Dear members
I hope you are keeping well, despite the sudden cold snap as I write. I was delighted to see so many members and their guests at our annual dinner in London. I have received many favourable comments about the venue, The Carlton Club, which had just the right ambiance. Our speaker Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary, was a breath of fresh air and very down to earth, without toing the party line. A big thank you to our new member Ed McGuinness, for his help in organising.
More recently, our annual Quiz Night at the RAC in Epsom, was a fun and easy-going evening, with good food and the good company of over 50 members and guests. As ever, our stalwart member Tony Burgess, organised this and did a great job. As I write, Lynn and I are looking forward to our Christmas lunch, at the RAC on Sunday 10th December. We look forward to welcoming you to our final event of a busy 2023 and thank another bedrock of the club, Bill Slade, for organising.
Talk of stalwart and bedrock, can’t be mentioned without praising our Honorary Secretary, David Collins, who continues to hold the club together, with his superb organisational skills. David’s experience and selfless service, goes back many years, we are very lucky to have him. Thank you, David, your efforts on our behalf are very much appreciated.
Looking ahead, we have our AGM on Thursday 14th March. At this time, I will be handing over the Chair to Chris Muller after three very enjoyable years as Chairman. I would rather have avoided a Pandemic, but we got through and it is good to see the club enter its 60th Anniversary year in good fettle. I know Chris will be an excellent leader, in a very special year. The AGM will also witness the last “State of the Nation” update from our President and MP, Chris Grayling, as Chris steps down at the next election. Chris has served Epsom & Ewell for over 22 years, providing excellent support for his constituents, as well as serving in several senior cabinet roles. As we look to Chris’s successor, we will all be thankful for Chris looking after us through challenging times and wish him well for the future.
Click on the attached file to enjoy the Winter Newsletter