Minutes of The General Meeting of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held at The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday the 5th of March 2015 at 19:00 Hours.

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE LYME REGIS BRANCH.HELD AT THE WOODMEAD HALLS, LYME REGIS,THURSDAY THE 5th OF MARCH 2015 AT 19:00 HOURS.

Exhortation:

The Chairman.

Present:
Mr David Manners	Chairman
Mr David Humphrey	Vice Chairman/Membership Secretary
Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Representative
Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Poppy Appeal Organiser
Mr Jon Hunt	Member
Mrs Sylvia Marler	Member
Mr Kevin Taylor	Member
Mr Peter Ward	Member
Apologies:
Mr Cecil Quick	President
Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
Mrs Angela Manners	Member

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 8th of January  2015 were agreed as a true record.

Proposed:	Jacqui Ward
Seconded:	Sylvia Marler
Carried:	unanimously.

Matters Arising:

It was confirmed that letters of appreciation had been sent to the former Chairman and to Ross Bennett. The HMS Vivid plaque will be fixed into position on the return of the hall chairman from holiday. AGM guests to be discussed at this meeting.

Additions to the Agenda.

None.

Chairman.

Much correspondence from Head Quarters was briefly noted. These included information regarding membership arrangements, VE Day 2015, County Newsletter, standard bearers attending event at Arnhem. Afghan Veterans parade in London, committee expenses and the comradeship and almonisation project.

The Branch now has its own facebook page to assist in communicating with our members. It has attracted much interest.

The chairman apologised for any confusions occurring from the visitors at our last Annual General Meeting. It was agreed that at our September meeting, any proposed visitors for the 2015 AGM would be agreed by vote.

The Royal British Legion are planning many events to commemorate VE Day on 8-10th May.  The committee agreed that with such short notice we continue with our plans to commemorate VJ Day instead.  This weekend also coincides with the RNLI’s Blessing of the Boats Service.

Efforts continue to arrange a meeting with the other five branches in West Group, but two branches still remain disinterested hindering our progress.

Vice Chairman.

Information from Welfare: £28,035:00 has been spent on cases in Dorset between July

and October 2014.

The Vice Chairman asked about the future of the Presidents position within the branch, due to the fact that Cecil is no longer functioning as the President, and it was agreed that it would be discussed at the next meeting in May.

Honorary Secretary.

Application Forms  for The Branch Management Course in Shaftesbury, on the 11th and 12th  of July 2015, for Ania and Jacqui, were completed and sent to Bob at County, who submitted them to HQ.

Honorary Treasurer.

		Last Report 08 Jan 2015	This Report 05 Mar 2015
The Branch holds	Current Account	£366.95	£389.95
	Branch Funds at Head Office	£10,772.26	£11,658.06
	Total	£11,139.21	£12,048.01

Notes: Three donations have been received, via Wakelys:

In memory of Edgar Hillyard	£23.00(included in the above figures).
In memory of Violet Gosling	£140.00 (yet to clear).
In memory of Beatrice Hill	£186.15 (yet to clear).

Welfare Representative.

Four home visits have been achieved. Ania now has paperwork for CRN checking for Caseworkers and visitors.

Ania is in contact with a further two members requiring assistance.

Poppy Appeal Organiser.

The handover to Jacqui from Sylvia has not fully been completed.  Sylvia announced it would be done soon.

The Vice Chairman announced that our branch had won the Isle of Purbeck Medium Branch Certificate 2012-13 at the County AGM which was presented to Sylvia by the Chairman This too will be on display at the Woodmead Hall.

Membership Secretary.

We have lost four members since the last meeting in January, I have however managed to recruit two new members to The Branch.

The Membership stands at: 153 members:

111 Pay by Direct Debit, an increase of one from May.

38 Pay by Cash,

2 are Life Members.

2 are Youth Members.

From the 150 paying members 95 have chosen to use the gift age option, in accordance with the Branch Three Year Plan. I hope to increase this amount over time. (There are members of The Committee who need to address this).

As you are aware I issued MS4 membership application forms to all committee members at the January meeting. Well done Kev for using the form to good use and recruiting a member, I will process him this evening.

All letters and menu's have been sent out to the membership regarding The Branch meal on April 25th at The Golf Club.

Parade Marshal.

