See Distribution Date: 25 Oct2011

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE Spirit of coltishall association HELD on WednesDAY19 OCTOBER 2011 AT THE WENSUM VALLEY HOTEL, GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (WVHG and CC)

Present / Dave Welsh (DW)
Paul Hendley (PH)
John Welton (JW)
Steve Jones (SJ)
Ron Fraser (RF) / Chairman
Membership Secretary
Historian
Ents Sub Committee Chair
Secretary/Treasurer
Item
(a) / Discussion and Decision
(b) / Action
(c)
1. 1. Introduction. / 1. The Chairman opened the meeting at 19.30 and welcomed those present.
2. Apologies. / 1. Apologies received:
Trev StarlingVictor Comley Brian Wheeler
Pat Comley
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting. / 1. The Chairman requested that the minutes of the previous Meeting be accepted as a true record. RF pointed out that the date given for the 2012 Burns Nightwas incorrectin the Diary of Events. This had since been rectified. JW proposed, TSseconded and the motion was carried unanimously.
4. Matters Arising. / 1. There were no matters arising from the previous meeting.
5. Financial Statement. / 1. The Treasurer presented theconsolidated Statement of Account to the end of September 2011.
The SoCA Main Account was in credit to the sum of £1600.38
The Ents Sub Account was in credit to the sum of £1620.17, giving an end of month total of £3220.55. The statement of accounts is attached to these minutes.
2. The Treasurer then reported that as of 19 October the Ents Sub Account showed a credit of £1032.97 after all bills had been paid. As no further events were scheduled, this would be the end of year total, as the financial year now ends on 31 December. He voiced the opinion that as the Ents Sub Account now had a substantial buffer against unforeseen financial deficits,the £2 per member currently being paid into the account annually from their membership fee should now cease. After discussion the Treasurer was asked to put a formal case together for discussion at the next Committee meeting.
3. RF reported that Patrick Short had contacted him and asked for any refundable money from his Battle of Britain Ball payment to be considered as a donation to SoCA worthwhile cause support. Patrick did not attend the Ball out of respect for the death of his brother in law John Platts. It was agreed that the £50 deposit would be paid into the Main Account and the remaining £40 would be sent back to Patrick. / RF
6. Membership Report. / 1. The Membership Secretary reported that 96 members had joined for the current financial year. The additional members appeared to have been in response to the reminders sent out over the previous months.
2. With the increase in membership, it was now necessary to obtain additional membership badges. The Treasurer was tasked to order an additional 100 from the supplier.
3. Membership cards were discussed and it was agreed that they should continue to be provided. To cut down on costs, it was agreed that the next issue of cards would last for 3 years with an expiry date of December 2014. The membership Secretary would act on this in time for the new financial year. / Treasurer
Membership Secretary
7. Website. / 1. No problems had been reported with the website over the last month. The Historian asked if he could have some of the photographs of events for the Association Scrap book. Webmaster would facilitate.
2. It was proposed by IH and seconded by JW that a “Passed Members” section be developed on the website. All were in agreement. This has now been actioned by the webmaster. / Ongoing
Closed
8. Events and Functions Programme. / 1. Discussion took place on the idea of sending out surveys to members to canvas their opinions on the type of functions they would like to see on the social calender. No decision was reached, Committee members would discuss at a later date.
2. Battle of Britain Ball on 10 September 2011. Costs had now been finalised at £45 per member and 1st guest. Members were to assemble at 1830hrs for 1900hrs with the Sunset Ceremony at 1925hrs. The event was held and was deemed to be a great success.
3. The Oktoberfest will be held at Wensum Valley Hotel on 15 Oct 2011. Price would be £13 per member and 1st guest. Non members would be charged £15. A raffle will be held with all profits going to SoCA.
