THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Falkland Islands Branch ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 25 th October 2014. Minutes Present: Air Commodore Russell La Forte (President) Liam Shelbourne (Chairman) Mark Brook (Vice Chairman) Keith Biles (Secretary) Annie Bailey (Treasurer) Dave Lewis Jason Lewis Pam Lewis Msg Michael McPartland Rev d Kathy Biles Pam Budd Wendy Shelbourne Dennis Budd Karen Drysdale Phil. Middleton Neil Russell Stella Prindle-Middleton Frank Leyland Falkland Berntsen Peter Young Jane Cotter Lyn Brownlee Tim Cotter Mark Neves Bob French Chris Locke Nancy Locke Robert King In attendance: Rev. Paul Kerr, and Rev. Jean Kerr, Juanita Brock. 1. Apologies for Absence: John & Sarah Maskell-Bott, Fred Simpson, Marvyn Clarke. 2. Minutes of the AGM 14th October 2013 and of the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting of 2 nd December 2013 were agreed and signed. 3. Matters arising: There were no matters arising that were not to be covered elsewhere. 4. President s Report: The president gave a brief update on the current activities of HM Armed Forces, and the continuing need for the RBL to support a new generation of ex-servicemen and women. 5. Chairman s Report: LS gave a brief report on the activities of the last year, specifically: The November Poppy Ball was a sell-out, and the Remembrance Sunday Parade was well attended. There was a Government House reception to thank all those who have assisting in the running of the branch, and who have sponsored various activities.
In December Dave Morris resigned as Treasurer, his service to the Branch was well appreciated. Annie Bailey was appointed in his stead. The Branch s own Christmas Card was again used, and thanks are due again to Sonia Felton for permission to use her art-work. February saw the departure of the then Branch President, H.E. Nigel Haywood, from the Islands. A parade was held for the departing Governor at which the Branch standard was paraded and a Branch Plaque was subsequently presented to him. Air Commodore Russell LaForte accepted our invitation to be Honorary Branch President. In May the RBL Annual Conference was attended by the Chairman. John and Sarah Maskell-Bott also attended as Observers. The representatives were well received and the opportunity was taken to catch-up with current thoughts and activities of the Legion as a whole, and Head Office in particular. A more detailed report will be presented later in the agenda. June saw the marking of the anniversary of the D-Day landings in the Second World War. A service of remembrance was held in the Poppy Inn, with Rev. Kathy Biles officiating. Also in June the Branch were able to facilitate the committal of the ashes of Andrew McCulloch ex- HMS ARROW. The service, conducted by Rev. Kathy Biles was held on HMS CLYDE at sea and was attended by some of the officers of the Branch. Thanks are due to CBFSAI, the Captain and crew of HMS CLYDE, and also to BFBS who recorded the service and made a DVD available to the family. In July the club opened in the afternoon of Armed Forces Day and was well attended. The siting of the 2 benches at the Cross of Sacrifice was finally approved and we await Morrisons to allocate time to install them. In September a Lights Out ceremony was held at the Cross of Sacrifice to mark the start of the First World War, and this was followed by a short service in the Poppy Inn. Both of the occasions had good attendance. The thanks of the Chairman, officers, committee members and Branch members were recorded to the sponsors who have given generous support to the Branch and the Legion throughout the year. 6. Vice-Chairman s Report. The Vice-Chairman was keen to stress the importance of the Family Evenings which had been well attended, and encouraged younger people to join the Legion.
7. Secretary s Report: Seven committee meetings had been held during the year, and minutes of these are available on the web site. Members were encouraged to check the web site regularly for further information about Branch activities. More use will be made of bulk e-mails, and members are requested to ensure that the Secretary is kept up to date with e-mail addresses and any changes. A Pie and Peas evening was held in March which raised 100 for Branch funds and some 350 in bar takings! A large T.V and various wall plaques were donated at the dissolution of the Stanley Sea Cadets Unit, and thanks are due to the Unit committee members who oversaw that operation. A Family Evening was held in September with 42 attendees and, hopefully, the success will be repeated later in the year. The Secretary advised that this year s Affiliation Fee is set at 15. In keeping with past practice, it was intended that no Branch administration fee would be added for this year. Members were asked to note that if membership fees were not paid by 31 st December, membership would be cancelled. The Branch recorded 22 new members during the year, bring our total membership to 76. 8. Treasurer s Report: The Treasurer circulated the audited accounts for the year ended 30 th June 2014. Main points included: The current account balance stood at 7,834 at the close of the year, an increase of approximately 2,000 due to an amount of 3,000 from an anonymous donor, the funds specified to be used for local purposes. The Poppy Appeal raised 9,073 which has been sent to the UK. The results of the Poppy Ball were exceptional. The 2 Fixed Deposit accounts were closed during the year with the balances being applied to the Benevolent Fund and the Poppy Appeal. The surplus for the year is 2,681. There were several donations received during the year, both personal and from various activities held at MPC. Thanks are due to all who have contributed.
