AGM 2019 HMS. COLLINGWOOD
2019 AGM
FRIDAY 5 thAPRIL at the
BEST WESTERN ROYAL BEACH
HOTEL, SOUTHSEA
1.
Chairman’s Welcome.
Don Edwards, Chairman,welcomed those present and took the meeting.
2.
Apologies for Absence.
None.
3.
Minutes of the 2018 Annual Meeting.
The Chairman asked the meeting if they had any points on the minutes to raise. There were none
and the minutes were accepted.
4.
Matters Arising.
There were no particular matters arising from the last meeting, and it was considered that everything would all be covered in the subsequent discussions.
5.
Secretary/Membership Secretary and Welfare Officer’s Report.
See attached.
The following were raised as a result of discussions on this report:
- The Chairman, S/M Don Edwards, said if anyone know of a shipmate who is ill to let the Welfare Officer or Secretary know, to enable the Association to offer appropriate help.
- S/M Roger Birkett said there is help available for RN and ex-RN personnel and if they were to contact the Association they could be pointed in the right direction.
- The Welfare Officer, S/M Vivienne Lacey, said she does send out cards and makes contact with families, if she knows of the situation. She could also try to arrange for Association representation at funerals, if necessary.
- S/M Ken Waugh asked if we should send a letter to all members, advising them to let us know if there are any problems.
- S/M Roger Birkett thought this would be a good idea, as it would let members and their families know we were thinking of them.
- S/M Dennis Patterson said the response from previous letters was very poor.
- S/M Robin Smith said, for the Association for which he is Chairman, he looks at the list and sends a renewal of Membership form, and gets a 90% return rate.
- The Chairman said that some members pay by Standing Order, and others pay in advance. Therefore, a communication like this would only go to those who paid annually.
- S/M Robin Smith also said that part of the form also requests members to confirm that their details are correct.
1
2019 AGM
FRIDAY 5 thAPRIL at the
BEST WESTERN ROYAL BEACH
HOTEL, SOUTHSEA
1.
Chairman’s Welcome.
Don Edwards, Chairman,welcomed those present and took the meeting.
2.
Apologies for Absence.
None.
3.
Minutes of the 2018 Annual Meeting.
The Chairman asked the meeting if they had any points on the minutes to raise. There were none
and the minutes were accepted.
4.
Matters Arising.
There were no particular matters arising from the last meeting, and it was considered that everything would all be covered in the subsequent discussions.
5.
Secretary/Membership Secretary and Welfare Officer’s Report.
See attached.
The following were raised as a result of discussions on this report:
- The Chairman, S/M Don Edwards, said if anyone know of a shipmate who is ill to let the Welfare Officer or Secretary know, to enable the Association to offer appropriate help.
- S/M Roger Birkett said there is help available for RN and ex-RN personnel and if they were to contact the Association they could be pointed in the right direction.
- The Welfare Officer, S/M Vivienne Lacey, said she does send out cards and makes contact with families, if she knows of the situation. She could also try to arrange for Association representation at funerals, if necessary.
- S/M Ken Waugh asked if we should send a letter to all members, advising them to let us know if there are any problems.
- S/M Roger Birkett thought this would be a good idea, as it would let members and their families know we were thinking of them.
- S/M Dennis Patterson said the response from previous letters was very poor.
- S/M Robin Smith said, for the Association for which he is Chairman, he looks at the list and sends a renewal of Membership form, and gets a 90% return rate.
- The Chairman said that some members pay by Standing Order, and others pay in advance. Therefore, a communication like this would only go to those who paid annually.
- S/M Robin Smith also said that part of the form also requests members to confirm that their details are correct.
1
- The Chairman said we would look and see what we could do.
- S/M Robin Smith said he tends to forget subs and likes to be reminded.
6.
Welfare Officers Report.
See above.
7.
Remembrance to members who have ‘Crossed the Bar’.
The meeting stood for a minutes’ silence for those referred to in the Welfare Officer’s Report.
8.
Treasurer’s Report.
- The Treasurer, S/M Dennis Patterson, expressed his sincere thanks for all the condolences he has received resulting from the loss of Ruth.
- North Air Ambulance Service sent us a letter thanking us for our donation from last year’s raffle.
- A letter of resignation has been received from Reg Schofield, who says he is now over 90 and can no longer travel. The Treasurer has sent him a letter and returned his subs.
- The Treasurer said we now have over £12,000 total funds and we need to look at how we manage this. The auditors have said in their report, we should look at the reserve account as its spending power has effectively gone down by 12%.
- S/M Vivienne Moor said we could use the reserve to give to charities, and suggested we match fund what is raised at the raffle. The meeting agreed this was a good idea.