Thought that we should do something for VE Day, but it was agreed again to be impractical.

Standard Bearer.

Jon will attend an Armed Forces Day Service at 11.00 in Weymouth on 21st June.  This service will be led by the Royal British Legion.

Members.

NTR.

Future Meetings:

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 14th of May 2015. [SECOND Thursday due to Elections].

Meeting Closed: at

19:58 Hours.

Minutes of The General Meeting of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held at The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday the 8th Of January 2015 at 19:00 Hours.

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE LYME REGIS BRANCH.HELD AT THE WOODMEAD HALLS, LYME REGIS,
THURSDAY THE 8th OF JANUARY 2015 AT 19:00 HOURS.

Exhortation:

The Vice Chairman.

Present:
	Mr David Humphrey	Vice Chairman/Membership Secretary
	Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
	Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
	Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Representative
	Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Poppy Appeal Organiser
	Mr Kevin Taylor	Parade Marshal
	Mr Jon Hunt	Standard Bearer
	Mrs Sylvia Marler	Member
	Mr Ian Marshal	Branch Member
Apologies:
	Mr Cecil Quick	President
	Mr David Manners	Chairman
	Mrs Angela Manners.	Member
	Mr Peter Ward	Member
Absent:
	None	.

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The last Meeting was held on the 27th of November 2014.

Matters Arising:

Ania asked if a letter had been sent to the previous chairman, Ken Whetlor, as there was no mention of one in The Minutes. The Secretary replied that it had been part of The AGM, but he would check with The Chairman if one had been sent.

The Vice Chairman had pointed out to The Secretary that Page 3, paragraph 9, concerning The HMS Formidable timetable should read “[Buffet courtesy of The Landlord]”. This has been amended.

The Minutes were then agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed:

Sylvia Marler

Seconded:

Ania Driver

Carried:

Unanimously.

Additions to the Agenda.

None.

Chairman.

The Chairman was not present, but The Vice Chairman was sure he would have reported that, during HMS Formidable Day, he had been presented with a plaque from HMS Vivid. This will be displayed in this meeting room and it is hoped that a framed explanatory certificate would hang underneath. Martin will investigate how to fund this.

Vice Chairman.

Protocol. The only people entitled to attend meetings of The Lyme Regis Branch are members of The Branch or members of other branches by invitation. This is true for General Meetings, Extraordinary General Meetings and Annual General Meetings. Non-members may attend before a meeting to give a talk or for a photograph for instance, but must leave prior to the start of the meeting. This information can be confirmed by The County Membership Officer.

Details of Lyme Regis personnel that died in conflict were passed to Jon Hunt, who will commemorate their passing at the War Memorial.

Honorary Secretary.

Training. In an ideal world all Committee Members should have attended a course to assist them to carry out their role. The important one is The Branch Management Course and this year one is to be held in Shaftesbury on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of July.

Also, there will be a Branch Committee Training Session to be held at Bovington some time in March. The Vice Chairman will confirm the date and programme.

Honorary Treasurer.

		Last Report	This Report
		27 Nov 2014	08 Jan 2015
The Branch holds	Current Account	£594.55	£366.95
	Branch Funds at Head Office	£14,390.17	£10,772.26
	Total	14,984.72	£11,139.21

Note:

Money that was requested from Head Office by fax on the 1st of December has now arrived at our local bank; the cheque for £3,000 to The County Benevolent Fund can now be presented. It is unclear what caused such a slow money transfer; Dave Humphrey will follow this up at County.

Welfare Representative.

The official hand-over from Ross to myself was completed on the 4th of December.

Poppy Appeal Organiser. 

NTR.

Membership Secretary.

You all have a Membership Application Form in front of you. If everyone recruits one new member before the March Meeting, and we will increase our membership. DD  Members only please! Dave then explained how to complete the form.

We have lost one member since the last meeting;

The membership now stands at 155:
	111 Pay by Direct Debit,
	40 Pay by Cash,
	2 are Life Members,	2 are Youth Members.

I have a list of Correspondence from the families who attended the commemoration on Tuesday that I will pass on to the Secretary.

Parade Marshal.

The Standard Bearer is attending the Competition on October the 10th .

Standard Bearer.

Commemoration dates  received from The Membership Secretary.

Members.

NTR.

