THE BLYTHE SAPPERS

The Blythe Sappers

61^st Management Meeting

1100hrs Wednesday 2^nd March 2011

The Army & Navy Club, London

Those Present:

Sapper Idris Pearce Chairman

Sapper John Moore-Bick Vice Chairman

Sapper Bill Woodburn Chairman Designate 2012

Sapper Charles Holman Membership Secretary

Sapper Roy Wilsher Honorary Treasurer

Sapper John Wilks Honorary Auditor

Sapper John McLennan Honorary Secretary

1. Item 1 Introduction. The Chairman Sapper Idris Pearce welcomed all those in attendance for the first outing of the year.

2. Item 2 Apologies for Absence. Apologies had been received from Colonel Sean Harris, Regt Col, Sapper Stuart Sinclair.

3. Item 3 Minutes of the Previous Meeting. The Minutes of the 60^th Meeting of the Blythe Sappers Management Committee had been published on the BS website for a month. The Minutes were agreed and the original were signed.

4. Item 4. Matters Arising.

a. Historical Notes The BS Historical Notes have been now updated and available for new members when they join.

5. Item 5. Finance. Sapper Roy Wilsher referred to the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for 2010 -- these accounts are attached at Annex A.

a. Accounts 2010. The accounts 2010 have been audited and signed by Sapper John Wilks. Total Income £24,445.13 Total Expenditure £22,846.84. Balance in Bank £4,899.06. The Hon Tres will change the charitable donations to £2,000.

b. SOFA. The SOFA Accounts 2010 were signed off by the Chairman and Hon Auditor.

c. Budget 2011. The Honorary Treasurer then outlined & proposed the BS Budget for 2011 which was unanimously agreed -- the BS Budget is attached at Annex B.

Proposal: That the BS Budget 2011 is agreed

Carried

d. Donations. The committee discussed a number of charities that may be considered as a “good cause”. The suggested charities: KartForce, Forces Children’s Trust, Not Forgotten Association. Sapper Bill Woodburn thought it would good to help with an REA event in 2012. It was agreed that this money should be held over till next year. It will be further discussed at the next meeting and the Hon Sec was asked to find out more about the Forces Children’s Trust and to ask COBSEO if they had any suggestions.

e. AT & CP Letter. The letter about the way this fund is dispersed was discussed and needs to be reviewed.

f. Clydesdale Bank. The Committee authorised the Hon Tres to proceed with the application to go ahead with Electronic Banking.

6. Item 6. Corps & TA Report

The Corps and TA reports are attached at Annex C.

The Chairman congratulated the Regt Col on his excellent and full report. The Chairman asked that ten extra copies of the Corps Report be made available at future lunches.

Action Secretary

7 Item 7. Casualties Since Last Meeting

Deceased: Nil

Resigned: Nil

8 Item 8. Nominations for New Members

Nomination	Sponsor	Seconder
Brig Iain James	Sapper John Russell-Jones	Sapper John McLennan
Lt Col (Retd) Peter Heier	Sapper Geoff Field	Sapper Archie MacKenzie
Lt Col (Retd) Gerry Taggart	Sapper David Jessop	Sapper Geoff Field
Brigadier Nick Baveystock	Sapper Idris Pearce	Sapper Roy Wilsher

Approved

9. Item 9 Attendance & Arrangements for Today’s Luncheon

Principle Guest: The Lord Walker

“Cold War Warrior Goes Hot”

Total number Attending 100

Number of Guests 19

Those to Rise Sapper Jonathon Welch

10. Any Other Business

a. Blythe Sappers were mentioned in the Daily Telegraph after the last lunch and it is intended to place a notice after each lunch.

b. The Chairman expressed concern about the lack of response from the Chief Royal and will soon have to find another speaker for next Dec.

c. Sapper Geoff Field had written to the Chairman about funding for the RE ParaOlympians. It was agreed that this should be kept on a watching brief.

d. The BS Historic Note will be sent out to new members.


Sapper Idris Pearce Chairman The Blythe Sappers		Sapper John R McLennan Honorary Secretary The Blythe Sappers
June 2011		23 March 2011

