Officers avert closure of Honiton Senior Voice

Monday, 22 October 2012

by Anders Larsson

FEARS that Honiton Senior Voice (formerly Honiton Senior Council) would fold have been quashed despite a disappointing turnout for the annual meeting.

The AGM was held on Wednesday, October 10th and closure was averted when three officers - chairman Vic Bowsher, secretary Carole Smythe and vice-chairman Tony Smith - agreed to continue serving.
Other committee members also agreed to continue, and a new treasurer has been found.
Honiton Senior Voice caters for those aged 50 and over, and has in the past attracted big crowds to topic-specific meetings.

This includes the grilling of MP Neil Parish on pension reform in July. But it has been more difficult to attract people to regular meetings.
Member Tony Smith said: “That attendance [when Mr Parish visited] at Honiton Methodist Church Hall proved the town’s seniors can be persuaded to hear and speak concerning things which matter to them.

“More meetings are planned, including a visit from Mr Parish in March to discuss the future of the National Health Service and quality of care homes. At a personal level, I cannot understand why so few residents aged over 50 rarely attend meetings or make contact with Honiton Senior Voice officers.

“For example, a disappointing AGM attendance heard much good advice from the morning’s guest Bernard Endacott, who is the treasurer of Devon Group of The National Pensioners’ Convention.
“Mr Endacott said he felt the current benefits for things like free bus passes, free TV Licences for the over 75s, and a £100 winter fuel allowance, appeared ‘safe’ in the immediate future but he was sounding an ‘alarm-bell’ when he spoke of future rises in water, gas and electricity charges.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about Honiton Senior Voice can contact Vic Bowsher on 01404 891 515 or email vic.bowsher@btinternet.com or Carole Smythe on 01404 548 418 or email carolesmyth.mrs@gmail.com.
Information is also available online at www.seniorcouncildevon.org.uk/p/local-area-groups/honiton.

Email: pulmans@tindlenews.co.uk

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