Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday 09 May 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday  09 May 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

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

01. Exhortation:

The President

02. Apologies:

	Mr Keith Austin		Member
	Mr Mike Lloyd		Member
	Mr Kevin Taylor		Member
	Mr Peter Ward		Member
	Mrs Jacqueline Ward		Member
Absent:
	Mr Jon Hunt		Member

03. Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 7th of March were agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed: Angela Manners         Seconded: Ross Bennett      Carried:Unanimously.

04. Matters Arising:

The Chairman had no idea why The Area Manager did not attend the Meeting.

05. Additions to the Agenda.

Armed Forces Day.

CCF Affiliation.

06. Chairman’s Report.

NTR.

07. Vice Chairman’s Report.

Remembrance Day Parade. The meeting in the church been successful. However, at the meeting with the other denominations The Reverend  Skinner reports that they, and now she, are against the idea.

The Secretary will draft a letter for the Chairman to send to The Reverend Jane Skinner inviting her and the other churches to a meeting to resolve this issue.

The Town Band are incredibly busy during the summer but it is hoped a convenient date may be found for them to hold a concert on our behalf.

The Masonic Hall is happy to host a breakfast; dates need to be confirmed.

08. Honorary Secretary’s Report.

A letter of thanks was sent to The Golf Club following our dinner there.

I would like to propose a vote of thanks to Dave Humphrey who worked extremely hard to make this evening such a success.

Seconded: Ross Bennett. Carried: enthusiastically unanimous.

A draft letter was agreed for The Chairman to send to Keith Austin.

Courses: John Hurst is now The County Training Officer. Haig House has been approached to run Branch Management and Branch Treasurer Courses. If their staff cannot do so can County run them? An answer is awaited.

The Area manager, Christine Kitchener, deals with caseworker training and can be contacted direct.

Jillian Hurst will be in touch regarding Standard Bearer and Parade Marshal training.

Armed Forces Day, 29th of June 2013.

This will be a civic parade. The Salamanca Band from The Rifles and The Lyme Regis Town Band will play in the shelters. The parade will march from The Guildhall/Gun Cliff to the shelters, where there will be an exchange of gifts.

As this will be taking place before the next meeting, I will send an email after the meeting with The Town Clerk to confirm details. Please give this wide publicity and encourage people to take part in the parade.

Inventory.

It would be advantageous if we held an inventory of The Branch assets. The following items were identified by the meeting:

• The Standard, Frog and Gauntlets.
• The Plaque on the wall of The Woodmead Hall.
• The Chairman’s Medal of Office.
• The Goblet and Certificate in The Town Museum.
• The Quiz Trophy with Sylvia.
• The Jack Loveridge Trophy with David Humphrey.

The Chairman said there used to be a cup for the Best Member of The Youth Club; he will try and trace this.

The inventory will be checked annually and County will receive a copy.

The Final Agenda for The Annual Conference 2013. This held by The Chairman and a  copy was given to Ross Bennett.

09. Honorary Treasurer’s Report:

The Branch holds:	Last Report 06.03.13	This report 09.05.13
Current Account	£69.29	£256.33
Branch Funds at Head Office	£13,847.00	£13,015.00
Total	£13,916.29	£13,271.33

Notes: Figures include donations of £230.33 made at Jim McMurty's funeral service.

Membership fees of £832 have been collected by Head Office.

A copy of The Policy Statement concerning the legitimate use of Branch funds was given to each member present.

As a former member of the CCF, Martin feels it would be beneficial to explore the possibility of them becoming affiliated to The Branch; he will liaise with the school.

10. Welfare Chairman’s Report.

Welfare visits continue to Care Homes and also people's homes if requested.

11. Welfare Secretary’s Report.

I have missed two meetings, but Ross and I have chatted and I will visit any female cases as required.

12. Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Report.

Nothing except that I have banked £211 from the raffle held at the Dinner.

