another three or four years.
For 2020, I originally budgeted for a £450 deficit to continue using up some of our surplus funds and we did have a full programme of ten events, but this will now change with the enforced reduced programme. I now expect to break-even this year, whilst giving larger subsidies on our two remaining planned lunches.
Our Head Office grant is £4,251 this year, similar to last year, but subscriptions are down as our active numbers sadly reduce for a variety of reasons. On the positive side, our total income will be £5,090 and your subscription remains at £5 per active member. If you were able to attend all the events we had originally planned this year (ten rather than seven), the value will still be around £70 per person of support from the Club. Wonderful value for your £5!
With our general admin and wellbeing costs under tight control, we continue to spend the majority of our income on events (last year it was 82%).
Finally, I hope you will enjoy our remaining planned events and support us when you can.
Pre-planned dates for your diaries, providing we are allowed to run them:-
Thursday, 15th October Lunch at the Tiverton Hotel Thursday, 3rd December The ‘not to be missed’ Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth
IN ADDITON, we hope to resume events from August with a Theatre visit; a September free cream tea and a November free coffee morning.
IN THE MEANTIME, we attach to this newsletter a QUIZ from Les Rendell to keep your brain active whilst we cannot meet. There will be a first prize of £30 and a second prize of £15. PLEASE HAVE-A-GO (click here)
. Thanks. I would like to formally thank Eric Watts for Examining and signing off the final accounts for 2019, and can confirm that he is continuing in this capacity for another year.
Garry Adams,Chairman and Treasurer
Wellbeing
For those of you present at the AGM, you will know that the thrust of my thoughts were based on Communication. This had been reflected in recent months with excellent use being made of technology, in the form of our excellent Website, as well as the traditional medium of the infamous “Jungle Drums”.
We now find ourselves in unprecedented times, with much of Europe in “Lockdown”. We seem to be a few weeks behind this, but nevertheless, we find ourselves in increasing isolation. Barbara and I were due to fly out to Australia next week, but are now prevented from seeing our grandchildren, with no idea when we shall be able to travel again. Thank heavens for technology, and the ability to use FaceTime or Skype. There is of course the telephone as well!
You will find the list of all our Officers in this Website. I am delighted to be able to confirm that the Wellbeing “Line Up” has been unchanged for several years now. As ever, we would urge you to speak with one of us, or any Committee member. We shall also be contacting some of you to try and ease the burden of dealing with this set of peculiar circumstances. We regret that we cannot provide a solution to the lack of Panadol or Toilet Rolls, but shall hopefully leave you with a smile. Remember that Spring is in the air!
Stay safe.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator
What now?
All of us will have been worried and concerned about these strange times that we are living through. But we humans are more resilient and enterprising than we sometimes give ourselves credit for. We shall come through this.
In the meantime, I was heartened by a quote Lyn spotted on Facebook:
Getting outdoors Not cancelled Music Not cancelled Family Not cancelled Reading Not cancelled Singing Not cancelled Laughing Not cancelled Hope Not cancelled
Let‟s embrace what we have.
Andrew Green, Committee Member
CLUB QUIZ (click here)
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Here is your first Newsletter of the year and a warm welcome to you all. Once again we will prepare for you a full programme of events to include 4 lunches, coffee mornings, cream teas and theatre visits during the year.
To begin with, we have an early coffee morning on Tuesday, 4th February….just days away from you receiving this Newsletter. It will be at The White Horse Inn on the main A3052 Sidmouth road near Aylesbeare, commencing at 10.15am. As usual, it will be free to members.
That will be followed by our AGM on Tuesday, 10th March at the Exeter Golf & Country Club, meeting from 10.30am for coffee with the business part from 11.00am. That usually takes about half-an-hour and will be followed by our speaker, The Rev’d Alan Dodds. He says that he will need 10 minutes to set up his speakers, amplifiers and video kit….so stand by for a special treat!
Alan was a musician with David Bowie before “taking up the Cloth” as a country Vicar: expect his tales to be of two very different lifestyles. Amusement abounds! Do come and join us.
We expect to break after the talk/entertainment for drinks at the bar from 12.30pm, with lunch being served at 1.00pm. See you there!
After this welcome note from me, you will find a little more detail about our speaker.
