Category: Newsletter

Introduction

What a wonderful autumn we have been having!  A fine open season like this will make the winter seem a lot shorter. Those of us who went to the Tiverton Hotel enjoyed probably one of the best lunches of the year.  In the same week, and still enthusing, your Committee met to continue planning future events for the Club.  For many years we were able to meet at Westpoint at no cost to the Club. We were very grateful for this privilege, and have thanked Ollie Allen, the retiring Devon County Show Secretary, on your behalf. From now on we shall be meeting in Committee members’ homes, so once again at no cost. We are fortunate that the continuing financial support from Barclays, coupled with your subscriptions, allows us to generously subsidise not just our customary four lunches a year, but also coffee mornings, cream teas and a theatre trip. Next year looks like being even better, with further exciting additions to our programme. Watch this space! Inside this issue we have details of the Club’s Christmas Lunch at the rather special Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth. The Doorman always provides a warm welcome as you arrive and, once inside, the decorations are a joy to behold. A fine festive lunch tastes even better for being enjoyed alongside old colleagues, now long-standing friends. I do hope we see you there.

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

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A Note from the Chair 

Welcome to all our members to the final newsletter of the year.  Andrew has dealt above with our recent events and I shall look to the future.

Our budget for 2018 is set to break-even and we will be coming out with an extended programme for 2019 to use up some of our surplus funds.
Your committee is thinking of running with 4 lunches, 2 free cream teas (including a June one with a garden visit), 2 free coffee mornings and probably 2 theatre outings at the Sidmouth playhouse. Details of all these events will be in future newsletters.

We will start with our AGM on 7th March at the Exeter Golf and Country Club where Andrew Millington will be our guest speaker.  Andrew is the former Director of Music, principal organist and composer at Exeter Cathedral and has many wonderful stories for us to enjoy. So put that date in your diaries now.

I would hope to see many of you before that at our Christmas lunch on 6th December at The Victoria in Sidmouth, where we are offering again a fantastic 60% discount on the overall price: Just £12 for members to enjoy a great Christmas meal and friendly atmosphere.  We have space for 120, but in recent times have been around 90 in number. Please therefore, come and join us.

If you haven’t been to an event with us this year, please make 6th December a must!  Details are included in this newsletter that require your early attention and response.

See you there!

Although it seems a little early, for those of you not able to join us for our two remaining events, I wish you the Season’s Greetings, a Healthy New Year and hope to see you in 2019.

Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer

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Wellbeing

Not too much to report, other than once again mentioning the wide range of support services that BWC offer and on an independent basis.  You are very welcome to contact them directly, or talk with me in the first instance.  Whilst the following is similar to that posted on our website, I feel it is worth another mention.

“The Bank Workers Charity (BWC) Did you know that the charity has been around since 1883?  Since then we’ve changed a lot.  Then, we just provided financial assistance, now we offer the banking community a wide range of advice, expert support and services as well.

“As a retired bank worker, it’s your charity.  Our funds, support and services are specifically for you.  Even if it’s just a query about something you’re facing, it’s worth making use of a service that’s here for you.

“Free and confidential Our team of skilled Client Advisors will listen and work with you to find a practical solution for you and our services are free.  We’re independent of banks and won’t share your personal information.

“Visiting Caseworkers If you, or someone you know may need more in-depth support and benefit from a home visit, one of our caseworkers can come to you.  They will provide advice, guidance and advocate on your behalf.

“Our services and support Our services are tailored to your needs.  Amongst others, we can help in the following areas:  Caring responsibilities  Money and debt  Disability and long-term conditions  Relationships  Bereavement  Mental health.

If you’re not sure BWC can help, call our free, confidential helpline on 0800 0234 834 or email hello@bwcharity.org.uk to find out.

“You can also learn more about BWC and browse our easy-to-follow guides by visiting www.bwcharity.org.uk.

“Even if you don’t need anything from us, tell your friends or colleagues that have worked in banking.  With your help, we’d like to support as many people from the banking community as we can.”
 
Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Officer

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Functions

Our next function on Thursday, 8th November 2018 is a free Coffee Morning at the White Horse Inn, Sidmouth Road (A3052), Woodbury Salterton  EX5 1EP, 10.15am-12 noon. We hope to see you there.

Following the coffee morning is our Christmas lunch which is on Thursday, 6th December 2018 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth  EX10 8RY.

Click Here for Christmas Lunch Menu & Booking Form which should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 19th November.  Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 29th November.   No refunds will be given after this date.  The cost per head for members is £12.00 and £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. 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   Thursday, 7th March 2019 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf & Country Club

Tuesday, 11th June 2019 free Cream Tea, Fursdon House, Cadbury  EX5 5JS with a chance to look around the gardens at no charge

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

01392 879446    lynne_ring@hotmail.com

[Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]

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And lastly….. Recycling pens For anyone living in the Axminster area there is a recycling point at the Axe Valley Community College for extinguished pens (roller ball, fibre tip, ballpoint, highlighters).  For further information visit www.terracycle.co.uk.

Introduction

Not One, not Two, but Three, excellent events for members are detailed in this issue. Never has the Membership Fee looked such good value!

We start with our Theatre Trip to Sidmouth in August. Tickets are already selling well, following our email notifications. If you would like to come along, prompt booking is advised.

Last year, Tiverton’s Hartnoll Hotel provided us with the most generous Cream Tea, so, by popular demand, we are back there in September. Travelling up from Exeter via the “Valley Road”, the A396, makes for a very scenic run, with no motorway mileage.

And the Tiverton Best Western Hotel is also revisited for our lunch in October, as their previous meals were highly praised. On either outing to the town, you might also like to take in a trip on the Grand Western Canal, a wander around the National Trust’s house and gardens at Knightshayes, or inspect the “Tivvy Bumper” steam train at the town’s museum.

So, there is much here for you to enjoy, and all in the company of old colleagues and good friends. We hope that you have a wonderful summer, and that we get to see you at these events.

Andrew Green, Hon Secretary

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A Note from the Chair

I hope you are all enjoying the exceptional sunshine of the past few weeks… Make the most of it!

Since our last Newsletter, we have had three successful events and announce in this issue a further three to look forward to.

Back in April the Halfway Inn provided us with a coffee morning, and then in May we enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Belmont Hotel in Sidmouth. Whilst parking was problematical for some, the Victoria Hotel next door did provide an overflow car park and the meal was outstanding. In June we visited King’s Garden Centre in Exmouth for an afternoon cream tea and a chance to make purchases in their wide-ranging shop. We had 37 there for the free tea.

Andrew has mentioned above the offerings for August, September and October, giving us all a varied and well-subsidised programme.

