The Blythe Sappers

Minutes of the 11^th Annual Council Meeting

Wednesday 31^st May 2006

Present:      Sappers GB Sinclair, Barton, S Sinclair, Peacey, Cross, Wilsher,  Evans, James.

Introduction Remarks.  Sapper Lewins, Chairman The Blythe Sappers 2006 welcomed the BS Council to the 11^th Annual Council Meeting

Item

1.       Apologies: Apologies for absence had been received from: Sappers Ralph, Stancombe, Howell, Shackell, Hamilton, Muller, I Stewart.

2.       Approval of Minutes of 10^th Annual Meeting.  The Honorary Secretary apologised to the Meeting for the lack of the previous Minutes due to a clerical error.

3.       Matters Arising   The Chairman requested the recollection of the meeting on any matters arising and for the approval of the Council to sign the minutes when he has seen them.

            Action Honorary Secretary

4.       Summary of Decisions taken by BS Management during 2006.

          4.1     The Chairman informed the Meeting that BS funds for Adventure Training would be passed to Corps Funds so that the Regimental Colonel could allocate our funds where he felt appropriate when sifting through the exercise applications. The Regt Col would then make an annual report through his Corps Reports which  adventure training exercises had been supported. He wished it to be further known that these funds are available to TA units when they are planning arduous exercises.

4.2             The Management had recognised a issue of the return of subscriptions from deceased Members when funds were coming out of a joint bank account even when the deceased had passed away several months before. It had been decided to leave it to the Treasurer to tactfully find a way through the bank to arrange cessation of payment.

4.3             The alternation of Gentlemen & Players as Chairman had been discussed and Sapper S Sinclair had volunteered to write a paper for presentation to the Management Committee at a future date on the way forward.  

4.4             The Chairman informed Council of the difficulty in the interpretation of the Rules of membership. The age rule had not worked and had caused some embarrassment to the Proposer and applicant in a couple of applications. It had been decided to consider all applications sympathetically and the rules not interpreted too literally. Sapper G Sinclair said they were there for general guidance primarily for the members to consider before putting a new member forward. He also said that his study some time ago had foresaw the day when the rotation of Gentleman & Player would be no longer be sustainable.

4.5             The Chairman asked for views on the terminology of “The Blythe Sappers Guest & Ladies Dinner Night” now that we had welcomed the first Lady into the Membership. Council discussed and agreed to change the name to “The Blythe Sappers Guest Night”.

5.       Attendance and Arrangements for the Derby Day Luncheon       There would be 51 attending the lunch with four guests. The Principle Guest is Lt Col J Fuller who will be speaking on “Training for Field Rank in Today’s Army”. It would be followed by the Derby Day sweepstake draw.

6.       Review of Reports by Link Members.   Whilst there are now no longer Link Members, Sapper S Sinclair offered to write a one page summary of the management meetings. It was noted that there is a great deal of paper around and that could overload those whose task it is to keep records and minutes. It was agreed that Sapper Sinclair would continue on the Management Committee after his tour as the Chairman and that he would maintain the Link report.

7.       Accounts 2005 and Budget 2006.   Council were informed that the accounts had been discussed and agreed at the previous Management meeting that morning. The papers are attached. The Honorary Treasurer gave an overview and informed the meeting that the accounts are in a healthy state.

8.       Discussion for Chairman for 2008 & 2009.  Sapper G Sinclair was requested to approach Sapper Fitzmaurice to be the BS Chairman 2008. 

9.       Guest & Ladies Dinner Night 2006 This will take place on 5^th August at Chatham at a possible cost of £45pp and £13pppn.

10.     Any Other Business      Sapper Wilsher informed the Council of the arrangements for the Derby Day Draw.

11.     Date for the Next Council Meeting The date for the next Blythe Sappers Council Meeting will take place on 30^th May 2007 at 1130hrs

For Your Diary

2007 Luncheon Dates & Guest Speakers

7th March             Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold CB, Director RUSI                                                

30th May              Lord Slim OBE                                                                                                         

2nd October         Chief Royal Engineer, General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue    KCB CBE                       

5th December       Sir Charles Masefield, M.A., C.Eng., FRAeS, FIMechE,   FRSA