HMS ANTRIM ASSOCIATION
13th Annual General Meeting Minutes
Opening:
The regular meeting of the HMS ANTRIM ASSOCIATION was called to order at 11.00 a.m on October 7th 2007 in The Adelphi Hotel Liverpool by Kevin Swift, Chairman.
Present: 43 Full members
Apologies
Dave Barraclough, Terry Bullingham, Kevin Daw, Steve Webster, Billy Budd, Bryn Masterman, George Mullen, Peter Robertson, Nutty Edwards, Soapy Hudson,
Approval of Minutes
Proposed, Kevin Rowe, 2nd, Taff Dale. Vote: Unanimous
President’s Address.
Captain Brian Young stated that he had little to add to his speech from the previous evening. He reiterated what a good night and re union it had been. He said that as we had a lot of issues to cover at this meeting he would hand back to the Chairman.
Chairman’s Address.
Kev Swift thanked Bryn Masterman for the organization that went into Liverpool. He also thanked the Secretary for the work he did behind the scenes. He commented on the invite from the Army on the Saturday night and said we were looking forward to Coventry next year. He thought we had suffered a little bit from the ‘big hotel’ syndrome on the Friday night, but noted that we carried on regardless and that these issues were well in hand for next year.
Election of Officers.
Secretary: Stu Pennock was unanimously voted back in the position. Vice Chairman: Andy Coad was unanimously voted back in the position. Welfare Officer: Taff Dale stepped down. Bomber Wells volunteered and was unanimously voted into the position. Taff Dale was unanimously voted in to Committee Member #2 position.
Membership Report.
Mel Camp reported the following numbers for membership. 83 Life Members, 38 Annual, 15 Honorary, 11 Associate. With just 17 Lapsed. This totals 164 Members. It was noted that this is a significant improvement in lapsed members on previous years.
Slops.
Ian Cox gave the following report for Slops. £677 at the bank. £2457 held in Stock.
Treasurer’s Report.
Stu Pennock gave the Treasurers Report in Billy Budd’s absence.
As usual the association tends to break even from year to year. We had made an in- year profit of £527, with some money still to be paid for the ship’s model refurbishment. £6209.70 in the Bank. More outgoings than usual in respect of Standard Bearers costs, but this was accepted as not overly high and justified with the many events that the Standard had been paraded due in the main to the Falklands 25 commemorations. It was agreed that the association was in a very healthy state, as always, especially compared to other organizations with a much larger membership etc. The membership were informed that we would continue to look at ways of giving back some of the funds to the membership at reunions, and were open to ideas. Wine on the table and a meal on the Sunday lunchtime, along with funding the tot ceremony, being accepted as the way forward. Sponsorship is also in the offing. Stu Pennock reported that the sale of medals and mags that he had would hopefully put £200 plus into the funds. A vote of thanks and applause for Billy Budd’s efforts as Treasurer was forthcoming from the membership.
Reunion 2008.
Andy Coad reported that arrangements were well in hand for next year. He had upped the room numbers from 50 to 55, but based on this years turnout would increase that to 70 next week. He had rescored the excellent deal he had obtained for us, including the bar prices. He asked the membership to book early as any vacant rooms not booked would go on sale to the general public 2 months prior to the reunion. This view was reinforced by the Chair who urged people to book early and avoid the last minute booking headaches caused this year. Andy stated that a coach trip to Stratford was available if sufficient members were interested OR a free night’s entertainment on the Friday could be supplemented. He would endeavor to have us eating all in the same place as we are used to, and would enquire about a buffet on the Sunday lunch as previously discussed. The Chair reiterated that this would be paid for by the association as part of the agreed ‘give something back’ policy that was reinforced at this reunion.
The reunion for 2009 should be in Newcastle as previously agreed. The Chair will be going up to see Soapy Hudson soon to finalize arrangements as we have not yet in Soapy absence. Larne or Portsmouth for 2010. Dave Barraclough is investigating the logistics for Larne. Stu Pennock reported that he had been into a hotel in Southsea, who could do a reunion for similar prices a snow, but that negotiation would be required. The Chair stated that we would need a Pompey based organizer for this. Mike Williams duly offered and will look into a Portsmouth Reunion. Frankie Howerd offered his assistance for the Newcastle event next year. It was agreed that the Committee would put together a ‘reunion requirements ‘checklist to assist those organizing to ensure we had a minimum level and consistency of approach for organizers. Coxy mentioned incentives had been available in the past and it was agreed that we could perhaps subsidise room prices in the future should it be required. It was stated that we would need a fairly rapid on the Larne reunion to enable the membership to decide. Taff Dale mentioned that we should ensure we avoid the Great North Run in Newcastle as all hotels would be booked. This was noted. Bomber wells offered to sponsor the Chairman in the run! Kev valiantly agreed as long as Bomber ran with him!
Newsletter/Sponsorship.
Rowdy asked for help with the newsletter as he couldn’t do it on his own. Scrumpy orchard and Steve Churchill had offered to help with the compilation and layout of the newsletter. He would need to speak to Dave Barraclough re printing. It was agreed that references to authors of each and every item would be removed they weren’t required. Sponsorship request had largely failed both from the membership and local businesses, despite Rowdy’s best efforts. However Wally Marriot reported that a cheque for £200 had been obtained from a company he works with and that this was hopefully just the beginning. Discussion took place as to what we should be doing with sponsorship and what we offer in return etc. Cost effectiveness of giving out gizzits in return for sponsorship was covered, The Secretary made the point that although difficult to do he thought that we should take sponsorship seriously as a means of boosting funds, especially as we had a greed to spend more in coming years. He personally was sponsoring the association with the sale of medals and mags and hoped that more would be forthcoming.
