MINUTES OF AMESBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday 20th October 2016
Present
Chairman Lt Col. N de Foubert
Vice Chairman Lt Col. G Southwell
Welfare Officer Mr. J Swindlehurst
Area Poppy Organizer Mr. G Jones
Branch Member Fr. D A’Court
Branch Member Sgt. H Griffiths
Branch Member Mrs. J Swindlehurst
Branch Member Mrs. F Hedge
Branch Member Mr. N Darg-Forsyth
Branch Member Maj. N Estlick
Branch Member Mrs. P Jones
Branch Member Mr. M Pattenden
Branch Member Mr. T Pryor-Jones
Branch Member Mrs. P Pryor-Jones
Branch Member Col. P Tustin
Visitor Mr. H Parker
Visitor Mrs. E Parker
Apologies
Secretary \ Standard Bearer Mr. P Smith
Branch Member Lt Col R Everard
Branch Member Mr. J Jeans
Branch Member Mr. B Gamble
Branch Member Mr. C Burden
Branch Member Mrs. J Darg-Forsyth
Branch Member Mrs. P Bishop
1. Exhortation
The Exhortation was said by the Vice Chairman and a respectful silence was observed.
2. Chairman’s Welcoming Comments
The Chairman welcomed all present & thanked all for attending, specifically Henry & Esther Parker who joined this evening.
3. Minutes of Previous AGM
The Minutes of the last Branch AGM held on Wednesday 21st September 2015 were reviewed, no amendments were proposed.
Vote “For” was unanimous.
Decision –Carried
The Minutes as recorded were accepted
4. President’s Address / Chairman’s Report
The Chairman commenced by welcoming all those in attendance and thanked them for their enduring support throughout the past 12 months and for the enthusiasm displayed at all our charitable events.
He specifically mentioned the past and present Treasurers, the outstanding work conducted by our Secretary, the welcome activity undertaken by the Welfare Committee, and although now a defunct position the Storage Facility Project Officer.
He then outlined the extensive, detailed and progressive work undertaken by the Glynn Jones the Area Poppy Organiser and the record figure this year of £15,233.36, the Chairman thanked all who also contributed to this excellent successful outcome.
5. Branch Secretary’s Report
· The Branch held 3 general meetings during 2016 plus the AGM, the reduction in meetings has not adversely affected our membership turnout.
· There was no summer BBQ this year, but was:
o A Curry Lunch post Remembrance Service.
o A “Thank you” Cocktail Party
6. Area Poppy Organizer’s Report
Glynn Jones outlined once more the detailed organisation for this year’s Poppy Appeal.
There were several queries which were all resolved satisfactorily
7. Membership Secretary’s Report
The Branch Membership now stands at 85 (on paper) with 1 x Honorary Member. Most subs have been paid, but it is believed that some 15 subscriptions remain outstanding.
8. Treasurer’s Report & Presentation of Branch Accounts
The RBL Financial Year ends on 30th September each year. To allow time for the Legion's annual accounts to be completed, all branches are required to report on their accounts 3 months before that. The reporting period this year was 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. The reports are independently examined and passed to County for onward transmission to RBL HQ, in advance of the branch AGMs which have to be held after the end of the Financial Year. This is why the AGMs take place in October. One of the tasks of the AGM is to approve the accounts.
Our Treasurer Gerry Southwell provided the below report.
9. Electing the “Officers” of the Branch
Election of President
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionTony Pryor-Jones / Glynn Jones / John Swindlehurst / 16 / Elected
Election of Chairman
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionNigel de Foubert / Nigel Estlick / Peter Tustin / 16 / Elected
Election of Vice – Chairman
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionGerry Southwell / Tony Pryor-Jones / Glynn Jones / 16 / Elected
Election of Secretary
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionPaul Smith / Nigel Estlick / Pauline Jones / 16 / Elected
Election of Treasurer
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionGerry Southwell / Tony Pryor-Jones / Huw Griffiths / 16 / Elected
10. Electing the Branch Committee for the ensuing year
Election of Welfare Officer
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionJohn Swindlehurst / Freda Hedge / Tricia Pryor-Jones / 16 / Elected
Election of Membership Secretary
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionGerry Southwell / Glynn Jones / Fr. D A’Court / 16 / Elected
Election of Parade Coordinator
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionGlynn Jones / Gerry Southwell / Neil Darg-Forsyth / 16 / Elected
Area Poppy Organizer
Name / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionGlynn Jones / No Vote, County Appointment
Area Poppy Coordinator
Name / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionNo Vote, County Appointment
Election of Area Poppy Treasurer
Name / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionNo Vote, County Appointment
Property Member
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionTony Pryor-Jones / John Swindlehurst / Glynn Jones / 16 / Elected
11. Appointment of the Branch Standard Bearer.
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionPaul Smith / Tony Pryor-Jones / Glynn Jones / 17 / Elected
12. Appointment of the Assistant Standard Bearer.
Nominees / Proposed by / Seconded by / Votes received / DecisionTony Pryor-Jones / Glynn Jones / Pauline Jones / 16 / Elected
13. AOB
· Remembrance Parade
The Parade Officer provided a detailed outline of the functions within the parade organisation. The rehearsal will now take place on Saturday 12th Nov at 1030 hours in the churchyard.
· Curry Lunch
Sales are going well; however, we must maintain pressure to sell all 100 seats.
· Thank you Party
Wyndham Hall will be available to set up at 1600 hours on Fri 18th Nov
· Property
Our Standard has become ‘tatty’ over the past 25 years, the Assistant Standard Bearer has investigated repair costs at approx. £150.00 it was unanimously agreed that we should repair and update the Standard
· Amesbury Festival for Youth
A request had been received to borrow our two Gazebo’s for this event; this was agreed by all in attendance.
· Cenotaph
Chris Burden would be attending the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph
· Buckland Court
An Ex - WRAF Lady had passed away in Buckland Court, the Welfare Committee had been visiting her regularly.
· Honorary Chaplain to the Branch
Padre Darren A’Court has accepted the Branch invitation to fill this position, a first in the Branches history. We are extremely pleased to have Padre Darren ‘on board’.
· Dates for Diary
The following were confirmed:
2017
· Thursday 27th April – Branch Meeting
· Thursday 21st September – Branch Meeting
· Thursday 19th October - AGM
· Sunday 12th November - Remembrance Sunday parade & Curry Lunch
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at …21:10...hrs
Proposed:- ……………………………….. Seconded:- ……………………………….
Voting:-
· For
· Against
· Abstentions
Approved:- ………………………………… Date:- ……………………………