MINUTES OF THE BLYTHE SAPPERS

46^th MANAGEMENT MEETING

Held on Wednesday 30^th May 2007 at the Army & Navy Club, London

(Chairman Sapper Stuart Sinclair)

            Those Present

                        Sapper S G H Sinclair            Chairman

                        Sapper J H Fitzmaurice          Future Chairman 2008

                        Sapper J D Lewins                  Past Chairman 2006              

                        Sapper R F Wilsher                Honorary Treasurer  

                        Sapper J C Peacey                  Honorary Auditor

                        Sapper J R McLennan            Honorary Secretary

            Item 1.            Opening Remarks.

1.         The Chairman Sapper Sinclair welcomed the Committee. It was with regret that he announced the passing of Sapper Peter Shapland past Chairman of The Blythe Sappers 1996. The Society will make a donation of £50 to the deceased’s favourite charity.

            Item 2             Apologies                 

2.         Apologies were received from Sapper Caulfield (Regimental Colonel) and Sapper Hamilton. The Committee wished Sapper Hamilton a speedy recovery.

            Item 3             Minutes of the meeting of March 2007.

3.         The Minutes were noted and signed.

            Item 4             Matters Arising.

4.         a.         Spr Westbrook.                                 The Chairman had tried to contact Spr Westbrook without success and it was agreed that he should now be considered a defaulter and deleted from the membership.

            b.         Guests for Blythe Sappers’ Guest Night.  Comdt RSME & PMC HQ RE Mess should be invited to attend.

                                                                                                            Action: Hon Secretary

            Item 5             Finance.

5.         a.         Trial Balance.   Spr Wilsher presented the trial balance 2007. This is attached at Annex A.

            b.         Members who have not Paid.         The Chairman introduced the topic; after some discussion it was agreed that if a membership standing order is not paid by the October in any year, the names of those concerned would be struck off our Membership list. This will preclude any notice or mailings being sent to them about the December Christmas Lunch. (Spr Fitzmaurice agreed with Spr Peacey!!) .

Action:  Honorary Treasurer

            c.         Adventurous Training.                    The Honorary Treasurer gave his report;    this is attached to these minutes at Annex B. It was agreed to pay £1,000 towards the Blythe Sappers’ Adventurous and Challenging Pursuits fund held by RHQ RE.  The Hon Treasurer was requested to investigate why the Blythe Sappers are not receiving copies of the reports that they are entitled to having contributed towards the costs.

                                                                                                        Action:  Honorary Treasurer

            Item 6             Expenses                              

6.                     The Chairman introduced this Item saying that expenses for Committee and (and Council where appropriate) members, over and above the normal costs for attending the lunches, should be reimbursed. After some discussion it was agreed that the proposal would be put to Council.                                               

            Item 7             Corps Report                       

7.         The Corps Report was presented by Sapper McLennan and is attached at Annex C. The Chairman said that he had attended the opening of the Corps Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum on 1^st May on behalf of the Blythe Sappers and said it was a very good day and an inspirational Memorial.

            Item 8             Casualties since Last Meeting      

8.                     The passing of Sapper Shapland was noted.

            Item 9             Nominations for New Members

9.         The following were nominated for Membership:                      

            Item 10           Attendance & Arrangements for Luncheon  --  30^th May 2007.

10.       There will be 75 taking lunch which includes 11 guests. The Principle Guests are Viscount Slim (guest speaker) and Commander A Holt (Secretary, The Army & Navy Club). Sapper Sheppard is attending for the first time and should be asked to stand to introduce himself.

            Item 11           Any Other Business

11.       a.         Congratulations.                               The Blythe Sappers congratulated Mrs Suzanne Walsham, Assistant Secretary on her recent wedding and wished her every happiness for the future.

            b.         Speaker October 2007.                    There is to be a change of speaker for the October Lunch; the EinC (A) Brigadier Chris Sexton will be the principle guest. General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CB, Chief Royal Engineer will speak in 2008.

            c.         Blythe Sappers Cup Final.              The Blythe Sappers’ Secretary attended the FA Cup Final between 1 RSME Regt & 23 Engr Regt on behalf of the Chairman and presented the Society’s Cup to the winners, 1 RSME Regt (score 1-0), after a rather scrappy match.

            d.         Derby Sweep 2007.                           The Committee was briefed by the Hon Treasurer. The list of horses, riders, those horses drawn on the sweep and the final result is attached to these minutes at Annex D.

            e.         Blythe Sappers’ Shield.  A query was raised about this shield, which used to be competed for in BAOR.  It was decided to discuss the subject at the next meeting

            Item 12           Date of Next Meeting                    

11.       The next meeting will take place at 1100hrs on 2^nd October 2007.

                                        Annex A to Blythe Sappers Management Mtg 30^th May  2007--  Trial Balance 

                                                       Annex B to Blythe Sappers Management Mtg 30^th May 2007

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING EXERCISES/EXPEDITIONS IN 2007

1.                  DENALI ALASKA.           

• Ex DENALI ALASKA was a RE Mountaineering and Expedition Club expedition to climb Denali in Alaska in April 2007.  Ten Regular and 2 TA so9ldiers were selected to attend the Ex.  The Regulars each received £500 from Corps funds. 

