A Kingsteignton man has been elected vice-president of the National Association of Ex-Tablers Clubs. Keith Howard beat off a double challenge for the post at the Bristol annual meeting of the association which is popularly known as the 41 Club, whose members have all been Round Tablers before an age limit forced their retirement. Formerly a Devon and Cornwall policeman, 56-year-old Mr Howard joined Round Table as a member of the East Dartmoor club, subsequently becoming a member of East Dartmoor 41 Club, before moving to Newton Abbot three years ago. Before his elevation to vice-president, he was regional councillor for four years, overseeing clubs in Devon and Cornwall, before becoming an executive officer responsible for sales and marketing. A Plymothian, Mr Howard specialised in crime prevention during his 30 years in the police, being based at Exmouth during the years he was crime prevention officer for East Devon. After his election – he defeated candidates from Halesowen in the West Midlands and Hearne Bay, Kent – Mr Howard said he was proud to hold a post that guaranteed him being president of the association in 2007. Mr Howard will be the first Newton 41-er to hold the office of national president. He thanked his many supporters from Newton Abbot and other local clubs including Kingsbridge, Totnes, South Molton, Dawlish-Teignmouth, Ottery St Mary, Topsham and Redruth. Newton Abbot 41-ers Phil Bearne, Mike Morrisrow, Paul Haarer, Reg Nuttall, Dick Smith, Keith Varney, Graham Rose and Bob Clowes carried proxy votes for local clubs who could not attend the conference. Mr Clowes, who succeeded Mr Howard as Newton Abbot 41 Club chairman at the recent annual club meeting, said: 'Keith was a very popular winner at Bristol and he obviously enjoys the confidence and support of the national executive.' Mr Howard said that with support from his wife Mary he was looking forward to two busy years. As national president he will attend 41 Club and Round Table functions all over the British Isles and Ireland as well as official trips all over the world. He gets off to a good start later this month when he addresses a 41 Club charter dinner in Sheffield, when the principal guest will be Lord Hattersley, former deputy prime minister in the 1970s.
