Annual General Meetings are not the most exciting events in any club’s calendar but the one held at the Exeter Golf and Country Club on March 10th ended with over 50 Barclays Pensioners singing one of Lonnie Donegan’s great hits “Putting on the Style”. Why? Well the guest speaker, following the formal business, was the Rev. Alan Dodds who had a remarkable story to tell and the response to his guitar playing during his excellent presentation obviously hit the right notes and brought back fond memories.
Alan became involved in the fifties with the music of that era and formed a band called the Konrads in the Bromley area of London. David Bowie (as he later called himself) became a member of that band and eventually its lead singer while Alan wrote one of Bowie’s first songs. Images and music of the time were recalled by Alan who had no difficulty in getting his current audience to join in whenever he played songs from ‘back in the day’.
Alan, who retired as the Rector of Uffculme a few years ago, also told of his conversion to Christianity and eventually to the Anglican ministry through a blind date at a Butlins holiday camp.
It was a fascinating 45 minutes thoroughly enjoyed by all and a deserved vote of thanks was given by Garry.
What about the AGM then? Well, full reports about another successful year of Club events were given by Chairman and Treasurer, Garry Adams with Ray Cavill providing information about our Wellbeing Committee and the Bank Workers Charity. The subscription of £5 was retained and details of the 2020 events – ten are proposed – were announced.
After six years as Secretary, Andrew Green has decided to step down but remain on the Committee and he was thanked for his stalwart work over that time by Chairman Garry whose appreciation was shared by all present.
Our new Secretary is Barbara Johnson and she was given a warm welcome by everyone present. These changes were the only ones on the committee.
The full minutes of the AGM may be obtained from Les Rendell on lesrendell41@gmail.com