Booking details for the AGM are attached to this Newsletter with the menu choices and reply slips. (see below)
Dates and venues for other future events will be announced at the AGM and in our Spring Newsletter.
With my other hat on, I can confirm that our finances remain in good health and we have submitted our annual grant claim to HO which should see us maintain our lunch subsidies at 50% or better, with coffee mornings and cream teas free to members. The annual accounts will be available at the AGM along with budget proposals for 2020.
Finally, please do visit our website for latest news and pictures from recent events. By the way, if there are any keen photographers out there do take pics at our events and send them to Les Rendell (lesrendell41@gmail.com) for inclusion on the website.
Although it seems a little late, I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year, and look forward to seeing you at one or more of our events in 2020.
Garry Adams, Chairman & Treasurer
Our Speaker: Rev’d Alan Dodds
There will be few of us at the AGM who do not remember the fifties and sixties with affection and the music of that era, with such as Lonnie Donegan, the Beatles and, of course, David Bowie, resonating with most of us.
Alan, formerly Rector of Uffculme, has an amazing story to tell. He started Bowie’s first band, the Konrads, and wrote his first recorded song. Alan will share his experience through the performance of rock ‘n’ roll covers, photos, stories, inside information and will happily answer your questions about his involvement in the developing music industry of the time.
Through a blind date in 1964, Alan’s life was changed and led him to a Christian faith. If time allows he may well relate some anecdotes from his alternative presentation which he calls “Confessions of a Country Vicar”. Les Rendell, Committee Member
Annual General Meeting
The Club‟s Annual General Meeting takes place on Tuesday, 10th March 2020 at 11.00am in the Duckworth Suite at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE. There is plenty of parking available in the two car parks situated in the grounds and disabled parking is at the entrance to the second parking area – you can take your car to the entrance (paved area) and then have it moved to a suitable bay. If you would like to come but need a lift, please contact one of our Wellbeing Officers who will do their best to find a lift for you.
Access will be available for (free) coffee/tea and biscuits from 10.30am and we would ask that you are in your seats prior to the start of the meeting at 11.00am so that there is no distraction whilst we remember those who are no longer with us.
We have saved some costs by not including the Agenda with this newsletter, planning to distribute on the day, but if any would wish for a copy prior to this, in print or electronically, we shall be happy to oblige.
Functions
AGM Luncheon
The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch. Menu/booking form is attached (Click Here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Friday, 21st February 2020. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £14.50 or £27.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice. Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
The lunch will also be in the Duckworth Suite. Please try to collect your booking form from me, showing your food choice, if possible before the AGM, to place on your chosen table; remember we do not have a seating plan for this event. Should you be coming only to the Luncheon, would you please indicate on your booking form with whom you wish to sit if you have a preference. Thank you.
The restaurant staff will take a note of your food selection around 12.30pm so please do not move your place setting after this time. The bar in the Duckworth Suite will be available from approximately 12.30pm. Lunch will be served at 1.00pm.
Future dates for your diary:
Tuesday, 4th February 2020 free Coffee Morning, White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP (on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth road), 10.15am-12noon Thursday, 14th May 2020 Lunch, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RU (Venue to be confirmed) Tuesday, 23rd June 2020 free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee), (The Orangery, Powderham Castle)
Menu and booking form for the May Lunch and further details regarding the free Cream Tea will be in the next Newsletter. Details of functions beyond June will be in future Newsletters.
Les Rendell is organising a concert at St Michael and All Angels Church in Bampton, near Tiverton on Sunday, 17th May 2020 at 3.00pm. Les organised a similar concert in 2019 in Tiverton. Several members attended and thoroughly enjoyed the concert: An excellent recommendation for this year’s concert.
There will be a variety of music including the Nankersey Male Voice Choir from Cornwall. Look out for further details in the next Newsletter.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Just a reminder that we are bound by the above regulation so far as your personal data is concerned. The Committee obviously holds this data to enable us to contact you with details of our activities and in case we need to be in touch in relation to any other matter connected with your membership of the Exeter Spread Eagle Club.
The Committee members will not use the information we have about you for any other purpose than that indicated above.
If, however, you would prefer that we do not hold this information about you then you will need to advise us by email or in writing. Deletion of your data will, of course, mean that you will not receive any further information directly from us including our regular Newsletters.
If we do not hear from you then we will assume we have your permission to keep your data in whichever form is convenient to individual members of the Committee.