Blythe Sappers March 2011 Minutes Annex A

Statement of Financial Activities 2010

THE BLYTHE SAPPERS

Cypher

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Year ended 31 December 2010

INCOME & EXPENDITURE

INCOMING RESOURCES

Notes

2010

2009

Lunches Fees

17,134.04

16,089.00

Lunch Refunds

50.05

Dinner Fees

3,044.24

3,240.00

Subscriptions

3,215.00

3,150.00

Overpaid Subscriptions

20.00

25.00

Joining Fees

130.00

150.00

Sweepstake Ticket Sales

750.00

891.00

Donations to AT & CP Fund

Bank Interest

6.00

Not Forgotten Assc, Restoration Ministries

Donations & Honorariums

95.80

47.50

TOTAL

24,445.13

23,592.50

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Lunches

16,732.85

15,599.10

Lunch Refunds

289.30

148.50

Guest Night Dinner Costs

2,594.22

3,047.68

Guests Lunches/Dinner

617.55

643.50

Dinner Refunds

114.00

Refund Subscriptions

Sweepstake Prizes

310.00

300.00

Not Forgotten Assoc, Restor'n Min, Spr Martin RIP

1,050.00

1,000.00

Sundries

70.75

78.91

Donations/ Honorarium: AT & CP Fund/ A&N Club

100.00

1,100.00

Committee Exp/Room Hire

378.20

397.70

Treasurer Expenditure

169.91

360.39

Secretary Expenditure

420.06

213.54

TOTAL

22,846.84

22,889.32

Net Incoming/ (Outgoing) Resources for the Year

1,598.29

703.18

Net movement in funds

1,598.29

703.18

Balance as at 01 January

3,300.77

2,597.59

Balance as at 31 December

4,899.06

3,300.77

All income and expenditure arises from the continuing activities of The Blythe Sappers. There

are no recognised gains or losses in the current or preceding year other than shown above.

THE BLYTHE SAPPERS

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2010

CURRENT ASSETS

2010

2009

DEBTORS

Cash at Clydesdale Bank

4,899.06

3,300.77

Total

NET CURRENT ASSETS

4,899.06

3,300.77

NET ASSETS

3,300.77

Bank Reconcilation

Statement as at 31 December 2010

4,899.06

3,300.77

Cheques not presented NIL

As shown in account

4,899.06

3,300.77

Approved by The Blythe Sappers Management Committee

at the Management Committee Meeting on 2 March 2011

and signed on the behalf of the Committee by:

Idris Pearce

SAPPER SIR IDRIS PEARCE

Chairman

Roy F Wilsher

SAPPER ROY WILSHER

Honorary Treasurer

Originals signed:

DATED 2 March 2011

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

Year ended 31 December 2010

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Convention

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention. Income and

expenditure has been accounted for on an accruals basis.

Fund accounting

The Blythe Sappers Association’s funds comprise general unrestricted funds that are dispensable

at the discretion of the Council in furtherance of the objectives of The Blythe Sappers.

Such funds may be held in order to finance both working capital and capital investments.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

No Council or Committee Members, nor connected person or party, received any remuneration

from The Blythe Sappers during the current or preceding year.

NUMBERED NOTES

1. Overpaid Subscriptions. Sprs Sanburg, B J Hughes

2. Joining Fees. 13 New members

3. Donations. From various Blythe Sappers.

4. Guest Lunches. Four Guest Speakers and Hon Sec and Hon Treasurers lunches

5. Donations. Wild Life Fund, Alzheimers Soc, Not Forgotten Ass'n,

6. Sundries. Renewal of website Domain and Hosting plus engraving of salvers.

7. Adv and CP Fund Grant. / Honorarium

a. In 2010 there was no allocation to the Blythe Sappers' Adventurous and

Challenging Pursuits Fund

b. The total donated to the Fund to date is £31,950 (2009 £31,950).

c. Three A&CP applications were approved in 2010, grants totalling £1063.00 were made.

d. The balance of the Fund granted to RECCT as at 31 Dec 10 stood at £4226.40

e. Christmas gratuity to A & N Club staff

8. Hon Sec and Hon Treasurer expenditure

Travel, postage, copying and stationery

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

I have examined the accounts for the year 2010 together with supporting papers.

I am satisfied that the accounts have been properly maintained and that the foregoing

statement of income and expenditure gives a true and fair view of the transactions during

the year and of the financial state of affairs of The Blythe Sappers as at 31 December 2010

Original signed by:

John B Wilks

Date:

SAPPER JOHN B WILKS

Hon Independent Examiner

Annex B

The Blythe Sappers Proposed Budget 2011

Annex C

Corps Report

BS Management Minutes Mar 11

Regimental Colonels Report on the Corps

HEADLINE ISSUES

Casualties Jul 10 – Mar 11

Spr Smith KIA
Spr Foster KIA
Sgt Jones KIA
Cpl Barnsdale KIA
Spr Blanchard KIA
11 – WIA

Strategic Defence and Security Review – Work continues apace. The Corps, again, stands at a defining moment. Army is set to reduce by 7,500 personnel over the next 3 years with the Corps reducing by 600 more or less. The Corps is set to lose a RHQ(+)but remains well placed to meet future operational requirements. The EinC is adamant that we will retain Sappers as soldier, combat engineers and artisans.
Transformational Army Structures – This will be the future structure of the Corps. The Corps will be configured to match the new operational roles apportioned to it. Despite losing some personnel over 3 to 4 tranches, we will gain in terms of Search, MWDs (Dogs) and FPE.
Manning (next DM(A) update Apr 11) – The Corps is now fully manned – over liability in officers, SNCOs and Sprs but under liability across the JNCO population. Input through recruiting will undoubtedly be reduced as the Corps shrinks to the TAS structure.

