Andrei Spence • Club News
Club News
and I have spent the lockdown period making a vast array of plans, from the financial and re-opening, to the maintenance and operation of our property. Many of these have needed refining, and refining again, in light of Government announcements and public health policy. It was time very well spent, as when the Government’s relaxation of the lockdown extended towards the hospitality sector (of which we are part), we had detailed and extensive plans for how we would operate the Club, maintaining fiscal cohesion, safety and operating procedures for the plethora of activities we offer. Team members Despite the Club being closed and most of the team being furloughed, administrative tasks still required attention. Negotiations with Westminster City Council, HMRC and our Insurers, to name but a few, were extremely important, as was having team members available to answer the steady stream of questions from Club members about membership, booking rooms, restaurant and function rooms and latterly, “The Farmers Club Summer Series” events, which are proving rather popular.
Club reopening runs to plan MY last contribution to the Journal was in the Spring edition, which was posted out to members on the declaration of lockdown due to the Covid19 pandemic, writes Club Secretary & Chief Executive Andrei Spence. In that article I reported on 2020’s first Committee meetings under Chairman Allan Stevenson, as well as welcoming new Committee members, a Monday Evening Lecture from Christine Tacon, and a host of events including visits to Cirque du Soleil, the Oxford Farming Conference, the NFU conference, the Tutankhamun exhibition and a change in the leadership of the Under 30s section, where Eleanor Kay and Alice Hind took over as Chair and Vice Chair. Who, then, could have predicted the global shock that just about closed down the entire world socially, economically and placed a blanket restriction on 04 • The Farmers Club Harvest 2020
exercising individual freedoms we take so much for granted. Club reopened As I hope many of you will have been made aware through my newsletters during lockdown, the Club closed to members on Friday 20th March, 36 hours before the official Government announcement of closure, and we re-opened on Monday 13th July – just shy of 4 months! During that time, most of our events had to be cancelled and those we had planned for later in the year and involving sizeable gatherings were also cancelled (eg Harvest Festival/House of Lords Lunch etc). Most disappointingly our summer agricultural show season was decimated. But we have plans for next year. Rigorous planning That last point about making plans is particularly relevant, because the team
Chairman’s year As many will know, the Trustees and Committee are very pleased 2020 Club Chairman Allan Stevenson will be able to carry forward a few items from his programme into next year, and will be helping out in an expanded summer show programme, and also thank Keith Redpath (our 2021 Chairman) for his understanding in these unique times. So, bringing to a close probably the strangest Club news section I have had to write during my tenure, it is with renewed vigour and excitement that my Team and I are back at the Club, determined and looking forward to making up lost ground for members. A semblance of normality As I look onto the Terrace basking in bright sunlight, with Chef Paul back in his kitchen cooking very high quality food, Jelle making preparations in the Restaurant, Chase behind the Bar, and the Reception team and back office administration staff all ready to welcome members, it really does feel strange – but also rather reassuring that some semblance of normality (with a few modifications) is returning. We really look forward to seeing you all back in the near future – we will be doing all we can to ensure your enjoyment and safety in equal measure along with a programme of events to match.
