Grenadier Guards

GRENADIER GUARDS

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST GUARDS CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – HELD IN THE OFFICERS’ MESS, WELLINGTON BARRACKS AT 5.00pm ON 11 JUN 15

Present:

Colonel R D Winstanley, OBE - Deputy Regimental Lieutenant Colonel (Chairman)

Colonel A T W Duncan, LVO, OBE

Lieutenant Colonel the Hon. Chips Broughton, MBE

Major D M Braddell

Major Lord Valentine Cecil - Wines Member

Captain N J C Wilson

Captain J A L Garton

Captain F C B Moynan

The Rt Hon. H G W Swire Esq, MP

Major A J Green - (Treasurer)

Major G V A Baker - Regimental Adjutant (Secretary)

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

The Deputy Lieutenant Colonel welcomed those present and noted the apologies of Maj Gen Sir George Norton, Lt Col A J C Woodrow, OBE, MC, QGM, The Earl of Derby, Maj P H Cordle, Capt C A C Hartley, Lt Col A c McC Mather, Capt C H Cox, TD, Lt Col P R Holcroft, LVO, OBE, Lt Col T W Jalland, Dr N H M Chancellor, Col R E H Aubrey-Fletcher, Maj D N W Sewell, Maj J M Hirst, Dr Ian Reid, Maj P A J Wright, OBE.

1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The Deputy Lieutenant Colonel asked all those present to read their copy of the Minutes of the last meeting. The Minutes were agreed as correct. There were no matters arising that would not be discussed later in the Meeting.

1. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

The Treasurer briefed the meeting on the Club’s accounts as at 31st December 2014 and drew attention to the following:

1. The income and expenditure figures, in particular the breakdown of the movement of wines, the increase in expenditure on postage and the breakdown of “other expenses” which included a contribution for Sage accounts cover.

1. The wedding present fund, having been overdrawn by £1845.00 at 31 Dec 13, was now in surplus by £45.

1. The breakdown of the Creditors figure, which comprised the VAT and duty due on En Primeur wines, Accountancy fees and costs of audit.

1. The total worth of the fund as at 31st December 2014 after a surplus in year of £8614 was £28719.

1. MEMBERSHIP

The following were duly elected as Members:

1. Elected under Rule 1,b:

2Lt R E L Phillips

2Lt C J Naughton

2Lt R D S Laing

2Lt G W J Barnes

2Lt J M B Silver

2Lt O S B Staunton

2Lt R E Thompson

Commissioning in Aug 15:

OCdt T A Bolitho

OCdt R H J Harding

OCdt E R Harmer

1. Elected under Rule 2:

Brig D J H Maddan, DL

Lt Col J L J Levene, MBE

Lt Col R Dorney, MBE

Lt Col V J Overton

Capt F A O Kuku

Capt J M Lindley

Capt O J Holcroft

Capt R H Budge

Capt T J C Simpson

Proposed by: The Rt Hon. H G W Swire Esq, MP

Seconded by: Colonel A T W Duncan, LVO, OBE

1. COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR – 2015/2016

The Committee for 2015-2016 is as follows:

The Lieutenant Colonel

The Deputy Lieutenant Colonel

Major Lord Valentine CecilElected 1988 (Non serving)

Major R C D T HoltbyElected 2010 (Non serving)

Captain C A C HartleyElected 2011 (Non serving)

Major T T Youngman-SullivanElected 2014 (Non serving

The Captain of the Queen’s CompanyEx officio (Maj J A Seddon)

(Maj S C Gordon Lennox wef Sep 15))

OC Nijmegen CompanyEx officio (Maj N A Strachan)

Maj A W E Bayliss wef Sep 15)

The Assistant EquerryEx officio (Capt F C B Moynan)

The Regimental TreasurerHonorary Treasurer

The Regimental AdjutantHonorary Secretary

1. THE 2015 DINNER

The Treasurer explained the financial figures for the 2015 Dinner which had resulted in a subsidy from the Club of £3114.23 (£26.17 per head for paying 119 diners), compared to £3238 (£26.32 per head for 123 diners) in 2014.

The Deputy Lieutenant Colonel invited comments on the 2015 Dinner. Captain Wilson said that he thought it had been an excellent evening, with a delicious dinner and wine and a thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere.

1. THE 2016 DINNER

The Regimental Adjutant stated that the Lieutenant Colonel, having listened to the “mood music” of both older and younger members, had decided that for the 2016 Dinner, the Club would return to the Cavalry and Guards Club. He said that this would probably mean that “hotel” costs would increase, not least because the Cavalry and Guards Club charges corkage whereas the Ironmongers do not; as a result, he could not rule out an increase in the dining charge, but said that the intent was to try and stick to £70, which has been the charge for the past 5 years

The Regimental Adjutant also said that, on return to the Cavalry and Guards Club, there would be no possibility of having a woodwind section from the Regimental Band.

1. WINE

The Wines Member, Major Lord Valentine Cecil, reported that the Club’s wine reserves were in an excellent state, with 9 years good quality wine in store at Arundel. He said that the strategy going forward was to buy 6 cases of claret or 3 cases of port in alternate years. The current value of the wine, port and spirits in stock is £21232.62.

As a trial, madeira had been offered for the 2015 dinner, alongside the port. This trial was deemed a success, but the cost of the madeira (@ £60 per bottle) caused some dismay. Lord Valentine said that this cost could be reduced if the Club decided to buy madeira for laying down, in the same way as claret and port. It was agreed that this strategy should be adopted, whilst it was accepted that for 2016 there would be a similar cost for madeira as in 2015. Since the Club has excellent reserves of claret and port, it would be possible to concentrate on madeira for the 2016 purchase from Justerini and Brooks.

The improvement in the quality of white wine for the dinner was universally appreciated.

The Treasurer commented that there were a number of “odds and ends” held within the wine stock (comprising white wine, claret (at an “auction price less 10%), sherry and spirits. It was agreed that these “odds and ends” should be offered to members of the Club at a fair price, and that the Regimental Adjutant and Treasurer should co-ordinate the sale.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1. The Deputy Lieutenant Colonel raised the question of the 1st Guards Club Cocktail Party in 2016, reminding those present, that the intent is to hold a Cocktail Party at Burton’s Court in conjunction with a Past v Present 20/20 evening cricket match. Issues are:

1. Finding a suitable date that fits with the Battalion’s programme and Burton’s Court fixtures. Currently, the Battalion is awaiting the 11 Brigade Forecast of Events; once this is published, it should be possible to identify possible dates and then, with the help of Lieutenant Colonel Richard Green, book Burton’s Court.
2. A Tent. The Commanding Officer said that the Battalion tent could be used. Captain Wilson suggested offering the hire of the tent to other organisations in order to offset costs. This will be considered.

1. The Regimental Adjutant said that there was a plan to hold a Grenadier 360th in Bruges over the period 2-4 Sep 16; this was largely at the behest of the Flanders Government, which is offering to pay in country costs for Nijmegen Company and the Regimental Band. Clearly, 1st Guards Club members may be interested in this.

1. There being no further business the meeting closed at 1800hrs.

G V A BAKER

Major

Regimental Adjutant and Secretary