Committee Meeting 19th May 2025
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Monday 19th May 2025 at 7.30pm at OLHC
Present:
Christopher Tomkins, Bill Bennett, Gary Bridger Malcolm Trowbridge, Humphrey Wheeler Michael Lane, Keith Pye, Christopher Plant, David McAdams, Stefan Sheriden.
The President Chris Tomkins formally opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting
Silent Tribute
The Secretary informed members that regrettably the following member had passed away
Graham Gowing (1951) on the 30th March 2025 & his funeral took place at Greenacres in Epping Forest on 25th April 2025 following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s
Members were asked to stand for a few moments
To report on the Memorial Service for the late Meredith Houston
This service took place on Friday 4th April 2025 (which would have been his 95th birthday) at Forest Hall High Beech Road Loughton. In excess of 50 OL’s attended, many being new faces to the Secretary, the service was conducted by Paster Roland Brown (1955) & afterwards we enjoyed a fine buffet, wine & tea & coffee, our thanks to Roland Brown for organizing the event & all his hard work prior to the service. Full details can be found on the website & in the magazine
Apologies for Absence:-
Stephen Crosby, Peter Kerr, Paul Hough, Andrew Kaye, Natalie Avvoltoio & Roland Brown & therefore we were unable to connect with Tony Mullins.
Correspondence Received:-
The Secretary had a phone call from Ian Gowing (1953) to inform the Association about his brother & also to advise Malcolm that he was in possession of an old magazine which he would send to the Secretary. He was also looking for an article he wrote in 1959. It was reported that this article was available on the website.
Minutes of the Last Committee Meeting:
The minutes of the last meeting held on 17th February 2025 had already been circularised.The minutes were proposed by Keith Park & seconded by Stefan Sheriden 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 to be cancelled due to the lack of interest. Which was disappointing as with a static location and a show of classic cars it would have been better attended.
To discuss outings for the OLA Centenary 2025/2026
It was suggested that we should try a trip to the Mansion House with afternoon tea at the Royal Exchange in 2026. Which would be investigated.
AGM & Reunion Dinner Friday 7th November 2025
As agreed, the dinner will take place at Chigwell Golf Club & Bill Bennett said he had spoken to the club & it was suggested that about a month before the event would be ample time to finalise the arrangements. The AGM will take place at 6:30 pm in the spike bar & the dinner will commence at 7:30 pm in the main lounge. As it was the centenary year it was hoped to have at least 100 members & ex pupils attending.
Clay Pigeon Shoot
This year’s CPS will take place on Thursday 24th July 2025 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 had increased from last year interest from the bank was £91:01 & the bank balance stood at £8,350:00. The Association was in a healthy position and the Treasurer reported there was little to add to his report.
The report was prosed by Bill Bennett & seconded by Michael Lane
Membership Report
The Secretary reported that Keith Pye’s classmate Chris Compton had joined the membership & that Ian Gowing had renewed his membership. At MJKH’s service Jane Kirby (sister of John Kirby) had joined the association & that Catherine Laker (nee Baumber) had re-joined the membership
Magazine:
In Tony Mullins absence, the Secretary showed members the proposed cover for the centenary magazine which was unanimously agreed upon. Bill Bennett suggested that the new cover could be used as table numbers, having been laminated. There was sufficient copy for another 36-page edition.
Report on the Golf Day Monday 12th May 2025
Bill Bennett reported that 13 OL’s & guests had played at Chigwell Golf Club on Monday 12th May 2025 with perfect weather & the course in excellent conditions. Again, it had been won by Michael Nicholson (1955) with 31 points & the guest winner was Nick McDermott with 35 points. Nearest the pin was won by Paul Hough (1961) & the longest drive won by Derek Jolly.
A full report can be found in the next Magazine. 16 attended for the late lunch followed by the prizegiving and it was a unique occasion to have both the President & the Vice President attending.
Report on the Website:-
The Webmaster Stefan Sheriden reported as follows: –
Since our last meeting, following added to website
- Notice of Meredith Houston memorial service
- Summer Lunch
- July 1973 & February 1975 Loughtonians added (thanks to John Kilby)
- Clay Pigeon Shoot 2025
- Meredith Houston obituary update
- 17 February Minutes.
Hon. Archivist Report:
The Hon. Archivist Chris Plant reported he had found an article from an old magazine by Andrew Kaye (1953) which he read to the meeting. He also mentioned that when he was on duty in Loughton High Road to help save the large horse chestnut tree outside Forest Hall, he happened to see Mr & Mrs Houston walking along with a very young daughter, Fiona & asked them to sign the petition, which they duly did. He went on remark that the tree was still in place outside Forest Hall for his memorial service.
Any Other Business:
The Secretary suggested that in view of us wanting to publicise the reunion dinner earlier than normal, we ought to consider a Vice President for the 2025/2026 year. It was unanimously agreed that Paul Hough should be nominated.
There being no further business the President reminded members of the date of the next committee meeting 15th September 2025 and closed the meeting at 8:35 pm; with a vote of thanks to the chair.
………………………………………………Signed by The President …………………………..
Committee Meetings for 2025 15th September 2025 at 7:30pm at OLHC
This year AGM & Reunion Dinner will be held on Friday 7th November 2025
Website Address oldloughtonians.com
