ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – QUEEN'S OWN HIGHLANDERS

REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION (HIGHLAND BRANCH) – MON 17 MAY 04

TA CENTRE GORDONVILLE ROAD INVERNESS

1.   Meeting - opening remarks by Chairman

The meeting was opened at 2000hours and the Acting Chairman welcomed all members and apologized for the delay in opening the TA Centre.

2.   Fallen Comrades – a minute’ silence was held for the following who have died during the year:

W Godsman Lt Col Jim Harrison Jim Page John Smith

3.   Apologies/attendance

In attendance:

JG Anderson R Balfor F Blincow B Brackley G Bremner G Burns P Finlayson (Acting Chairman) D Grant V Martin WP MacAulay S MacKay G MacKenzie J McCall J McCarrick A McGinn JG Munro J Mutch CM Ness R Nicol W Russell R Shanks R Sinclair DG Solway DA Terron (Acting Secretary) RJ Towns AA Venters S Warden JA Westhead R Wood

Apologies:

GD’A Anderson C Barron J Beedles W Cameron J Duffus C Duncan AA Fairrie AA JB Finnie NJ Forde G Geddes G (Iraq) I Geddes CE Gilmour CE DJA Grant AR Grant-Peterkin AR Gunn D Loftus NI MacAulay W MacAulay M MacBean PJ MacDonald DJ MacIntyre I MacKenzie R Mackintosh W Maclennan EA McPherson G McFarlane DA Miller HBHE Monro SHRH Monro N Munro I Ogilvie J Paris EA Pope WG Reid A Ryder J Skinner J Smith (3043) A Sutherland J Sutherland JA Sutherland KG Sutherland J Urquhart KGC White JA Wood D Woods J Yarrick L Young RDM Young

4.   Minutes of last Meeting

Read by: DA Terron

Proposer: W Russell

Seconder: RJ Towns

PASSED AS READ (All present were given copies)

5.   Any matters arising from the last minutes

a.          With regard to the campaign to have the name of the ‘Queen’s Own Highlanders’ added to the official title of ‘The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) the Chairman commented that now was perhaps the time to admit that the campaign was not going to succeed and should be put to bed. Amongst comments from the floor were that the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders were the only Royal regiment of the antecedent regiments and this should be reflected. (G Burns). Members were urged to let the past go, and to crack on with the Association (RJ Towns)

b.          Events now cost the Association money! Whereas previously we had been able to use military facilities free of charge this was no longer the case for insurance and Health and Safety reasons. In future events would have to be planned with these factors in mind and members will probably have to pay slightly more for them. Another problem was tentage which also had to be paid for now. Comments were received about various companies who might be willing to let the Association have discounts for tentage hire, which will be investigated.

c.           The Chairman read a letter of thanks from the previous Chairman, Captain EAC McPherson which is attached to these minutes.

d.          Some members had not received invitations to the Curry Lunch in Elgin. This was a postal problem and had hopefully been resolved.

6.   Acting Chairman’s Report

The branch continues to be active and our current strength is 338 members. There were 23 members struck off strength for non-payment of subscriptions, 3 have passed on and 2 withdrew their membership.

Functions have continued to be successful and well supported; I would however ask that members try and support as many functions as possible, those who attend have said how much they enjoyed them and those who do not attend are missing out on some good nights.

The Pipe Band display and Bar B Que at Cameron Barracks in September last year was attended by 160 members and their guests and families. We were pleased to see guests from other branches including Pat Kyle from Edinburgh and George and Mick Monaghan from the Strathclyde branch.

The Dinner Dance in Forres in November was attended by 44 members and the Stag Dinner in February this year saw 41 members attending at what was Hamish McPherson’s last function as our Branch Chairman. He was thanked for all his hard work and presented with gifts from both the branch and the newly formed Western Isles branch. Major Frank Blincow gave an update of news from the 1^st Battalion of The Highlanders now stationed in Fallingbostel, Germany. Recruiting is going well and the battalion are looking forward to the next 5 years of their tour.

On Sunday 9^th May we held a Curry Lunch at the TA Hall in Elgin. This was also well attended; some 70 members and families or guests came to the event.

The branch was particularly well represented at the Laying up of the 2^nd stand of Colours of the 1^st Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) in the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday 25^th November last year.