Our Privacy Statement is shown on our website (click here). For those members without a computer you may obtain a copy of the Privacy Statement by writing to Committee Member, Les Rendell at 11 Aubyns Wood Rise, Tiverton EX16 5DG.
Keeping in touch – A postscript
Hopefully you have enjoyed this Newsletter and being kept abreast of your Club’s activities. In this issue there are plenty of events planned for your enjoyment in the coming months BUT you can only know this if you have kept us up-to-date with your home and/or email address! If you move home or change internet provider, please do keep us informed. We would hate to lose touch.
The majority of Newsletters are now sent out by email, saving the Club considerable costs in paper, printing and stamps. So, if you are now able to receive your copy electronically, do let us know. Similarly, have you looked at our Website or Facebook pages recently? You might find a photograph of yourself taken at a recent event.
Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary
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Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter. Another year seems to have shot by and here we are announcing in this edition the 2019 Christmas luncheon at the superb Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth on Thursday, 5th December. Do come and join us there to enjoy the wonderful decorations as well as our lovely company!
Since July we have enjoyed a “Dangerous Obsession” at the Sidmouth Theatre and the Seaton to Colyton Tramway excursion with Cream Tea at the restored Victorian Colyton station. It may have been a damp day, but not so the spirits of the intrepid 24 travellers. We had our own single decker tram and an amusing driver with commentary. Thanks to Barbara and Peter Johnson for arranging these trips.
Our Autumn lunch occurs on 31st October at the Tiverton Hotel, but your choices should already be in for this occasion.
Into the New Year, we plan a coffee morning for Tuesday, 4th February at the White Horse on the Sidmouth Road near Aylesbeare. Our AGM is set for Tuesday, 10th March at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, with an entertaining speaker arranged, but more on that in the January newsletter.
Please do remember to take a look at our Website for up-to-date information and reports on our activities (www.exeterspreadeagles.org).
Finances
We are on target to achieve a deficit this year of about £700, to use up some of our surplus funds. The HO Forum for 2019 has been cancelled as the senior executive of the Bank are no longer willing to attend to give us a run-down of the strategies and health of Barclays. Also, the state of your Pension Fund from the Trustees is now set out annually in brochure form to each pensioner, thus diluting another part of the Forum. It leaves very little else to discuss or impart to the Pension Clubs: A sad loss, but also a cost saving measure. For good news, funding to the Clubs remains in place!
Our numbers have remained steady this year, with 176 active members and their spouses/partners plus 100 inactive across 180 addresses. We welcome new members Margaret and Roy Graveney to our active number and look forward to seeing them in due course.
Finally, should I not see you at either the October or December lunches I wish you all a lovely Christmas and a healthy New Year! (yes, I know, it’s a bit early).
Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer
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Pensioning us all off!
Barclays outsources the majority of its Personnel and Pension work to Willis Towers Watson. They, WTW, wrote to all Pensioners Clubs recently regarding the Barclays Bank UK Fund Retirement website. This is the site that would be quite useful for all pensioners, but has become increasingly difficult to open. The letter, an excerpt shown below, acknowledges the difficulties, but only explains why and offers few solutions for us all.
“We are aware of the inconvenience that is sometimes experienced by members of the Fund due to the policy of resetting passwords in ePA every three months. This is not a policy made up by Willis Towers Watson, the Fund administrator. It is a requirement set by Barclays IT Security for WTW as a third party supplier of web portal services to the Trustee.”
The letter goes on to say that, within these constraints, it is working to improve matters, but this will take time. If any member would like a full copy of this communication, please do get in touch.
And then we get another letter, this time about updating the data WTW holds about Barclays’ pensioners. They will be writing to pensioners asking them to complete a form so that all information held is still up-to-date and correct. There should be nothing to worry about in all this, they are ensuring that they still hold the correct information about you, your address and your next of kin. Once again, do get in touch if you would like a full copy.
And finally, some good news! In September, or so I am told, WTW wrote to us all, announcing the annual increase in pensions. Will it be time to book that cruise?
Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary
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Functions
Our next function is our Christmas lunch which is on Thursday, 5th December 2019 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RY.
