Post by aghart on Mar 4, 2020 20:49:49 GMT
20 people were present for the March 2020 meeting, this included two new members. Last month we had the best ever attendance at a February meeting, this month was our best ever March attendance, Am I pushing my luck hoping for a hat trick in April?
The normal mandatory bits and pieces were dealt with first, then onto the meeting proper. Members were reminded of the timings for the RTR sponsored Church Service & Curry Lunch on 15th March. The Chairman who is now on the HHQ Arras 80 planning team gave an update on the event. It was decided to look at getting a Mini Bus for the trip to Slapton Sands in April. We are also looking at going to Devon the day before, staying overnight in Hotel accommodation and then proceeding to Dartmouth and then Slapton Sands. This will depend on numbers looking to go.
The branch then discussed a problem that has arisen. There are two VE Day events on 8th May 2020, one in Bournemouth, the other in Poole. Timings mean that people will only be able to attend one. Poole, is an official VE Day event, organised by the council and includes a march by Veterans down the High Sreet and ending on Poole Quay. The other is a private event being championed by the landlady of a Public House in Westbourne, who did so much for Veterans on Remembrance Sunday. She wants it to be a success so that it can become an annual event. The branch is keen to support her because if it is repeated on an annual basis there won't be a clash with Poole until VE Day 80. We also however, do not really want to be missing at the official event. We put off a decision until April, to see if we can get the timings for the Bournemouth (Westbourne) event changed thus allowing full branch attendance at both. If we can't, It is likely that we will split into two sections and have a smaller than planned group at each event.
It was decided that the departure date for our trip to Ypres in 2021 would be Sat 5th June. We are as yet undecided as to whether it will be a 3 or 4 night stay. The desired itinerary and of course "cost" will be the deciding factors. We also confirmed the date of next years Ladies Lunch, Sunday 17th January. Chris Lock, one of our members, is also a volunteer Coast Watch official and has invited the branch to visit the Coast Watch Station on Portland where he is based. We will confirm the date at the April meeting. The Secretary confirmed he will be absent from the July meeting due to a holiday.
We were unable to present our hoped for Guest Speaker who is likely to pencilled in at a later date. So, in our moment of need our very own Carl Litherland-Payne stepped up to the mark. Carl who is working for the Armour Centre in a civilian capacity gave the branch a most interesting talk on the near future plans that will affect the RAC. Now normally I would repeat (in abridged form) what was said. This time though, some of what was said is still sensitive information and some of it not yet confirmed, so sorry folks, my lips are sealed.
I also won three prizes on the raffle, but I gave my "Corona" beer pack away to Dave Roberts who must be the most unlucky person in the branch when it comes to the raffle. All he has ever won is I think, a box of biscuits!
A really good Branch meeting.
The normal mandatory bits and pieces were dealt with first, then onto the meeting proper. Members were reminded of the timings for the RTR sponsored Church Service & Curry Lunch on 15th March. The Chairman who is now on the HHQ Arras 80 planning team gave an update on the event. It was decided to look at getting a Mini Bus for the trip to Slapton Sands in April. We are also looking at going to Devon the day before, staying overnight in Hotel accommodation and then proceeding to Dartmouth and then Slapton Sands. This will depend on numbers looking to go.
The branch then discussed a problem that has arisen. There are two VE Day events on 8th May 2020, one in Bournemouth, the other in Poole. Timings mean that people will only be able to attend one. Poole, is an official VE Day event, organised by the council and includes a march by Veterans down the High Sreet and ending on Poole Quay. The other is a private event being championed by the landlady of a Public House in Westbourne, who did so much for Veterans on Remembrance Sunday. She wants it to be a success so that it can become an annual event. The branch is keen to support her because if it is repeated on an annual basis there won't be a clash with Poole until VE Day 80. We also however, do not really want to be missing at the official event. We put off a decision until April, to see if we can get the timings for the Bournemouth (Westbourne) event changed thus allowing full branch attendance at both. If we can't, It is likely that we will split into two sections and have a smaller than planned group at each event.
It was decided that the departure date for our trip to Ypres in 2021 would be Sat 5th June. We are as yet undecided as to whether it will be a 3 or 4 night stay. The desired itinerary and of course "cost" will be the deciding factors. We also confirmed the date of next years Ladies Lunch, Sunday 17th January. Chris Lock, one of our members, is also a volunteer Coast Watch official and has invited the branch to visit the Coast Watch Station on Portland where he is based. We will confirm the date at the April meeting. The Secretary confirmed he will be absent from the July meeting due to a holiday.
We were unable to present our hoped for Guest Speaker who is likely to pencilled in at a later date. So, in our moment of need our very own Carl Litherland-Payne stepped up to the mark. Carl who is working for the Armour Centre in a civilian capacity gave the branch a most interesting talk on the near future plans that will affect the RAC. Now normally I would repeat (in abridged form) what was said. This time though, some of what was said is still sensitive information and some of it not yet confirmed, so sorry folks, my lips are sealed.
I also won three prizes on the raffle, but I gave my "Corona" beer pack away to Dave Roberts who must be the most unlucky person in the branch when it comes to the raffle. All he has ever won is I think, a box of biscuits!
A really good Branch meeting.