THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS ASSOCIATION

MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT BRANCH

Founded 1931

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in the Marton Hotel & Country Club

Stokesley Road, Marton, Middlesbrough, on Saturday 2nd February 2008

 

The Chairman opened the meeting at12.10hrs

 

 

V/Presidents: M C Finkill,

 

Members: E Cook (Secretary), I Camp (Treasurer), A Mercer, P Simpson, P Dickinson, P Hellings, W Spence,

                   T Campbell, Sgt D Waters, D Castelow, P Knox, J Fletcher, G Bell, N Wise, J Roddam, P France

                   & O Parkes.

 

Apologies: Mr President, Captain Beattie, Mr J Ferguson, F Gilchrist, C Westerman, D Whitehouse,

                   M Winspear & A Weatherburn

 

Before proceeding with branch matters, V/President M Finkill who was standing in for the Chairman and the President called for the members to stand and observe one minutes silence in memory of 2669829 Mr Stan Newton who had passed away on Sunday January 20th 2008. The branch was represented at his cremation

service.

 

He also welcomed to branch a new member 23907415 Mr Owen Parkes and called for the members to give him a traditional welcome.

 

Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on Saturday 3rd February 2006 were read.

Proposed: N Wise                                                   Seconded: A Mercer.

That the minutes be accepted as a true record.                                                    Carried Unanimously

 

Matters arising from the minutes: Nil.

 

Correspondence: All correspondences were read, including invites to Sunderland and Newcastle branch dinners.

A Letter from Captain Beattie on Christmas Day in Afghanistan.

A portfolio on L/Sgt Simon Hebson who is taking over from Sgt P Billet as Regimental Clerk/Office Manager.

Regimental Newsletter 01/08.

The Tommy Leech Fund; the Chairman explained in detail the story of the son of Sgt Carl Leech who was killed in an accident. Tommy was born without ears and a German specialist can sculpt an ear from a rib perform an operation hopefully to restore his hearing, but the cost is a staggering £50.000. Work is now under way within the Association to help raise the money. TFM Radio’s ‘Make a child smile’ has taken the fund on board. Sgt Waters reported that so far £11,500 has been raised.

 

Matters arising fro the Correspondence: Nil.

 

Chairman’s Report: Speaking for the Chairman who was cruising the seven seas, V/President reported that he wished to thank all those who had attended the functions, and the way we have approached the Regiment has stood us in good standing, we were the only branch to accept the invitation to ‘Hanging the Brick’.

 

Secretaries Report: The Secretary reported that he had issued his half yearly newsletter to those who attended

the first meetings, others will receive it in the post soon. The branch continues in a good state with increasing membership of life and serving members.

                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

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Presentation of the Balance Sheet: The Secretary assisted the Treasurer by giving the report because he had done all the paperwork; copies were distributed among the members.

The Secretary and member P Simpson had audited the book and found everything correct and signed the audit sheet. The accounts statement was then signed by the V/President M Finkill.

 

Proposed: P France.                                                                         Seconded: D Castelow.

That the statement of accounts be accepted.                                                                Carried Unanimously.

Copies of the accounts were emailed to the President by the Secretary

 

Welfare: The Secretary reported that he had spoken to, both V Brownlee who was recovering from open heart surgery and M McCabe who is now registered partially blind and they are as well as can be expected.

He had also spoken to H Taylor who having breathing problems and waiting to see a specialist.

V/President M Finkill reported on R Morris in New Zealand and L Wilson both are fine.

P Hellings reported that he and I camp had visited D Whitehouse at the care home in Lingdale, he was not very well, Dave is suffering from Motor Neurones Disease, but he would welcome visitors.

The Secretary informed the members that anyone wishing to visit must first phone his carer between the hours of 11.00-1500hrs on 01287 653797.

 

Presidents Report: Speaking for the President, V/President M Finkill reported that the President apologised for his absence, he had attended many meetings with other Presidents and Regimental Officers and they commend him on having such a high profile branch, they are held in such high regard that they have been given the privilege of displaying the pictorial history of the Regiment on it’s website.

He thanked the officials for all their hard work, and the Recruiting Sergeant for arranging transport from the battalion rear party to collect the donations of children’s clothing and other items towards Captain P Dale’s appeal for the Afghanistan children. The response was magnificent.

 

Honorariums: The Acting President remarked that he didn’t know what to say and put it to the members for their opinions, in response the Secretary replied that he was happy at the present figure as was the Chairman, the Treasurer also remarked that he was happy with his figure. The Secretary reported that the Standard Bearer should receive his £50.00.

 

Election of Officials: J Ferguson as Chairman and Social Secretary, E Cook as Treasurer and I Camp as treasurer were all happy to continue in their positions. Elected unopposed.

Vice Chairman: With F Kidd standing down this position was open.

It was Proposed E Cook that N Wise accept the position. Seconded: J Roddam.

N Wise kindly accepted the position.   Agreed and carried unanimously.

Welfare Officer; With F Kidd standing down from this position also, it was decided that each member would be a welfare officer reporting to the Secretary.

 

Any Other Business: The Secretary asked for bids for the Troop tickets; name noted.

He also asked for bids for the Remembrance Sunday Parade, at which the wreath will be laid,

and the Standard Bearer and Recruiter on parade. N Wise proposed Hartlepool. Accepted and agreed.

 

The Secretary reported that he had received the Sweepstakes Tickets from RHQ and called for the members to help him sell them before 1st May 2008.

 

V/President M Finkill reported that WOI (RSM) P Carr had kindly invited branch members to the Academy, to be arranged.

 

N Wise called for a vote of thanks to be recorded in appreciation of the hard of all the branch officials.

The Acting President thanked Norman for his kind words.

 

Being no further business to discuss the Acting President M Finkill thanked the members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 13.20hrs.

 

The members then enjoyed an excellent buffet.

 

E Cook

Hon Secretary