I thank the members for their continued support and attendance at events; the branch is run for your benefit and any ideas, comments and complaints need to be passed to the Chairman so we can improve things.

I would like to thank Hamish McPherson for his hard work as Chairman over many years, to Frank Blincow for his exceptional efforts as our Treasurer and look forward to the coming year.

7.   Treasurer’s Report

The report was given by Maj AF Blincow MBE and is attached to these minutes.

8.   Future Events and dates

The Acting Chairman told the meeting that Major General AP Grant Peterkin CB OBE, the President of the Association had kindly agreed to host a meeting of the Association members and their wives at his residence, Grange Hall near Forres on Saturday 31^st July 2004. Timings were 1900-2100hrs. The Acting Secretary gave details of the dress, parking and invites etc which would be sent out on 7^th June along with these minutes after the main AGM in Nairn on Friday 4^th June 2004. The Pipe Band would be playing at this function.

Bar B Que/Pipe Band Display -   Cameron Barracks

Sunday 5^th September 2004

Annual Dinner/Dance – Victoria Hotel Forres

Saturday 6^th November 2004

Stag Dinner – Chieftain Hotel Inverness

Saturday 5^th Feb 05

Curry Lunch – British Legion Dingwall

Sunday 8^th May 05

Bar Be Que and Pipe Band Display – Cameron Barracks Inverness

Sunday 4^th September 2005

Dinner Dance – Chieftain Hotel Inverness

Saturday 5^th November 2005

9.   Any Other Business

From Jimmy Skinner: Propose that AGM be held on a Saturday night in future to enable those who are working and live a distance away to attend.

From: PJ MacDonald: Can we have one of the functions coincide with the Seaforth AGM in Nairn (usually Aug or Sep)

These two points were discussed at length with another point raised by the President at a recent meeting. The AGM is currently not as well attended as perhaps it could be and thus it was proposed that the next AGM be held on the same night and prior to the Stag Dinner in February. This would ensure better attendance and also lessen the administrative burden of organising a separate AGM. The pros were obviously cost, administration and the convenience in terms of transport and for those attending from far away or from work of having the AGM and Stag Dinner in the same place on the same day. Cons were more people attending, more viewpoints and more discussion with a possibility of over-running causing a knock on effect for the dinner! There would also be a need to revise the Financial Year to end on 31^st December annually so the report to the AGM was legal. The Treasurer said this would not be a problem and the Acting Secretary also pointed out that if the AGM was properly controlled with an agreed agenda and the meeting ‘pushed on’ by the Chairman to lessen any undue delays then there was no reason why it could not be a successful meeting with a better quorum than at present with only 24 members making decisions for the remaining 300. A well attended meeting with at least the normal third of members attending the Stag Dinner afterwards would enhance democracy and the way things got done.

In conclusion it was agreed that the Chairman and Secretary would investigate the locations, timings, transport and other administrative matters involved and report to the members with a detailed plan, ideally to be an attachment to these minutes.

After a lengthy discussion it was put to the meeting:

Proposed by: RJ Towns

Seconded by: W Russell

‘That the next AGM be held on Saturday 5^th February 2005 immediately prior to the Stag Dinner’

Passed by a majority 24-5.

Election of Chairman

Nomination: P Finlayson

Proposed by: RJ Towns

Seconded by W Russell

PASSED

Election of Secretary

Nomination: D Terron

Proposed by: RJ Towns

Seconded by J Mutch

PASSED

10.   Date of next Meeting

Provisionally set as Saturday 5^th February 2005 Confirmation and details to follow

There being no other business the meeting closed at 2119 hours.

POINTS FROM THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE SEAFORTH CLUB ON FRIDAY 4^TH JUNE 2004

1.   The Highlanders Title – given that the 1^st Battalion have moved to Germany and are not supportive of any changes to their title ten years after amalgamation, it was strongly recommended at this time to draw a line and move on. Recruit lots of soldiers from the former QO HDRS area and change from within would appear to be the way ahead.

2.   Laying up of the 2^nd Stand of Colours. A very successful and proud albeit sad day. Thanks were voted to all involved in the planning and execution and to those who attended.

