MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HIGHLAND BRANCH

George Black, George Burns, Brian Blackley, George Bremner, Peter Finlayson, Davie Grant, Bill MaCaulay, Archie MacKinnon, Duncan MacKintosh, Jackie McCall, Jim McCarrick, Mick McCulloch, James Murray, Jimmy Mutch, Vernon Nicol, Alistair Oag, Bill Russell, Duncan Solway, Andy Venters, Bob Walker, Pete White, Roddy Wood and Ian Woolley.

Maj GD'A Anderson, W02 R Boyd, S Byers, Capt I Cameron, Maj R Campbell, D Cullen, W Cameron, C Duncan, Lt Col AA Fairrie, Maj AH Fairrie, N Ford, J Finnie, Lt Col I Fraser, Lt Col CE Gilmour, Maj Gen P Grant-Peterkin, A Gunn, Lt Col DJA Grant, J Hill, A Hunter, D Irvine, Lt Col GS Johnston, C Liddle, GD Logan, D Loftus, N MacAulay, MJ MacIver, G MacFarlane, H Massinia, Capt E Munro, I Morrison, I MacKenzie, G MacKenzie, Maj JC MacLellan, Lt Col M McBean, A Martin, R Millar, E MacKintosh, M Petrie, D Riches, W Reid, A Ryder, J Rollo, Maj B Ross, B Shanks, J Smith, F Shenton, D Stewart, D Terron, C Thorpe, Capt S Wemyss, D Watson, J Wilson, JA Wood, D Woods, J Westhead, L Young.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 1945 hrs. He welcomed all those who had made the effort to attend, particularly the representative from Stornoway.

A minute's silence was observed in respect of Branch Members who had passed away during the last year.

Bob Wheeler Walter Galleitch Billy MacLeod Mrs MacDonald widow of the late Drum Maj G MacDonald Colin Cameron Jimmy McGraw Jim McKechnie Robert Fraser John Nicholl

The Secretary read the minutes of the last AGM held on 14th May 2001 and they were accepted as a true record of that meeting.

George Burns confirmed that Pte McMillan's name had now been added to the Alness War Memorial.

This was discussed at the Association AGM and was put forward as an item to be added to the Regimental AGM which was held at Edgar Road on 22 Mar 02. Current situation was no change as 1st Bn Offrs and SNCOs don't want any change. Results of meeting from the floor moved the Col of the Regt to state that he would make a definitive decision over the next 12 months.

The Chairman did write to Dave Terron about the 2002 BBQ or Curry Lunch being held in the TA Centre in Elgin.

We started our year with a visit to the Presentation of Colours to The Highlanders. 120 members and guests from the branch attended.

On 21st July six members of the branch took part in the March of the Highland Men in aid of the Highland Hospice. They raised over £700. A magnificent effort. Well done to those members who took part.

Our BBQ/Pipe Band display on Sunday 2 Sep 01 was a huge success with over 200 in attendance. Visitors from the Edinburgh and Caithness branches and the London, Leicester, Nottingham, Dingwall and Elgin branches of the Seaforth Highlanders Association and our Association Pipe Band swelled our numbers.

The Dinner Dance in November was held in the Victoria Hotel, Forres. 85 members and guests had a most enjoyable evening.

We had a change of venue for the Stag Dinner on 8 Feb 02, The Chieftain Hotel, Inverness. 80 members and their guests sat down to dinner. Our official guests were Colonel Crawford McMaster, Commandant Inverness Training Centre and Captain Dougie Smith, the PSAO `C' (Highlanders) Company, 51st Highland Regiment. Piping during dinner was by Pipe Majors Andy Venters and DJ MacIntyre. Lt Col Ian Fraser, Chairman of the Association and branch member brought us up to date on Regimental matters.

The Colonel of the Regiment held the first Annual General Regimental Meeting at the TA Centre, Edgar Road, Elgin on 22 Mar 02. 30 members of the branch were in attendance. Subjects discussed were finance, recruiting, communication and publicity, museums and change of Regimental title.

