MINUTES of the HMS BULWARK, ALBION & CENTAUR ASSOCIATION
Held on Saturday 7th May in Brocks Bar, Royal Sailors Home Club
Those present
Vice-Admiral Sir Patrick Symon - President
Mike Noonan - Chairman/Editor
John Truscott - Secretary
Robbie Cowan - Treasurer
Leigh Easton - Membership Sec.
Jackie Truscott (Assoc) - Record Keeper
John Finlay Committee Member
Denis Askham - Area Rep Co-ordinator(tbc)
Bob Styants - Midlands Area Rep
Alan Yeomans - Kent & E Sussex Area Rep
Neil Pearson/Harry Roddis - Yorkshire Area Reps
With 36 members and guests attending.
Apologies received:
Capt Winstanley (HMS Albion) - Vice President
Capt Stanford (HMS Bulwark) - Vice President
Les Hutchins (1791) - Hertfordshire Area Rep Peter Ames (649) Ron Tigwell (1644) Danny Siggers (1927)
Duncan Fogg (1977) Grant Ness (1316) Ron Bird (1667)
John Hine (1879) Stuart Syrad (1971) Geoff Gooding (579)
Aiden Cowan (1976) Vic Wells (101) Ned Parkinson (7)
Jim & Gill Payne (1113, 1694) Bill & Sylvia Martin (1501,1511)
The meeting was opened at 12:16hrs, with the following items under discussion:
Chairman’s Welcome
Mike Noonan welcomed the President, Committee, members and guests present, including Mark Minnall from HMS Albion. MN stated that the Association is in good shape.
A special mention was given to Mike Bridges who over the past few years had been a font of ideas with the energy to match, and no challenge too much.
MN thanked the area reps for the good work they are doing around the country and Leigh Easton for the work on the web site.
The meeting held a 2-minute silence in memory of members no longer with us, Leigh Easton read out the names of members the committee have been informed about
Admiral Sir John Horace Law Mike Bridges John Watson Lyon Brian Griffiths John Sims Macey
The minutes of the AGM 2004 were read and agreed by those present.
Proposed by – Dave Pinder (927) Seconded by – Alan Yeomans (1836)
REPORTS
Secretary’s Report
JT said the passing of Mike was so quick and a great shock to everyone, he was a close personal friend and it has not really sunk in yet. The last events Mike organised were Chatham and the Trip to Malta in April, both of which were a huge success and a legacy to his organisational skills.
JT went on to say that when the Assoc Standard was marched in by Dennis Askham he felt proud and feels it is one of the best things we have done as an Assoc.
Chatham – this was a busy weekend well attended, the cadets were excellently turned out and represented their units well.
Malta – all had a good time although busy with the trips and laying a wreath at the Siege Bell on behalf of the Assoc. Trips included visiting the Aviation Museum, Ken Yale gave a very interesting tour. The Victor Wickman Collection was a Highlight and he made us very welcome, the collection has taken 60yrs to build up and still going. Both are well worth a visit. The tour of Fort Rinella in the sunshine was enjoyed by all with the 100 ton gun being impressive and a bit formidable.
Treasurer’s Report
Robbie Cowan presented the financial report for 2004/2005. The report was printed on the back page of the Spring RO8. The accounts have been audited by John Truscott (1176) and Jackie Truscott (1474) and found to be correct.
Robbie reported that the Assoc. accounts are in good shape and members continue to pay their subscriptions well ahead, whilst others continue to need reminding! Direct Debit of subscriptions are very popular and assists with future financial planning.
Robbie wished all members to be reminded that the Account name for cheques and standing orders is “HMS Bulwark Albion and Centaur Association”.
The accounts were passed by those present.
Proposed by – John Truscott (1176) Seconded by – Mike Noonan (204)
Membership Sec Report
Leigh Easton reported that the membership stands at 536 with new members joining all the time. We have welcomed 100 new members from AGM 04 – AGM 05. Local newspapers continue to be a good source of recruitment, which is ongoing. Leigh thanked Mike Bridges for the many leads he had been able to give him. Leigh thanked everyone involved, especially Regional Reps for their assistance in recruiting over the past year. The Assoc. website receives many “hits” from all over the world and feedback is good and some new members have joined from there.
Leigh stated that the Assoc needs to attract approx 100 new members per year to stay at our current level of support as many members leave annually.
Regional Representatives
Bob Styants Welcomed those present, Bob feels his local membership (64) get enough information from the RO8 magazine and that a local newsletter is both costly and time consuming for the feedback that he receives. He has placed his local newsletter into abeyance for the time being.
Alan Yeomans Reported that since he took over the post 18 months ago he has been in contact with 34 members but unfortunately only a few replied to e-mail requests. Alan is looking for a central location to meet agreeable to all.
