A STALWART of Chiltern Edge Horticultural Society has stood down after almost 33 years.
Dave Brewer, 79, of Woodlands Road, Sonning Common, resigned as treasurer at the society’s annual meeting.
He said: “I saw myself as more of a hands-on cashier than an accountant. Every year the money would come in and go out.
“Over the years I’ve had a lot of support from my wife Joyce, who does a lot of entries.”
The couple were presented with honorary memberships of the group and a £100 cheque towards the Fish volunteer centre in the village and Mrs Brewer was given a bouquet of flowers.
Mr Brewer said: “I was asked what sort of gift I would like and the donation to Fish is something that helps everybody in the village.”
Outgoing chairman John Stoves said: “We have eternal gratitude for the cheerful, even chirpy, way Dave managed affairs, especially his ‘it’ll be all right on the night’ approach. In his time he helped run the trading shed, selling gardening sundries to members, organised the distribution of the monthly newsletter and served on the show committee in addition to his financial duties.
“He has turned up to virtually every show, outing, talk and social event with petty cash bag, cheque book, raffle tickets — whatever was needed — and frequently with Joyce, his daughters and even his grandchildren in tow as ‘unpaid labour’, all the while keeping the books in immaculate order.”
Nigel Crush, 59, of Kennylands Road, was elected the new chairman of the group.
His mother Margaret Crush was chairwoman of the society during the Nineties.
Mr Crush said: “The society is quite healthy at the moment. It has visits and talks as well as two shows a year. I’m hoping to maintain that but what we need is more people on the committee and more entries into the shows.”
For more information, visit www.cehs.info