Menu/booking form is attached(click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 18th November. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 28th November. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £15.00 and £30.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice. Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
For those who like to make this event more of an occasion, you can arrive from 11.00am to purchase tea/coffee and the bar will be open from 12 noon. Should you wish to sit with particular friends would you please indicate on the Booking Form so that I can complete the Seating Plan. Please check the Seating Plan when you arrive to see where you are seated.
Some future dates for your diary Tuesday, 4th February 2020Free Coffee Morning, White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP (A3052 Sidmouth Road), 10.15am12noon
Tuesday, 10th March 2020 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf & Country Club
Lynne Ring, Committee Member
Tel: 01392 879446
Email: lynne_ring@hotmail.com [Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]
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Theatre Outing
On the evening of 28th August a party of 23 members met at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth to enjoy our third annual visit to the Summer Play Festival. The Festival comprises a series of 12 plays in as many weeks. This year we enjoyed a Psychological Thriller entitled “Dangerous Obsession” by N J Crisp.
The curtain opened to reveal a very well-designed set depicting a large conservatory where all the action took place. The three characters successfully built up the suspense through a series of revelations, culminating in an exciting climax with the inevitable twist at the end.
Hopefully we will be able to offer more Theatre outings next year – look out for details in our 2020 Newsletters.
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Seaton Tramway Ride & Cream Tea
It was a very wet day that saw a group of 24 somewhat bedraggled members assemble in Seaton for our Tram Ride up to Colyton for a Cream Tea at the station café before departing for the return journey. Initially a goodly number of us began our outing with an impromptu light lunch at the adjacent Jurassic Centre café, getting the social gathering off to a good start.
Several members had braved flooded roads on their journeys to and from Seaton, whilst typically, the previous and following days were dry and sunny! Nevertheless we didn’t allow the weather to spoil our enjoyment. We had a private single-decker Tram with fully enclosed accommodation – padded seats no less – so (apart from the odd leaking drip) we travelled comfortably. Mick had kindly brought along his replica Spread Eagle as our mascot. Do check out our website to see the photos.
We all enjoyed the scrumptious Cream Tea at Colyton which included two scones each and generous individual portions of jam and cream. There was the usual discussion as to which way to apply the jam and cream and the conversation flowed as well as the tea and coffee.
Barbara and Peter Johnson, Committee Members
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We are pleased to tell you that this issue is guaranteed to contain absolutely no mention of Tory leadership contestants or Brexit. Instead, we have details of our theatre trip to Sidmouth, a tram ride and cream tea at Seaton, and an excellent lunch at Tiverton. It will be time to get out the diary and the cheque-book.
But firstly, we must tell you how we were recently told “Your Barclays friends are such nice people”. The Club had visited Fursdon Gardens for a self-guided visit followed by a cream tea. The gardens looked splendid, the rain held off (mostly) and the blazing log-fire in the Coach Hall was really welcoming. Catriona Fursdon welcomed us all, and after tea told us a little of the ups-and-downs of running a country estate. The next day we delivered a thank-you letter on the Club’s behalf, and that was when you were thanked for being such a pleasure to entertain. And so you are!
We hope to see you at one or more of this summer’s events.
Andrew Green, Hon Secretary
-o0o-
Wellbeing
As I sit and write this, the sun is out, and summer finally looks set to arrive. Sincerely hope that you can get out and about and enjoy it!
Just a brief update:
1. Personal contact details. We have had the odd occasion when people have moved and/or changed phone (mobile/+/-land line) without letting us know. Appreciate that we shall not be top of your priorities when changing things, but should be grateful if you would contact one of the Committee to let us know of any changes.
2. Jungle drums still working! A recent experience just re-confirmed how important it can be to let a Wellbeing Officer be made aware of another colleague’s predicament. If you do become aware that one of our members may be in need of additional support, please do not hesitate to let one of us know so we can make contact. Would rather be told twice than not at all!
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Officer
-o0o-
Please note regarding the following two items:
If you wish to attend both events – and we sincerely hope you do – both booking forms should be completed and a cheque for each event is required please to be forwarded to Barbara and Peter Johnson (in one envelope). All will be clear once you have read the following information and booking forms.
For this year’s outing we have opted to attend a performance of “Dangerous Obsession” by N J Crisp. Click here for full information and booking form
Peter Johnson, Committee Member
-o0o-
Ride on the Seaton Tramway and Cream Tea Monday, 9th September 2019, 2.15pm
A new venture for the Club! Click here for full information and booking form.