A comment form the floor regarding the newsletter prompted the re iteration that Rowdy was merely seeking help with a newsletter that would still be published twice a year at least to an increasing distribution list. It wasn’t about expansion of the newsletter itself. Secretary to provide an official letter of thanks and acknowledgement for the £ 200,via Wally Marriott. Kev McDonald stated that putting a sponsors name on the website was very attractive for companies as this would normally cost them a lot of money. This was noted.
Website.
Tiny Rice wished to step down as webmaster after all his efforts to get the thing up and running. He was thanked for this effort having been stitched up to do it by the Chairman way back when. Craig McDermott volunteered for the role. It was agreed that a brand new upgraded website would be forthcoming. He sought ideas from the membership as to what they would like to see on the site. It was recognized that there’re would be a cost involved in obtaining the domain and getting the site designed. He asked for people email addresses for the site. Data Protection was discussed. The Secretary stating that no personal details for anyone would appear on a website, as now. Contact details such as email were up to the individual/ Mel was the keeper of all contact details and that the committee did not hand them out willy nilly. Permission is always sought from members before putting people in touch.
The Standard.
Stu asked for a round of applause for Ian Cox and Kev Rowe for there brilliant efforts with the Standard this year. As mentioned by Brian on the Saturday night, Coxy had managed to get the standard to parts that other standard bearers couldn’t reach! Stu summarized that the Standard had been to Gosport, Portsmouth, Pangbourne, Manchester Tattoo, The Mall, Llandudno, Manchester Cathedral, Eden Camp and had been dipped to HM The Queen. It was also due to finish the travels this year at the Birmingham tattoo. A huge thanks was given to the bearers, Ian Cox, Kev Rowe and Stu Pennock. Kev Rowe asked that he be able to parade the Standard once again at next years Manchester Tattoo. This was agreed.
Ships Model.
Chair commented on the splendid work done on the model and asked for a round of applause. Thanks to Billy Budd for organizing, and Mel Camp for building the transport box. This would be further modified to allow easier car transportation. Stu asked for thanks to Taff Dale for stepping into the breach and bringing the model up with very little notice. Taff also agreed to ensure the ship was safely returned to harbour and looked after at the Royal yacht Club in Southsea. Chair mentioned that we would have to bear in mind that in the future we may need to look at other places to display the ship and other memorabilia.
Social Fund for Reunions.
Stu said that this had largely been covered already. He stated that the committee would not squander any money but would be giving back at each reunion. A certain level of funding would always be maintained. Brain Young mentioned the remuneration to Standard Bearers and that we would only take the Standard to official military or other worthy places. Chair reminded all that this was no problem but to ensure that receipts were forthcoming for the records.
A.O.B
Craig McDermott mentioned the possibility of a private service for the association at Pangbourne that was available to us any Sunday of the year with a few exceptions. Discussion regarding numbers and inviting Glamorgan, Coventry, Plymouth, Brilliant members took place. This would be investigated. Stu asked for a show of hands for people willing to attend. This had a good response so would be looked into by Mc.
Bungy Williams clarified his position regarding a letter he had written to Rowdy regarding reunion prices and loss of members. He stated that Shearings had reverted to the old way of booking for reunions and that The Trecarn was back on the map therefore for reunions at a good price. It was agreed that we would therefore bear this chain of hotels in mind when we look at reunion venues from now on. Bungy also stated that the ‘breakaway’ reunion in Portsmouth that had been mentioned had nothing to do with him! He was thanked for the information and making his position clear.
Dave Basnett suggested for the potential service at Pangbourne that we choose a date specific to Antrim, i.e. the recapturing of South Georgia. This would be borne in mind.
The Secretary stated that if there was sufficient response from the membership that he would like to try and compile a photo history of the ship. This would be for in house use only, available to members and would allow some pics to be put on the website. He asked for members to send digitized photos to him, or prints/negatives that he would scan.
The Chair stated that the newly refitted ships model did not have a helo on the flight deck. New member Keith Sam Sansome, bravely declared himself a WAFU and said he would sort that out. He also thanked the membership for his welcome on the weekend for which he was grateful.
The Secretary extended an invite to all association members from the HMS Aldenham association. This was extended at Pangbourne. Contact details will be placed on the new website.
The Secretary also mentioned meeting the family of the only man to be killed on HMS Antelope. Mark Stephens’s family was at Pangbourne and had been happy to see the Antrims. It was agreed that we would formally invite them to Coventry next year. Secretary to write the appropriate letter.
Further reunions will be published in the Navy News and also an eye kept on Forces reunited and similar websites to ensure our reunions are well publicized.
Dave Basnett expressed a desire and the approval of the membership to lay a wreath at the grave of Felix Artuso when he visits South Georgia this Christmas. The Association agreed, subject to permission being gained from the family and with relevant diplomacy being employed. The association further agreed to pay for the wreath.
The Sec mentioned that his commemorative medals were for sale to one and all, not just Falklands veterans.
With no other business to conduct the Chairman thanked the membership, wished them all a safe journey home and asked those attending the Cavern Club that evening to wear Antrim regalia to ensure cheap entry!
Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m by the Chairman. The next general meeting will be at 11:00 on October 12th 2008 in The Britannia Hotel Coventry.
Minutes submitted by: Stuart Pennock
Secretary