Minutes of the RBL Byfield and District Committee meeting held at Byfield Village Hall on 3 April 2023 at 20:00hrs.
Our speaker was Neil MacKenzie from Northants Police on Fraud and Scams, accompanied by 2 others to assist.
A very interesting and informative event, WE RECOMMEND YOU LOOK AT THE ADVICE HE GIVES. A separate e-mail with relevant attachments has been sent to members.
1. Nine Members were in attendance and Apologies were received from two others
- Confirmation of Minutes March 2023 Bob C read out the minutes from the last meeting and these were accepted by all present as complete & accurate.
- Finance report
David B advised that the c/a has a healthy balance.
- BCS report
Chris K advised that he has been following up with 2 members both of which are pleased to see him. He still can’t get into the RBL's O365 to send his quarterly reports.
Caroline to send an email to Falak Bibi at RBL to see if this can be moved along.
- Contribution to County Newsletter
The Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast and the Poppies in a Jar were included in the April 2023 County newsletter. The last 3 months county newsletters have now been circulated to our members who are online.
- Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast
Bob advised that this is continuing in the background.
Caroline asked Bob for a few words to go into Byfield's May/June Byword which will be needed by end April.
Further publications / posters will be launched nearer the time as the date for the first breakfast is Saturday 24 June 2023.
RBL branch members to please help spread the word where possible.
- Speakers 2023
June 2023 will be something on the Model Railway. Caroline continues to progress this with her contact.
Alan Bailey passed the details for David Morse across to Bob who will try to secure a talk on St Pauls Cathedral for September 2023.
Alan also mentioned the Royal Ordnance Depot at Weedon where you can either go for a visit or have a talk. This could be of interest for December 2023. Bob will investigate both and report back.
- Charles III coronation Sat 6 May 2023 update
Caroline advised that the jar had been to a skittles event and a gardening club meeting, and also the April Byfield Big Breakfast.
Caroline thanked Jane H and David B who kindly assisted at the Big Breakfast event.
We do however need more exposure with the Poppies in a Jar to collect further monies during all of April.
If any member wishes to take the jar, and accompanying bits, to a club or an event, then please let Caroline know. Caroline will arrange for the jar to be dropped off to you and collected. Please either call 01327 612441 or email caro.crewe@outlook.com
It is still undecided when or where over the coronation weekend the poppies in a jar amount will be made known.
There is potentially a Byfield afternoon tea event over the bank holiday weekend.
Our next committee meeting is just before the coronation weekend so this will be discussed and decided then.
Caroline asked if the branch would match the value collected, and all members present voted yes.
Prizes to be donated: Bob (Bottle spirits and chocolates) and David Bradshaw (wine) – thank you.
- Cenotaph Veterans Parade 2023
An all-members email was sent on this topic on 16 March 2023. A copy will be sent along with these minutes as a reminder of the deadline for securing tickets.
- 2nd Tuesday Group visit to National Memorial Arboretum
Caroline was approached by Angela Weller to see if any RBL members wished to join the planned outing to National Memorial Arboretum on 11 July 2023.
Graham Walker also raised the Probus outing on 3 July 2023 to Cotswold Farm Park.
Details of both of these outings have now been emailed around to all members.
- Summer BBQ 23 July 2023
Bob will approach Tim Williams to see if he knows of anyone that would be available to “chef” on the day.
- RBL Byfield & District website
Terry H is taking back control of our branch website; thank you. You will notice some changes over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on the Web link below.
Byfield Branch Web Site
AOB
As branch funds are at a reasonable level it was proposed that 2 donations would be given. £250 to Battle Back Centre and £250 to Galanos House. This was approved by members present.
David B to write the cheques and Bob will issue with a letter to RBL requesting that they pass the funds across to the chosen recipients.
Meeting closed 21:50
Date of next meeting:
Tuesday 2 May 2023 Byfield Village Hall Meeting Room 20:00.