- S/M Robin Smith asked what the reserve account was for. It was thought that this was a throwback to when current accounts earned no interest, and ‘savings accounts’ paid a good level of interest, which they no longer do. Hence the spending power going down.
- The Treasurer said we were going to use it for a memorial at the National Arboretum, but since the
British Legion have taken over the running of it, the initial and ongoing costs and the regulations
over them, have made it prohibitive. They want over a £1,000, non-refundable, just to look at the
plans for a memorial, and there is no guarantee they will be accepted.
- The Chairman said that if anyone had ideas of what to do with the reserve account to please let a committee member know.
- S/M Robin Smith asked why members are not attending the reunions.
- The Chairman said he managed to get it into the Navy News, but it did not go in until the April edition, which was too late for people to book to come!
- S/M Barbara Edmonson said, the SAGA Magazine will advertise reunions, and it was suggested we should look at this for the future.
- The Chairman said he had a conversation with HMS Collingwood, who did not know the Association existed! They also said so many other establishments have been integrated into HMS Collingwood, and they do not recognise that they are part of it and in any case there is not the same comradeship as they do not mess together any longer. This is also true of the ships companies.
- The Isle of Wight Tours representative, Gloria, said they have had six people enquire about the reunion who did not know the Association existed and they have pointed them in our direction.
9.
Archives Report.
The Archivist, S/M Ken Waugh, said he had boxes of ‘stuff’ in his roof which he did not know whatto do with! He had lots of data digitised. He has talked to people in HMS Collingwood and gets passed around but nobody wants it nor does the Naval Museum.
The Chairman said if anyone has any ideas what to do with the records in S/M Ken Waugh’s roof, please let him know.
10.
Website and Shipmate update.
- The Chairman said a member had complained that he had not had a Shipmate this year.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master, S/M Roger Birkett, apologised for not getting the latest
Shipmate out sooner, but he has had two laptops whose hard drives failed, and he is having to
recover the data, and hopes to be able to issue it shortly. He showed an example of the printed
version, which looked very good. He sends out to those who do not have access to the web.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master said, he is not sure how many people are looking at the web
site as he not hearing from anyone. He apologised for not getting on with Facebook, but does not
yet have the knowledge to do it.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master said he will produce a new e-mail address to enable direct contact.
- The Shipmate Editor pleaded with members to submit articles for inclusion, as he has had to resort
to writing about his own naval career to find something to put in it, and that’s just about run out
now! Runs ashore, places they went anything, please!
11.
Slops situation report.
- The Slops and Clothing Manager, S/M Peter Edmonson, said he had had no sales in the last year.
He brings things down to the AGM but nothing much is sold, and most of the sales have been
outside the Association as the stock is on the web site. The problem is, that people bought things
when they joined the Association and do not need any more.
- The Slops and Clothing Manager said the stock value he was holding is £1,648. He is running low on some items, but has the problem of minimum order values if he tries to replace them.
- S/M Ken Waugh suggested we put out a letter about a bargain sale of slops!
12.
New Constitution Review.
- The Chairman said he hoped everyone had been able to read the new Constitution, which had
been up on the website. He asked if anyone had any comments to make on it, but there were none
and the Constitution was accepted.
13.
Election of Committee Members.
- The Chairman said the Treasurer, S/M Dennis Patterson, is standing down, and added that he had
done the job beyond the bounds expected, and our very healthy financial status is due to him. He
thanked him on behalf of all members of the Association. and said we will miss him.
- S/M Dennis Patterson thanked the Association for their show of appreciation and said he has no
intention of leaving the Association.
-
The Chairman said S/M Peter Lacey had agreed to take on the role of Treasurer, as it would fit well
with the role of Membership Secretary. S/M Derek Moore proposed and S/M Roger Birkett
seconded, that S/M Peter Lacey be Treasurer and the meeting agreed.
- In Line with the Constitution he stood down as Chairman, and was asked if he was willing to stand
again, and he confirmed he was. S/M Roger Birkett proposed S/M Don Edwards as Chairman, this
was seconded by S/M Derek Moore and all agreed.
- Other members of the Committee who were due to stand down indicated their willingness to
continue in their roll, S/M Peter Lacey proposed they should all be voted in, this was seconded from
the floor and all were voted back into office.
14.
Future (2020 and after)
- S/M Derek Moore said he likes the fact that we have teamed up with the Shipmates Association
for our reunions.
- The Chairman tentatively suggested all reunions should be in Portsmouth, as that is what was
agreed last year, and he said that Easter Monday is on 12th April next year.
- S/M Robin Smith asked if we could do a mailshot to see what members wanted, and why they did not come.