• The 2 TA soldiers were also granted £500 each from the BSprs Adv Trg Fund to match the Corps contribution.  TA not eligible for Corps grants due to DPS.

2.                  MARKET STAR.

• Ex MARKET STAR is a non military Free Fall parachute course held in the USA.   23 Regular and 3 TA RE attended from UK.

• Corps gave £100 to each Reg participant.  The BSprs gave £100 to each of the 3 TA soldiers

3.                  REYC ENTRY TO FASTNET & OFFSHORE REGATTA RACES

• Corps funds granted £1000 to support the entry

• BSprs added £550 ie £50 per person to the Entry.

• The Commodore, REYC, Colonel (Sapper) Andrew Mills has written to thank the Blythe Sappers for their generosity

4.                  EX KOTA MAMA TO BOLIVIA  SES (Blashford Snell) expedition to Bolivia.

·        The aim of the Ex KOTA MARA is to investigate a strange crater 5 miles in diameter believed to have been caused by a meteorite 5000-30,000 years ago. Few have reached the crater.

·        International team of engrs and scientists are to tackle the task.  The team will  also provide medical, dental, school books, water supply to local people who will assist with the work.  A small pedal powered organ for the village church will also be delivered.

·        £250 was granted to Cpl Westrope RE, of 35 Engr Regt, a volunteer on the expedition.

                                                     Annex C to Blythe Sappers Management Mtg 30^th May 2007

BLYTHE SAPPERS MEETING 30^TH MAY 2007

CORPS REPORT

1.         Support to operational capability continues to be our main effort.   Ops TELIC (Iraq) and HERRICK (Afghanistan) remain our main commitments but we also have soldiers on Ops in the Balkans, Sierra Leone, Cyprus, Falklands, Northern Ireland (NI) and on the UK Mainland. 

Operations

2.         Iraq MND(SE).    In the last 2 months a number of strike operations have taken place against a backdrop of IED attacks.   PM Blair has announced force reductions from 7100 to roughly 5500 and this is currently being implemented.  Sapper numbers will remain untouched less the boat troop.   The rebasing of forces is now complete.  38 Engr Regt Gp deployed in Nov 06 until Jun 07 and includes 2 x Fd Sqns (11 & 25), 61 Fd Sp Sqn and half of 63 Wks Gp and 17 Fd Sqn (EOD).  They will be replaced by 22 Engr Regt Gp (3 and 5 Sqn, 6 HQ&Sp Sqn, 64 Wks Gp(-) and 49 EOD Sqn(-) in June 2007.

3.         Southern Afghanistan.    OP Achilles continues, clearing enemy positions around Kajaki.   Enemy attacks continue on positions in Northern Helmand and Sangin.   Musa Qaleh remains in Taleban hands.  Engineers continue to provide the reconstruction and development leadership focus employing considerable numbers of local Afghans on projects province wide.  The main airstrip is to be upgraded for C-17 during 2007.  A temporary operating strip is being prepared to allow this project to start but experiencing difficulties.     28 Engr Regt Gp were replaced by 26 Engr Regt Gp in April 2007 with 2 x Fd Sqns (8 and 30), 65 Fd Sp Sqn and half of 64 Wks Gp and 49 Fd Sqn (EOD). 

Manning      (stats are as at 1 Mar 07 and compared with figs as at 1 Jan 07)

4.         Officer strength is 1220 against a liability of 1200, overmanning is 1.7% or +20 officers (up 16).   This hides an in-balance for DE Capt and Maj which is partially filled by LE personnel.   PVR is currently 3.9% (Army 4.3%).   

5.         Soldier strength is 7670 against a liability of 7980, undermanning is -3.9% or  -310 soldiers (up 48).   PVR is currently 7.8% (Army 5.8%). The recruiting situation remains positive.  

Regimental Affairs

6.         Successful opening of the Corps Memorial at the NMA on 1 May 07.   

7.         The Corps will commemorate the FI25 at Chatham on 16 June.  Coaches are available to move veterans to London on 17 June. 

Blythe Sappers contributions to Adventure Training

8. Ex Denali Sapper. £1000 towards supporting two TA Sprs taking part in a Corps Mountaineering Expedition in North America

9. Ex Market Star.     £300 towards a parachute exercise in USA for three TA Sprs.

Annex D to Blythe Sappers Management Mtg 30^th May 2007