Future Meetings:

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 5th of March 2015.

Meeting Closed:

19:36 hours.

Minutes of the General Meeting of the Lyme Regis Branch. Held at the Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday the 27th of November, Post AGM, 19:50 Hours.

Minutes of the General Meeting of the Lyme Regis Branch.Held at the Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday the 27th of November, Post AGM, 19:50 Hours.

01. Present:

Mr David Manners	Chairman
Mr David Humphrey	Vice Chairman/Membership Secretary
Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Representative
Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Poppy Appeal Organiser
Mr Jon Hunt	Member
Mrs Angela Manners.	Member
Mrs Sylvia Marler	Member
Mr Kevin Taylor	Member
Mr Peter Ward	Member

02. Exhortation:

The Chairman.

03.Apologies:

Mr Cecil Quick   President

04. Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 06th of November 2014 were agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed:

Kevin Taylor

Seconded:

Tony Smith

Carried:

Unanimously.

05. Matters Arising:

None.

06. Additions to the Agenda.

The Vice Chairman added an item concerning the ceremony that will be taking place on the commemoration of the sinking of HMS Formidable.

07. Chairman's Report.

The Chairman introduced the Election of Appointees by The Committee.

08. APPOINTMENTS BY THE  COMMITTEE

APPOINTMENT	NAME	PROPOSED	SECONDED
President.	Cecil Quick	Ania Driver	Dave Humphrey
Vice President.	Bill Reed	Peter Ward	Angela Manners
Welfare Representative.	Ania Driver	D Manners	Sylvia Marler
Poppy Appeal Organiser.	Jacqueline Ward	Ania Driver	Kevin Taylor
Parade Marshal.	Kevin Taylor	A Manners	Tony Smith
Standard Bearer.	Jon Hunt	Jacqui Ward	David Manners
Deputy Std Bearer	Kelsey Ellis	D Humphrey	Jon Hunt
Chaplain.	Rev. Jane Skinner	D Humphrey	David Manners
Auditors.	Keith Jenkin	Martin Jones	Angela Manners
All the above appointments were elected unanimously.

09. Vice Chairman's Report.

HMS Formidable 6 JAN 2015.

The Chairman gave an introduction: “Many of you will be aware that in our cemetery in Lyme Regis we have a grave for some of the crew from HMS Formidable, which sank in Lyme Bay on the 1st of January 1915.

We have a service at that memorial, every year, the Saturday prior to Remembrance Sunday. Next year, in 2015, it marks the centenary of the sinking of that battleship and it is our intention to do, with full honours, justice to those who lost their lives.

Dave will now explain what we are going to be doing in January next year.”

The Vice Chairman informed the meeting that, as a branch, we will be holding a service on the 6th of January, one hundred years after the original burial, which will take place at 14:00 hours. This will be, exactly to the minute, a hundred years after the first service started at the bottom end of town.

Programme.

Those attending the ceremony should assemble in the cemetery by 13:45 hours.

The Commodore will be at the grave side along with the clergy, The Chairman of The Branch, The County Chairman, The President of The Royal Naval Association and relations of the crew of The Formidable. The relations will be at the forefront of the wreath laying ceremonies. 

Timings:

13:45 hours	Standards muster at the Charmouth Road end of the cemetery.
13:50 hours	March off.
14:00 hours	Service starts, taken by The Rev Jane Skinner.
	Wreath laying.
	Exhortation.
	Two minutes silence.
	Reveille.
	Fall out.
	Muster in The Pilot Boat. [Drinks & Buffet courtesy of The Landlord].
[In response to a question, it was confirmed that The Branch will not be involved in any activities on the 1st of January.]

10. Honorary Secretary's Report.

The Secretary introduced The Form MS1, Branch Information, which was duly completed for:

Section 1 Branch Committee Officers and Appointments.

Section 2 Branch Welfare Representative.

Section 3 Delegates to the Annual Meetings of  County/District Conferences.

Section 4 Signatures of The Honorary Secretary and Welfare Representative.

Section 5 Acknowledgement of Responsibility.

Section 6 Certificate of Acknowledgement of Responsibility signatures.

Required signatures were completed.

11. Honorary Treasurer's Report.

Nothing further to add.

12. Welfare Representative Mrs Ania Driver

We are very strict on confidentiality but I will rely on people to pass on information to me.

