Minutes of the General Meeting of the Lyme Regis Branch held on 1st May 2008

Minutes of the General Meeting of the Lyme Regis Branch held on 1st May 2008 at The Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis, commencing 19:00hrs.

(These minutes have been edited to protect the privacy of members and beneficiaries. A full copy is available to members on request from the Secretary)

Present: Mr C. Quick, President; Mr K. Whetlor, Chairman; Lt Col R Bennett , Vice Chairman; Mr M. Kirkby, Secretary; Mr M Jones, Treasurer; Mr D. Humphrey, Membership Secretary; Mrs A Manners, Poppy Organiser; Mr D. Manners, Events Organiser; Mr K Austin; Mr E. Bignall; Mrs A Driver; Mr M Lloyd.Branch Members: Lt Col Taggart and Wing Cdr Orr

1) Exhortation: The President

2) Apologies: Mr W Reed, Rev John Harrisson, Mr N Hampton Rumbold

3) Minutes of the Last Meeting held on 6th March 2008. The Minutes were presented on the night agreed as a true record and signed by The President.

4) Matters Arising: None

5) Chairman’s Report: The Chairman has been recovering from an operation and so has nothing to report.

6) Secretary’s Report: The Secretary reminded the Committee that the Branch had agreed to send a donation to the County Fund. All agreed that a cheque for £50 would be sent. Action: Treasurer.The Secretary has written a short newsletter which was shown to all present. He will ask the Town Library staff if they will display it on their notice board.

7) Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer thanked the Vice Chairman for deputising for him in his absence.A copy of the latest accounts sheet was shown to the Committee and will also be attached to the minutes.The Treasurer is aware that the Welfare Secretary requires more funds. The Chairman stated that the Welfare Secretary had requested £100.
The Treasurer asked the Committee if the meetings ever exceeded 1 hour as at present we are paying £17 for 2 hours use of the Woodmead Hall and a potential saving to the branch could be made if we were to only book the hall for 1 hour. Mrs Driver asked if the rate was higher in the evening as she had been charged less than the rate that we were paying. The Treasurer will make further enquiries.
Action: Treasurer
Whilst on holiday the Treasurer had been able to visit a couple of War Grave sites and had placed a cross on the grave of Mr Curtis in Malta as well as placing a wreath on the memorial at El Alemein.

8) Membership Report: The Membership Secretary reported that Col David Fenner died on 10th April.
There are 129 members.
79 are cash subscribers
42 pay by Direct Debit
6 members are excused payment
2 are Life Members

9) Welfare Report: None

10) Poppy Organiser’s Report: The Carnival Committee Fete will be held on Sunday 4th May at 13:45 in the playing field at Anning Road. The branch will have a stall there. There will be no tombola this year but there will be a nail game, where a player pays to draw a nail from a board. Some nails are coloured with the colour corresponding to a cash prize. There will also be a dice game and Remembrance Mints will be on sale. The weather is forecast to be changeable on the day and in the event of rain the stall will be cancelled.
(Edited) A discussion on remembrance day wreaths took place with the emphasis on obtaining prompt payment from organisations and individuals.

11) Events Organiser’s Report: The Quiz night will take place on Monday 19th May at the Woodmead Hall at 19:30. Six teams have already agreed to take part including last years winners. Entrants will be able to use the bar.
The Lyme Regis Festival of Remembrance will take place at the Marine Theatre on Sunday 26th October. Other venues and dates were discussed but the Committee agreed that the Marine Theatre offered the best facilities for hosting the event and the 26th October would allow more standard bearers to attend.
The idea for a sponsored walk for Veterans Day was dropped due to tidal restrictions on that weekend. The Membership Secretary proposed that a social evening be held in the Pilot Boat skittle alley. This would be open to all ex servicemen and families. The Committee agreed that this event will be held on 27th June subject to the Pilot Boat being available for use, and cost. Further details will be published nearer the date.
Action: Events Organiser
The Polish Airmen’s Memorial will start to look scruffy now that the daffodil season is ending. The Events Coordinator will ask Magna Housing if it is permissible for the Branch to cut the daffodils back once flowering has finished. The Secretary asked when the wreaths are removed and was informed that they are normally removed around August to September.
Action: Events Organiser
The proposed trip to the National Memorial Arboretum will not take place as the organisers wished to have a three day trip at a cost in excess of £190 per person. The Secretary informed the Committee that he had been in contact with the Chairman of Kilmington Branch who also wished to arrange a trip to the National Memorial. He thought that it might be a good idea to contact Kilmington Branch and possibly other neighbouring branches to explore the possibility of a joint trip. The Events Organiser agreed to liaise with Kilmington Branch.
Action: Events Organiser
The Secretary reported that he would be going to the monthly Legion get together evening at Kilmington on 2nd May. He thought that it could be something that Lyme may be able to hold for its members. The Events Organiser thought it would be a good idea and would investigate further.

12) Standard Bearer’s Report: None, AbsentThe Deputy Standard Bearer was thanked by the Committee for his debut appearance at the Blessing of the Boats ceremony on 27th April.

13) Correspondence: Final Agenda and Standing Orders for Annual Conference.
May County Newsletter.
Application form for County Branch Seminar.

14) AOB: The President read from an invitation to join the Civic Parade and Service on Sunday 8th june 2008 at 09:30. The Committee agreed to send representatives including a Standard Bearer. The Secretary will send a reply.
Action: Secretary
The Secretary reminded the Committee, for the benefit of the Treasurer, that the next AGM would be held in October this year.
The Poppy Organiser has found a supply of cards that would be suitable for sending to hospital patients. The cost is between £1.20 and £1.80 each and she estimated that we would only require 10 per year.
Mrs Driver asked if Poppy key rings could be sold to raise funds for the Legion. The Poppy Organiser informed her that they are normally given away or sold with the poppies during Remembrance
The Next Committee Meeting will be held on 3rd July. The Chairman and Vice Chairman gave their apologies in advance.

Meeting Closed: 19:50 hrs.

Please note. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd July 2008 at 19:00 hrs.