3.   Comunication with members. Given the increasing expense of the magazine and the cost (some £6000 annually) to the Association we need to make efforts to save costs yet improve communication with members. To this end we are updating our website and the aim will be to publish the magazine on the website or issue on CD for those with access to the Internet or a computer. There would also be scope for regular newsletters to and from branches as well as TA/Cadets and the 1^st Battalion.

4.   Regimental Gathering. Branches are going to liaise and try to form a working group to plan a Regimental gathering in 2006/2007. This would include a weekend of events, church service, evening functions, daytime Highland Games/Gathering and Pipes display etc. Further details to follow in due course.

5.   The Museum. The Chairman (Brig NJ Ridley) spoke on the plans for the Museum Appeal and has tasked branches to form lists of potential donors and people within the associations could would be prepared to approach donors and so on.

Full minutes will be published on the website in due course.

See www.cabarfeidh.com for more details

*1. Meeting - opening remarks by Chairman* The meeting was opened at 2000hours and the Acting Chairman welcomed all members and apologized for the delay in opening the TA Centre.
*2. Fallen Comrades –* a minute’ silence was held for the following who have died during the year:
W Godsman Lt Col Jim Harrison Jim Page John Smith
*3. Apologies/attendance* In attendance: JG Anderson R Balfor F Blincow B Brackley G Bremner G Burns P Finlayson (Acting Chairman) D Grant V Martin WP MacAulay S MacKay G MacKenzie J McCall J McCarrick A McGinn JG Munro J Mutch CM Ness R Nicol W Russell R Shanks R Sinclair DG Solway DA Terron (Acting Secretary) RJ Towns AA Venters S Warden JA Westhead R Wood Apologies: GD’A Anderson C Barron J Beedles W Cameron J Duffus C Duncan AA Fairrie AA JB Finnie NJ Forde G Geddes G (Iraq) I Geddes CE Gilmour CE DJA Grant AR Grant-Peterkin AR Gunn D Loftus NI MacAulay W MacAulay M MacBean PJ MacDonald DJ MacIntyre I MacKenzie R Mackintosh W Maclennan EA McPherson G McFarlane DA Miller HBHE Monro SHRH Monro N Munro I Ogilvie J Paris EA Pope WG Reid A Ryder J Skinner J Smith (3043) A Sutherland J Sutherland JA Sutherland KG Sutherland J Urquhart KGC White JA Wood D Woods J Yarrick L Young RDM Young
*4. Minutes of last Meeting* Read by: DA Terron Proposer: W Russell Seconder: RJ Towns PASSED AS READ (All present were given copies)
*5. Any matters arising from the last minutes* a. With regard to the campaign to have the name of the ‘Queen’s Own Highlanders’ added to the official title of ‘The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) the Chairman commented that now was perhaps the time to admit that the campaign was not going to succeed and should be put to bed. Amongst comments from the floor were that the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders were the only Royal regiment of the antecedent regiments and this should be reflected. (G Burns). Members were urged to let the past go, and to crack on with the Association (RJ Towns) b. Events now cost the Association money! Whereas previously we had been able to use military facilities free of charge this was no longer the case for insurance and Health and Safety reasons. In future events would have to be planned with these factors in mind and members will probably have to pay slightly more for them. Another problem was tentage which also had to be paid for now. Comments were received about various companies who might be willing to let the Association have discounts for tentage hire, which will be investigated. c. The Chairman read a letter of thanks from the previous Chairman, Captain EAC McPherson which is attached to these minutes. d. Some members had not received invitations to the Curry Lunch in Elgin. This was a postal problem and had hopefully been resolved.
*6. Acting Chairman’s Report* The branch continues to be active and our current strength is 338 members. There were 23 members struck off strength for non-payment of subscriptions, 3 have passed on and 2 withdrew their membership. Functions have continued to be successful and well supported; I would however ask that members try and support as many functions as possible, those who attend have said how much they enjoyed them and those who do not attend are missing out on some good nights. The Pipe Band display and Bar B Que at Cameron Barracks in September last year was attended by 160 members and their guests and families. We were pleased to see guests from other branches including Pat Kyle from Edinburgh and George and Mick Monaghan from the Strathclyde branch. The Dinner Dance in Forres in November was attended by 44 members and the Stag Dinner in February this year saw 41 members