The branch held a curry lunch in the TA Centre Elgin on Sunday 5th May. This was the first function in Elgin for 3 years. A magnificent turn out of 112 members and their guests attending. Many thanks to Andy (Jim) Anderson, Dave Terron and all those who helped make it a successful day.

The branch membership has increased to 384 that is an increase of 50 over the last 12 months. 31 of these are from a newly established Western Isles section of the branch. The current strength of this section is 35. A Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer have been appointed.

Lt Col Colin Gilmour on the award of the MBE in the Queen's New Years Honours List

Jimmy McManus for his recognition by the Inverness Deaf Society for all his efforts in

Bob Wheeler, Billy MacLeod, Mrs MacDonald widow of late Drum Major G MacDonald, Colin Cameron, Jimmy McGraw, Jim McKechnie, John Nicholl, Walter Galleitch and Robert Fraser.

I would like to record a vote of thanks to Tony Curran Frank Blincow, Bill Russell and his entertainments committee for the work they have put in over the last year. I would like to thank the Association Pipes and Drums for performing at our functions and to Pipe Majors Andy Venters and Donald MacIntyre for piping at our Stag Dinner and to all the branch membership for their continued support to the branch. Without your support the branch could not function.

Frank Blincow distributed copies of the accounts for FY 2001/02 ending 31 Mar 02. He explained all Income and Expenditure. The accounts were accepted and passed.

The Chairman and Treasurer both accepted the floors motion for them to continue in office for 1 more year. Peter Finlayson was elected as Vice Chairman of the branch.

This has been formed as a section of the Highland Branch . The Chairman then read out a List of members.

George Burns thanked the committee for the effort that was put into a very successful and enjoyable evening. It was also muted from the floor that the transport start pick up point in future should be Strothers Lane and not the Raigmore Motel.

b. HRFCA Brig Charles Grant has been appointed Secretary of the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadet Association.

Jackie McCall, George Burns, Bob Walker, Bill Russell, Davie Grant, George Bremner, James Murray and Archie MacKinnon

This was taking place on 13 Jul 02 and any one interested was encouraged to pick up an application leaflet.

It was brought to the meetings attention that the Highview Nursing Home, Scorguie has been established as an Erskine Hospital annexe for the Inverness area.

Major Blincow explained the relationship between The Queen's Own Highlanders Amalgamation Trust Funds and the Queen's Own Highlanders Regimental Association Funds.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman for all his efforts over the past year was proposed and unanimously carried by all those attending.

The next branch AGM will be held at TA Centre, Gordonville Road, Inverness on 16 May 2003 commencing at 1945 hrs.

There being no other business to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting at 2106 hrs

1. Brigadier Donald MacLennan resigned as President and Trustee of the Association with effect the end of the meeting.

2. Major General Peter Grant-Peterkin takes over as President with effect the end of the meeting.

3. Brigadier Nick Ridley has been asked to be a Regimental Trustee.

4. The Western Isles section of the Highland Branch is to be an independent branch known as The "Eilean Nan Siar" branch. Current strength is 38.

5. Trustees to review the annual allocation of funds to branches.

6. The Colonel of the Regiment is still speaking to members of the Regimental family regarding the secondary title of the Regiment. He will brief people in the Autumn.

7. Proposed to lay up the 2nd Stand of Queen's Own Highlanders Colours in the Scottish National War Museum, Edinburgh. Branches in attendance were unanimous in their view that the 2nd Stand of Colours should come home to Fort George and that the 1st Stand of Colours be laid up in the Scottish National War Museum.

Home	The Highlanders	Queen's Own Highlanders	Gordon Highlanders	51 Highland (TA)	Infantry	Traditions
News	Regimental Association	Forecast of Events	Sergeants' Mess	Fort George	Links	Photos