Post by aghart on Mar 5, 2022 15:58:36 GMT
13 members present and two visitors, it was great to welcome Rick Baylis (ex 1 RTR) and his wife Thelma who travelled from near Bristol to attend a branch meeting. So 15 in the venue with another 15 people linked in by Zoom.
Minutes of the February meeting were passed. Members were informed that a group of us would be visiting Pete Dore in Weymouth for lunch on 9th March. Pete at 95 is our oldest member and is now getting very frail. Final call was made for the RTRA church service and curry lunch. The committee has requested authority to be able to spend up to £200 for the benefit of the branch without having to get a vote at branch meetings. A good discussion was had and the reason for the request was that if we had to get a vote every time we wanted to spend any money? Nothing would ever get done. It was emphasised that normally the amounts would be quite small, but items such as camera's and microphones for Zoom meeting's can be obtained at a discount but the deals can be missed if we had to wait for a vote. The motion was passed.
Final call for names for the trip to Slapton Sands in April. This year we are going a day early to be able to lay a wreath at the grave of Tpr Brett Hall 2 RTR, in Dartmouth. Brett died in 2009 of injuries received in action in Afghanistan. A request was made for branch funds to cover the cost of the Mini Bus with individuals paying for their own overnight accommodation. This motion was passed.
Details of the Founders Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea were given Members were informed that an e-mail regarding the visit to the Tower of London on 2nd August would be sent in due course. An update on planning for Cambrai 105 was given. The main points for the branch is that we have identified a suitable hotel in Cambrai and the aim is to get it booked asp, so members were asked to make a choice about attending the event, and confirm their willingness or not to share a twin room. Those who insist on a room to themselves need to understand that this could mean paying the full price for a twin room for single person use (limited single rooms).
A reminder was made for those who have not yet paid their 2022 subscriptions to "open their wallets".
The guest speakers were then introduced, WO1 Jason Bain KRH, GSM Bovington Garrison & WO1 Shaun Woodward RTR, the senior WO covering trade training at the Armour Centre. The RSMI's of the various training teams report to him. There are over 20 WO1's at the Armour Centre so the GSM is the senior WO1.
A very interesting update on training and the reasons for many changes were given. Cold War Gunnery Instructors in particular would think they were on a different planet if they were to sit in on a lesson today. Changes in Physical fitness training were explained, the large numbers of long term in juries sustained previously were a major concern. Both were at pains to emphasise that standards were not dropping, simply that things were being done differently. Lots of questions and answers followed meaning the presentation went on much longer than usual, "always a good sign" This was very successful branch meeting.
Minutes of the February meeting were passed. Members were informed that a group of us would be visiting Pete Dore in Weymouth for lunch on 9th March. Pete at 95 is our oldest member and is now getting very frail. Final call was made for the RTRA church service and curry lunch. The committee has requested authority to be able to spend up to £200 for the benefit of the branch without having to get a vote at branch meetings. A good discussion was had and the reason for the request was that if we had to get a vote every time we wanted to spend any money? Nothing would ever get done. It was emphasised that normally the amounts would be quite small, but items such as camera's and microphones for Zoom meeting's can be obtained at a discount but the deals can be missed if we had to wait for a vote. The motion was passed.
Final call for names for the trip to Slapton Sands in April. This year we are going a day early to be able to lay a wreath at the grave of Tpr Brett Hall 2 RTR, in Dartmouth. Brett died in 2009 of injuries received in action in Afghanistan. A request was made for branch funds to cover the cost of the Mini Bus with individuals paying for their own overnight accommodation. This motion was passed.
Details of the Founders Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea were given Members were informed that an e-mail regarding the visit to the Tower of London on 2nd August would be sent in due course. An update on planning for Cambrai 105 was given. The main points for the branch is that we have identified a suitable hotel in Cambrai and the aim is to get it booked asp, so members were asked to make a choice about attending the event, and confirm their willingness or not to share a twin room. Those who insist on a room to themselves need to understand that this could mean paying the full price for a twin room for single person use (limited single rooms).
A reminder was made for those who have not yet paid their 2022 subscriptions to "open their wallets".
The guest speakers were then introduced, WO1 Jason Bain KRH, GSM Bovington Garrison & WO1 Shaun Woodward RTR, the senior WO covering trade training at the Armour Centre. The RSMI's of the various training teams report to him. There are over 20 WO1's at the Armour Centre so the GSM is the senior WO1.
A very interesting update on training and the reasons for many changes were given. Cold War Gunnery Instructors in particular would think they were on a different planet if they were to sit in on a lesson today. Changes in Physical fitness training were explained, the large numbers of long term in juries sustained previously were a major concern. Both were at pains to emphasise that standards were not dropping, simply that things were being done differently. Lots of questions and answers followed meaning the presentation went on much longer than usual, "always a good sign" This was very successful branch meeting.