- The Chairman said Isle of Wight Tours needed to know ASAP, as most reunions are being booked
up several years’ ahead. Gloria, the Isle of Wight Tour representative, said this hotel is very difficult
to book in April, and added that some people let Isle of Wight Tours know why they are unable to attend.
- The Association needs to establish a link with Isle of Wight Tours to obtain this information, to help us plan future reunions.
- S/M Derek Moore proposed we hold next year’s reunion here, this was seconded from the floor and all agreed.
- S/M Peter Edmonson said that local people could attend the Gala Dinner only. It was confirmed
this could be done. He went on to say it was disappointing that the numbers were so low, so
perhaps we need to do something different.
- It was suggested we book next year’s reunion for 23rd April.
Gloria, the Isle of Wight Tours representative said she would check with the office to see what could be done.
15.
Any Other Business
The Chairman said he had received requests from Help for Heros, RN Charity and SAFA for
donations, which could come from the raffle. Did anyone have a charity in mind?
- S/M Derek Moore said some of the raffle money would come from the ‘Shipmates’ and we should
consult them and make a decision at the raffle.
16.
Close of Meeting
The Chairman thanked all those present for attending, and for their input. He then closed the
meeting and announced ‘
Up Spirits’.
Peter Lacey, Secretary, Membership Secretary & Treasurer.
4
- S/M Robin Smith said he tends to forget subs and likes to be reminded.
6.
Welfare Officers Report.
See above.
7.
Remembrance to members who have ‘Crossed the Bar’.
The meeting stood for a minutes’ silence for those referred to in the Welfare Officer’s Report.
8.
Treasurer’s Report.
- The Treasurer, S/M Dennis Patterson, expressed his sincere thanks for all the condolences he has received resulting from the loss of Ruth.
- North Air Ambulance Service sent us a letter thanking us for our donation from last year’s raffle.
- A letter of resignation has been received from Reg Schofield, who says he is now over 90 and can no longer travel. The Treasurer has sent him a letter and returned his subs.
- The Treasurer said we now have over £12,000 total funds and we need to look at how we manage this. The auditors have said in their report, we should look at the reserve account as its spending power has effectively gone down by 12%.
- S/M Vivienne Moor said we could use the reserve to give to charities, and suggested we match fund what is raised at the raffle. The meeting agreed this was a good idea.
- S/M Robin Smith asked what the reserve account was for. It was thought that this was a throwback to when current accounts earned no interest, and ‘savings accounts’ paid a good level of interest, which they no longer do. Hence the spending power going down.
- The Treasurer said we were going to use it for a memorial at the National Arboretum, but since the
British Legion have taken over the running of it, the initial and ongoing costs and the regulations
over them, have made it prohibitive. They want over a £1,000, non-refundable, just to look at the
plans for a memorial, and there is no guarantee they will be accepted.
- The Chairman said that if anyone had ideas of what to do with the reserve account to please let a committee member know.
- S/M Robin Smith asked why members are not attending the reunions.
- The Chairman said he managed to get it into the Navy News, but it did not go in until the April edition, which was too late for people to book to come!
- S/M Barbara Edmonson said, the SAGA Magazine will advertise reunions, and it was suggested we should look at this for the future.
- The Chairman said he had a conversation with HMS Collingwood, who did not know the Association existed! They also said so many other establishments have been integrated into HMS Collingwood, and they do not recognise that they are part of it and in any case there is not the same comradeship as they do not mess together any longer. This is also true of the ships companies.
- The Isle of Wight Tours representative, Gloria, said they have had six people enquire about the reunion who did not know the Association existed and they have pointed them in our direction.
9.
Archives Report.
The Archivist, S/M Ken Waugh, said he had boxes of ‘stuff’ in his roof which he did not know whatto do with! He had lots of data digitised. He has talked to people in HMS Collingwood and gets passed around but nobody wants it nor does the Naval Museum.
The Chairman said if anyone has any ideas what to do with the records in S/M Ken Waugh’s roof, please let him know.
10.
Website and Shipmate update.
- The Chairman said a member had complained that he had not had a Shipmate this year.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master, S/M Roger Birkett, apologised for not getting the latest
Shipmate out sooner, but he has had two laptops whose hard drives failed, and he is having to
recover the data, and hopes to be able to issue it shortly. He showed an example of the printed
version, which looked very good. He sends out to those who do not have access to the web.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master said, he is not sure how many people are looking at the web
site as he not hearing from anyone. He apologised for not getting on with Facebook, but does not
yet have the knowledge to do it.
- The Shipmate Editor and Web Master said he will produce a new e-mail address to enable direct contact.
- The Shipmate Editor pleaded with members to submit articles for inclusion, as he has had to resort
to writing about his own naval career to find something to put in it, and that’s just about run out
now! Runs ashore, places they went anything, please!