Please book in now to our events, lest you forget later!

Our Club finances remain healthy and within budget, so you will find the October lunch has a near 60% subsidy, keeping the lunch price to members down at £10.00. Do try to support our great value events.

Finally, for your diaries, we have a free coffee morning at the White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton on Thursday, 8th November and our Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth on Thursday, 6th December.

Details about these two events will be in the next Newsletter.

I look forward to seeing you at one or more of our five remaining events this year. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of our wonderful summer, and stay healthy.

Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer

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Functions

Our next function on Tuesday, 4th September is a free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream and tea or coffee) at the Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham, Tiverton EX16 7RA, 3.15pm-4.30pm. This is a delightful venue we have used before and the scones are to die for! There is a large car park and entry to the Hotel is on the level. Numbers are required for this event, so please let me know by Tuesday, 28th August if you intend to come. We hope to see you there.

Following the cream tea is our next lunch which is on Tuesday, 16th October at Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB 1pm. Again, this is a venue we have used before 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.

Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by Wednesday, 3rd October. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 4th October. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £10.00 or £24.00 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, 8th November 2018 free Coffee Morning at the White Horse Inn, Sidmouth Road (A3052), Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP 10.15am-12 noon.

Thursday, 6th December 2018 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth

Thursday, 7th March 2019 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf & Country Club

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

01392 879446

lynne_ring@hotmail.com

[Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]

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Theatre Visit

Manor Pavilion, Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RP

Wednesday, 29th August 2018, 8.00pm

For this year’s outing we have opted to attend a performance of “Strictly Murder” by Brian Clemens and have reserved a block booking of 28 seats. As a change from the comedy theme of our previous visit, we have selected a thriller set in 1939 Provence. The production will be performed by the visiting Professional Summer Repertory company and produced by Paul Taylor-Mills.

Come and join us for what promises to be another enjoyable evening together.

A discount applies for our block booking and a further subsidy from club funds means that on this occasion we can offer seats (maximum of 2 per member) at just £10.00 per ticket (the advertised price being £17) which represents excellent value. (Non-refundable).

We need to confirm numbers and make payment to the Theatre by 27th July, 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 Wednesday, 25th July. Please return the attached booking (click here) together with a SAE to Peter Johnson.

Wasn’t Julia Tremlett a fascinating speaker at our Club AGM? If you were at our Exeter meeting, you probably picked up a copy of the famous National Garden Scheme’s yellow book. This lists the many gardens open to the public between now and the end of October. So now may be the time to look through it, and plan some different trips out. Many will be local to you. But you may choose to go further afield, to a locality you have never visited before. Perhaps you have an interest in particular plants, or you would just like some new ideas for your own garden.

You might take your camera (or phone) with you, and send us a photo for the Club website and Facebook page. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, not just the naturally green-fingered, and you will be benefitting a very worthwhile charity.

Your Committee have also been looking forward, to our events for the year. Details, as always, are provided in this Newsletter. We look forward to seeing you.

Andrew Green, Hon Secretary

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View from the Chair and AGM comments

The past year has been a bit mixed with membership and attendances at functions slightly down. We now have 203 qualifying pensioners, plus 80 spouses, giving a total of 283 members across 188 addresses. Our numbers are 14 down on the year. On the positive side, our grant monies for 2018 are similar to 2017 as the Bank has increased funds by 3%.  With regard to events, our 2017 AGM saw 74 members enjoy an excellent meal at the Exeter Golf & Country Club with a most interesting and amusing speaker in Dr John Searle OBE reminiscing about his early years at Guy’s Hospital.

This March, with 64 attending, we had another lovely meal and a wonderful speaker in Julia Tremlett from the National Garden Scheme with a slide show telling us about the background, history and ongoing charity work of the NGS. Did you know the NGS has a nursing background and raised £3 million for nursing/carers charities in 2017? She also did a comprehensive review of some of the amazing gardens of Devon. This was a most illuminating, imaginative and entertaining presentation, laced with humour and anecdotes.

We will try to find another top quality speaker for the March 2019 AGM as we have now had 3 excellent speakers over the past 3 years.

Should you require a copy of the AGM Minutes please contact Les Rendell – telephone: 01884 254375 or email: lesrendell41@gmail.com.

Last May saw us at the Deer Park Hotel with only 41 present, a rather disappointing turnout. We dropped the Autumn lunch and then returned to the Victoria in December, which was as good as ever for the 85 attendees. On the positive side, the 2 coffee mornings and the 2 cream tea afternoons saw 120 attend those 4 free events. The cream tea at the Hartnoll Hotel being particularly scrumptious! We must return there this year.  In addition, we had a subsidised Theatre trip to Sidmouth to see a farce called “Birthday Suite” and thank our new additions to the committee, Peter and Barbara Johnson, for arranging that. We propose a similar set of events for 2018, with the possible return of an Autumn lunch, thus giving you 9 events across the year. We have the funds, so why not use them!

I remind you that we have an active website and Facebook page, so make use of them to keep in touch with all information and planned events. Already, you will find a report about the AGM and the NGS on our web pages. We do thank Ron Powell for his continuing efforts here and to Les Rendell, in particular, for taking on the I.T. work. It was also Les who produced a couple of brain-teasing quizzes during the year, and more may follow.

Finally, I thank all those on your committee for their continued work and support with regard to meetings, events, newsletters, wellbeing and administration of the Club. We cannot exist without these volunteers. Thank you all!

Future Events Please see Functions section below.  A full agenda.  And as usual, the Christmas lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth on Thursday 6th December to round off our year.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

With my other hat on, I am pleased to report that once again it was a positive year with a small surplus of £65 achieved, despite income being £350 down, but where on the social side, we dropped the autumn lunch which saved £400 from the budget. Subscriptions have held up quite well, but will fall again this year, as numbers sadly reduce. General expenses remain under control with your committee being as frugal as possible! Subsidies for events averaged nearly 60% in 2017. Grant income was £4,457 and will be £4,446 in 2018. Our final year-end balance as at 31st December 2017 was £3,783.

For 2018, I have budgeted for a £500 deficit to reduce our final balance to just under £3,300 going forward into 2019. We can then subsidise 4 lunches at an average of 56% and provide 4 free events (2 coffee mornings and 2 cream teas), plus the theatre trip. At the end of the year, we should still have well over £3,000 in the bank. Your subscription remains at £5 per head.  Finally, if you attend all the planned functions this year, then you will enjoy at least £65 of subsidy for your £5 subscription. I am sure you would all agree, very good value!!

I would like to formally thank Eric Watts for examining and signing off the final accounts, and can confirm that he is continuing in this capacity for another year.

Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer

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Wellbeing

Not too much to report since the last Newsletter, other than an update for those not at the AGM.  Delighted to report that I do not need to ask for anyone to assist with the Wellbeing side this year as all the team are still in office.  A big thank you to them all and, as ever, please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel we can help.  Hope to see you at our next coffee morning.

Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Co-ordinator

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Functions

Our next function is a free Coffee Morning on Tuesday, 17th April  at the Halfway Inn, Sidmouth Road (A3052), Aylesbeare  EX5 2JP,
10.15am-12noon. This is a very pleasant venue we have used before with plenty of car parking space.  The Halfway 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, 15th  May at the Belmont Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth  EX10 8RX.

Menu/booking form is attached and should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 30th April 2018.  Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 3rd May.   No refunds will be given after this date.  The cost per head for members is £12.00 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. 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, 21st June 2018 free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee), King’s Garden Centre, Higher Hulham Road, Exmouth  EX8 5DZ (new venue – designated area) 3.00pm-4.30pm  Number attending is required. Please advise me by Thursday, 7th June  if you intend to come.

Directions – if you know a better way, please use it!:  From Sidmouth, A3052 to Halfway Inn, turn left onto B3180, follow road until branching right (signposted Exmouth) into Higher Hulham Road.  From Exeter (Sandygate) A3052 Sidmouth road to Clyst St Mary roundabout, follow A376 Exmouth road to Clyst St George roundabout, branch left onto B3179, through Woodbury village, turn right to meet B3180, then follow road until branching right (signposted Exmouth) into Higher Hulham Road.

Further details of the following events will be included in future Newsletters.

Tuesday, 4th September 2018 free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee), Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham, Tiverton  EX16 7RA  3.15-4.30pm

Tuesday, 16th October 2018 Lunch at Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton  EX16 4DB  1pm

Thursday, 8th November 2018 free Coffee Morning at the White Horse Inn, Sidmouth Road (A3052), Woodbury Salterton  EX5 1EP  10.1512 noon.

Thursday, 6th December 2018 Christmas Lunch, Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth

Thursday, 7th March 2019 AGM and Lunch, Exeter Golf & Country Club

Lynne Ring, Committee Member 01392 879446   lynne_ring@hotmail.com [Please note my email address has an underscore between Lynne and Ring]

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Claiming a Power of Attorney refund

It hasn’t been widely advertised but the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) will consider making a part refund of the OPG fee(s) paid for those who registered their Lasting or Enduring Power(s) of Attorney during the period 1st April 2003 to 31st March 2017.  The government website www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund explains both the potential refund and includes an on-line portal to make the application.  Amounts range from £34 to £54 depending on the date of registration.

Postal address: PO Box 16185    Birmingham    B2 2WH

Email address: customerservices@publicguardian.gsi.gov.uk

Telephone:  0300 456 0300

Happy New Year to all our Members! I can imagine that you are now thinking that I am a bit behind the times with my greetings. Well, I was actually referring to the Chinese New Year, which begins on 16th February 2018, and is a “Year of the Dog”. Chinese years are in a sequence of twelve animals, six domestic and six wild, and are the starting points for Chinese horoscopes. Dogs are traditionally seen as faithful animals, whether in Chinese or Western cultures. If you have a loyal companion, why not make this the year you reward him or her with, say a new basket? It‟s time for me to stop wittering on, and to tell you that in this issue we have full details of our AGM at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. This will be another excellent value lunch, with the added bonus of a fascinating speaker, and we promise to keep the formal bits to a timely minimum. We hope to see you there. Andrew Green, Hon Secretary

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Wellbeing

Pensioners Forum

Garry and I attended this now bi-annual event at Canary Wharf back in November. Two issues arose in their Welfare sessions:

Loneliness: – came down to basic awareness and communication. We can only improve here, so we would rather be told things twice than not at all. Please contact your Wellbeing Officer or a member of the committee if you feel we can be of help to another member.

Bank Workers Charity: – again reiterated their wish to provide support, either financial or otherwise. They have overseen our summation of their activities on our now updated web page.

Finally, several clubs were impressed with our name change (Welfare to Wellbeing), and were looking to change theirs as well!

Death of a Member We will advise those on email as soon as we are made aware, and – if known – the funeral arrangements. As above, rather twice told than not at all.

Connection Magazine – Useful Contacts I have had cause to get involved in several instances recently, and there has been some change to the way we need to process probate and pension matters. No real issue if you ring the wrong number – as I did – as you are soon pointed in the right direction! Worth a look the next time you read it though.

Scams There appears no end to the amount and type of scams that are about. From email to telephone and computer „errors‟ to Bank refunds, even suggesting HMRC, and supposed tax and PayPal refunds. Please all be very aware!

Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Officer

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Annual General Meeting

The Club‟s Annual General Meeting takes place on Thursday, 8th March 2018 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.

Guest Speaker We are delighted to announce that the Guest Speaker for the Club AGM this year is Julia Tremlett, Treasurer for the East Devon Section of the

National Gardens Scheme (NGS). Julia will be telling us how this charity started and has developed over its 90 years and the amazing monies they have raised. Julia‟s talk will be illustrated by slides on a large screen so be prepared to be „wowed‟ by her pictures of some of the wonderful gardens that take part each year.

Julia herself has opened her garden for many years and is an experienced and knowledgeable gardener. This promises to be a fascinating and interesting talk.

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Functions

AGM Luncheon

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch.   View and print the menu/booking form. This should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 19th February 2018. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 22nd February. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £12.00 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.

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:

Tuesday, 17th April 2018 free Coffee Morning, Halfway Inn, Sidmouth Road, Aylesbeare EX5 2JP 10.30am-12noon

Tuesday, 15th May 2018 Lunch, Belmont Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RX

Thursday, 21st June 2018 free Cream Tea (scone, jam, cream, tea/coffee), King‟s Garden Centre, Higher Hulham Road, Exmouth EX8 5DZ (new venue – designated area) 3.00pm-4.30pm

Details of additional functions will be shown in future Newsletters.

