60s 16ers

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Held at Fownes Hotel, Worcester

At 11.10 on Sunday 13th October 2013

1Bereavements, Welcomes and Apologies

No information was received of any bereavements.

Charlie Wickham chaired the meeting and welcomed all the new and current members to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Yorkie Leyton who sent his regards and hoped to be with us next year. Taff Powell and Jim Brooks were unable to attend due to illness and we wish them a speedy recovery.

Terri Crowe was unable to attend the meeting and sent her apologies.

2Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The members were asked if there were any comments or matters arising from the previous minutes. None were received therefore the minutes were taken as a true record of the Meeting.

3Chairman’s Report

Charlie Wickham thanked Carol, Laurie and support members for their hard work in organising the event.

There was nothing further to report from the Chairman.

4Treasurer’s Report

Peter Crane handed out the Budget Sheet for 2013 – attached.

  • Funds are still sufficient that we caninvite guests to future events if so desired.
  • There are 85 paid up members, which isup on last year

Budget for current year:

  • Subscriptions had risen last year but are budgeted to fall
  • We received £244.80 from the raffle
  • Mailing costs have greatly reduced due to the majority of the membership being on the internet

5Secretary’s Report

Beverley Robb reported that the following new members had joined the club:

  • Bob Allen
  • Barry & Pauline Edwards
  • Ron Ferguson
  • Peter & Anne Havlin
  • Andrew & Marion Hearne
  • Mary Schofield
  • Kerry Stylianou

An analysis of paid up members showed that, although there were new members, the annual membership was dropping. The continued replenishment or growth of the membership is imperative if the club is to continue however, it was reported that two potential new members would not be joining due to the comments posted in the chat room.

Due to the occasional negative interaction in The Comcen putting off possible new members, it was suggested that the website had a ‘front’ and ‘back’ area. The front area would hold information that would attract new members. Once becoming a member on a £10 subscription payment, a password would be issued to enable access to the ‘members only’ back area.

To keep control of information, it was agreed that all applications should be sent to the Secretary with payment. The Secretary would liaise with the Treasurer.

Finally, there was a request to anyone whose contact details had changed, to fill in their new information so that the database could be updated.

6Entertainment Co-Ordinator’s Report

Laurie presented her thoughts on trying to please everyone’s choice in entertainment, which is not easy to do. To assist her and her team she asked that people put their suggestions into a ‘Suggestions Box’ that would be available for the rest of the weekend. The majority proposal would be the theme for next year’s entertainment evening.

Her notes are attached.

7Mercury Editor’s Report

Ian Haldane stated he required the members to provide features for the Bradbury Mercury as it felt like a ‘Haldane’ production for the August 2013 edition.

Photos are welcome either within a feature or attached.

Centre page of the February edition will be the group photo from the Worcester reunion.

8Web Master’s Report

Ted Hebden reported technical changes to the website as follows:

  • ‘Jimmy’ on top page
  • Revolving ’16 Signal Regiment 60s Reunion Club
  • This was reported as working on some browsers and not others
  • New Update
  • Count down on days to Reunion weekend

The Comcen is used on a daily basis. However, a message can be deleted up to a few hours after posting if the originator wishes / needs to do so.

It was reported that there had been some Chinese hackers trying to get onto the website, but they had been blocked.

9RSA Information

The RSA has a new Chairman, Brigadier David Hargreaves, who took over from Brigadier Nigel Wood.

Dates for next year :

22 March - RSA AGM, London

21-22 June - RSA Reunion, Blandford.

September (date to be confirmed), National Memorial Arboretum service and cycle ride

29 November - Corps Carol Service, Liverpool

10Election of Officers

The Chairman asked for members to come forward and take over the following roles were up for re-election:

  • Vice-Chairman
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Proposals & Elections

Vice Chairman

  • Hazel Hebden offered to take on the post of Vice Chairman

Treasurer

  • Noreen Dixon stepped forward to take on the Treasurer’s role

Secretary

  • Sid Wilson

All who were previously in the role have offered their support to their successors, should they require it.

11Venues for next year

Venue / Dates - 2013 / Cost / Comments
Three Counties Hotel, Hereford
Proposed by
Gordon Harper / 10th – 13th
October 2014
24th – 27th
October 2014
Deposit of £50
by 8th March 2014 / Fri: £60pp dinner, b&bSat:£42pp b&b
Dinner: £29
Sun: £60pp dinner, b&b
Total: £191
Per Couple: £382
£10 single supplement per night
Dogs are welcome, however there is a £20 laundry charge
Pint Beer: £2.80
Pint Lager: £2.90
Wine: TBA /
  • English / Welsh Border
  • 1 mile to town centre
  • Dinner Friday in restaurant
  • Saturday Gala Dinner in Hereford Suite
  • AGM – no charge for room
  • AGM Coffee / Tea / Bisc - £2 per head
  • Sunday Finger buffet £13 per person
  • Sunday Roast £22 per person
  • Plenty of attractions around Hereford

The Manor, Yeovil
Proposed by
Noreen Dixon / 10th – 13th
October 2014 / All in £160 for 3 nights
Wine: £11.95
Pint Beer: £3.00
Pint Lager: £3.25 /
  • Yeovil
  • 18th Century manor
  • 42 rooms
  • Large function room
  • Conservatory
  • Parking pass for guests

Vote on Next Year’s Venue

The members voted for the Three Counties Hotel, Hereford. Gordon Harper will undertake the arrangements.

  • It was agreed that only paid up members would be able to book accommodation for the reunion weekend and that this would be monitored closely by the organiser.

When booking for next year’s reunion, Help the Organiser– book early!

Any Other Business

  • There was a request that the weekend’s reunion was not the 2nd weekend in October, as this clashed with the WRAC dinner club. As the venue voted for had offered two dates in October, the later date was chosen which meant there was no clash of dates for next year.
  • There was a constitutional point raised by Laurie Moore on an increase for the Entertainment’s Committee from the Entertainments Co-ordinator plus 3 supporting to plus 5 supporting.

This was agreed.

The meeting closed at 12.30.

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