Happened to be having an off the record chat to one of a legal bods and they reckon it would be classed as “soft opt in” and would be covered if supplying an “opt out” or unsubscribe option on each communication. I’m not paying for the official interpretation though, sorry.
If you say so, although that's not what we were advised via the horse's mouth. Either way, it shouldn't be an issue for a group such as the Trust. All they needed to do was send a consent/opt-out included in with whatever else the initial (pre-GDPR) newsletter covered - and then keep an opt-out attached to all subsequent communications.
This whole thing is unsavoury. The Trust certainly haven't covered themselves in glory, but then the NTFC staff response comes across as just as crass. All parties need to start rowing in the same direction, and realize that just because someone has a differing viewpoint, it doesn't make them the enemy. We all want what's best for the club, and that works best if all parties remain cordial - Let's cut out the 'personal' slurs... save those for Matt Hancock.