Update: The event was a success with the raffle increasing the Main Account by over £250.
4. Burns Night 2012. SJ reported that the menu for the event had been agreed with the venue and that the pricing would be similar to the previous year’s event.
RF stated that although members would be able to pay in December, the cheques would be held until January before being paid into the Bank to ensure that they went into the 2012 financial accounts. Members would be made aware of this in November.
5. Quiz Night 2012. This would be held at The Diplomat, Badersfield at a date
to be notified.
6. DW handed over to SJ details of an alternative band which was available for functions such as the Battle of Britain Ball.
7. SJ stated that the Ents Sub Committee were looking into holding a “Beer Call” later in the year to dispose of beer left over from the Bar B Q. It was likely the event would be held at the Battle of Britain Hall, Badersfield sometime before Christmas this year. / Ongoing
Closed
Closed
Treasurer
9. History. / 1. JWpresented a detailed report to the Committee. This is presented at Annex B.
10. Visits. / 1. VC informed the meeting that he was in the process of arranging another visit to BBMF in November 2011.
Update: The visit is going ahead despite being oversubscribed. / VC
11. Contact Information. / 1. DW informed the Meeting that he had been in contact with those members who had severe medical problems and that they are making good progress. / All to note
12. Newsletter. / 1. The cost of printing the newsletter was discussed. BW had costed the printing of 120 copies of the publication by a private company and it appeared that this could be a more economical way of producing the finished article. He would make further investigations. The Chairman suggested that a small Sub Committee of BW, TS and RFshould take on the task and report their findings at the next meeting.
Update: The cost of the June issue had come to over £220 plus paper. BW’s quote for a 10 page (not 8 page as at present) would be cheaper and not as labour intensive for SoCA.
VC offered to obtain another quote which would be discussed at next meeting.
Update: In the absence of VC it was proposed the SoCA should go ahead with the printing of the newsletter by the private company (SPL Print). An 8 page booklet would cost £118 for a quantity of 120.
Proposed by JW, Seconded by RF. Carried
2. Deadline for the next newsletter will be early December 2011. / TS/JW/BW
13. Diary. / 1. The latest Diary of Events is at Annex A. Any amendments and additions are to be submitted to the Secretary who will update the Diary. / All to note
14. Any Other Business. / 1. JW informed the Committee that he had been in contact with Miss Joan Osborne-Walker who was a steward in the Officers Mess during WW2. He had put her in touch with Mick Jennings. He also stated that he had sent her a birthday card on the occasion of her 90th birthday on behalf of SoCA.
Sec’s Note: Joan has since joined SoCA and sent a letter to the Secretary thanking JW for the card.
2. DW reported that RAFA (Norwich) had extended an invitation to SoCA members to attend their Christmas Dinner at the Wensum Valley Hotel. RF was tasked to inform all members.
3. DW showed the meeting a recently reframed photograph of a 202 Sqn Sea King taken in 1980. The photograph was the property of the RAF Coltishall Collection at the Radar Museum. The frame for the photograph had cost £30 and DW asked that SoCA pay for this.
Proposed by JW, Seconded by PH. Carried
4. DW informed the meeting that the Jaguar Cockpit at the Radar Museum needed to be made more transportable for future use. It was agreed that this was a suitable project for SoCA to enter into. JW and DW would look into the feasibility and report their findings at the next meeting.
5. DW reminded members of the Services to be held at the RAF Coltishall Memorial Garden on 11 November 2011 and at St Edwards Church on 13 November 2011. RF was to email all members. / RF
JW/DW
RF
15. Next meeting. / The next meeting will be held on 7 December2011, at the WVHG and CC at 19.30. / All to Note