	Held Strength	RAL	Difference	% of RAL	Remarks
Officers	1,280	1,197	+83	107.0	Lt to Lt Col (incl LE)
Soldiers	8,210	8,332	-122	98.0
TOTAL	9,490	9,529	-39	0.4
Females	155			1.6	All ranks
Foreign & Commonwealth	445			4.7	All ranks

OPERATIONS AND DEPLOYMENTS

The Corps remains as busy as ever with every squadron committed to the Operational Commitment Plot.
With the reduction in Task Force Helmand’s Area of Operations and the concentration of force in Central Helmand, sappers are in increasing demand. The Engineer Group has consolidated in Camp BASTION:

Capability

HERRICK 12

Apr 10 – Oct 10

HERRICK 13

Oct 10 – Apr 11

RHQ Engr Regt

21 Engr Regt

23 Engr Regt (Air Asslt)

Infra

64 Wks Gp (62 Wks Gp from Jul)

62 Wks Gp (66 Wks Gp from Dec)

C-IED TF

· RHQ 33 Engr Regt (-)

· 21 Fd Sqn (EOD)

· Search backfill from 36 Engr Regt, 12 (Air Sp) Engr Gp with res of 23 Pnr Regt RLC

· Elms 521 EOD Sqn RLC

· (WIS and ECM Elms

· HQ 29 Gp IA HQ

· 61 Fd Sqn (EOD)

· 621 EOD Sqn RLC

· Search backfill from 23 Engr Regt (Air Asslt), 6 HQ Sqn (22 Engr Regt), 12 (Air Sp) Engr Gp with 23 Pnr Regt RLC

· WIS and ECM Elms

RE CAPABILITY

§ Enhancements to operational equipment continue to be developed. The successful TALISMAN route proving and clearance system is being upgraded by the addition of a DETECT and FLAIL system on a remotely operated chassis.

§ C-Vehicle Private Finance Initiative. A number of replacement fleets including Medium and Self Loading Dump Trucks as well as well drilling and LWT/MWT will be fielded in 2011.

§ Boats. The ageing Rigid Raider craft Mk III is increasingly difficulty to support and will be withdrawn from service in 2011; the capability will be gapped for several years until a replacement can be delivered.

§ TROJAN and TITAN (Engineer Tanks). These vehicles have proven to be a step change in mobility, protection and obstacle breeching. TROJAN has been used successfully on operations in Afghanistan and has breeched IED belts and forced entry into compounds.

§ TERRIER (son of CET). The replacement for CET is an urgently required one. TERRIER offers a well-protected, rapidly mobile successor and is currently undergoing demanding trials in the SE England.

§ Tactical Bases. In future, all tactical infrastructure bases will be delivered as integrated capability platforms. This will include combat power, surveillance, generators, protective structures and living accommodation.

§ Electrical Power. The safe use of electrical power on operations is challenging but no less necessary. A mechanism for stronger governance has been established in theatre and all arms courses are being developed.

§ Explosive Ordnance Disposal. The Land Forces EOD and Search Branch was established in HQ EinC(A) in 2010 with the aim of providing a single focus for all policy, direction and inspectorate responsibilities. The team of 8 was fully operational by Jul 10. The original intent has been exceeded and the Corps now fields the one-star Defeat the Device lead for C-IED search.

§ Geographic Support. Engineer geographic capability continues to provide Joint Force Engineer Group (in Afghanistan) full support. Work is on-going in the UK to rebase 42 Engineer Regiment (Geo) to RAF Wyton. The Royal School of Military Survey is likely to move to Chicksands in 2013 thus ending the long-standing military relationship with Hermitage.

§ RSME Update. The RSME has changed significantly over the past year with the HOLDFAST contract securely bedded in. Courses have been redesigned and are now quicker and more efficient. Whilst RSME has focused largely on the Afghanistan campaign, it remains committed to longer term training and being appropriately placed to meet the challenges of the next campaign wherever that might be.

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS ROYAL ENGINEERS (CHATHAM)

Corps Activities. The Corps Memorial Weekend was a great success and consolidated Chatham as Home of the Corps – the Colonels Commandant at Home event and REA events across the weekend added the gloss to an impressive gathering.
Honours and Awards. Senior awards to the Corps include a Knighthood to Lt Gen Sir David Bill and the award of CBE to Brig Chris Tickell.
RE Museum, Library & Archive

Staff. Essential recruiting to support the funded projects and a credible return to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £2M has recommenced following successful recruitment of an MA qualified E-Band.

o The Fortifications Gallery. The Museum was successful in its bid for minor lottery funding (46K) and this coupled with money raised from the ‘Hold the Fort’ raffle will allow work to begin, in earnest, in the coming months. In addition, the Museum courtyard’s glazed vault is high enough to fit the Corps’ V2 if reassembled and we await advice from the Science Museum and the RAF Museum on structural, cosmetic and transport issues.

o Grounds. The installation of another 30m of high quality iron fencing funded by the Local Authority for the public perimeter is imminent. This leaves about 25% of the public perimeter to be addressed by MOD in future. The Museum will continue to lobby the Local Authority to improve the facilities and access directly in front of the Museum.

o Governance. The Historic Dockyard lease has completed and the first rent has been paid. Work on the CSA awaits final estimates of estate management costs by REMLA.

CORPS SPORT – No change to the last Corps Update

S P F HARRIS

Col

Regt Col

Mil: 94661 2034