Committee Meeting 16 September 2024

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on Monday 16th September 2024 at OLHC at 7.30 pm.

The President

Gary Bridger formally opened the meeting and welcomed Paul Hough to the meeting.

Present

Gary Bridger (President) Chris Tomkins (Vice President) Michael Lane, Humphrey Wheeler, Malcolm Trowbridge, Keith Pye, Chris Plant & Stefan Sheriden,
Silent Tribute:. The Secretary informed the meeting of the death of John Hart (1957)

The President then asked members to stand for a moments silence.

Apologies

Andrew Gemmill, Andrew Kaye, David McAdams, Roland Brown, Peter Kerr, Tony Mullins & Bill Bennett

Correspondence

The Secretary outlined to the meeting that he had had a meeting with Anita (the office manager) and that he had been introduced to Jack (who had taken over from John Wright, who was now concentrating on coaching). As we adjourned to The Old School Room Jack inquired if we would have any objection to having a rubber floor instead of the carpet. He then informed me that the old office room was now empty and would we consider moving to this new room. The Secretary informed Jack that we had a committee meeting on Monday 16th September & would refer back after our meeting.
At the meeting it was unanimously decided that the “office room” was too small for our needs & and at the same time would have no objection to there being a rubber floor covering in The Old School Room. The rubber floor made it easier for letting purposes for Yoga and Pilates

Minutes of last meeting

Minutes of last meeting held on 20th May 2024. These had been circularised prior to the meeting

Matters Arising

The minutes were proposed by Chris Plant and seconded by Michael Lane and signed by the President. There being no matters arising.

Social Events

The Secretary stated that the proposed trip to The Mansion House followed by afternoon tea at The Royal Exchange had been cancelled as only 10 people had applied to join the trip!

After the CPShoot when we adjourned to Andrew & Margaret Gemmill’s barn there was a suggestion that we could hold a spring event with a buffet in their barn.

Clay Pigeon Shoot

Twenty-three Shooters 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 26th July 2025 at the Essex Shooting Ground at High Ongar followed by buffet lunch at The Barn Moreton as in July 2024

Reunion Dinner

The Secretary reported that plans for the dinner were well in hand, the President elect had chosen the menu. The cost this year would be £45 per head, with wine served to the tables but with discretion this year! After some discussion it was agreed to propose William Bennett (1964) for the position of Vice President for the ensuing year. The Secretary was asked to advise Natalie Avvoltoio that her nomination has been withdrawn.

Treasurer’s Report

Humphrey Wheeler, The Treasurer had submitted a draft set of accounts for the year 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024. The draft accounts would now go to Gary Bridger for auditing. Subscription were down but many members paid with the dinner application. The Association however was in a healthy position financially. A Reminder would be sent out to those members who had not paid their subscription (some for many years)

Membership Report

The Secretary reported that this matter had been discussed in The Treasurer’s report & Magazine report.

Magazine

Tony Mullins had given his apologies for the meeting but had sent the following report:-

This year’s magazine has a record number of stories in it, and which should of included Keith’s WW11 article on Douglas Catlin, plus a profile on Bill Geller(1942). This came about because I had asked Howard Massey (1951) for his life story as he had emigrated to Australia in the early 1970’s. However, he suggested that his brother-in-law, Bill Geller, was, in his words ‘much more interesting’ as he was a Fellow of the RSA & a very fine water colourist.
I remember meeting Bill at a reunion dinner about eight or nine year’s ago, and was delighted when he agreed to do it, but what I didn’t realise was that he was now 93!
Sadly, he died just before Christmas 2023, and so my focus switched back to Howard, by this time it was to ask him for his help in getting Bill’s obit together, & what an astonishing revelation that was.
Shortly, after Bill’s death Howard then came up trumps with his own story, the perfect intro to Bill’s obit, but which took up a few extra pages.
At about this time Malcolm also produced a couple of current stories to include, so we found ourselves with more material than we actually had space for.
So my apologies to Keith for having to hold over Mr Catlin, but as he pointed out Stefan had already uploaded it with his other articles on the website.

Golf Days

A golf match had been booked for Monday 12th May 2025 at Chigwell Golf Club.

AGM & Reunion Dinner

This will take place on Friday 8th November 2024 at OLHC as usual preceded by the AGM. The agendas & minutes were handed out to members at the meeting. The Vice President, Chris Tomkins (1967) would be taking office as President and Bill Bennett (1964) had agreed to become Vice President for the forthcoming year!

Website

Stefan Sheriden reported that since the last committee meeting, the website has been updated as follows:
– Activity reports- Clay Pigeon Shoot, Thames Cruise * The Territorials at Pozieres 23 July 1961
– Michael Alldis’s BLADDER operation * David Welford on turning 80 * John Hart obituary
– 2025 Dinner & Committee Meetings added to calendar * 20th May 2024 minutes added.
Stefan also reported that additional material was always welcome.
The President thanked Stefan for his sterling work with the Website.

Report from Hon. Archivist

Chris Plant reported that he had received a photo of the 1940 school photo that showed
Mr Howard Guy Harrington & this would be framed and hung in The School Room. The RAF cadet Chris Shaw, tragically killed in a motor cycle accident had donated his organs to recipients. Chris also passed round photo’s of HMS Hawke and reported that LBC has run a feature on their radio station to say the ship had been found and was in remarkable condition for it’s age.

Any Other Business

Keith Pye invited members to the remembrance parade at Loughton RBL on Sunday 10th November November 2024 and afterwards at the legion in Loughton. Where at the parade Chris Tompkins will lay a wreath on behalf of the OLA.

Vote of Thanks

The President was thanked for chairing the meeting which closed at 9:00 pm

………….……………………………….. Signed by the President Date………………..

Dates for 2025

Monday 17th February, 19th May & 15th September 2025
AGM & Reunion Dinner Friday7th November 2025