Home Page

 

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE EDINBURGH BRANCH, QUEEN’S OWN HIGHLANDERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

HELD AT THE SCOTS GUARDS CLUB, EDINBURGH ON 17th SEPTEMBER 2006

 

1.                  The meeting opened at 13.00hrs with 32 members present. 

 

2.                  Fallen Comrades from Edinburgh Branch and the Regiment at large were remembered during a one-minute silence.  The following names were read out:  Jimmy Boyle, Davie Watson, Gordon Meldrum.  The following wives of Branch members were also remembered: Margaret Mackie, the wife of Alec Mackie, Chrystal MacAllister, the wife of George MacAllister, and Pat Kidd, the wife of Gerry Kidd

 

3.                  Apologies   Apologies were received from Col ID Cameron, Maj D Shepherd and 14 others

 

4.                  Minutes of last Meeting   It was proposed by John Meikle and seconded by Jimmy Skinner that the Minutes of the Last Meeting were passed as read.   

 

5.                  Matters Arising.   Maj Givens reported that John Meikle had volunteered to take over as Branch Treasurer after the last meeting and although he was presently carrying out the duties of Treasurer, he would need to be officially nominated and voted in (see Minute 12)

 

6.                  Chairman’s Report.  Maj George Givens reported a successful year.  He went on to say that the Branch remained active with successful functions as follows:

 

    • Remembrance Parade on the 13th November 2005 followed by drinks and a curry lunch at Leith Ex-Servicemen’s Club

    • Christmas Dance at the Royal British Legion, Portobello

    • Amalgamation Dinner on the 22nd February 2005 at Leith Ex-Servicemen’s Club

    • Regimental Re-union at Cameron Barracks and Fort George on the 24th/25th June 2006

 

He went on to report that there was also a good representation from Branch Members at the Liverpool Scottish 75th Annual Re-union

 

7.                  Treasurer’s Report.  A Summary of the Branch Accounts as at the 16th September 2006 were distributed and John Meikle explained various aspects of the statement.  There were no questions from the floor.

 

Maj Givens reported that the Committee intended to review the list of Branch members with the aim of removing the names of non-responsive members in order to cut down on the cost of wasted postage

 

Pat Kyle proposed, and it was seconded by John Donlevy, that a Christmas card and a gift of £20.00 be sent to the widows of deceased Branch Members

 

This proposal was carried

 

8.                  Future Events and Dates   The following information about future events was announced:                                                

 

 

 

9.                  Garrison Mess   John Meikle and Danny Carruthers reported that they had been talking to the Garrison RSM and that he had indicated he would favourably consider any requests from the Branch to make use of the Garrison Sergeants Mess for future functions.  Maj Givens therefore asked the meeting if there was a desire for the Committee to officially approach the new Garrison RSM to explore this offer.  After a discussion about the problems for some members in getting transport to Redford and the added cost of paying contractor rates for catering, Maj Givens asked for a show of hands to indicate the likely enthusiasm for this idea.  As there were a large majority in favour of holding a number of future  functions at Redford, it was decided that the Chairman should arrange a meeting with the Garrison RSM to discuss the matter. 

 

10.              Regimental Headquarters.  Maj Givens briefed the meeting on several points from the main Association AGM, namely:

 

    • It was planned that the RHQ for the Royal Regiment of Scotland would be located in Edinburgh and would be responsible  for the majority of administration for the new Regiment, with Home Headquarters (HHQ) in Inverness dealing mainly with welfare matters (with a  reduced staff presence)

    • The last edition of The Highlander magazine was due in the Winter of 2006 and there was therefore a need to review how future information to Association members was going to be distributed

 

11.              Scots Guards Club.  The Treasurer of the Scots Guards Club had proposed that members of the Edinburgh Branch of the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association might like to apply for Corporate Membership.  This would involve an annual fee from the Edinburgh Branch, which would entitle members to the full use of the club.  After a discussion about this proposal, there seemed to be a desire for the Committee to investigate the proposal further and if need be, for annual subscriptions to be increased to cover the costs of membership (see Any Other Business)

 

12.              Election of the Branch Committee   Maj Givens asked if anyone would like to volunteer for the Branch Committee.   It was proposed by Frank Scott and seconded by Danny Mullen that the following members be nominated as follows:

 

    • John Meikle to be Treasurer (already a Committee member)

    • Danny Carruthers to become a Committee Member

 

The proposal was passed

 

All other Committee members volunteered to remain on the Committee

 

13.              Any Other Business 

 

    • Bobby Munro suggested that the annual subscription should be increased to keep in line with inflation, the cost of distributing the Branch Newsletter, the cost of various subsidies allocated for annual events, and the possible cost of providing corporate membership of the Scots Guards Club.  It was therefore proposed by Bobby Munro, and seconded by Eddie Maley that the next Branch Subscriptions, due in September/October 2007, be increased to:

 

                                                              i.      £15.00 for members under the age of 65 and

                                                            ii.      £10.00 for those members aged 65 and over

 

The proposal was passed

 

    • Jimmy Skinner announced that the first AGM of the Malaya Brunei Borneo Veterans Association was to take place at the Grampian Hotel, Perth at 2.00 pm on Saturday the 23rd September 2006.  The meeting was to be Chaired by Col ID Cameron and all eligible members were invited to attend.  He went on to talk about the Pingat Jasa Malaysian medal and the availability of the Veterans blazer badge.  

    • George MacAllister asked that the next newsletter be sent to all members on the Branch List before the process of removing non-responsive members took place.  This was agreed 

    • George MacAllister asked that all members make an effort to recruit members to the Branch and to forward names to Pat Kyle

 

There being no other comments or business, the Meeting closed at 13.40 hours and the wives and families joined the meeting for a Curry Lunch.

 

Home Page