Barbara Johnson Committee Member
Functions
Our next lunch is on Thursday, 31st October at Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB 1pm.
Again, this is a venue we have used before where we have always had an excellent lunch and for this event we will be in the Topaz Room. There is plenty of parking and entry to the Hotel is all on the level. Click here for menu/booking form which should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 7th October. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 10th October. No refunds will be given after this date.
The cost per head for members is £12.00 or £20.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice. Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy. Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40pm. Please do not move them after this time.
Future dates for your diary
Thursday, 5th December 2019 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth
Tuesday, 10th March 2020 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf & Country Club
“The rural hillside gardens at Fursdon blend seamlessly into rolling parkland and on into the countryside, with views over the Exe Valley and beyond to Dartmoor”
You will be free to wander about, or just sit and enjoy, this very English country garden on a summer’s afternoon, followed by a delicious Cream Tea, on Exeter Spread Eagles’ exclusive visit on Tuesday, 11th June.
Fursdon is an old country house and farming estate, lived in by the same family for over 750 years. There is a very user-friendly and attractive website www.fursdon.co.uk.
This promises to be one of the highlights of our year. We will have unguided access to all the gardens and full details of timings and how to get there will be found inside this Newsletter.
But before that, we have our next lunch, on Tuesday, 21st May at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, which not only has excellent food but also some of the finest views of the town and nearby coastline. We do hope you can join us. Why not put the dates for both these events in your diary and let Lynne Ring know that you are coming?
Andrew Green, Hon Secretary
View from the Chair and AGM comments
Welcome to our Spring Newsletter where you will find details of our forthcoming events in April, May and June along with booking form.
With a bit of luck, you will receive this missive before our free coffee morning on Wednesday, 10th April.
AGM review
Our 44th AGM took place on 8th March at the Exeter Golf and Country Club where following our regular business, 67 members were treated to a talk by Andrew Millington with musical excerpts and amusing anecdotes of a life spent around Choirs and Cathedrals. This is the 4th consecutive year that we have had a speaker at our AGM and so far all have gone down extremely well with members. We will be repeating this exercise in March 2020 (the Exeter Golf & Country Club is booked for 10th March).
In summary, we ran 4 subsidised lunches, 2 free coffee mornings, 2 free afternoon cream teas and an August theatre visit. Our numbers have dropped slightly in the year to 277 active and inactive members on 182 addresses. Finances are on an even keel, we have a settled Committee to set up and run the Club and events, as well as an excellent Wellbeing team should you need help or advice. I thank all the Team for their efforts in 2018, continuing into this new year. I am also pleased (I think) to report that I have been re-elected as your Chairman for another 3 years and I sincerely hope that you will continue to support this wonderful Club.
If there are any other events that you, our members, want or wish to try, then please get in touch. We (the Committee) would love to hear from you and look forward to seeing you at one or more of our 2019 events. In addition, if anyone would like to join us on the Committee, we do have one vacancy. Just get in touch.
With Best Wishes for the year ahead.
December Quiz Results
Alan and Beryl Magee were our quiz winners this time. The answers were:- 1. Sir Francis Drake 2. Coleton Fishacre 3. River Bovey 4. Hembury Fort 5. Branscombe Old Bakery 6. Agatha Christie 7. Morwellham Quay 8. Sir John Hawkins 9. Rob Baxter 10. 1620
Financial Matters
With my other hat on, I am pleased to report that once again we had a full and positive year with a small surplus achieved of £207. This gives us £3,990 of funds to carry forward into 2019. Our surplus was really due to numbers at the October lunch being only 33 (compared to a budgeted 45) and 75 members at the Christmas “do” instead of 85, which was achieved in 2017. With our lunch subsidies running at 56/58% of true cost, if numbers are lower than planned, we can quickly build up a surplus.
For 2019, I have budgeted for a £900 deficit to use up some of our surplus funds. We have a full programme of 9/10 events, with subsidies calculated at 57% and we have paid £281 for a 3 year renewal of our website (taking us to 2022). Our Head Office Grant is £4,242 this year, about £200 lower than last year and Subscriptions are down below £900 for the first time, as our numbers sadly drop. On the positive side, your Subscription remains at £5 per active member and if you attend all our events this year the value is around £70 per person of support from the Club. Wonderful value for your £5!!