13. Poppy Appeal Organiser  Mrs Jacqueline Ward

Nothing at the moment – I've just started!

14. Parade Marshal  Mr Kevin Taylor

I would just like to clarify that event on the 6th of January is purely a Legion event.

Dave Humphrey responded and stated that it will be a RBL Parade. The President of The Royal Naval Association has been briefed that it is a Legion parade. If the County Standard Bearer and the County Parade Marshal are not there then you will be leading the parade. 

15. Standard Bearer Mr Jon Hunt

What I propose doing, from The New Year onwards, is, for all the people who lost their lives in the war, on the day of the hundredth anniversary of their death, to commemorate them in some way. Even if it is just myself at The Memorial in Cat's Park. To commemorate them on their anniversary; to have it published or put up on The Notice Board; to announce that I am going to be there at a certain time; make a short speech of the circumstances of their death and lower The Standard for them. This will make the whole town conscious.

The Committee agreed this was an excellent initiative.

16. Deputy Standard Bearer  Miss Kelsey Ellis.

Nothing. The Chairman welcomed her presence.

17. Member  Mrs Sylvia Marler.

I will order wreaths for HMS Formidable families – two Bs and two Cs.

18. Members Mrs Angela Manners and  Mr Peter Ward

had nothing to add.

19. Future Meetings:

The next General Committee Meeting will be held at 19:00hours, in The Woodmead Halls, on the Thursday the 8th of January 2015.

20. Meeting Closed: at 20:14 hours.

Minutes of The General Meeting of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held at The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, Thursday 06th November 2014 at 19:00 Hrs.

Minutes of The General Meeting of The Lyme Regis Branch. Held at The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis,Thursday 06th  November  2014 at 19:00 Hrs.

Present:
Mr David Manners	Chairman
Mr Tony Smith	Honorary Secretary
Mr Martin Jones	Honorary Treasurer
Mr David Humphrey	Membership Secretary
Lt Col Ross Bennett	Welfare Chairman
Mrs Ania Driver	Welfare Secretary
Mrs Sylvia Marler	Poppy Appeal Organiser
Mr Kevin Taylor	Member/Parade Marshal
Mrs Angela Manners	Member
Mr Peter Ward	Member
Mrs Jacqueline Ward	Member
Mr & Mrs Peter Lowe	Branch Members.
Mr Cyril Bugler	Branch member.

01. Exhortation:

The Chairman.

Apologies:
Mr Cecil Quick	President
Mr Jon Hunt	Member/Std Bearer

03.Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on the 02nd of October 2014 were agreed as a true record and signed by The Chairman.

Proposed: Jacqueline Ward

Seconded: Ross Bennett

Carried: Unanimously.

Matters Arising:

The Chairman stated that the closure of The Welfare Fund Account with Lloyd’s Bank is proving to be problematic. (This is the transfer of The Welfare Account into the Main Account). The bank are insisting that all previous Members with the authority to sign cheques must currently sign the paperwork. (One is deceased!). Dave Humphrey suggested contacting County for assistance, as Phil Thomas has experience of similar problems.

Additions to the Agenda.

None.

Chairman’s Report.

As a result of Vernon Rattenbury's and Dave Humphrey's hard work and research, we now have a further fifteen names of men of this town who died in action in World War 1. I have spoken with The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and The War Memorials Trust this week to identify the etiquette regarding the inclusion of their names on our War memorial. Eleven of these names are listed elsewhere in the country – can they also be displayed on ours? All decisions on this matter will be decided by this Committee. To clarify recent press reports, we are not responsible, nor are we able to fund, alterations to The War Memorial, but we will do our up most to ensure that, where appropriate, these names will go onto it.

The additional names will be included in The Roll of Honour to be read out in the Remembrance Service on Sunday.

I have spoken with the Town Council today and was assured that the stewarding is in place for the Remembrance Parade.

I would like to thank, in advance, Warren Jones, Martin's son, for playing the drum for us on The Remembrance Parade. Representatives of The Rifle Brigade will be on the parade.

The Mayor will not be in attendance on Saturday but will be represented by Councillor Stan Williams. The Reverend Jane Skinner will also not be there; the services will be taken by Father Koppel of The Roman Catholic Church.

