Minutes of the RBL Byfield and District Committee meeting held at Byfield Village Hall on 2 May 2023 at 20:00hrs.

1.    Seven Members were in attendance. Apologies were received from three others.

2.    Confirmation of Minutes April 2023: Bob C read out the minutes from the last meeting and these were accepted by all present as complete & accurate.

3.    Finance report: David B advised that our latest quarterly BFI balance statement showed a very healthy position. Our current account is in the black, after making payments for the donations of £250 each to Battle Back Centre and Galanos House, and the Village Hall hire for April 2023. Bob advised that he had received an e-mail from the Battle Back Centre thanking us for our kind donation.

David advised that he had received a reminder from DACT for the annual subscription. This was voted by a majority present to pay.

Alan B advised that he had now sold all the drinks remaining from the Nov'22 quiz night and he would have a cheque to hand in.

4.    BCS report: In Chris K’s absence Caroline read out the e-mail report that Chris had sent. “I have visited two members over the last month for welfare checks but nothing further to report. I also called on John R but got no reply.”

Chris has still not been able to log-on to the RBL portal successfully in order to make his official quarterly reports.

5.    Contribution to County Newsletter: There are no contributions to send this month. The May 2023 County newsletter (in digital pdf) will be circulated at the same time as these minutes.

 6.    Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast: Bob advised that arrangements for this is continuing in the background. There will be a reminder about this in the next Byfield Byword due out at the end of May. Copy for publication has to be in by 7 May 2023. Posters and further publicity will commence around 3 weeks beforehand. Bob to arrange and liaise with other members for assistance.

David B confirmed that he is happy to offer a lift to anyone wishing to go.

RBL branch members to please help spread the word where possible.

7.    Speakers: June 2023; will be the Model Railway society talk at Woodford Halse social club. The model railway members have agreed to open up the club at the top of the Social Club from around 7:15pm onwards so that we may visit ahead of the committee meeting. A gentleman called John Rose will be there accompanied by 2-3 others.

Bob has arranged for David Morse to speak in September 2023 on the St Pauls Watch. He had also approached the Royal Ordnance Depot but due to a cost of £50 (reduced from the usual £60) required for the talk he politely declined as we usually only have 6-9 attendees at our meetings.

8.    Charles III coronation Sat 6 May 2023 update: Caroline had received an update that the annual Poppy Appeal 2022 total for our district now stands at £9,033.76.

The Poppies in a Jar has been taken to a number of events (with grateful thanks to those members that helped with this), and we have around 100 donations / guesses. Caroline will close the event on 6 May 2023 after King Charles is crowned and announce the winners in the next Byfield Byword. Caroline will contact our Poppy Appeal Organiser to arrange for the tin to be counted, and then request a cheque from the branch to match the proceeds as agreed last month.  The donated prizes will be issued to the winners during May by Caroline.

9.     Summer BBQ 23 July 2023: David offered to be chef for the day, and this was welcomed by those present. The cost will be retained at £10 a head. Bob will contact Byfield School to arrange the date.

This will be carried forward to our next meeting to arrange/confirm the details.

10. Custodian of Byfield’s photo archive: Rob will reach out to John R to see if John has these photographs in his possession. If necessary, Caroline will contact the Byfield Parish Council.

11. RBL Byfield & District website: Terry H has revamped our branch website. Thank you Terry.

Further details are attached to these minutes for your reference.

The meeting discussed the current remembrance ceremony statement for 2023 and it was agreed to slightly alter it to:

"REMEMBRANCE ceremonies in 2023 will take place at War Memorials around our District. Byfield and Boddington schools will parade at their respective War Memorials on the morning of Friday 10 November 2023. Services will be held in respective churches on Sunday 12 November 2023 with wreath laying at the War Memorials afterwards. If not attending the Church service please gather at the War Memorial by 10:50 for an 11:00 start.

12. Update member profiles on our website

A request was received from Terry to try and update profiles of our members on our website. There are already some very interesting member details on there. Please view some of the stories already there on the Byfield & District Branch of The RBL's Web pages PROFILES and STORIES.

If any member has a story of interest or is happy for their profile to be placed on our website, please contact either Terry at hipophoyle@hotmail.com or Bob at cubittbob@yahoo.co.uk.

13. National Chair Membership: Caroline has issued the outcome of these proposed National Governance changes by separate e-mail to members.

14. Beavers Coronation tea party 2 May 2023: Max B kindly attended on behalf of our branch, along with Byfield Parish Chair, Angela W, and Lyn G. He reported that it was an enjoyable event and was  treated to some very nice sandwiches and a cup of tea, and that anything that can be done by RBL with the Beavers Cubs and Scouts is very worthwhile, such as our late Queen’s Jubilee art competition last year.

15. Branch War Memorial Record Book: Terry has asked where our branch memorial record book is? No-one present at the meeting knows anything about this. Rob C will approach John R to see if he knows anything about this.

• In the meantime, will any member please advise if they know the whereabouts of this important record? Some details about this record book were attached to the circulation of these minutes.

AOB

• Bob advised that he has received a communication about the annual War Memorial competitions and he will liaise with Byfield Parish Council, and issue further details once known.
• Max asked the branch to consider why it has a need for a monthly meeting, especially as they are attended by only a few members and the same things get discussed each time. Would it be better to have less meetings?
  • Something for all members to think about and comment upon if they wish please.
• Max advised that following an event in Upper Boddington recently he was handed back a bag of items from our previous Membership Secretary, Graham P.  Bob took possession of these returned items.
• Max advised that he had been told that no-one collected during the annual poppy appeal in Lower Boddington. Caroline will contact our PAO to enquire whether he has cover in this village and report back.
• Max was also asked if during the annual Poppy Appeal arrangements may be put in place for cashless donations i.e. via card donations. Caroline will contact out PAO and enquire, and report back.

Date of next committee meeting: Monday 5 June 2023 at Woodford Halse Social Club at 20:00.

There is the opportunity to visit the Model Railway club at the top of the Social Club, and a talk / Q&A session is being offered before the committee meetings begins.