1. Act of Remembrance

1.         The Branch President, Roy Evley, spoke the exhortation.

2. Attendance

1.         Members. (51) Astill Sheila, Ainsley Brenda, Bedford Diane, Bee Thomas, Bell Lisa,  Blowers Linda, Bolstridge Stan, Bolstridge Maureen, Brooks Pam, Carlton Jon, Cockayne Chris, Cross Gilly, Davies Terry, Davis Marilyn, Evley Roy, Gregory Maureen, Gregory Peter, Hamer Russ, Hamer Penny, Hampson Kathy, Hannibal Joyce, Hicks Ann, Hicks Johnathon, Hodgkinson Nancy,  Hodgkinson Phil, Hodgkinson Sue, Hopper Fred, Jeffreys Christine, Jeffreys-Cockburn Tina Louise, Ludlam John, Ludlam Jacquie, McCullough Suzi, McGuirk Josie, McLaughlin Peter, Mitchell Sam, Myles David, Myles Mary, Neely Lillian, Parrot Freda, Pick Nigel, Pullinger Derek, Rhodes Joe, Shaw Ian, Shaw Jacky, Smith Joyce, Strutt Joan, Thomsen Dennis, Walker David, Wills Margaret, Widdowson Barrie, Wragg Albert.

2.         Apologies. (17)           Bee Michelle, Butler Richard, Cockayne Maureen, Gill Chris, Hallam John,  Hallam Rita, Handbury Bill, Handbury Liz, Holmes Val, Holmes Phil, Massey Paul, McGuirk Jim, Mileham Judy, Moxham Craig, Newton Val, Reeves Jim, Short Daren.

3.         In Attendance. (7)       Carlton Heather, Evley Joy, Lister Liz, Thomsen Penny, Pick Jane, Pullinger Gill, Widdowson Pam.

3. Introduction

1.         The Chairman, Col T J Ludlam OBE, opened the meeting by welcoming all those present.

2.         The President then presented RBL an RBL badge to Marilyn Davis.

4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

1.         No comments or concerns were raised over the content of 2017 AGM minutes. Adoption of the minutes was proposed by Peter Mclaughlin, seconded by Sheila Astill and approved by the meeting. The Chairman signed the minutes.

5. Matters Arising.

1.         There were no matters arising.

6. Chairman and Secretary's Report

1.         The Chairman outlined the autumn 2017 and spring and summer 2018 activities and a copy of the report is attached. He emphasised that the branch had 120 members 1 more than last year. He congratulated everyone on once again raising over £22,000 for the RBL since the last AGM.

7. Presentation and Adoption of Accounts

1.         A statement of branch accounts was briefed to members by the treasurer Thomas Bee. A copy of the Audit summary (as at 30 June 2018) is attached to these minutes. The Chairman moved on to the distribution of funds when he was reminded by the President that we had not voted to accept the accounts.  The Chairman asked for any comments on the accounts; there being none acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Ian Shaw and seconded by Pam Brooks.

2.         The Treasurer explained the current position concerning funds. £3067.67 was available in the current account and £4585.25 in the BFI account. The treasurer proposed the following donations be made by the Branch this year:

• Galanos House.  £ 500.00.
• Alderson House. £ 500.00.
• County Welfare. £ 2000
• Poppy Appeal.    £1000

3.         Fred Hopper asked why we were suggesting the Poppy Appeal when we already provided them with over £20,000. The Chairman explained the difference between County Welfare funds and Poppy funds and the befits each had to the Branch. The members were asked to vote on whether to continue with the suggested donation to the Poppy Appeal or increase the donation to County Welfare to £3000. A significant majority voted in favour of increasing the donation to the County Welfare. The donations were then proposed by Jacqui Ludlam and seconded by Christine Jeffreys.

8. Elections

1.         President.        The Presiden’s 3 year term continues to run until November 2019.

2.         Committee.     The Chairman explained that:

Gilly Cross and Albert Wragg had decided to stand down after many years of stalwart service on the entertainment side. He thanked them for all their hard work over many years. Pam Brooks our Vice Chair and Thomas Bee our Treasurer had also decided to stand down. He thanked them both for all they had done.