13. Recruitment Advisor’s Report:

We have lost one member, Mr McMurtry, since the last meeting.

• The membership now stands at 164 members.
• 105 Pay by Direct Debit
• 57 Pay by Cash
• 2 are Life members.

I am pleased to say we should soon have our first youth member, who is keen to wave a Legion flag.

The Welfare Form Alpha.

Dave explained the various pages that have to be completed on the form. There are sections for details about the proposed recipient and family, earnings, assets, income, expenditure and savings. To be eligible, candidates must have capital of under £10K.

This is a very thorough procedure and takes about two hours to complete. The final stage is the caseworkers report which is sent in for consideration.

14. Standard Bearer’s Activities:

No one knew why The Standard Bearer had not been at The Blessing of The Boats.

The Chairman will investigate and inform the next meeting.

15. Future Meetings:

GM	Thursday the 5th of September, at 19:00 hours in The Woodmead Halls.
AGM	Thursday the 28th of November 2013.

Meeting Closed: at 19:58 hours.

Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday 07 March 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday 07 March 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

Present:
Committee:	Mr Cecil Quick	President
	Mr Ken Whetlor	Chairman
	Mr David Manners	Vice Chairman
	Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
	Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
	Lt Col Ross Bennett	Welfare Chairman
	Mrs Sylvia Marler	Poppy Appeal Organiser
	Mr David Humphrey	Recruitment Advisor
	Mr Mike Lloyd	Member
	Mrs Angela Manners.	Member
	Mr Kevin Taylor	Member
	Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Member
Guests:	Mrs Lucy Eden	County Chairman.
	Mr Ron Eden	Christchurch Branch.

01. Exhortation:

The President

02. Apologies:             

	Mr Keith Austin	Member
	Mr Jon Hunt	Member
	Mr Peter Ward	Member
Absent:
	Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Secretary
	CJ Kitchener	Area Manager.

Before the Meeting started, The Vice Chairman introduced Mr Phillip Evans, who received a Certificate in recognition of his Meritorious Service to The Royal British Legion, Lyme Regis Branch, over the last seventeen years.

Mr Evans responded by saying he had always been a huge admirer and supporter of the RBL. It had been an tremendous privilege for him to compere the annual Festival of Remembrance. He said “I am enormously proud to have received this Certificate and I will treasure it for the rest of my life.”

03. Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 3rd of January 2013  were agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed: David Humphrey.      Seconded: Kevin Taylor.            Carried: Unanimously.

04. Matters Arising:

None.

05. Additions to the Agenda.

None.

06. Chairman’s Report.

I have not got a report. I had expected Madam Kitchener to address the meeting but she is not here. However, The County Chairman, Mrs Lucy Eden is here and I would like her to say a few words.

The County Chairman has only been in the chair for seven weeks but stated that “ My aim is to visit all Branches over the next three years and bring Branches together and work together again.”

Remembrance Parade:

The Chairman sent a letter to The Reverend Jane Skinner and to The Council asking for comments about changing to a morning parade. The Council is happy but there has been no reply from the church to date.

The Vice Chairman said that the programme cannot be rewritten until the church’s views are known.

(After Minute. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary met The Reverend Jane Skinner and Margaret McConkey in St. Michael’s Church on the 2nd of April 2013.

It was agreed in principal that the new timings should be:

• 10:10 hours       Assemble in Langmoor Gardens.
• 10:35 hours       Arrive at St. Michael’s Church.
• 10:45 hours       Service begins.
• 11:00 hours       Two Minutes Silence.
• Post service      March past the War Memorial.

The Reverend Jane will be attending a meeting with the other Ministers in Lyme on the 10th of April, and will inform them about these changes. No information has been received about the outcome of this meeting.)

07. Vice Chairman’s Report.

The Town band are aware of the changes to The Festival of Remembrance and the Remembrance Day Parade.

The Town Diary is the most underused document in the town. It is no help in planning our fundraising dates. At the next meeting I will bring details of all the activities in the town for 2013.

