...return to index

Number in Attendance: 32.                                                                      Apologies:  Mark Meaton, John Bennett, VI Macleod

1. Welcome by the President, Andrew Simkins followed by one minutes silence to remember lost colleagues.

2. Minutes of the 2010 AGM   Proposed: Reg Goodwin   Seconded:  Bill Morgan

3. Secretary’s Report.    John Heyes said we were maintaining membership numbers, with new members joining, although we still had difficulty recruiting those that had recently left the Squadron. Things going well; see items below on the agenda.

4. Treasurer’s Report:  This was presented by Derek Walker, Deputy Treasurer, in the absence of Mark Meaton, Treasurer.   It was shown that the Association funds continue to be in good order. In March there was a donation of £1000 from Val Powley in memory of her late husband Don.  Also, in June, a donation of £100 from AAC. We agreed to allocate this money solely to the book project, and since the start of the project we have spent a total of £1,223, therefore spending an additional £123 from our reserves.

Acceptance of Financial Report:  Proposed:  Reg Goodwin   Seconded:  Spencer Holtom
In favour:     All present  Against:  None

5. Archives:  The Archives were consolidated in the main, by Derek and Lou Walker and Mark Meaton. The Association’s Archives register is being transferred on to a computer system package ‘MODES’ which can be accessed by all.  It is done on a ‘Thesaurus’ type method, where you type in a keyword and the computer searches our own archives and compares what we have with the museums archives, thereby showing all the information to hand.  Spencer Holtom asked if we had to pay to access the files, Derek said that as we provided the package to the museum, the curator says there is no charge to us.  Ted Danton asked if the archives were on display, Derek said no, but we can get access on request.

6. Subscriptions:  Subscriptions will remain at £7.50/annum.

7. Website:  Ron Ward said the website is constantly improving.  There are lots of inconsistencies in AAC records as well as our own, which have to be checked out.  There have been no website costs this year financially.  Andrew Simkins praised the site and thanked Ron for all his time and effort.  John Heyes asked members to agree that Ron Ward should be on the committee.  All in favour.  John Bennett thanked Ron Ward for doing a wonderful job on the website.  Andrew Simkins thanked John Bennett for starting the website and keeping it going for so long before Ron took over.

8. 70th Anniversary proposals:  70th Anniversary proposals:   The Squadron was formed on 31st  December 1942, so it was considered appropriate to make the 70th Anniversary with a reunion which marked the event in an appropriate manner.  When the new OC, Piers Lewis, takes over in Oct/Nov he will give us a firm date for such a reunion.  A show of hands showed that the general trend was for early in the year trailing off after August.  We hope to invite all past OCs and SSMs.  It will probably be in the Sergeants Mess at Wattisham.  We will subsidise as usual.  There will probably be a ‘show’ of some kind put on by the Squadron.  It was noted that the event would need to be arranged such that it avoided the London Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee, while fitting in with the Squadron’s programme.

9. Remembrance Day:  Cenotaph Parade:  Andrew Simkins said it would be good to have a proper contingent of as many as possible for the 70th Anniversary year.  Sylvia Heyes to put out a general email to members requesting them to attend.  Bob Dinsdale said he was disappointed with Armistice Day parade at the National Memorial Arboretum as he didn’t feel part of it as he did at the Cenotaph.  It was generally agreed that this was the case.

10. Far East Tour:  Andrew Simkins asked if another Tour would be a good idea.  John Heyes said we would need at least 20 to make it cost effective.  Most agreed that 2013 would be a good year as there is a lot going on for the 70th Anniversary next year. There was a discussion as to where to go i.e. Mainland or Borneo etc. Sylvia Heyes to put out an email to members asking if they are interested, also to put it in the next journal.

11. Progress of Guy Warner’s History of the Squadron book:  Andrew Simkins introduced Guy Warner.  Guy will donate the royalties of all sales of his book, to the Association, on the proviso the Association make a donation to Headley Court.  Guy is writing this book at no cost to the Association other than expenses.  Guy asked for contributions of memories and anecdotes, and if accompanied by photos, that these be titled and dated with as much information as possible.  The book will possibly be published in 2013.

12. Free membership to ex Burma/Java members:   This was proposed at the request of John Bennett in his absence.  After a lively discussion, it was generally agreed that it was very laudable, but could set a possibly costly precedent.  A show of hands showed a ‘No’ vote.  

13.  Annual wreath laying at or near the Squadron location:  This was proposed at the request of John Bennett in his absence.  This was discussed and finally decided that we annually place a wreath at the Cenotaph in London and whenever we were at the Squadron Headquarters.  

14. AOB:   Thanks to the committee followed by a round of applause.

Meeting closed @ 1115 hrs

updated 5th November 2011