Committee Meeting 18th May 2026
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Monday 18th May 2026 at 7.30pm at Forest Hall Loughton
Present:
Bill Bennett, Paul Hough Gary Bridger Malcolm Trowbridge, Chris Tomkins, Humphrey Wheeler Michael Lane, Keith Pye, Christopher Plant, David McAdams, Stefan Sheridan, Gary Bridger, Andrew Kaye & Tony Mullins via Zoom (but no sound)
The meeting due to be held in The Old School Room had to be abandoned due to the room be unprepared. So was adjourned to Forest Hall High Beech Road, Loughton.
The President Bill Bennett formally opened the meeting and welcomed everyone present.
Silent Tribute
The Secretary informed members that regrettably Eleanor Houston had passed away on Friday 10th April 2026, after a long battle with ill health. Members stood for a moments silence.
Her obituary would be recorded in the magazine as well as at the dinner
Apologies for Absence:-
Stephen Crosby, Andrew Gemmill
Correspondence Received:-
The committee discussed at some length the letter from the Chairman of the OLHC as well as the fact that we had io move venue’s & really decided that “this was the thin end of the wedge” & we should make plans to move out of the hockey club. Our meeting could be held at Forest Hall by kind permission of Roland Brown. The dinner was already booked at Chigwell Golf Club for 2026 and possibly for the future. We would, however, need to make better arrangements for the AGM as it was agreed last year it lost it imputes. It remained for us as to how to word any future correspondence to the HC & what to do about our notice boards & belongings at the HC.
Michael Judd had expressed an interest in becoming President in the future but the committee were of the opinion that as he lived in Devon, it made it geographically unpracticable.
Minutes of the Last Committee Meeting:
The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 16th February 2026 had already been circularised.
The Secretary pointed out that the date for the golf match should read 11th May & not the 18th May,
The minutes were proposed by David McAdams & seconded by Roland Brown and signed by the President
Matters Arising: –
There were no matters arising from the minutes
Social Events:.
The Secretary reported that the Spring/Summer Buffet had been held on Sunday 10th May 2026 at The Barn Moreton by kind permission of Andrew & Maggie Gemmill. A total of about 50 people attended & enjoyed a fine Mediterranean Buffet washed down with wine, beer & soft drinks.
The weather was cold, but no rain but this rather detracted to viewing the classic cars. However, it was the general sense of opinion that the event was a success.
Report on the golf day 11th May 2026
The annual golf day took place on Monday 11th May 2026 at Chigwell Golf Club were 18 members & guests took part. Again, the weather was not kind with acold wind blowing & rain at midday for a hour or so. The event was won for the third consecutive year by Michael Nicholson & the runner up being our President Bill Bennett. The date for next year is the Monday 10th May 2027.
For our next outing it was hoped to visit St. Pauls Cathedral followed by afternoon tea. All to be arranged.
AGM & Reunion Dinner Friday 7th November 2025
As agreed, the dinner will take place at Chigwell Golf Club on Friday 6th November 2026
Clay Pigeon Shoot
This year’s CPS will take place on Thursday 18th June 2026 at ESSEX SHOOTING Ground at Fyfield commencing at 11:00 am promptly followed by a buffet lunch at Wood Farm Moreton (by kind permission of the Gemmill family) The cost this year is £65:00 per head inclusive. It had been agreed that for novices’ supervision/instruction will be provided as well as guns, safely equipment & cartridges.
Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer reported that the subs & donations were £2,053:00. Bank charges were £16:00 but would no longer be charged unless people pay in cheques into the account at a cost. The sale of the cups to members as well as the one’s going for scrap had raised £10,300:00. The golf made a surplus of ££114,45 mainly due to Bill Bennett being able to sign players as a member of CGC. We were still awaiting final figures for the buffet. The Treasurer was thanked for his hard work.
The report was prosed by Bill Bennett & seconded by Keith Pye
Item 8(a) Distribution of cup monies.
A long discussion took place with various suggestions being discussed but no final arrangements were made.
Membership Report
The Secretary & Treasurer reported that there had been no new members.
Magazine:
As Tony Mullins was unable to connect to the sound, he had left the zoom connection. The Secretary informed the meeting that the magazine was well in hand.
Report on the Website:-
The Webmaster Stefan Sheriden reported as follows: –
Since our last meeting, following added to website
-Vintage Calculator
-Golf Day 2026
-Golf Day 2027
-School Magazines Dec 1961- Jul 1966
(Still Dec 1966-jul 1990 in the pile to be scanned)
-Lost in Battle
* Walter Hundley
* Stanley Ernest Gould
* Roy Ernest Gould
The President thanked Stefan for his continued dedication
Hon. Archivist Report:
The Hon. Archivist Chris Plant reported he had found his Mallards “quacking implement”. He also reported that a song recorded many years ago, had just been made into a hit. However, Graham Reynolds had also record this but had missed the boat unfortunately not making the hit parade.
He then passed round pictures of old Dinners in London. He had also attended a Lunch at the Masonic Hall (next door to Forest Hall) which served excellent food & could possibly use as an alternative venue for our Dinner.
Any Other Business:
The Secretary reported that he had been asked to enquire about Blazers in our association colours & had received a quotation, by the cost of £300-£400 each made it prohibitive.
There being no further business the President reminded members of the date of the next committee meeting 21st September 2026 & would be at Forest Hall Loughton and closed the meeting at 9:00 pm with a vote of thanks to the chair.
………………………………………………Signed by The President …………………………..
This year AGM & Reunion Dinner will be held on Friday 6th November 2026 at CGC
Website Address oldloughtonians.com
