Committee Meeting 15th September 2025
Minutes of the Committee meeting held on Monday 15th September 2025 at OLHC at 7.30 pm.
Before the meeting officially opened the Secretary reported that he had attended the club on Friday and was again disappointed to see yet more gym equipment in the room. He had spoken to the new general manager Jack Tranter & asked if the room was being use between Friday & Monday evening, which it was not, so the tables were laid out for our meeting. The Gm suggested that we could use the “coffee shop” room ie The Len Bone room for our meetings which we inspected after the meeting closed.
We also looked at the original room offered to us for meeting, but it was too small for our meetings & certainly not large enough for the AGM. This room would have been suitable to move our display cupboards & boards into, but for little else. We also inspected a changing room, again not suitable
It was decided that more discussions needed to take place before advising all members of any proposed changes.
The President
Chris Tomkins formally opened the meeting.
Present:
Chris Tomkins (President) Bill Bennett (Vice President) Michael Lane, Humphrey Wheeler, Malcolm Trowbridge, Keith Pye, Chris Plant, Stefan Sheriden, Roland Brown, Chris Plant,
Andrew Gemmill, Paul Hough Gary Bridger & David McAdams
Silent Tribute: The Secretary informed the meeting of the death of Ian Gowing (1951) & that Stephanie Kaye (Andrew Kaye’s wife) Had sadly passed away & her funeral was attended by Chris Tomkins, Chris Plant & Malcolm Trowbridge.
The President then asked members to stand for a moments silence.
Apologies:
Andrew Kaye & unfortunately we were unable to link up via Zoom with Tony Mullins
Correspondence: –
The Secretary reported that he & Chris Tomkins had attended the OLHC A.G.M. on Sunday the 24th July 2025. There was no agenda or minutes from the last meeting, just a Report from the Chair as well as a Report for the Financial Period Ending 30th April 2025.
The club had grand plans as two new pitches were to be laid, paddle tennis was to be introduced, indoor 5 aside football, a practice area, new terracing, upgrading the entrance area, installing solar panels, electric car charging points as well as facilities for the disabled.
The Secretary checked that the £5,000 loan to the OLHC was recorded in the Financial Statement.
Minutes of last meeting:
Minutes of last meeting held on 19th May 2025
These had been circularised prior to the meeting
Matters Arising:
Stefan Sheriden had already pointed out that in one occasion his name had been mis-spelt & that on future dates it should have read 2025 not 2024. Andrew Gemmill had not been recorded as present.
The minutes were proposed by Bill Bennett and seconded by Paul Hough and signed by the President.
Social Events:
The Secretary informed members that a tour of the Mansion House with afternoon tea at the Royal Exchange had been arranged for Tuesday 4th November 2025, full details to follow.
It was also hoped to resurrect the Summer Gala at The Barn in Moreton, kind permission of The Gemmill Family. This is due to take place on Saturday 16th May 2026
Clay Pigeon Shoot:
Twenty-two Shooters (we are pleased to report that we had some new faces this year,) attended the CPS on Thursday 27th June at the Essex Shooting Ground, High Ongar to compete in the annual clay pigeon shoot. The Treasurer reported that a small profit had been made this time. After the shoot we adjourned to The Barn at Moreton (kind permission of Mr. & Mrs Gemmill) for a fine buffet luncheon & prize giving
A provisional date had been made for 25th June 2026 at the Essex Shooting Ground at High Ongar followed by buffet lunch at The Barn Moreton as in July 2025
Reunion Dinner:
Bill Bennett & Malcolm Trowbridge reported that they had been to the Golf Club and discussed the arrangements & chosen a menu, discussed wines & costs plans for the dinner. The cost this year would be £45 per head, with wine served to the tables but if diners required more wine that would have to be paid for.
Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer Humphrey Wheeler, reported that membership was £775, which was normal for this time of year but would recover with applications for the dinner. The Clay Pigeon Shoot made a small surplus of £11:79. Bank charges were £10:00 & money in hand was £8,000:00. There were no questions for the Treasurer.
The report was proposed by David McAdams & seconded by Roland Brown.
Membership Report:
The Secretary reported that this matter had been discussed in The Treasurer’s report.
Magazine:
Tony Mullins was not at the meeting & we were unable to link up with him via the zoom link.
The magazines & enclosures were hand round to those attending at the committee, it was agreed that it was again a superb magazine & Tony was to be congratulated on its production & design.
Golf Days:
A golf match had been booked for Monday 11th May 2026 at Chigwell Golf Club.
AGM & Reunion Dinner:
This will take place on Friday 7th November 2025 at Chigwell Golf Club preceded by the AGM. The agendas & minutes were handed out to members at the meeting. The Vice President, Bill Bennett (1964) would be taking office as President and Paul Hough (1961) had agreed to become Vice President for the forthcoming year!
Gary Bridger then pointed out that we would need to propose a Vice President
Website:
Stefan Sheriden reported that since the last committee meeting, the website has been updated as follows:
Details of the 2005 Clay Pigeon Shoot – Jonathan Turner (stage name John Benfield) added to Old Loughtonians page – Sidney Herbert & Lesley Stuart Liddle added to Lost in Battle page.
19th May Committee Meeting minutes – 2026 Meetings & AGM/Dinner dates.
Stefan reported that he had lunch with Richard Oakman on 21st August (his birthday) & he handed over a large amount of material for the possible inclusion on the website.
Stefan also reported that additional material was always welcome.
- Articles about Old Loughtonians lst in WWW1 which I scanned & emailed to compare with information already on the “Lost in Battle” website page
- 64 issues of “The Loughtonian” magazine covering the period 1961-1990.
When Stefan has time, he will attempt to start scanning these & load the PDFs onto the website.
The President thanked Stefan for his sterling work with the Website.
Report from the Hon. Archivist
The Secretary confirmed that the 1940 photo of the pupils had now been framed & hung, the Presidents board had been bought up to date. The Hon. Archivist was handed a Loughtonian Magazine from 1898 sent from Ian Gowing.
Chris Plant reported that Richard Higgins had stepped down as President of OLHC & a photo of him now hung in the Clubhouse. At the same time Philip Wheater, the Chairman had stepped down & Simon Beckley had been appointed Chairman. Chris also presented a book to the Secretary, which was to be passed on to Sheila Trowbridge, with Chris’s compliments.
The wreaths had been ordered for the dinner & service of remembrance
Any Other Business:
Keith Pye invited members to the remembrance parade at Loughton RBL on Sunday
9th November 2025 and afterwards at the legion in Loughton. Where at the parade Bill Bennett had been invited to lay the wreath on behalf of OLA.
Vote of Thanks:
The President was thanked for chairing the meeting which closed at 8:55 pm
………….……………………………….. Signed by the President Date………………..
Dates for 2026:
Monday 16th February, 18th May & 21st September 2026
AGM & Reunion Dinner Friday 6th November 2026