Original Signed

D WELSH

(01692 405800)

Spirit of Coltishall Diary of Important Events 2011 / 2012
Item / Date: / Event / Venue
1 / 11th November 2011 / Remembrance Service / Coltishall Memorial Garden
2 / 13th November 2011 / Service of Remembrance / St Edwards Church Badersfield
3 / 14th November 2011 / Visit to BBMF / RAF Coningsby
4 / 18th November 2011 / Dave Bullock Remembrance / Aylsham
5 / 21st January 2012 / Burns Night / WVH & GC
6 / 23rd May 2012 / 41 Sqn Memorial / Scottow
7 / 15th September 2012 / Battle of Britain Ball / WVH & GC
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9
10
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12

Annex B to

Exec Cmt Minutes

Dated 25 October 2011

REPORT BY THE ASSOCIATION HISTORIAN

19 October 2011

THE RAF COLTISHALL BATTLE OF BRITAIN LACE

The attached correspondence relates to the situation regarding the Battle of Britain Lace that was removed from the Officers’ Mess and remounted in Norwich Cathedral. The project was under the instructions of Air Cdre Graham Wright who, as stn cdr, authorised its move on permanent loan to the cathedral. He undertook to raise funds for an eventual move from the south transept of the cathedral to the new hostery when this addition to the cathedral was completed. However, despite some funds being raised, they were insufficient to complete the project as the cathedral authorities estimated that some £80k was required to conserve and reposition the lace in the hostery. Furthermore, once the hostery was completed, it was found that the position offered for mounting the lace was not conducive to its successful display.

Air Cdre Wright recently approached me to ask if the lace could be taken on by the RAF Coltishall Memorial Rooms at Neatishead. I investigated this possibility with the curator of the RAFADRM (Chris Morshead) and did some measurements. We agreed that the relocation to Neatishead was not feasible. However, the matter was discussed with Air Cdre Kev Pellatt (Chairman of RAFADRM Trustees) by Chris Morshead and he in turn spoke to his contact in the Heritage Authority of the RAF. Some concern was raised by the RAF who have now made the decision that the lace is to return to RAF care and to be relocated to the RAF College Cranwell where there is a professional curator to look after this important artefact. Wg Cdr Erica Ferguson of Air Command (RAF Heritage) contacted me to ask SoCA’s views on the proposed relocation to Cranwell. After consulting the chairman (there was not time to canvass opinion in depth), I expressed our disappointment that the lace was leaving Norfolk but was content that it was to be properly conserved and available for public view. Wg Cdr Ferguson suggested that SoCA might like to be present at the unveiling of the lace once mounted. The lace will also be accessible to the public as College Hall is regularly open to visits. The matter of disposal of funds raised is a matter for Air Cdre Wright (and Wg Cdr Paul Robbins) to address. I have emphasised through the attached correspondence that SoCA was not involved in the project and had only a “watching” interest to ensure the proper treatment of this important station artefact and to ensure that it is available to view should anyone wish.

RAFCMR

The season is drawing to a close and I’d like to thank all the SoCA volunteers for their sterling work this year in hosting the many visitors to the Memorial Rooms. The display is clearly popular with the public and its interpretation is much assisted by the guides who clearly exude enthusiasm for their subject. I think that we have yet again done the memory of RAF Coltishall proud through our efforts at the museum.

This winter we shall again be channelling efforts into further improving the displays and into reorganising the archive to be more manageable and accessible.

THE RAF COLTISHALL ROOM WENSUM VALLEY

Work continues to finish off the display in the room. Titles for each picture have been produced and will be mounted next to each of them. Problems with the adhesion of the lettering are to be sorted out shortly. An article for the Newsletter on the topic has been sent to the Editor.

THE RAF COLTISHALL HISTORY ROAD SHOW

The road show was present at the opening of the Battle of Britain Hall at Badersfield, the South Repps Village Fayre (at the request of Wg Cdr John Bryant RAF(Retd)) – former OC 6 Sqn and at the 41(R) Sqn 95th Anniversary celebrations at RAF Coningsby. All were very successful events with much interest in the road show. Many thanks in particular to Dave and Craig Welsh and Paul Hendley who played a major part in this effort.

RAF COLTISHALL HISTORY TALK – RBL LADIES AYLSHAM

A very successful (though a little daunting!) evening with the ladies being very interested in the topic. A donation was made to SoCA funds.

John Welton

Assn Historian/RAFCMR Curator

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