Item 1. Chairman’s Opening Remarks
Alan Bailey, acting Chair for Danny Fewins, welcomed 9 members and one non-member to the meeting. Apologies received from Danny Fewins and Graham Pattenden due to illness.
An announcement was given of the passing of one of our members, Peter Gibson, on 21 July 2021.
Item 2. Minutes of the Last Meeting.
The minutes of the last meeting held on 5 July 2021 were agreed as correct and were signed.
Item 3. Branch BBQ
No progress known since last meeting and so members present voted to postpone the event.
This proposed event has been made public via the Byword and Boddington Bugle and in this regard:
- Jane Holland will put the postponement on the Byfield Community Facebook page.
- Alan Bailey to advise the School Head.
- Try to place a note about BBQ postponement on RBL Byfield & District website.
Item 4: Next Monthly Lunch
Members present remain concerned about the safety of socialising after the lifting of Covid-related restrictions on 19 July 2021. It was agreed to defer further discussion until next meeting.
Item 5: Quiz Evening arrangements
Date 26 November 2021. Hall booked and Bob Cubitt has questions ready.
- Bob Cubitt to ask Shaun Start if he and his wife will be Quizmaster and Scorer on the evening.
- Alan Bailey to run the bar and ask ladies of PTA to supply bacon butties.
Item 6: 100 years Memorial Bench
There are 3 current member possibilities to consider:
- Terry Hoyle - a metal bench, manufactured by a company in King’s Sutton, would cost in the region of £1,000 - £2,000 but a more affordable wooden bench, suitably inscribed, would cost approximately £500 from a company called Memorial Benches UK.
- Chris Kiely - his Regimental Association had recently acquired a metal bench for £500, pictures of which he showed to the members who favoured the long-lasting metal option. Cost circa £500 plus £100 delivery.
- Graham Walker – a bench from a local garden centre
Members in attendance felt it best if the 3 benches in consideration be put to a full members vote and in that regard:
- Terry Hoyle, Chris Kiely and Graham Walker were asked to provide pictures and details to either Alan Bailey, Secretary or Graham Pattenden, Membership Secretary, for circulation to all members.
Placement of bench to be discussed when decision as to type made.
Item 7: Community Involvement
Members present remain concerned about the safety of socialising after the lifting of Covid-related restrictions on 19 July 2021. It was agreed to defer further discussion until next meeting.
Item 8: Speakers/Arrangements for Future Meetings
Ideas put forward by those present were:
- A talk about Chipping Warden airfield (Chris Kiely)
- His life in the Army (David Bradshaw)
From Minutes of January 2020 outstanding suggestions:
- Bill King ‘The story of the Unknown Soldier’
- David Morse ‘The Saint Pauls Watch’ (the gentleman who previously talked about the Warwickshire Home Guard)
- Tom Jones (Alan’s Grandson) ‘World Challenge visit to India in 2019’
Item 9: AOB
2 points were raised.
- Cleaning of the Byfield War Memorial. Alan Bailey has a quote for £1,000 for pressure cleaning. Members present expressed concern that this may result in a different looking stone afterwards. Further investigation needed and other quotes to be obtained.
- 2021 Poppy Appeal - Byfield village. Rob and Caroline Crewe are the Byfield village co-ordinators, and have received a note from Major Tom Smith, Poppy Appeal Organiser, that the 2021 collections will be taking place. They need to contact all previous village volunteers to confirm they will be happy to collect again this year. 2 members present volunteered to help if previous volunteers were not available this year.
Contact details for Tom Smith are: Tel: 01295 660608 and for the Byfield village co-ordinators: Tel: 01327 612441.
In absence of Danny Fewins, Chair, who is believed to be unavailable until mid-September 2021, members present voted for the next meeting to be held in Byfield Village Hall on 6 September 2021 20:00.
- Alan Bailey to book hall.
There being no further business, the acting Chair closed the meeting at 21:20.
