Committee Meeting 17th February 2025
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Monday 17th February 2025 at 7.30pm at OLHC
Present:
Christopher Tomkins, Bill Bennett, Malcolm Trowbridge, Roland Brown, Humphrey Wheeler, Gary Bridger, Keith Pye, Chris Plant, David McAdams, Andrew Gemmill, Stefan Sheriden & Paul Hough. Stephen Metcalfe also attended at the request of the Hon. Secretary
The President Chris Tomkins formally opened the meeting and welcomed those members present and wished them a belated Happy New Year
Silent Tribute
The Secretary informed members that regrettably the following members had passed away :Alan Kerr (1945), David Hooper (1967) Meredith Houston (Headmaster). Members were asked to stand for a few moments
A Memorial Service will be held on behalf of Meredith Houston on the 4th April 2025 (Which would have been his 95th birthday) At Forest Hall, High Beech Road, Loughton, IG10 4BL at 12 noon.
Apologies for Absence:-
Andrew Kaye, Michael Lane & Steve Crosby.
Correspondence Received:-
The Secretary had received an email from Roland Agambar , Son of Rodney Agambar who was not in good health requesting financial assistance, so the Secretary had put him in touch with The Almanor at The OL Lodge. Roger Whittle, residing in Canada informed the Secretary that David Keen (1959) had passed away at his home in British Columbia. Also Michael Norton (1954) a retired police officer had passed away in 2019.
An email had also been received from Jack Tranter (General Manager OLHC) asking if we wanted to hold our meeting in the Old School Room or the bar. The Secretary’s reply was the Old School Room, but we were surprised & disappointed to find that the room was now a full gymnasium.
It was agreed that the Secretary would email Jack, as we felt that we were slowly being squeezed out by the Hockey Club.
Minutes of the Last Committee Meeting:
The minutes of the last meeting held on 16th September 2024 had already been circularised.
The minutes were proposed by David McAdams & seconded by Stefan Sheriden and signed by the President
Matters Arising:-
There were no matters arising from the minutes
Social Events:.
It was suggested that we try to visit the Mansion House again with afternoon tea at the Royal Exchange in September 2025. Andrew Gemmill had suggested that we have a Spring event at his BARN at Wood Farm Moreton with a buffet lunch and incorporate this with displaying vintage & classic vehicles. The date was agreed for Saturday 10th May 2025.
Another possibility was to visit Nazeing Glassworks.
Clay Pigeon Shoot
The clay pigeon shoot will again take place at Essex Shooting Ground, Fyfield on Thursday 24th July 2025 & again afterwards at the Barn Wood Farm Moreton. Full details to follow.
Reunion Dinner :-
As it was the Centenary Dinner this year it was hoped to have at least 100 people attending so members would be asked to contact any Loughton School scholar, not necessarily a member of the association to boost the numbers,
The AGM & Reunion Dinner will take place on Friday 7th November 2025 at Chigwell Golf Club High Road Chigwell IG7 5BH
Billy Bennett undertook to make enquiries on behalf of the OLA
Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer reported that the Subs & donation were slightly up on last year & that the association would be making a donation to the British Heart Foundation on behalf of Meredith Houston. Also in the letter being sent out to conform the date of the Memorial Service for Mr Houston it should be pointed out to members that they could make the donation direct to the association or by themselves via Gift Aid
The Association was in a healthy position and the Treasurers report was proposed by Gary Bridger & seconded by Chris Plant
Membership Report
Due to the Membership Secretary’s absence, there was no report. The Treasurer advised the meeting that 1 member had now paid their subscription since the AGM .Keith Pye confirmed that he had been in touch with Chris Compton(a fellow classmate) who could well be joining the association.
Magazine:
In the absence of Tony Mullins, the Secretary confirmed that they already had articles from Keith Pye and Tony Sadler had written a sequel to his article of his time in Asia in the timber trade
It will also be taken up by a lot of space concerning Meredith Houston’s passing. So, all in all should be another interesting magazine.
Golf Society Events:-
A society meeting had been arranged at Chigwell Golf Club on Monday 12th May 2025.
Report on the Website:-
The Webmaster Stefan Sheriden reported that since the last meeting, the following had been added to the website : Obituaries for Stephen Ashby, Alan Rowett, David Hooper, Alan Kerr & Meredith Houston.
John Kilbey’s Golden Wedding Anniversary : 2024 Annual Dinner Photos : 2024 Wreath laying: September 2024 minutes
The President thanked Stefan for his continued hard work.
Hon. Archivist Report:
The Hon. Archivist Chris Plant reported that he had Order of services from the funerals for Alan Kerr & David Hooper who he handed to the Secretary. He also thanked Stefan Sheriden for trying to assist with some movie film he had of Mr. Houston. He also mentioned that the school closed because it had 300 pupils but not its own Games Fields. It was disputed that the school ever had 300 pupils
Any Other Business:
Stefan Sheriden said that he had 2 spare copies of CD’s from David Welford which were surplus to requirements.
There being no further business the President reminded members of the date of the next committee meeting 19th May 2025 and closed the meeting at 8:40pm; with a vote of thanks to the chair.
………………………………………………Signed by The President …………………………..
Committee Meetings for 2025 Monday 17th May 2025 and 15th September 2025 at 7:30pm at OLHC
This year AGM & Reunion Dinner will be held on Friday 7th November 2025 At Chigwell Golf Club
Website Address oldloughtonians.com