08. Honorary Secretary’s Report.

There are still no details of courses. The branch has a requirement for:

• Branch Management
• Branch Treasurer
• Case Worker
• Parade Marshal and
• Standard Bearer Training.

The Secretary put in a plea to The County Chairman, whilst understanding that County is in a state of upheaval at the moment, this branch has a requirement for courses.

The County Chairman replied that there is now a Training Officer on board and it is recognised that appointees to committees need to be properly trained. It is hoped to run future course in Dorset.

Dave Humphrey has given all the details of Standard Bearer Training to Jon Hunt.

09. Honorary Treasurer’s Report:

The Branch holds:	Last Report 03.01.13	This report 07.03.13
Current Account	£1,077.79	£69.29
Branch Funds at Head Office	£13,738.10	£13,847.00
Total	£14,815.89	£13,916.29

Notes:

£832.00 will be debited by Head Office in the next few weeks for membership subscriptions.

The donation of £1,000 to County Welfare is now reflected in the above figures.

10. Welfare Chairman’s Report.

The visit programme continues.

I visited a 93 years old lady the other day who is basically suffering from the UK’s biggest disease – loneliness!

Lymewood visits to dementia patients continue.

Our Committee Member, Keith, has undergone a major operation and will no longer be able to serve on The Committee. He is now being treated at home.

Dave Humphrey proposed that a letter should be sent to Keith Austin accepting his resignation and thanking him for his attendance over the years. This was seconded by David Manners and unanimously agreed. The Secretary will draft a letter for The Chairman.

Ted Bignal is ill in The Ryeberry Ward in Bridport Hospital. As his wife does not drive some assistance is required. He will probably be going to Dorchester soon.

The Welfare Chairman recounted a story that he had given a brand new raincoat to a needy farmer who had given £10 for it. Ross had accepted it as a donation to The Legion. The farmer had been pleasantly surprised to receive a letter of thanks from Martin confirming the money had actually gone to The RBL!

11. Welfare Secretary’s Report.

Absent.

12. Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Report.

All the money for the wreaths has been received – including The Coast Guards!

13. Recruitment Advisor’s Report:

I have recruited one member since the last meeting, and I have my eyes on one other at the moment.

• The membership now stands at 165 members.
• 106 pay by Direct Debit
• 57 pay by Cash
• 2 are Life members.

Badges:

I hold six Legion Membership Badges and £70.00. If any committee member knows of any member wishing to purchase a badge they are £5:00 each.

Legion Dinner:

I am in the process of organising a dinner for Legion members and guests at the Golf Club on Saturday 6th April. I have sent out 150 letters to the 165 members and I have to say I think it has been a poor response: 34 people will be attending as it stands at the moment. That is only a response from 17 members. However the minimum number required was 20, so the event can continue.

14. Standard Bearer’s Activities:

Not present.

15. Future Meetings:

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 2nd of May 2013.

Meeting Closed: at 20:03 hours.

Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch.Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis,Thursday 03 January 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

Minutes Of The General Meeting Of The Lyme Regis Branch.Held At The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis,Thursday 03 January 2013 At 19:00 Hrs.

Present:	Mr Cecil Quick	President
	Mr David Manners	Vice Chairman
	Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
	Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
	Lt Col Ross Bennett	Welfare Chairman
	Mrs Sylvia Marler	Poppy Appeal Organiser
	Mr David Humphrey	Recruitment Advisor
	Mr Jon Hunt	Member & Standard Bearer
	Mrs Angela Manners.	Member

01. Exhortation.

The President

02. Apologies.

	MrsAnia Driver	Welfare Secretary
	Mr Keith Austin	Member

Absent:

	Mr Ken Whetlor	Chairman
	Mr Mike Lloyd	Member
	Mr Kevin Taylor	Member
	Mr Peter Ward	Member
	Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Member

03. Minutes of the Last Meeting.

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 1st of November 2012 were agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed: David Humphrey.        Seconded: Angela Manners.   Passed: Unanimously.

