Minutes from the Branch meeting in May 2007
1/ The meeting was opened by Terry Edge at 1930hrs.
2/ Major Hill then went on to say that since our last meeting that General Akehurst had died very suddenly on the 20 th February and asked if anybody wanted to attend the Memorial Service and that a bus would be going from Northampton and we needed to know if anyone wanted to go, so we could inform Northampton HQ.
3/ Major Hill had sent a letter to Lady Akehurst and had received a reply and read the reply to the Branch members.
4/ There was then a minutes silence for General Akehurst and any other fallen comrades.
5/ The following apologies where received from members: Steve Sellwood, Mr Marshall, Sam Bloye, Tom Dormer, Peter Wells, Pop Whitwell, Dennis Wright, Dave Allen.
6/ The minutes from the December meeting were Read and duly signed.
7/ Under matters arising it was asked what was happening over the dog night and Terry Edge explained that he was going to ask Dave Allen to take over the organisation of the dog night and the reason behind this was the fact the Terry was now employed outside of Peterborough. Terry felt that as David Allen had the most people attending maybe he could arrange the night.
8/ Richard Hill then asked the outcome of the discussion about the charitable donation at the AGM, the members felt that any distribution of Branch funds should go to the floor and be voted on, Richard then asked the members feelings and it was decided not to give any charitable donations in the future.
9/ Richard Hill then went on to ask the Branch members to consider the future of the Northamptonshire Regiment Associations, The President of the Northamptonshire Regiment Association did a short notice that he felt: “Under the Chairmanship of Major Tom Dormer and the Trustees with the backing of the Colonel of the Anglian Regiment they have been looking as to the future and to be realistic our days are numbered therefore a committee will be set up to examine as to what action should be taken”
The first thoughts were that centred on the 200 th Anniversary of the battle of Talavera in the end of July 2009 that the Northamptonshire Regiment Association will terminate and the responsibility will transfer to RHQ Royal Anglian Regiment Association there are already three branches, which will provide the nucleus for the future, funds will be rationalised at the end of July this year.
What we need to consider as a Northamptonshire Branch is whether we follow on with that suggestion and close up the Branch and we have been going for 50 plus years and have a Branch Standard which if we were going to deposit it somewhere it would be nice to do so while we are still fit and able.
10/ A discussion amongst the floor and the officers ensued and it was made clear that it was the Benevolent fund that was being transferred and not the branch funds. It was felt that while a member of the Northamptonshire Regiment was still there to Remember then the Standard should not be laid up at this time.
11/ It was suggested that it may be a good idea to contact the Cathedral to see what we need to do as to laying up the Standard in the future.
12/ In summary it was decided by the members to keep both the Branch and the Standard going and this needs to be put to Northampton.
13/ The members were informed the opening times of the Northampton Museum and it was asked if any members would like to have a trip to the Museum.
14/ Terry then informed the members that we had a letter from the Royal British Legion saying they were Celebrating the 80 th Anniversary of the women's Section on the 10 th June and they had asked for the Standards to attend.
15/ Terry then asked if anybody wanted to go to the Regimental Dinner at Northampton.
16/ Terry then went on to inform members that the Pig Roast had been brought forward this year to 24 th June and is priced at £13.50 per head.
17/ The members were informed that Duxford was on the 2 nd September.
18/The members were informed the Service in the Park is on the 12th August 2007 at 1430hrs.
19/ Lesley then went on to say that Jess Mathews had been on the local TV and had been scammed. (on contact Jess we found out this had happened about two years previous not as reported by the TV company)
20/ Noel then asked members to dig deep in their pockets to support the raffle.
Next Branch meeting is on Thursday 6 th September
Meeting closed at 2045hrs.