Lynne Ring, Committee Member 01392 879446 lynne_ring@hotmail.com

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Answers to Christmas Quiz

Here are the answers to the „Initially it‟s Christmas‟ quiz. Only two allcorrect answers were received and the winner drawn from those two was Barry Cross.
1. 5 = GR Gold Rings

2. 1 = HOS Horse Open Sleigh (from Jingle Bells)

3. 26 = BD Boxing Day

4. 9 = N of L in the W „C‟ Number of letters in the word „Christmas‟

5. 1ce = IRDC In Royal David‟s City

6. 56 = C in P of SCS on a CC Cost in pence of second class stamp on a Christmas card

7. 2 = US in the P “C” Ugly sisters in the pantomime „Cinderella‟

8. 2017 = Y S the B of J Years since the birth of Jesus
9. 3 = SCSB Ships come sailing by
10. 5 = D in J of TN Date in January of Twelfth Night

Peter and Barbara Johnson were getting very excited at our last Committee meeting. They had managed to get Julia Tremlett, from the National Gardens Scheme, to be our guest speaker at our AGM in March. The famous Yellow Book from the NGS features gardens nationwide, all opened to the public to raise money for good causes. Julia, and her husband John, have a wonderful garden of their own at Bickham House, Kenn which they regularly open in aid of the NGS. Even those of us who are “horticulturally challenged” are looking forward to hearing a really fascinating talk. Do make sure that the date is in your diaries.

Also, in this issue, we give details of how you, as a Barclays’ pensioner, can now download a copy of the latest Microsoft Office software for a mere £9.95, a very significant saving.

Where did 2017 go? Once again, it is time to be sending out the details, in this Newsletter, of the Christmas Lunch at the Victoria, your Club’s grand finale for the year! If there is one event to attend in the year, this is it, so do get your booking in early. We hope to see you there.

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

Email: greens@1camelot.eclipse.co.uk

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A View from the Chair and your Finances

Since our last Newsletter, we have had a very successful cream tea at Froginwell (38 attendees), the theatre trip at Sidmouth and a second delightful cream tea at the Hartnoll Hotel (near Tiverton), where the most amazing scones were on offer.

Our next venture is the free coffee morning at the Halfway Inn on the Sidmouth Road, near Aylesbeare.  You should just get this Newsletter in time, as the coffee morning is on Thursday, 2^nd November, although the date should have already been in your diaries.  Do come along to swell our numbers.

To finish our year, the Christmas lunch on Thursday, 7^th December is, as usual, at the Victoria in Sidmouth, where we are offering a fantastic 60% discount on the overall price: Just £12 for members to enjoy a great Christmas meal and friendly atmosphere.

We can offer this reduced price to you as our finances remain healthily in credit!

See you there!

Although it seems a little early, for those of you not able to join us for our two remaining events, I wish you the Season’s Greetings and hope to see you in 2018.

Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer

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 Wellbeing

The first thing you will have noticed – already updated on our website – is our change of name. At our Welfare/Wellbeing meeting in the summer, it was felt that Wellbeing more accurately reflects the present day support that we offer.

          Ongoing Membership

When one of our (Bank employee) members loses a spouse/partner, the survivor automatically qualifies to remain as a member of the Club. This is obviously optional, but we sincerely hope that those affected will wish to remain with us. As ever, your Wellbeing officer will be only too pleased to talk further.

         Blue Rewards

This is something that I have mentioned before, but is worth a repeat advert! Whilst there are Bank requirements to be met each month, you will receive a net £4/month JUST for taking the time to register. I shall be very pleased to discuss with anyone who may be interested.

Ray Cavill, Wellbeing Officer

Email: cavills@gmail.com

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Functions

Thursday, 2^nd November  free Coffee Morning at the White Horse Inn, Woodbury Salterton.  The White Horse Inn is on the main A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth road – next to the Froginwell Vineyard where we have previously held coffee mornings.  There is a large car park and easy access.

The next lunch is the Christmas Lunch on Thursday, 7th December 2017 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth  EX10 8RY at 1pm.

View and print the Menu/booking form and return to me with your cheque by 20th November 2017.  Cheques will be banked on 30^th November.  No refunds will be given after this date.

The cost per head for members and carers, if members require assistance, is £12.00 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.

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.

           Future Event:

 Thursday, 8^th March 2018   Annual General Meeting and lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club, 10.30am for Coffee; 11am for AGM; 1pm for lunch

  Speaker: Julia Tremlett, National Gardens Scheme, 11.45am    

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

01392 879446

lynne_ring@hotmail.com

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Microsoft Office software offer

It’s likely that many of you are using use Microsoft Office 2007 software, but you may not know that Microsoft withdrew its support for the product from 10 October 2017.  This means that no more security updates will be issued, which potentially makes users’ PCs more vulnerable.

Barclays’ Pensioners, however, now have a valuable opportunity.

If you are registered with My Rewards Discounts, a download of MS Office 2016 Pro+ (the full bells and whistles version) is being offered for a mere £9.95!

Offers like this don’t last for ever, so it’s as well to get in quick.  If any of your members aren’t registered, it’s a straightforward process using the details below from connection magazine.

Once you’ve registered, go to the home page of the website and hover your cursor over “Electronics” in the menu bar.

An expanded “drop down” menu will appear.  Click on the link for Microsoft Office and, on the page which appears, follow the instructions to purchase your copy (only one per Pensioner, I’m afraid).

You can then either install the software straight away or save it as a download for installation later.

Many of our Club Members have already successfully taken advantage of the offer, and I hope it will benefit you as well.

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 AND ALMOST FINALLY….

I remember, I remember the house where I was born,

But I wonder where the shears went last time I mowed the lawn?

I remember clothing coupons and the rationing of food,

But what I did two hours ago my memory eludes!

Sound familiar?!

Some thoughts from Committee members, Barbara and Peter Johnson

 INITIALLY IT’S CHRISTMAS

Here is a fun quiz which requires a little thought. There is a prize for the first all-correct answer (or, if none, next highest score) drawn at the Victoria Hotel Christmas Lunch. The closing date for receipt of entries is Tuesday 5^th December.

You can enter by email if you wish – lesrendell41@gmail.com or send your answers to Les Rendell, 11 Aubyns Wood Rise, Tiverton EX16 5DG. Even if you cannot make the Christmas Lunch please have a go.

Answers will be published in our next Newsletter.  Good luck!

What do the initials stand for, e.g. 12 = D of C (Days of Christmas)?  All clues have an association with Christmas.

 1.  5 = GR

 2. 1 = HOS

 3. 26 = BD

 4.  9 = N of L in the W ‘C’

 5.  1ce = IRDC

 6.  56 = C in P of SCS on a CC

 7.  2 = US in the P “C”

 8.  2017 = Y S the B of J

 9.  3 = SCSB

 10.  5 = D in J of TN

 

Name: ……………………………………………………………..

 

 

 

You would not think that your Committee needed reprimanding. After all, they are all upstanding members of the community.  And yet, at a recent meeting, they were asked to keep the volume down, and the door was firmly closed on the room! Sorry, Ollie.

In mitigation, we were excited about our events for you this summer. We have not one, but two, FREE Cream Teas, one at Froginwell and the other at The Hartnoll, and a subsidised Theatre Trip to Sidmouth. Full details of all these are included in this Newsletter.

