Hello members new and old.
The club held its AGM in April and the main item was the agreement to a fundamental change in the funding of the club and future lunches.
To summarise:
Currently each member pays annual membership of £85 or £60 as a retired member.
This entitles them to attend the April Luncheon for free. If they are unable to attend the April luncheon due to a work or social commitment, they do not receive a free luncheon that year.
If that member then attends the October Luncheon, they pay the full cost of the luncheon which currently stands at £95.00 so just attending the October luncheon can cost a member £180.00.
The reality is that anyone missing the April luncheon loses out, the new system means members are not penalised for missing the April Luncheon.
From 2025, members will be charged for both luncheons at the going rate at the time, currently this is about £95.00 pre luncheon. Each luncheon that a member attend’s will be subsidised by a suggested £20 per meal however the availability of funds will decide the actual amount of subsidy for each luncheon.
Your committee believes that with this system in place it will be fairer to all members who can then choose which luncheons to attend.
Our 2024 Spring Luncheon had 40 members sitting down to lunch. Colin Bell was in fine form having recently celebrated his 103rd birthday, he just gets younger!!
Whilst the numbers were slightly down due to an oversees function by Rhea Vendors it did not stop the luncheon being a great success.
I have since followed up with the club regarding the Running Horse bar which is officially a ‘member only’ bar and our group was asked to leave. Unfortunately, club rules state that we have to have our sponsors with us but both Colin and Rick had to leave early, that said, the club did eventually understand and allowed us to stay.
We had eight new club members introduce themselves, a number that I don’t believe has been beaten in the years that I have been in attendance. Great to hear about their vending exploits over the years.
The traditional end of meal John Hill Cup collection raised an impressive £500.02 which will be added to the collection at October’s lunch and be donated to appropriate charities at the end of the year as usual.
The old and the new Mr Mike Gardner’s together at the April luncheon.
We also had three members enlighten us with some cycling exploits that they are about to undertake this year.
First up was Martin Verspeak
Their social media post:
Family to bike 500 miles (and 500 more) for epilepsy research
A family is set to take on a 1000-mile cycling challenge in June inspired by seven-year-old Eliza, who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy.
Led by Martin, Eliza’s grandfather, the family and close friends are undertaking the challenge to raise awareness of the condition and funds for the Epilepsy Research Institute.
The event will be taking place in mid-June 2024. The family are accepting donations at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/1000mileepilepsyrideforeliza
Second up was Martin Colston who is nearly a professional on a bike!!
His words:
“I will be taking on maybe my craziest cycling challenge yet in the summer. I'll be riding 6 stages of this year's Tour de France one week before the pros. And, of course, I've chosen the Mountains Week (obvs) and am going with an amazing organisation called Le Loop. Over the 6 stages I'll be trying to ride a total of 1,039km with at least 16,500m of climbing (which is almost 2 x Everest) ... Thank goodness there is one rest day after the Queen stage on day 2!
I'm aiming to raise at least £1,500 for the William Wates Memorial Trust which does amazing work supporting projects that encourage young people experiencing severe disadvantage to keep away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, enabling them to fulfil their potential. All sponsorship goes to the Trust - it does NOT subsidise my trip!”
I would be extremely grateful if you would sponsor me by following this link:
https://fundraising.wwmt.org/.../martincolston/ride-le-loop
And, of course, I'm up for sharing some highlights (and no doubt some lowlights too) with you at our next luncheon in October”
And the third one was me!!
Starting on May 18th along with David Brady, I am honoured to be riding from Lands’ End to John ‘O’ Groats and nineteen ex Falkland Island veterans on the “Freedom Ride”
The veterans are from all three services, and they cycle for Comradeship, Endurance and Endeavour. The group has been successful is raising awareness of the trial and tribulations that ex Forces combat personal can go through. The group has been crowdfunding for the ride and Prostrate Cancer. The link is below.
Finally, we still have a number of spaces for new members and so if you know anyone who has served in our industry for over 21 years then let us have their details and we can send them details and an invitation on your behalf.
Dates for your diary:
17th October 2024 Autumn Luncheon
8th April 2025 On line AGM
10th April 2025 Spring Luncheon