04. Matters Arising.

None.

05. Additions to the Agenda.

None.

06. Chairman’s Report.

Not present.

07. Vice Chairman’s Report.

Dates for meetings in 2013, all to be held at The Woodmead Halls on a Thursday at 19:00 hours:

GM:	7 March
	2 May
	4 July
	5 September
	3 October
	7 November.
AGM:	28 November.

It was agreed at The AGM that henceforth the Remembrance Parade will be held in the morning. The Secretary should draught a letter for The Chairman to send to the Church and the Council informing them of the change. They will be invited to send any comments by the 1st of March and these will be incorporated into the discussion about the Parade at the next meeting.

Proposed: Angela Manners.         Seconded: Ross Bennett.   Passed: Unanimously.

At The AGM it was decided to replace The Festival of Remembrance with alternative activities - has anyone got any ideas?

David Humphrey informed the meeting that The Golf Club has been booked for a meal on Saturday the 6th of April, at 19:00 for 19:30 hours. He will be sending round menus for members to choose a meal. A minimum of twenty people are required.

David also suggested:

• A Band Concert with a military theme in October.
• A Coffee Morning.
• A Children’s Party.
• A Big Breakfast in November.

These were all welcomed as good ideas and could be held at any time in the year, not just November. The Children’s Party was considered to be too difficult. The Vice Chairman will contact the Town Band to ascertain approval and availability; and check with the Town Diary to identify dates that will not clash with other activities.

Ross Bennett suggested holding a small stage show and/or a bingo evening.

The Vice Chairman thanked everyone for the response and said that dates, events and volunteers to run them could be discussed at the next meeting.

08. Honorary Secretary’s Report.

I have sent out the Minutes of The AGM. I have checked with county and they cannot be approved until the next AGM. You all have them, I would emphasise that, although they have been distributed, it is for home consumption only and not to be transmitted outside of The Committee.

09. Honorary Treasurer’s Report.

The Branch holds:	Last Report 29.11.12	This report 03.01.13
Current Account	£1,164.79	£1,077.79
Branch Funds at Head Office	£13,738.10	£13,738.10
Total	£14,902.89	£14,815.89

Notes: 

Current account is inflated by cash membership monies. This cash will be debited by Head Office at the end of Feb 2013, having gained some interest for us over these three months.

The donation of £1000 to County Welfare is not yet reflected in the above figures.

Oct-Dec BFI interest has not yet been advised (about £90) and is not in the above figures.

10. Welfare Chairman’s Report.

Nothing really new. I am visiting someone at the moment at Bymead.

Angela Manners wanted it put on record that we have a bed at Bymead, donated by the Legion for a beneficiary*.

*beneficiary's name withheld from blog version

11. Welfare Secretary’s Report.

Not present.

12. Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Report.

I have had a cheque for £81.90 from the Parish Church for the Poppy Appeal.

The proposed dates for the street collections this year are:

• 25/26 October
• 01/02 November
• 08/09 November.

13. Recruitment Advisor’s Report.

I can inform the committee that there is no change in the membership from the AGM last year and I have sold no badges since last November. But I do have one person in my sights to join.
On another note I have preliminary booked the Golf Club for a meal for members on the 6th April this year, I am just waiting for a menu to be delivered and then I will be sending out a letter to members. With luck there will be enough interest and it can go ahead.

The new County Chairman, Mrs Lucy Eden, was invited by The Chairman at, last year’s Festival, to visit The Branch and she will be attending our next meeting.

14. Standard Bearer’s Activities.

Jon has ordered his regalia.

The President enquired about the condition of the standard; it is slightly dirty but not torn.

The next official occasion for the standard will be Rogation Sunday the 5th of May.

15. Future Meetings.

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 7th March in the presence of The County Chairman.

Meeting Closed: at 19:48 hours.