3.          There were 4 Volunteers to join the committee.

As an Officer and Vice Chairman – Jacqui Ludlam

As an Officer and Treasurer – Marilyn Davis

As Entertainments Member – Jon Carlton

As a Member without portfolio - Nigel Pick

The remainder of this year’s committee, John Ludlam, Peter Mclaughlin, Chris Cockayne and Ian Shaw were willing to stand for a further year if that is what you decide.

4.          There being no volunteers from the floor the following committee was proposed by Jacky Shaw and seconded by Mary Myles

Officers: Chair - John Ludlam, Vice Chair - Jacqui Ludlam, Secretary - Peter McLaughlin, Treasurer – Marilyn Davis

Committee: BCS/Welfare - Chris Cockayne, Events - Jon Carlton,   Poopy Appeal Coordinator - Ian Shaw and Member Without Portfolio – Nigel Pick.

5.          The handover between Treasurers will now take place with the requirement to amend the NatWest bank account signatory details.

NatWest form B 50047.

6.         Conference Delegates.            There being no volunteers from the floor John Ludlam agreed to continue to be the Branch delegate to the National and County Annual Meeting.

9.  Motions and Charter Motions

1.         The Chairman explained that this was the Branch’s chance to raise any matter concerning the RBL Charter of Management Handbook. No matters were raised.

10. Presentation of 2019 Branch Draft Plan

1.         2019 Plan. At their meeting on 24 Sep the Branch committee had sketched out the plan for 2019. In summary:

Recruitment.   Recruiting young ex-servicemen and women remained the aim. A target of 5 would be set.

Fundraising Targets.   In 2019 the target for fundraising outside the Poppy Appeal would be £2000. The target for the Poppy Appeal would be 370 ‘Collecting Hours’.

Welfare.          CBOC will continue to forward requests for welfare support to the Regional Office through the Call Centre.

CBOC Great War Project.      Despite the centenary of WW1 passing, the CBOC GWP would continue to develop through research and the web site.

Events.            A new format for the events had been agreed by the committee last year. The 2019 events would very much mirror those of 2018.

The events list would be finalised at the Jan 19 Committee meeting and then published.

11. Poppy Appeal/ Remembrance

1.         Poppy Appeal.            The Branch will support this year’s poppy appeal and make every attempt to collect in supermarkets for 350 hours. Members were asked to collect in Morrisons, Sainsburys and the Coop. Ian Shaw, Peter Mclaughlin and Chris Cockayne handed round Collection Proformas for members to book their slots. He had asked for assistance from Rotary, U3A, Masonic Lodge and other non CBOC individuals.

2.         Remembrance Sunday.           There would be three services on Sunday 11th November 2018, at which the Branch would be represented:

• 8.45 am St. Margarets, Owthorpe.
• 10.30 am All Saints, Cotgrave
• 10.50 am  St John the Divine, Colston Bassett

The Chairman encouraged all members attending in Cotgrave to join the march to the church which would start from Cotgrave Welfare at 1000. Unfortunately there would not be a band this year.

Christine Goldstraw DL would once again attend the Cotgrave service.

3.         There would be a carvery lunch afterwards at Blotts for members, families and friends. A call in e mail/letter has been issued.

11. AOB

1.         Assistance with Silent Soldiers.          The Chairman asked for help with placing the Silent Soldiers in Colston Bassett on 3 Nov. Contact Josie McGuirk.

2.         Data Protection.          Members were asked to complete a sheet giving the committee permission to contact them by telephone and e mail on RBL business. This was a data protection requirement.

3.         Future Events. The Chairman encouraged members to attend the Concert on 3 November, the poppy exhibition in All Saints from 3 to 11 Nov and support the Christmas gathering and Quiz on 12 Dec at the Rose and Crown. (Location tbc)

4.         Social Media.              The Chairman asked for a show of hands of those who had a FACEBOOK account or TWITTER Feed and who had visited the CBOC Web Site. There were very few hands for all 3. The committee will investigate the use of social media within the Branch . [Afternote Russ Hamer offered to assist].

5.         Operation Market Garden. Albert Wragg advertised a 5 Day excursion to Arnham in Sept 2019 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. At a cost of £399 and with some exceptional features members may consider booking with Woolaton travel.

12. Date of Next Meeting

1.         The next AGM would be held on Thursday 10 Oct 2019.