Royal British Legion Sedbergh & District Branch

Minutes for the monthly meeting held in the White Hart Club

on Thursday 11^th July 2024

The meeting started at 7.15pm with the Exhortation and Silent Tribute led by the Chairman.

Those present:

David Parratt, Tony Reed Screen, Keith Birbeck, Myles Ripley, Steve Moore.

Apologies:    

John Pease, Rose Pease, Martin Gray, Nigel Whiting, Rupert Follett

Minutes:  

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 13^th June 2024, having been circulated by email, were approved as a true record.

Matters Arising:

None

Treasurer’s Report:

• The Treasurer reported the current balance at £968.44 allowing for takings from the recent Branch coffee morning.

• It was noted that the deadline for end of year accounts is 30^th The accounts will be inspected by Adam Hopkins as for last year. The accounts will be presented at the 12^th September Branch meeting and for adoption at the AGM in October.

Branch Community Support:

• DP reported that the white goods for the Sedbergh veteran’s new bungalow are due to be installed on 16^th It was hoped that the flooring required for the bedrooms, living room and dining room will also be fitted soon once the required quotes had been approved by BLESMA. Martin Gray had kindly offered his services through ‘Roofbox’ to assist with the move in the near future and packing cases had already been supplied.

Social Events:

• £144.41 was raised at the Branch coffee morning on 3^rd There was a lower footfall than normal due to the inclement weather. Many thanks to all the helpers.

• A further coffee morning will be held on 7^th August to raise funds for the Rawthey Project.

• Recruitment Events: Two recruitment events will be held during the Artisan Market weekends, on Saturday 27^th July and Saturday 24^th August between 0930 – 1500. DP, NW and KB will be in attendance, also supported by TRS and MPR. Barbara Hartley is once again kindly providing the display boards and panels.

Poppy Appeal:

• DP reported that the main order for the Poppy Appeal this year had been submitted and preparations were in hand.

• Further discussions took place regarding the purchase of a new Counting Machine for the Appeal. It is a heavy-duty machine, the fastest of its type and can sort, count and provide batches in one go for banking purposes for bagging up coins during the ‘Count’. It is intended to also borrow the TIC machine as a back-up.

Any other business:

• New members: Myles reported that Maria Duckham, OC Sedbergh School CCF had recently joined the Branch. Keith said that he had persuaded two of his contacts to join. Details to follow.

• DP reported that he had received details about branch training from our Membership Engagement Officer. It is recommended that this takes place every three years to update members and will be due in 2025. It was agreed that the previous session was too long and not particularly inspiring and a different format was needed.

There being no other business, the meeting closed with The Kohima Epitaph at 7.45 pm.

There is no meeting in August. The next meeting will be on Thursday 12^th September 2024 at 7.15 pm. in the White Hart Social Club and will be attended by the MEO, Joanne McNamara.