The buglers are in place for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice day.

I would like to thank Sylvia and her team, on behalf of The Committee, for their work for the Poppy Appeal.

The protocol for the dismissal of the Remembrance Parade was discussed. It is not appropriate for The Mayor, as a guest, to thank participants. It was agreed that The Chairman would address the Parade from a central position.

The Branch Three year Plan has to fit in with The County and National Plans and the 2015 Manifesto. I would appreciate other peoples' input into this, prior to The AGM, and will circulate my thoughts by email for comment.

Information from County has been reduced due to a computer crisis. One piece that did arrive, concerns a right-wing political organisation called Britain First, who are selling items for Poppy Day; but it must be emphasised that they are nothing to do with The RBL.

The County Chairman sent an article from The Daily Mail concerning the use of body parts for research, in some way implicating The RBL which is outrageous.

The Jack Loveridge Trophy is awarded to a Member of The Branch who has done significant work during the last year. Dave Humphrey suggested that this year it should be awarded to Vernon Rattenbury for his research work and success in putting The RBL in the public eye.

Proposed: Dave Humphrey     Seconded: Martin Jones  Carried: Unanimously.

Honorary Secretary’s Report.

           

A letter concerning The AGM was posted in The Town NB last month.

I propose that The Quiz Night next year should raise funds specifically for The Armed Forces Day Fun Run.

 Proposed: Tony Smith           Seconded: Kevin Taylor         Carried: Unanimously.

Dave Humphrey asked if County representatives have been invited to the ceremony for HMS Formidable next January. The Secretary will draft an invitation for The Chairman to send.

Honorary Treasurer’s Report.
		Last Report	This Report
		02 Oct 2014	06 Nov 2014
The Branch holds	Current Account	£343.66	£1,025.16
	Branch Funds at Head Office	£13,122.97	£13,640.17
	Total	£13,466.63	£14,665.33

Notes: 

1. The November total includes £650 membership fees collected by D Humphrey.

2. I propose to move £750 from the current account to the BFI Account to take advantage of the better interest rate.

 Proposed: Martin Jones          Seconded:  David Humphrey Carried: Unanimously.

3. I propose two expenditures:

i. £20 for the tuning of the drum for our Remembrance Parade.

[After Minute. The drum has been gifted to us from The Junior Band].

ii. £120 to £140 for Remembrancetide wreaths. (Effectively, part of our Branch donation to The Poppy Appeal).

Proposed: Martin Jones

Seconded:  David Humphrey

Carried: Unanimously.

There is a bill for £29.75p for the hire of The Woodmead Hall for the visit of The County Committee in September. It was agreed that this is a legitimate cost for The Branch.

Welfare Chairman’s Report.

No new problems. Normal and requested visits continue.

Dave Humphrey informed the meeting that the two day case worker courses in Dorset will only take place in Southampton during week days.

Welfare Secretary’s Report. 

No new cases.

Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Report.

There are two days to go. So far we are slightly up on last year's contributions.

Membership Secretary’s Report. 

Four Cash Card payments are outstanding and if no payment has been made by the 15th of November I will send them back.

The Branch is sitting on £13,000 odd pounds for welfare but it is not being spent. I would propose that £3,000 is transferred to The County Welfare Fund.

Proposed: David Humphrey	Seconded: Martin Jones
Against: Kevin Taylor	For: The Remainder.	Carried: By majority.

It was agreed that the extra hour for the Hall, after meetings, will carry on.

The RNA President is due to turn up on Saturday and I will brief him about January.

Parade Marshal's Report.

Dress for The Remembrancetide should be appropriate.

A poppy behind a beret badge is only worn by serving personnel.

The Standard Bearer and Parade Marshal should be dressed as per The Ceremonial Handbook.

Personal, authorised medals should be worn on the left breast and those of relatives on the right.

Order of March for Sunday:

Standard Bearer,

Drummer,

Regular Forces: Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force,

The RBL,

Veterans,

Other local organisations.

There is no wet weather programme. Umbrellas may be carried but not deployed.

15. Future Meetings:

The AGM will be held in The Woodmead Halls, on Thursday the 27th of November 2014 at 19:00 hours.

A General Committee Meeting will be held immediately after The AGM.

Meeting Closed: at 19:44 hours.