attending at what was Hamish McPherson’s last function as our Branch Chairman. He was thanked for all his hard work and presented with gifts from both the branch and the newly formed Western Isles branch. Major Frank Blincow gave an update of news from the 1^st Battalion of The Highlanders now stationed in Fallingbostel, Germany. Recruiting is going well and the battalion are looking forward to the next 5 years of their tour. On Sunday 9^th May we held a Curry Lunch at the TA Hall in Elgin. This was also well attended; some 70 members and families or guests came to the event. The branch was particularly well represented at the Laying up of the 2^nd stand of Colours of the 1^st Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) in the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday 25^th November last year. I thank the members for their continued support and attendance at events; the branch is run for your benefit and any ideas, comments and complaints need to be passed to the Chairman so we can improve things. I would like to thank Hamish McPherson for his hard work as Chairman over many years, to Frank Blincow for his exceptional efforts as our Treasurer and look forward to the coming year.
*7. Treasurer’s Report* The report was given by Maj AF Blincow MBE and is attached to these minutes.
*8. Future Events and dates* The Acting Chairman told the meeting that Major General AP Grant Peterkin CB OBE, the President of the Association had kindly agreed to host a meeting of the Association members and their wives at his residence, Grange Hall near Forres on Saturday 31^st July 2004. Timings were 1900-2100hrs. The Acting Secretary gave details of the dress, parking and invites etc which would be sent out on 7^th June along with these minutes after the main AGM in Nairn on Friday 4^th June 2004. The Pipe Band would be playing at this function.
Bar B Que/Pipe Band Display - Cameron Barracks	Sunday 5^th September 2004
Annual Dinner/Dance – Victoria Hotel Forres	Saturday 6^th November 2004
Stag Dinner – Chieftain Hotel Inverness	Saturday 5^th Feb 05
Curry Lunch – British Legion Dingwall	Sunday 8^th May 05
Bar Be Que and Pipe Band Display – Cameron Barracks Inverness	Sunday 4^th September 2005
Dinner Dance – Chieftain Hotel Inverness	Saturday 5^th November 2005
*9. Any Other Business* *From Jimmy Skinner:* Propose that AGM be held on a Saturday night in future to enable those who are working and live a distance away to attend. *From: PJ MacDonald: Can we have one of the functions coincide with the Seaforth AGM in Nairn (usually Aug or Sep) These two points were discussed at length with another point raised by the President at a recent meeting. The AGM is currently not as well attended as perhaps it could be and thus it was proposed that the next AGM be held on the same night and prior to the Stag Dinner in February. This would ensure better attendance and also lessen the administrative burden of organising a separate AGM. The pros were obviously cost, administration and the convenience in terms of transport and for those attending from far away or from work of having the AGM and Stag Dinner in the same place on the same day. Cons were more people attending, more viewpoints and more discussion with a possibility of over-running causing a knock on effect for the dinner! There would also be a need to revise the Financial Year to end on 31^st December annually so the report to the AGM was legal. The Treasurer said this would not be a problem and the Acting Secretary also pointed out that if the AGM was properly controlled with an agreed agenda and the meeting ‘pushed on’ by the Chairman to lessen any undue delays then there was no reason why it could not be a successful meeting with a better quorum than at present with only 24 members making decisions for the remaining 300. A well attended meeting with at least the normal third of members attending the Stag Dinner afterwards would enhance democracy and the way things got done. In conclusion it was agreed that the Chairman and Secretary would investigate the locations, timings, transport and other administrative matters involved and report to the members with a detailed plan, ideally to be an attachment to these minutes. After a lengthy discussion it was put to the meeting: Proposed by: RJ Towns Seconded by: W Russell ‘That the next AGM be held on Saturday 5^th February 2005 immediately prior to the Stag Dinner’ Passed by a majority 24-5. Election of Chairman* Nomination: P Finlayson Proposed by: RJ Towns Seconded by W Russell PASSED Election of Secretary Nomination: D Terron Proposed by: RJ Towns Seconded by J Mutch PASSED
*10. Date of next Meeting* Provisionally set as Saturday 5^th February 2005 Confirmation and details to follow There being no other business the meeting closed at 2119 hours.