11.
Slops situation report.
- The Slops and Clothing Manager, S/M Peter Edmonson, said he had had no sales in the last year.
He brings things down to the AGM but nothing much is sold, and most of the sales have been
outside the Association as the stock is on the web site. The problem is, that people bought things
when they joined the Association and do not need any more.
- The Slops and Clothing Manager said the stock value he was holding is £1,648. He is running low on some items, but has the problem of minimum order values if he tries to replace them.
- S/M Ken Waugh suggested we put out a letter about a bargain sale of slops!
12.
New Constitution Review.
- The Chairman said he hoped everyone had been able to read the new Constitution, which had
been up on the website. He asked if anyone had any comments to make on it, but there were none
and the Constitution was accepted.
13.
Election of Committee Members.
- The Chairman said the Treasurer, S/M Dennis Patterson, is standing down, and added that he had
done the job beyond the bounds expected, and our very healthy financial status is due to him. He
thanked him on behalf of all members of the Association. and said we will miss him.
- S/M Dennis Patterson thanked the Association for their show of appreciation and said he has no
intention of leaving the Association.
-
The Chairman said S/M Peter Lacey had agreed to take on the role of Treasurer, as it would fit well
with the role of Membership Secretary. S/M Derek Moore proposed and S/M Roger Birkett
seconded, that S/M Peter Lacey be Treasurer and the meeting agreed.
- In Line with the Constitution he stood down as Chairman, and was asked if he was willing to stand
again, and he confirmed he was. S/M Roger Birkett proposed S/M Don Edwards as Chairman, this
was seconded by S/M Derek Moore and all agreed.
- Other members of the Committee who were due to stand down indicated their willingness to
continue in their roll, S/M Peter Lacey proposed they should all be voted in, this was seconded from
the floor and all were voted back into office.
14.
Future (2020 and after)
- S/M Derek Moore said he likes the fact that we have teamed up with the Shipmates Association
for our reunions.
- The Chairman tentatively suggested all reunions should be in Portsmouth, as that is what was
agreed last year, and he said that Easter Monday is on 12th April next year.
- S/M Robin Smith asked if we could do a mailshot to see what members wanted, and why they did not come.
- The Chairman said Isle of Wight Tours needed to know ASAP, as most reunions are being booked
up several years’ ahead. Gloria, the Isle of Wight Tour representative, said this hotel is very difficult
to book in April, and added that some people let Isle of Wight Tours know why they are unable to attend.
- The Association needs to establish a link with Isle of Wight Tours to obtain this information, to help us plan future reunions.
- S/M Derek Moore proposed we hold next year’s reunion here, this was seconded from the floor and all agreed.
- S/M Peter Edmonson said that local people could attend the Gala Dinner only. It was confirmed
this could be done. He went on to say it was disappointing that the numbers were so low, so
perhaps we need to do something different.
- It was suggested we book next year’s reunion for 23rd April.
Gloria, the Isle of Wight Tours representative said she would check with the office to see what could be done.
15.
Any Other Business
The Chairman said he had received requests from Help for Heros, RN Charity and SAFA for
donations, which could come from the raffle. Did anyone have a charity in mind?
- S/M Derek Moore said some of the raffle money would come from the ‘Shipmates’ and we should
consult them and make a decision at the raffle.
16.
Close of Meeting
The Chairman thanked all those present for attending, and for their input. He then closed the
meeting and announced ‘
Up Spirits’.
Peter Lacey, Secretary, Membership Secretary & Treasurer.
4
SECRETARY, MEMBERSBERSHIP SECRETARY and WELFARE OFFICERS
REPORT for 2019 AGM
Unfortunately I have had a problem with my computer which has upset my records. Also I have changed my
broadband provider and e-mail and have lost all my old e-mails about the Association, as a result I cannot give you
accurate numbers and dates.
Members who have ‘Crossed the Bar’
My Records show that six members have Crossed the Bar since the last AGM
Name List Date Ruth Patterson 18 20th October 2018
Mike Nicholson 10 April 2018
Peter Ridler 21 Not Known
Bill Evans 1 Not Known
Norman Burtenshaw 1 Not Known
Peter Ridler left the Association a legacy of £100 in his will, a letter of thanks has been sent to his wife.
Unfortunately, we are not hearing about illness of members, or that they have crossed the bar until after
the event. It is often the invitation to this weekend which triggers relatives to contact
New Members since last AGM Resignations since last AGM Lapsed/No Subs paid 0
0 0
Current Number of Members
We currently have 112 registered members.
Peter Lacey Secretary and Membership Secretary.
Vivienne Lacey Welfare Officer
4th April 2019.