Finally, I hope you enjoy our planned events and support us when you can. See you there.
Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer
Functions
Our next function is a free Coffee Morning on Wednesday, 10th April 2019 at the White Horse Inn, Sidmouth Road (A3052), Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP, 10.15am-12noon. This is a very pleasant venue we have used before with plenty of car parking space. The White Horse Inn has an extensive menu for those wishing to stay on for lunch (at your own cost of course). We hope to see you there.
Following the coffee morning is our next lunch which is on Tuesday, 21st May at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RU. Car parking at the hotel is limited but there is a large public pay and display car park opposite. Menu/booking form is attached and should be returned to me with your cheque by Friday, 3rd May . Cheques will be banked on 15th May. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £17.50, which represents a 50% subsidy, or £30.00 per head for nonmembers. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.
Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40pm. Please do not move them after this time.
Future dates for your diary
Tuesday, 11th June 2019 free Garden Visit and Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee), Fursdon House & Garden, Cadbury, near Thorverton EX5 5JS, 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Exeter Spread Eagles have an exclusive afternoon visit to Fursdon set in the hills above the Exe Valley, near Thorverton. You can take a stroll around the main Fox Garden and the newly-restored Meadow Garden and Pond, or you may just sit and chat whilst admiring the wonderful views.
The Cream Tea will be served at 3.00pm in the Coach Hall and after you may wish to linger for a little while before setting off home.
How to get there?
If using a satnav, the postcode is EX5 5JS. Please ignore the formal Fursdon white gate and use the drive over the cattle grid.
If coming from Exeter (about 10 miles) Take the A396 towards Tiverton, and after about 7 miles turn left to the village of Thorverton. Turn right in the centre of the village opposite the Thorverton Arms, passing the church on your left. Having left the village, take the right-hand fork, signposted to Fursdon, which is then about a mile further up the road. Enter by the first gate over the cattle grid and the Car Park is at the top of the drive on your left.
If coming from Crediton or Tiverton via the A3072, Fursdon is signposted off this road. Please ignore the first formal white gate and drive on to the next entrance on your left, over the cattle grid.
Numbers are required for this event, so please let me know by Friday, 31st May if you intend to come. We hope to see you there.
Further details of the following events will be included in future Newsletters. Please make a note of the dates.
Monday, 9th September 2019 Seaton to Colyton (and return) Tram Ride and free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee) 2.30pm
Thursday, 31st October 2019 Lunch at Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB 1.00pm
Thursday, 5th December 2019 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth 1.00pm
Tuesday, 10th March 2020 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf and Country Club 11.00am
Lynne Ring, Committee Member
01392 879446 lynne_ring@hotmail.com
[Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]
Five years? You don’t get to serve that length of time for a serious crime these days!
I had been looking back to previous Newsletters. This reminded me that I was elected as Secretary a full five years ago. That election was included within the business of our Annual General Meeting, and we are now coming to that time of year again, on Thursday 7th March.
We will gather at the Exeter Golf & Country Club for coffee, have a brief but efficient business meeting, followed by a very good speaker. Andrew Millington was the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Exeter Cathedral from 1999 until 2015. You can Google him to appreciate what a fine talent we have coming to talk to us. Andrew and his wife Madeleine will also be joining us for the lunch afterwards.
Full details of the meeting, and the lunch booking form are included in this issue. We hope to see you there!
And finally, just to keep your brains working there is another one of Les Rendell’s quizzes to get your heads around. There will be a prize for the winner at the AGM.
Andrew Green, Hon Secretary
Wellbeing
I am writing this in the heat of Melbourne – 40 degrees centigrade as opposed to Fahrenheit – whilst spending invaluable time with the grandchildren. We are increasingly aware that we do not know how many more years we shall be able to do this, so ensure we savour every minute.
Sincerely hope that you are keeping well and, as ever, please contact one of our Wellbeing team if you feel that we may be of support. In any event, we shall be pleased to talk with you!
I shall otherwise hope to see you at upcoming theatre trip or at the AGM.
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Officer
Annual General Meeting
The Club’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Thursday, 7th March 2019 at 11.00am in the Mews Suite at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE. There is plenty of parking available in the two car parks situated in the grounds and disabled parking is at the entrance to the second parking area – you can take your car to the entrance (paved area) and then have it moved to a suitable bay. If you would like to come but need a lift, please contact one of our Wellbeing Officers who will do their best to find a lift for you.