Do you like brain-teasers? If so, you will enjoy the Charity Cryptic Quiz. Les Rendell has organised this in aid of our local Devon Air Ambulance, and there are cash prizes, and even a draw for all entrants. With such a good cause benefitting, why not give it a go?

And, if that is not enough to be getting on with, we already have an excellent speaker booked for our AGM next March.  “Who is that?” I hear you say. We plan to reveal the name in the next issue, but, if you offer me an extra scone at one of our cream teas, I might go all indiscreet!

Enjoy your summer!

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

A note from the Chair

I hope you are all enjoying the exceptional sunshine of the past few days.  Make the most of it as you never know what is around the corner.

You will be glad to hear that our finances are in good health, mainly because we had a lower turn-out than expected at the Deer Park lunch (41) which has left us with a surplus to spend.

As a result we are offering a 40% plus discount on the theatre tickets for the show in August.  Do please take up the offer – see later in this Newsletter.

For the rest of this year, there are 2 cream tea afternoons booked and a coffee morning in November.  They are all free to you as members.

In addition, there will almost certainly be a big discount available for the Christmas lunch at the Victoria in December.

Please therefore make an effort to come to one or more of our remaining 2017 events and help spend some of the money provided by the Bank to our Club.  It is there to be spent!!!

Enjoy the summer.

Garry Adams, Chairman and Treasurer

 Welfare

 Communication re Death and Funeral Arrangements

As mentioned last time, we will email news as and when we are able. In practice, this usually means that one of our members is told by either family, or friends. For those with access to the Internet you will have seen that we have now put this into practice. We would ask all of you to keep one another advised, and, as before, the committee would rather be told twice than not at all.

On a personal note, we are soon to depart to visit our family ‘Down Under’. In my absence, please contact one of the other Welfare Officers or as ever, one of the committee.

Ray Cavill, Welfare Officer

Functions

 Thursday, 29th June 2017           free Cream Tea, 3.00pm – 4.30pm

(scone, jam, cream and tea/coffee)

Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton on the A3052 Exeter/Sidmouth road

Numbers attending are required for this event.  If you have not already let me know, please let Carole Searle know by Monday, 26^th June if you intend to come (tel: 01392 873295, email: csearle2009@hotmail.co.uk) or if there are any changes.

 Future dates for your diary:

Tuesday, 3^rd October                     free Cream Tea, 3.00pm-4.30pm

Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham, Tiverton EX16 7RA

Numbers attending are required for this event.  Please let me know by Wednesday, 27th September if you intend to come. 

Thursday, 2^nd November              free Coffee Morning at Halfway Inn, 10.15am-12noon

 Thursday, 7^th December               Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth

Thursday, 8^th March 2018            Annual General Meeting and lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club, 11am for AGM, 1pm for lunch           

Further details regarding the last three functions listed above will be given in subsequent Newsletters.  There isn’t another Newsletter due before the 3^rd October Cream Tea to act as a reminder so do please keep the relevant dates – 27^th September (last date for acceptance) and 3^rd October – in mind.  We hope many of you will come to socialise at this new venue – and enjoy a cream tea too.

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

01392 879446

lynne_ring@hotmail.com

 Theatre Visit

This will be for an evening performance of ‘Birthday Suite’ by Robin Hawdon on Thursday, 24th August at the Manor Pavilion, Manor Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RP.  Full details and booking form are shown separately under Items of Interest.  At a subsidised cost of only £9.00 per ticket, we do hope that all the seats reserved are taken up for this new venture.  You will need to make your own way to the theatre.  Thanks to Barbara and Peter Johnson for organising this event.

 Charity Quiz

 Les Rendell has devised yet another of his challenging quizzes.  This time, as mentioned, it’s in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust and you will find it shown separately under Items of Interest.  Your committee is strongly supporting Les’ efforts in this regard so do please have a go and send your answers and donations to Les as per the instructions at the end of the quiz under ‘Entry Details’. Copies of the quiz will also be available at the Afternoon Tea at Froginwell Vineyard.

Isn’t it wonderful when a plan comes together? Your Committee had resolved that our Club AGM should be a “not-to-be missed” affair. In recent years we have had some very good guest speakers, but this time, judging by the response of those there, we really hit the bullseye! Have a look at this page on the internet, or, if you are reading this on-line, just click on this link:
www.exeterspreadeagles.org/annual-general-meeting-2017/

Of course, now we have the challenge to follow on from that success for the next time. Well, Lynne Ring has already booked the Exeter Golf and Country Club for Thursday 8th March 2018, and we have a couple of possible speakers, so watch this space.

Inside this issue: Peter and Barbara Johnson, our newest Committee members, discuss a possible theatre trip to Sidmouth and Garry gives a resume of our year just past, and then explains how he can fund, for you, a lunch at the prestigious Deer Park Hotel at a very modest cost, and two FREE Cream Teas.

It’s time to get the Diary out, let Lynne know that you are coming, and enjoy these events, all generously subsidised by your Club. I do hope to see you there.

Andrew Green, Hon Secretary

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A view from the Chair and AGM comments

The past year has been a bit mixed with membership and attendances at functions slightly down. We now have 207 qualifying pensioners, plus 90 spouses, giving a total of 297 members across 193 addresses. As a result, our grant funds are lower by £56 between 2016 and 2017.

With regard to events, our 2016 AGM saw 69 members enjoy an excellent meal at the Exeter Golf and Country Club with an interesting speaker in local auctioneer Chris Hampton. This March, with 74 attending, we had another lovely meal and a wonderful speaker in Dr John Searle OBE talking about his early years at Guy’s Hospital with many comparisons made to modern medicinal practices. He was widely acclaimed by all present. We will try to find another top quality speaker for March 2018.

Last May saw us at The Sidmouth Harbour Hotel with 58 present (12 down on the previous year), followed by a very poor turn-out at The Tiverton Hotel in September (only 35 members), but where we had a super meal from an award winning chef! The Victoria in December was as good as ever for the 87 attendees; the first time we have had less than 90 to a Christmas function. Perhaps this is a sign of the times and our ageing profile.

On the positive side, the 2 coffee mornings and the trial Cream Tea afternoon saw 110 attend those 3 free events. With this in mind, your committee has agreed and the AGM accepted that we will run 3 lunches this year plus 2 coffee mornings and 2 cream tea afternoons; still giving you 7 subsidised or free functions. We have also welcomed Peter and Barbara Johnson to our committee and they are actively looking at setting up a local Theatre (Sidmouth) trip during this year.

