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THREE rebel members of the British Club of Bahrain’s executive committee have spoken about their controversial decision to resign claiming they had ‘no other option’.
The move has forced the institution – founded in 1935 – and once dubbed the ‘best British social club in the world’ to call an extraordinary general assembly meeting allowing the club’s 1,800-strong membership the chance to appoint a new line-up to run its affairs.
Secretary Steve Berkhauer, entertainment head Rodney Davies and lady member Karen Cartawick all handed in their resignations last Monday at 4pm just hours before the executive committee was set to meet for its regular fortnightly session.
“This has been brewing for months, there have been several major issues and handing in our resignations appeared to be the only truly democratic step to bring this matter to a head. The members can now decide what sort of club they want,”
explained Mr Berkhauer, a media company managing director, “one that in my opinion has an executive committee that is fully prepared to listen to the members and one which has no room for big egos.”
The current club’s committee which featured chairman Andrew Savage, treasurer Tony Connor, house member 1 Steve Sutton, house member 2 Chris Woodrow, membership Neil Dawson, general duties Ellen Swales and sports Ewan Reekie has been dissolved and now members will have to nominate candidates to stand for all positions and vote accordingly should more than one name be put forward.
The rebels have not yet decided whether to seek re-election, although supporters are encouraging them to do so.
The treatment of former general manager Peter Down bitterly split the executive committee, whose contract, GulfWeekly has been told, had been voted on to be renewed by a slender majority back in April.
After the matter of his position was continually raised at subsequent meetings the decision was overturned by a committee which, at the time, included three unelected members, seconded on to replace people who had resigned.
Mr Down received a text message informing him that his tenure was over after returning to the UK to attend his grand-daughter’s wedding, the rebels say.
GulfWeekly has seen a copy of correspondence circulated amongst committee members. It appears that chairman Andrew Savage made attempts to call Mr Down but was advised that the best way to make contact would be via text. The message was sent to Mr Down to ensure he did not get the news first from other sources.
Mr Savage, a rotating equipment manager, says that during his term as chairman he has always been available to meet with members and hear their concerns and he hopes to continue in that role, with the members’ blessing, when the new committee is formed. “It is really a club matter,” he said.
Andrew Savage added that communications with Peter Down were ‘entirely transparent’ and he would be happy to answer questions from club members about the issue at the forthcoming extraordinary meeting.
The rebels feel Mr Down has been treated in an ‘appalling manner’ and the straw that broke the camel’s back last week came when a letter allegedly offering the general manager’s position to a candidate applying for an executive chef’s post was seen. The matter was still up for discussion, the rebels claim, and was an item on that coming evening’s agenda. Mr Savage insists that ‘no letter or offer left the club’.
The Whisperer, GulfWeekly’s columnist, first revealed details of the discontent brewing amongst the members of the British Club after the general manager’s position was advertised back in early July. Mr Down’s supporters started a petition and the row later sparked a debate in the letters section of our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News, as well as a news item which described last week’s resignations as a ‘riddle’.
GulfWeekly is happy to clear up the mystery. Housewife Karen Cartawick explained her reasons for her dramatic resignation, saying: “I’ve felt intimidated during meetings.
“I also don’t feel certain members of our committee have been as approachable to club members as they should have been. The action we have taken will enable members to cast their votes to create a more approachable, family-orientated committee in my opinion.”
Some of the issues the trio say they are unhappy about include a rise in membership fees alongside increases in the cost of food and beverages, a lack of maintenance around the pool area and electricity supply faults which they claim they have not been able to address despite repeated attempts at committee level.
Rodney Davies, a business development executive at Bahrain International Circuit, said: “This is a fine example of democracy in action – it’s the only way we felt that we could give the membership a voice.”
The new executive committee will be selected at an extraordinary general assembly meeting to complete the term of its predecessor.
A request has been made to the relevant government ministry for permission for it to be called on October 3 at 7.30pm. If the required 50 per cent membership quorum is not achieved, a second meeting will be called the following Monday at the same time, when one third of the membership is required to be present. If the quorum is still not achieved a third and final meeting will be called half an hour later, when 10 per cent of the membership is required.
Nominations can be submitted in writing by October 1. Alternatively, they can be made by completing a roll, posted at the club’s reception, before noon on the same date.
And, club members will have to do it all over again at the end of the year when an annual general meeting is held.
Mr Down, a British Club member of more than 30 years standing and a former club executive committee chairman himself, has kept a dignified silence over the affair but is said to be deeply saddened by the situation.
He will have to leave the island at the end of the month and retire back to England. He first came to Bahrain in 1973 and was managing director of an interior design company. He is married to Dorothy, has two daughters and four grandchildren.
He has been told to ‘keep away from the club’ and his electronic membership and entry card has been cancelled, the rebels say.