Thanks are also due to Dave Morris for his work prior to his standing down in December Finally, thanks are due to Alison Baker who has, as in the past, audited our accounts this year free of charge. A point raised from the floor questioned the total amount shown against expenditure for stationery costs. It was explained that costs this year were minimal as reflected in the much reduced figure over that recorded for last year. The Chairman proposed that the accounts be adopted, which was seconded by the Secretary, and passed nem con. 9. Welfare report. Rev. Kathy Biles reported: A donation had been made to the family of a severely disabled exserviceman to alleviate an immediate cash crisis. Thanks are due to John and Sarah Maskell-Bott who facilitated the transfer of funds to UK. The Welfare Fund had purchased a wheel-chair available for short term use by a member or visiting veteran. No charge will be made for its use, but a deposit will be required from non-members to ensure safe return in good condition. We are now receiving enquiries about the scattering or burial of ashes from families of servicemen who served here in 1982. To aid this, we have purchased a small stock of biodegradeable urns which are suitable for burial of ashes at sea or on land. 10. Report from 2014 Conference. A brief report from John Maskell-Bott was read in summary, and together with the full minutes of the Overseas Forum and the Conference can be made available to members on application to the Secretary, or are on the web site. 11. Report from the Overseas Wreath Layer. Marvyn Clarke reported that in excess of 40 wreaths had been laid island-wide over the last year. A shift had been seen to more requests being received to lay at Landing Day, Liberation Day and Remembrance Day rather than on specific memorials 12. Election of Officers: The President took the chair for the election of the Chairman.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Chairman: Liam Shelbourne (Prop. by Mike Floyd, Second. by Robert King) was elected on a unanimous show of hands. Vice-Chairman: Mark Brook (Prop. by Wendy Shelbourne, Second. by Keith Biles) was elected on a unanimous show of hands. Secretary: Keith Biles (Prop. by Mark Neves, Second. by Pam Lewis) was elected on a unanimous show of hands. Treasurer: Annie Bailey (Prop. by Peter Young, Second. by Karen Drysdale) was elected on a unanimous show of hands. Committee Members: Web Master: Bob French (Prop. By Keith Biles, Second. Pam Lewis) Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator: Dave Lewis (Prop. By Stella Prindle-Middleton, Second. Alison McAndie) Committee Member: Pam Budd (Prop. Annie Bailey, Second. Jason Lewis) All were elected on a unanimous show of hands. Standard Bearer: Mark Brook (Prop. Dave Lewis, Second. Kathy Biles) was elected on a show of hands. (vii) Delegate for Conference 2015: Liam Shelbourne, the Chairman was elected nem con on a show of hands. (viii) Welfare Team: John and Sarah Maskell-Bott have indicated that they would be willing to continue to serve in this capacity, subject to the exigencies of medical treatment. Rev. Kathy Biles and Pam Lewis also said that t hey were willing to be part of that team. Appointments to this team will be finalised by the committee in due course. 13. Any Other Business: The Committee recommended that all branch members, irrespective of age, be required to pay the Legion affiliation fee, currently 15. If any member requires assistance to make the payment, it will be considered by the Welfare Committee on a case by case basis. After discussion, it was decided by vote (17 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention) that this recommendation be carried. In view of the relatively high balance held in the branch current account it was suggested that this be reduced by an amount to be remitted to the Poppy Appeal.
After much discussion it was decided in principle by vote (23 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstention) that a remittance be made this year to reduce the balance held on current account by adding to the Poppy Appeal. After further discussion, it was decided by vote (23 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstention) to remit 2,000 from the current account to the Poppy Appeal. The Chairman expressed the thanks of the Branch to all at MPA for their continued support; the staff at Hillside Camp, particularly the chefs; the corporate sponsors and Government House; and the Club Committee for their support during the year. K. Biles. Secretary.