In early 2016 we had Ron Powell set up for us a Website and Facebook page where you can read about current and future events, as well as other useful information –please take a look as some new photos have been added. We do thank Ron for his continuing efforts here.

A surprise addition to the AGM was seen when a long lost metal Spread Eagle (from the old Exeter Bedford Street circular Banking Hall) re-appeared. I won’t say who had it in their garage for the past 25 years , but it is now to be restored by members Mick and Sandra Mabbutt who will act as its custodians, bringing it to future AGMs. A memory from the past before plastic took over our Banking Halls!

Finally, I thank all those on your committee for their continued work and support with regard to meetings, events, newsletters, welfare and administration of the Club. We cannot exist without these volunteers. Thank you!

Garry Adams, Chairman

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Financial matters

With my other hat on, I am pleased to report that once again it was a positive year with a surplus of £628 achieved, mainly because there was no Head Office Forum to fund in 2016 (saving £350) and with low numbers at the September lunch saving £250 of planned subsidy. Thus an unexpected surplus achieved!

Subscriptions have held up quite well, but will fall this year, and general expenses remain under control. Subsidies for events averaged 52% in 2016 and we paid a one-off charge of £200 for the website and licences etc. Grant income was £4512. Our final year-end balance being £3718.

For 2017, I have budgeted for a £700 deficit to reduce our final balance to £3000 going forward into 2018. We will subsidise 3 lunches at an average of 56% and provide 4 free events (2 coffee mornings and 2 cream teas). Your subscription remains at £5 per head. By offering larger subsidies at the 3 lunches we can keep prices down for members at superior venues and hopefully encourage attendance. We have also taken note of comments from the recent questionnaires and have moved more events to Thursdays.

Finally, if you attend all 7 planned functions this year, then you will enjoy £65 of subsidy for your £5 subscription. “You’ve never had it so good”!!

Thanks

I would like to formally thank Eric Watts for Examining and signing off the final accounts, and can confirm that he is continuing in this capacity for another year.

Garry Adams, Hon Treasurer

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Welfare

Notifications of a Death

We shall make every endeavour to inform you of a member’s death as soon as we are aware. Realistically, it will only be possible for us to do this for those on email. In any event, we would ask that you inform the relevant Welfare Officer, or any member of the committee, as soon as possible. We would rather be told twice, than not at all.

Events

We do like to see as many of you as possible attend our events. If you are unable to get there under your own steam, please contact your Welfare Officer to see if they are able to find someone to take you. Many of you already help us with this, and this is really appreciated. Others may yet be contacted to assist us in the future!
Pension Cuts?

Some of you will be aware that the Government is considering the way company pensions are protected against inflation.

There is a consultation document that raises various questions where Pensions are paid under a Defined Benefit Scheme; which is the majority of ours. They will consider changing the index – from RPI to CPI, reducing or suspending indexation, or if the scheme is in trouble, cancelling annual rises at all.

You can have your say on this by going to www.gov.uk and search ‘security and sustainability’. Go to pages 65/66 and the key questions are: 4 (f), (g), (h), and (i). Then email your views to defined.benefit@dwp.gsi.gov.uk by 14 May 2017.

Ray Cavill, Welfare Co-ordinator

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Functions

Our next function is a free Coffee Morning on Tuesday, 11th April 2017 at Froginwell Vineyard, Sidmouth Road, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EP on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road, 10.15am–12 noon. This is a very pleasant venue we have used before. It is on the level with plenty of car parking space. The Vineyard has a small 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 Thursday, 11th May 2017 at the Deer Park Hotel, Weston, Honiton EX14 3PG. Directions: from Exeter, A30 towards Honiton. Take the slip road at Patterson Cross, signposted Fairmile, Fenny Bridges and Feniton. At the next T-junction, turn right, signposted Fenny Bridges and Feniton. At the next T-junction, turn left, signposted Fenny Bridges. Go through the village of Fenny Bridges under the old iron bridge, under the new bridge and then take the left-hand road to Weston. At the T-junction by the bridge turn right into Weston Village, then turn left at Weston Cross to Buckerell. Turn left after approximately 200 yards into Deer Park drive.

Menu/booking form is attached (click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 24th April 2017. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 27th April. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £15.00 or £35.00 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, 29th June 2017 free Afternoon Cream Tea
(scone, jam, cream and tea/coffee)
at Froginwell Vineyard, 3pm-4.30pm
Numbers attending are required for this event. Please let me know by
Wednesday, 21st June if you intend to come or Carole Searle (tel: 01392 873295, email: csearle2009@hotmail.co.uk) for any changes after that date.

Further details of the following events will be included in subsequent Newsletters

Tuesday, 3rd October 2017 free Afternoon Cream Tea at
Hartnoll Hotel, Bolham, Tiverton, 3pm-4.30pm

Thursday, 2nd November 2017 free Coffee Morning at Halfway Inn, 10.15am-12noon

Thursday, 7th December 2017 Christmas Lunch at Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth, 1pm

Thursday, 8th March 2018 Annual General Meeting and lunch
at Exeter Golf and Country Club, 11am for AGM, 1pm for lunch

Lynne Ring, Functions Co-ordinator
(Tel: 01392 879446, email: lynne_ring@hotmail.com)

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Barclays Probate Service
2016 Discretionary Concession

Further to the article in the last Newsletter, I have received from the Bank the detailed fee structure now applicable incorporating the concession. It is important to note that the fees are inclusive of VAT. If anyone is still unsure about the revised arrangements please phone me or, if you would like a copy of the Bank’s letter to me then I can send an email copy on request or a hard copy if you send me a SAE.

It is always advisable, if you are using a solicitor instead of the Bank to act as your Executor or to assist family executors, to determine the solicitor’s costs for so acting. Their fees will be subject to VAT.

Les Rendell, Committee Member

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Theatre Visit

We are considering offering an additional event in the club’s annual calendar and are investigating the suggestion of a visit to the theatre, taking up a block booking.

Our initial research has focussed on the Manor Pavilion in Sidmouth which offers a variety of entertainment throughout the year, including a three month summer season of twelve weekly Professional Repertory productions.

We will also make enquiries of other suitable venues, but at this stage we would like to gauge the level of potential interest and support. It would also be useful to know what type of entertainment would be the favourite choice.

A short response form is attached for those who may be interested, which please complete and return to us (we will be attending the next coffee morning at Froginwell).

