Minutes of The General Meeting of The Lyme Regis Branch Held on 3rd November 2011

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE LYME REGIS BRANCH.

HELD AT THE WOODMEAD HALLS, LYME REGIS,

03 NOVEMBER 2011 AT 19:00 HRS.

Present:	Mr Cecil Quick	President
	Mr Ken Whetlor	Chairman
	Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
	Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
	Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Secretary
	Mrs Sylvia Marler	Poppy Appeal Organiser
	Mr David Humphrey	Recruitment Advisor
	Mr Keith Austin	Member
	Mr John Hunt	Member
	Mr Mike Lloyd	Member
	Mrs Angela Manners.	Member
	Mr Kevin Taylor	Member
Apologies:	Mr David Manners	Vice Chairman
	Lt Col Ross Bennett	Welfare Chairman

Exhortation: The President

Chairman’s Opening Remarks:

The Vice Chairman is unwell and unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday. At the moment everything is under control: we need help at the door; James Rice is ok; we have four standard bearers; drums are being delivered here on Saturday morning, and the drum ceremony is all set up; and the people taking part are all ok.

Mrs Angela Manners pointed out that last year people were unable to buy raffle tickets during the interval. This will be possible this year.

The Chairman thanked Mr Kevin Taylor for taking the minutes at the last meeting.

Monmouth Street is due to be closed on the 11^th. The Council have agreed we can proceed and the workmen will observe the 11 o’clock silence.

The local press had reported that Mr John Hunt would be taking over as Treasurer later this year. Mr Martin Jones explained that he intended to train him as his deputy in preparation for the appointment, but the article in the paper was premature.

Mrs Angela Manners opined that an extra person was needed on the door for Saturday night. The Secretary volunteered. (After minute note: in the event, not required.)

Guests: Mr David Humphrey will email The Chairman with a list of those attending from County. The Chairman stated the Mayors of Axminster and Bridport will attend with their wives.

Mr Mike Lloyd was not sure if he could be there to release the poppies. If not someone else would be nominated.

There is a new order of service for the church ceremony; not modernised too much but it won’t be as long. The Chairman thanked the Treasurer for printing the papers.

Mrs Angela Manners informed the meeting that 51 Uplyme scouts will be parading this year.

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 06 October 2011 were agreed as a true record and signed by The President.

The Secretary thanked Mr Kevin Taylor for taking the minutes.

Matters Arising:

The Recruitment Advisor had reported that at the Bride Valleys 75^th Anniversary Celebrations he had been approached by the Bride Valley Chairman, the County Parade Marshal, and the County Chairman, and asked about the whereabouts of our Standard bearer as they were told he would be attending. The Chairman was asked if he knew the reason why he was not there but there is no answer in the minutes.

The Chairman has not asked him about this and still does not know why he failed to attend.

Mr David Humphrey asked The Chairman if he had spoken to The Standard Bearer about attending the AGM. The Chairman said yes, he will be there at the AGM. He will also arrange the Standard Bearers on Saturday.

The Recruitment Advisor said another matter arising, although not in the minutes, at the last meeting we discussed advertising, and that we would not advertise. I have noticed a big advertisement in Pip’s paper. The Chairman replied that Pip had done that for us free and thanks are recorded in the minutes.

Mr David Humphrey asked about the location of the old clock. The Chairman said it should be in The Museum. He will clarify this with The Town Clerk.

Additions to the Agenda.

None.

Honorary Secretary’s Report.

Having informed two meetings that I would be unable to attend the last meeting, I do not know why the meeting was unprepared for my absence.

In future, if people could send me their report by email then, even if I am not at the meeting, I can still produce the minutes.

Honorary Treasurer’s Report:

The Branch holds	Current Account		£      337.85
	Branch Funds at Head Office		£ 11,794.29
	Total		£ 12,132.14

Notes:

This report reflects the transfer of £300 from the Current Account to HO Deposit.

The Head Office funds will be about £80 higher but I have not yet received notification of the exact amount of the fourth quarter's interest.

The Annual Accounts are at the Auditors at the moment. I have completed the accounts for the last year and they will be available for signature on the 24^th at the AGM.

I have produced copies of the Income and Expenditure figures for the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary so that they may be informed prior to signing at the AGM.

Welfare Secretary’s Report.

I am keeping an eye on one particular lady but I cannot mention her name.

Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Report.

The first two days collection amounted to £1,220 compared to over a thousand each day last year. There are still two days for collections.

Mrs Angela Manners pointed out the difficulty for parking to distribute and collect boxes from commercial establishments. There is help available to do this on the 15^th.

There was discussion about how to attract more volunteers for collection boxes.

Mr David Humphrey suggested that this matter be brought up at the meeting in May and, as Committee Members, we can try and find more people and review it in July.

At this stage, if need be, we can organise a mail shot.

Recruitment Advisor’s Report.

The current membership report will be produced at the AGM.

We lost one member, Mr Pete Flux, who died suddenly on the 17^th of October.

I had an email from Julia Collins who is the new Ladies’ Captain at the Golf Club. The Lyme Regis Poppy Appeal is to be the beneficiary of this year’s charity events. So, from October onwards all fund raising will be towards the Branch’s Poppy Appeal.

Monthly Draws.

To take place at the AGM.

Standard Bearer’s Activities.

The Chairman stated none; but they start on Saturday.

Any Other Business.

Mr Martin Jones will liase with the Junior Band to produce a single drummer for the parade on the 13^th.

Future Meetings:

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 5^th of  January 2012.

Meeting Closed: at 19:36 hours.