Denis Askham Has had very good response to newsletters with tremendous feedback. Denis is in contact with 70 members, 55 of which have sent in stories and “dits” and continues to feel that local contact is essential as Portsmouth is far away for some members.
Neil Pearson & Harry Roddis Have sent out 22 SAE’s with information on the Assoc but only received 12 replies. A very successful function with 8 local members was arranged.
HMS Bulwark & Albion
HMS Bulwark Richard Winter (Lt Cdr WEO) reported that the commissioning although not a good day for the weather was a wonderful success with Lady Walker an excellent sponsor for the day. Bulwark is going into an intensive work up period with new systems including the Bowman communications package. It’s not as bad as reported! Hopefully now raring to go into trials and training over the next few weeks with IFOS and Fleet Review eagerly awaited in June.
HMS Albion Mark Minall (Lt PWO(C)) reported that Albion was anchored off Jersey as he spoke with a very busy and varied programme. The ship has been operating off the west coast of Africa and has ventured to the east coast of the USA visiting New York on a five day visit. During cold weather trials off the eastern seaboard the temperatures ranged from -17 to -27 degrees. Albion will be upgraded with the Bowman system following Bulwarks lead.
COMMITTEE ELECTIONS & PROPOSALS
Committee Elections
· Chairman – Mike Noonan was the only nomination so remains in post.
· Vice Chairman – Mick Dunnington is elected.
· Membership Sec – Leigh Easton was the only nomination so remains in post.
· Historian – Denis Askham is elected.
· Regional Rep Co-ord – Denis Askham’s position was ratified.
· Social Secretary - this position remains vacant, the committee will continue to arrange AGM’s and socials
· Committee Member – John Finlay remains in post.
· Regional Reps – No nominations for areas not covered.
Proposer & Seconder names available on request
All nominations carried unanimously.
Proposals
Ratification of Widows offered Life membership
Leigh Easton put forward a proposal to allow widows to be made Life members in 2004. The AGM was asked to ratify this proposal for which there were no objections.
Proposer – Dave Pinder (927) Seconded – Bob Styants (1533)
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
Social Events 2005/2006
200th Anniversary of Trafalgar Dinner - The planning for this is going well and is very well supported and promises to be an excellent event.
50th Anniversary of Suez campaign - Those members present were asked by the Secretary if they wished to commemorate this historic event in any way. Those interested were asked to contact the Secretary with any proposals.
National Memorial Arboretum - It is proposed to re-visit the memorial tree in the future and possibly in 2007. This supported by those present.
“Away AGM” – Denis Askham has had feedback from Scottish members who felt that an AGM nearer to them would be advantageous to the Assoc. This was supported by several members present including Regional Reps.
John Bagley (1996) asked if there was enough support from the wider membership. Those present discussed the proposal and felt it was a good idea in principle and an AGM outside of Portsmouth would be looked into for 2007. Denis Askham will report back with further information.
Any Other Business
Ron Bird – Ron is very unwell at the moment and the thoughts of the Assoc are with him and Marjorie at this time.
Lottery Funding for Trafalgar 200 Dinner – Bob Styants has obtained funding for the Engine Room Association function and suggested that similar funding could be sought for the Trafalgar 200 Dinner. The Engine Room Assoc had several WWII veterans as members and the funding had been obtained under the 60th Anniversary funds that were available. The closing date for applications was very tight as they had to be in by 31 May. The Secretary thanked Bob for the information and will look into it but felt that our connection with this funding may be difficult.
Date and Venue of next AGM
Those present agreed Saturday 13th May 2006 in the same venue. This was a change to the current booking which was made at the end of last years AGM. This will be dependant on the availability of a venue for the Social event. If changes cannot be made then members will be notified. The Chairman would promulgate this information in the RO8.
Presentation to Association
Richard Winter presented a framed print depicting HMS Bulwark’s Commissioning ceremony to Sir Patrick who accepted the gift on behalf of the Assoc. He thanked Richard, Capt Stanford and HMS Bulwark for this and hoped that it would be displayed and treasured.
President’s Closing Remarks
Sir Patrick Symons said HMS Bulwark’s commissioning was an emotional and splendid occasion and the weather seemed not to matter. He continues to be honoured to be associated with and president of the Assoc. and the last 12 months have been most exciting and interesting. He congratulated the committee and area representatives for their continued support. He said that an AGM away from Portsmouth may be beneficial to the Assoc and he fully supports the idea.
Sir Patrick concluded his remarks by stating that he always enjoys coming to the AGM and meeting those present.
Chairman closed the meeting at 14:00hrs.