Peter and Barbara Johnson, Committee Members

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To:

Peter & Barbara Johnson or e-mail to: peteraj@talktalk.net
Fairways, 98 Beer Road
Seaton, EX12 2PU

EXETER SPREAD EAGLE CLUB – PROPOSED THEATRE VISIT

I/We would be interested in attending a theatre outing.
(Please indicate the type of entertainment you would prefer to see)

Play (Serious Drama, Comedy, Farce)
Musical
Show
Dance
Sole Artist

Name …………………………………………………………………………

We are extremely fortunate to have as our guest speaker for the Club AGM, the Reverend Canon Dr John Searle OBE. That full title hints at John’s life-long participation in Medicine, the Hospice movement in Exeter and the Church.  With such a breadth of life experiences, his talk promises to be a fascinating, and at times light-hearted one, as he tells us “Tales of a young Doctor”.

Garry Adams, our Chairman and Treasurer, tells me he intends to keep the formal business to the necessary minimum, so giving time both for our speaker and our socialising. This is a not-to-be-missed event, so, even if you have never attended a meeting of the Club before, why not get the Booking Form off to Lynne Ring now? We would be delighted to see you.

Also in this issue, Les Rendell gives the answers to his last brain-teasing Quiz.

Elsewhere, Les also offers practical steps you can consider taking if your Will is affected by the recent Barclays changes.

You may be wondering what became of those Questionnaires you were kind enough to fill in for us. Well, your Committee have now looked at every single one, and we plan that your responses make for an even better programme of events in the coming year. Watch this space….

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

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Annual General Meeting

The Club’s Annual General Meeting takes place on Thursday, 9th March 2017 at 10.45am 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 Welfare Officers who will do their best to find a lift for you.

Access will be available for (free) coffee/tea and biscuits from 10.15am and we would ask that you are in your seats prior to the start of the meeting at 10.45 am 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.

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Functions

AGM Luncheon

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by lunch. Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 20th February 2017.  Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 23rd 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.

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 12.15 pm and lunch will be served at 1.00pm.

Future dates for your diary:

Tuesday, 11th April 2017 free Coffee Morning, 10.15am – 12 noon

Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton

Thursday, 11th May 2017 Lunch

Deer Park Country House Hotel, Weston, near Honiton

Thursday, 29th June 2017 free Cream Tea, 3.00pm – 4.30pm

Froginwell Vineyard, Woodbury Salterton

September/October free Cream Tea

Date and venue to be confirmed

November free Coffee Morning

Date and venue to be confirmed

Thursday, 7th December Christmas Lunch

Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth

Further details in subsequent Newsletters.

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

01392 879446

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Is Barclays your Executor in your Will?

You will have previously been advised that the Bank has withdrawn its 100% discount for acting as Executor with effect from 31st December last. This means that a discounted service fee only, probably 70% of the Standard Service Fee, will be made if the Bank acts in the future even where the wife or husband is the principal beneficiary. Whilst the fees chargeable will depend on the size and complexity of the estate, you should now consider appointing someone else to act, perhaps a son or

daughter or both, or a solicitor who should provide an estimate of their own costs. Having a family and/or local Executor is probably better anyway though the service the Bank provides is a good one.
You do not need to prepare a whole new will. A short codicil is all that is necessary referring to the will (This is a codicil to my last will dated……), altering the Executor (I revoke the appointment of Barclays Bank Trust Company as Executor to my will and appoint….) and confirming the rest of the will. This has to be signed, dated and witnessed by two independent people and the codicil placed with the original will. If in doubt, your solicitor should be able to this relatively cheaply. Where both

spouses are still alive then two codicils may be necessary if the Bank is appointed under both wills.
If, sadly, a death occurs before the will is altered, the Bank will be sympathetic to requests for them not to act and to stand aside but it is best to act now (if you wish) so that the situation does not arise.
If you have any questions about this I am happy to help.

Les Rendell, Committee Member

Tel: 01884 254375

Email: lesrendell41@gmail.com

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Answers to the Christmas 2016 Quiz

1. Which carol is often referred to by its Latin translation “Adeste Fideles”?
O Come all ye Faithful
2. In which carol is a London football team named?
We Three Kings of Orient Are
3. “Begin and Never Cease” is the LAST line of which carol?
While Shepherds Watched
4. ICUTMC are the initials of the first line of which carol?
It came upon the midnight clear
5. Which Cornish village is named in a popular carol?
St. Agnes (Good King Wenceslas -“by St.Agnes fountain”)

6. “Slightly on in the Thing” is an anagram of which carol’s first line?
Silent Night, Holy Night
7. In which carol do we find the “Odours of Edom”?
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning (“Say shall we yield him in costly devotion, Odours of Edom and offering divine”)
8. Who “sleep while angels keep their watch of wondering love”?
Mortals (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”)
9. What are sages invited to leave in a well-known carol?
Contemplations. (“Angels from the Realms of Glory”)
10. “Did the Guiding Star Behold” is the SECOND line of which carol?
As with Gladness Men of Old

Thank you for all your responses to our recent Questionnaire concerning your Club. We received a large number of replies, which was very gratifying, and we shall be using the findings to guide our planning for future events. For instance, we are looking at organising a theatre party to Sidmouth next season.

Talking of Sidmouth, details and booking-form for the ever-popular Christmas Lunch at the Victoria Hotel are in this issue. The Victoria is always decked out sumptuously for the festive season, and those decorations alone make the event well worth attending.

Les Rendell has, at our request, produced another brain-teasing Quiz for members (click here). Prompt entries are invited, so that we may present a garden voucher prize to the winner at the lunch (or by post if you are not at the lunch). Answers to Les please by Monday, 28th November either by email: lesrendell41@gmail.com or snail mail: 11 Aubyns Wood Rise, Tiverton EX16 5DG.

We were discussing our website at the recent Committee meeting (have you looked at it yet? www.exeterspreadeagles.org). Ray Cavill, who heads up our Welfare team and is always very diligent, claimed there was a missing full-stop on the Welfare page. I could not find it, but see if you can! We would love some more photographs of Club activities, so do bring your camera along to an event and we might use one of your pictures on the Website, or on our FaceBook page.

Ray was recently pleased to welcome David and Eleanor Jenkins, new members to the area, onto the Welfare team. David has reminded us that there was an upcoming change in Barclays Probate Service that the Club might be unaware of, and so the details of this are enclosed.

We shall be handing out name-badges again at the lunch, so if you come along and cannot quite remember an old colleague’s name, help will be at hand. I know that I shall find it very useful. I do hope that I see you there, on Thursday 1st December at any time from eleven o’clock.

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

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Functions

The next lunch is the Christmas Lunch on Thursday, 1st December 2016 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RY at 1pm.

Menu/booking form is attached (click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by 14th November 2016. Cheques will be banked on that day. No refunds will be given after this date.

The cost per head for members and carers, if members require assistance, is £12.00 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.

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.

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

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Future dates for your diary

Thursday, 9th March 2017 Annual General Meeting and Lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club.

