Fundraising Give-Away from Barclays !
Les Rendell, one of our Committee members, was fundraising for ShelterBox by distributing his Prize Quiz Sheets at our recent Committee Meeting. In doing so, he reminded us that Barclays has a long-standing commitment to match the charity fundraising activities of pensioners by up to £750 per year. Well done to Les for his continuing work for charities supported by his Rotary Club and well done to Barclays for their continuing generosity!
Now, I am sure that Les is not the only one amongst us doing his bit for others less fortunate, but he may be the only one currently using Barclays’ generosity to boost the outcome of his activities. So if you are hosting a coffee morning, or doing something similar, to raise significant sums of money for a good cause – and you must be the prime mover and organiser – it could pay to investigate this scheme, on-line only I am afraid, at httpss://barclays.givingforce.com
Les tells me that he would be pleased to assist anyone who would like to explore Matched Funding for a charity they support. His contact details are listed on the Committee page. With the ever-increasing use of internet-based actions, we can see why Barclays have taken a lead by offering Digital Eagle services to all!
My wife Lyn’s pension update still arrived by post and we judged that the accompanying information was comprehensive and useful. The information on financial support for those facing hardship was most helpful, backing up the good work our own Welfare team offer. There was even a handy outline of Pensioners’ Clubs benefits and activities, complete with a comprehensive directory of all such clubs, nationwide and even international. Hopefully, this may produce some enquiries from folk in our area that have yet to enjoy our company!
We do hope to see you at our Christmas Lunch, always a rather special occasion. Full details, with menu options and booking form, are included inside this issue.
Welfare
All reasonably quiet on the Welfare front! Perhaps too quiet?
Grants – one application has been submitted for a Christmas grant, and will hope to have this approved. Welfare Officers will be pleased to talk to you about ongoing support.
Vacancy – still looking for a volunteer! I shall be very pleased to have a chat with you about joining our team.
Absence – I shall be away from the middle of November for two months. Please speak with any Welfare Officer or a member of the committee during this time.
I shall wish you all an early ‘Seasonal Greetings’. Barbara and I will be thinking of those of you enjoying the Christmas festivities at The Victoria!
Ray Cavill, Welfare Coordinator
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Functions
Our next event is a free Coffee Morning on Thursday, 12th November 2015 at the Cat & Fiddle on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth road at Clyst St Mary, EX5 1DP, 10am – 12 noon. We do hope that many of you will join us at this new venue that is opening especially early for us. There is an excellent menu for those wishing to stay on for lunch – at your own cost. There is plenty of level parking available. 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.
The next lunch is the Christmas Lunch on Tuesday, 8th December 2015 at the Victoria Hotel, The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RY at 1pm.
Menu/booking form is enclosed and should be returned to me with your cheque by 20th November 2015. Cheques will be banked on that day. For information: Cheques need to be banked earlier as Barclays has changed its clearance policy in that all cheques – even ‘house’ cheques – are not now debited to individual accounts for three working days. Plus, credits take five working days to clear. No refunds will be given after this date.
The cost per head for members is £13.50 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.
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 let me know so that I can complete the Seating Plan. If you are part of a group, please ensure you have liaised with your Group Organiser so that he/she may complete the relevant portion of the booking form. Please check the Seating Plan when you arrive to see where you are seated.
Future date for your diary
Tuesday, 8th March 2016 Annual General Meeting and Lunch at Exeter Golf & Country Club
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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Webmaster (or Webmistress) Wanted!
Barclays are looking at hosting an “umbrella” website for their pensioner clubs, under which individual clubs, such as ours, could promote their activities.
Increasingly, folk looking at joining an organisation do their research on-line, and it would be very beneficial if our club had a modest presence on the web.
Sadly, none of your Committee members possess the ability to set up and maintain such a webpage(s), but we wondered whether there was an individual within the club who could take on this task? Or, perhaps you have a younger, more computer-literate member of your family who could work with you to do this?
If you think that you can help, or know someone who can, please talk to any of us on the Committee.