I was honoured to receive an invitation to the re-opening of Exmouth GWRSA Club on Saturday, August 20.

The club had sold its premises in Victoria Road some time ago and gone back to its roots in its original premises (close to the railway station and parking) after extensive refurbishment.

On walking into the premises on Saturday evening to a packed venue, my first impression certainly had the ‘wow’ factor. From the contemporary d�cor, beautiful ambient lighting and a view from the newly-installed picture window overlooking the estuary, it was worthy of the many months of hard work.

The members of this private social club can now boast of having premises which would rival exclusive clubs in London and, on looking at the number of new members applying, I would imagine they will have a waiting list before long.

The club also has the advantage of being affiliated to our association, which has over 150 clubs across the country, from Cornwall to Scotland, and membership of any one of these clubs gives access for members to use their facilities, ideal if on holiday or just shopping for the day in another town or city.

My admiration for the committee is huge. The commitment they made to get the premises to this high standard took many months of sheer hard work and sleepless nights.

To see them, on Saturday, enjoying the fruits of their labour made me very proud to be connected with them and the members who have supported them all along the way.

The evening started with the setting sun through the window, adding an ambient glow to the club, and culminated into an evening of friends chatting in comfortable surroundings and many dancing the night away to the bands provided.

May I wish them every success for the future?

Tracy Baker

General Secretary, GWRSA.