Tuesday, 11th April 2017 Free Coffee Morning at Froginwell Vineyard.

Further details will be included in the next Newsletter. Do please try to come to at least one event in the year. If getting to an event is difficult for you, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Committee and we will do our best to arrange transport for you. We would like to see you – and it helps our finances!

Lynne Ring, Committee Member

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Barclays Probate Service
2016 Discretionary Concession

From 1st January 2012 until 31st December 2016 in estates where the residue is to pass to a surviving spouse, civil partner or other dependant (an ‘eligible estate’):

The Bank will waive the entire Discounted Service Fee for administering eligible estates for those who die on or before 31st December 2016.

When someone dies after 31st December 2016 and the Bank is still appointed as their executor, the administration of the estate will attract the Discounted Fee (currently 70% of our standard rate). If all the beneficiaries of the estate request it the bank will step aside and renounce its appointment as executor allowing another person or organisation to take on these duties. There would be no charge for this and no other fee would be payable to Barclays.

Estates which are not eligible are estates where the residue passes to independent adult children, remoter relatives, friends or charities. In these estates the 30% discounted fee would still apply from 1st January 2012.

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And finally ….

Your Committee takes this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry festive season and a healthy New Year.

There is a lot going on with your Club, and this is reflected in our latest Newsletter.

Have you looked at our very own website yet, or the associated FaceBook page? Just type in www.exeterspreadeagles.org in your internet browser for the website, or for our FaceBook page click here – see what you think, and do let us know.

Many of you entered Les Rendell’s Quiz in the last issue, but not so many got all the questions right! The questions were designed to make you think, and so Les has given the correct answers, with explanation where necessary, in this issue (see below). Les has also kindly agreed to produce another brain-teaser for the next issue.

Regrettably, as you will probably have noticed, connection magazine is not planning to produce better value for Barclays’ pensioners in the future. The magazine will only be produced twice a year, rather than quarterly, and if you require a hard copy, as opposed to an electronic version emailed to your PC or tablet, you will have to register for this when the next issue comes out in August. We urge you to ensure that you continue to receive a hard copy, by following the procedure spelt out in that August issue. We are writing, as your Committee, to express our disappointment at this change, but have no real hope that this will improve matters.

In contrast, your Committee wants our Club activities to properly reflect your preferences, and so we are attaching a Questionnaire (click here) which you may like to think about, complete and return to me, or bring along to the Tiverton lunch. If you kindly did this at the recent coffee-morning, there is no need to do it again.

Talking about the Tiverton lunch, you will see that Garry “Two Hats” Adams has pulled a rather helpful rabbit out of one hat regarding the cost of this event! With such an excellent value meal, produced by their newly-recruited “award-winning chef”, hopefully we shall have a really good turnout at the Best Western.

I hope to see you there.

Andrew Green, Hon. Secretary

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A View from the Chair and your Finances

Since our April newsletter, we have enjoyed a coffee morning at Froginwell, a lunch in May at the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel and a very successful cream tea afternoon in June, again at Froginwell. Whilst our numbers have been slightly down with 25 at the coffee morning and 58 at the lunch, we did see 42 turn up for the wonderful cream tea on 28th June. There we enjoyed large home-baked scones, Cornish clotted cream, jam and copious cups of tea or coffee. We must do that again, especially as it was free to our members. For those that didn’t make it – you missed a treat!

As mentioned by Andrew, our next event is the lunch at Tiverton on 13th September (click here for details). As your Treasurer, I am able to metaphorically “pull a rabbit from one of my caps” and offer this lunch to you at just £10 per member. See details later in this newsletter and do please come along to give our numbers a boost.

See you there!

Garry Adams, Chairman and Hon. Treasurer

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Welfare

As I sit and turn my thoughts to this Newsletter, summer seems to have finally arrived. Sincerely hope that you are able to enjoy the weather and our glorious countryside. Just a couple of thoughts for you:

 Christmas Grant

This is now administered by the Bank Workers Charity, and their contact details have previously been advised, and are also on our website (click here).

 The final date for submission is 28th October, and as ever, please do not hesitate to contact your Welfare Officer, or BWC direct.

 Blue Rewards

Subject to a couple of conditions, you can earn a minimum of £4/month for free with your Barclays Bank account. If you have yet to take advantage of this, please do not hesitate to give me a ring. As they say, what’s not to like!

Ray Cavill, Welfare Co-ordinator

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Functions

Our next function is Lunch on Tuesday, 13th September 2016 at the Best Western Tiverton Hotel, Blundells Road, Tiverton EX16 4DB at 1 p.m.

Menu/booking form is attached (click here) and should be returned to me with your cheque by Monday, 30th August 2016. Cheques will be banked on Thursday, 2nd September. No refunds will be given after this date. The cost per head for members is £10.00 or £21.00 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 11.00 a.m. to purchase tea/coffee and the bar will be open from 12 noon.

Please collect your menu choices form from me and place on your chosen table by 12.40 p.m. Please do not move them after this time.

Future dates for your diary

Tuesday, 18th October 2016 free Coffee Morning at Halfway Inn, Aylesbeare EX5 2JP on the Sidmouth Road (A3052)
New venue – car parking, level entrance at front, steps from car park

Thursday, 1st December 2016 Christmas lunch at Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth

Thursday, 9th March 2017 Annual General Meeting and Lunch at Exeter Golf and Country Club

Do please try to come to at least one event in the year. If getting to an event is difficult for you, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Committee and we will do our best to arrange transport for you. We would like to see you – and it helps our finances!

Lynne Ring, Functions Co-ordinator
(email: lynne_ring@hotmail.com telephone: 01392 879446)

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Quiz Answers

1. If you add eleven and two, the result is thirteen. Taking the two words ‘eleven’ and ‘two’ what other words can you make which give the same result?
Twelve & One

2. Mary’s father has five daughters. Nana, Nene, Nini and Nono are four. What is the fifth daughter called?
Mary – as Mary’s father had five daughters

3. Can you make one word out of the letters of “New Door”?
Yes – One Word is an anagram of New Door

4. How many animals of each type did Moses take into the ark?
None –it was Noah’s Ark!

5. You are alone in a deserted house at night and there is a lamp,
firewood, and a candle. You only have one match. Which do you light first?
The match – to light the others

6. You are running in a race. You overtake the person in second position.
What position are you now in?
Second

7. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain
on earth?
Mount Everest – it was always there!

8. When I was 14 my mother was 41. She is now twice as old as me. How old am I?
27

9. When do Christmas and the New Year ever fall in the same year?
Every year – though at either end

10. By adding two letters to it, which word becomes shorter?
Short