Access will be available for (free) coffee/tea and biscuits from 10.30am and we would ask that you are in your seats prior to the start of the meeting at 11.00am so that there is no distraction whilst we remember those who are no longer with us.
We have saved some costs by not including the Agenda with this newsletter, planning to distribute on the day, but if any would wish for a copy prior to this, in print or electronically, we shall be happy to oblige.
Functions
AGM Luncheon
The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch. Menu/booking form is attached and should be returned to me with your cheque by Tuesday, 19th February 2019. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 21st February. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £12.50 or £25.00 per head for non-members. The cost includes a glass and a half of wine OR a glass of orange, apple or grapefruit juice.
Please also let me know when replying of any special dietary requirements you may have, e.g. if you do not want sauces or gravy.
The lunch will be in the Duckworth Suite. Please try to collect your booking form from me, showing your food choice, if possible before the AGM, to place on your chosen table; remember we do not have a seating plan for this event. Should you be coming only to the Luncheon, would you please indicate on your booking form with whom you wish to sit if you have a preference. Thank you.
The restaurant staff will take a note of your food selection around 12.40pm so please do not move your place setting after this time.
Bars in the Mews and Duckworth Suites will be available from approximately 12.30pm and lunch will be served at 1.00pm.
Future dates for your diary:
Saturday, 2nd March 2019 –Theatre Visit, Manor Theatre, Sidmouth (see details in this Newsletter)
Wednesday, 10th April 2019 –free Coffee Morning, White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP (on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth road), 10.15am-12noon
Menu and booking form for the May Lunch and further details regarding the free Cream Tea and Garden visit will be in the next Newsletter. Details of functions beyond June will be in future Newsletters.
Lynne Ring, Committee Member 01392 879446 lynne_ring@hotmail.com
THEATRE VISIT – Saturday, 2nd March – 7.30pm
MANOR PAVILION, MANOR ROAD, SIDMOUTH, EX10 8RP
Following the popularity of our outings to the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth during the last two Summer Rep seasons, your committee has made a provisional booking for a further visit on Saturday, 2nd March 2019.
The play this time, entitled “Dead on Arrival”, is an original classic period whodunit and is being staged for one night only by the Moonstone Theatre with that performance starting at 7.30pm.
We have initially reserved a block of 27 seats (in the same part of the auditorium as for the previous visit). A maximum of two tickets per member is available on a first come, first served basis. (Those members who previously expressed interest at the Christmas Lunch will be prioritised).
A theatre discount applies for our block booking which together with an additional generous subsidy from Club funds means that on this occasion we can offer seats (maximum of 2 per member) at just £8.00 per ticket (the advertised price being £12.00). (Non-refundable).
We need to confirm numbers and make payment to the Theatre by 13th February, so if you would like to attend we need your confirmation and payment please (cheques payable to “Exeter Spread Eagle Club” ) as soon as possible and no later than Monday, 11th February.
Please return the attached booking form together with a SAE to Peter Johnson.
QUIZ – DEVON, GLORIOUS DEVON
Who was born in Devon in the sixteenth century, became an Admiral and died of a fever off Panama in 1596?
Which house in Devon was built for the D’Oyly Carte family between 1925-6? The architect was Oswald Milne.
On which river is the Becky Falls and Becka Brook?
Which is the largest Iron-Age hill fort remaining in Devon?
Where was the last traditional bakery to be used in Devon and was run by Stuart and Gerald Collier until the late 1980s? It is now part of a National Trust site.
Which famous Devonian was married to the archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan?
Where could you visit the Port and Mining Museums and the Victorian Farmyard, take a train ride through the George and Charlotte copper mine and be attended to by staff in Victorian dress?
What was the name of the Plymouth born naval administrator and commander, who was the chief architect of the Elizabethan navy?
Who is the Exeter Chiefs’ Director of Rugby?
In which year did the Mayflower leave Plymouth carrying the Pilgrim fathers to the New World?
Name: ………………………………………………..
Entries please by Tuesday, 5th March to Les Rendell on lesrendell41@gmail.com or 11 Aubyns Wood Rise, Tiverton EX16 5DG
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