TRBL Chiang Mai Thailand

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Minutes – The Royal British Legion Sub Branch BR3625 Branch General Meeting
2nd May 2012 – The Olde Bell, Loi Kroh Rd, Chiang Mai.

Present:

Trevor Dobson, Chairman; Kari Sirelius, Vice Chairman; Rex Baggaley, Acting Secretary; Gill Dobson, Treasurer; Tony Archer,
Welfare Representative; Richard Prouse, Membership Secretary & Poppy Appeal Organiser. Russ Barnes; Rob Kelly; Carol Archer; Miss Jah; Sally Ward; Victor Hayes; John Burnett; Bob Elkins; Pedr & Beer Fawkes; Kevin Reilly.

1. Act of Remembrance – This was read by Rob Kelly in due form.

2. Chairman’s Opening Remarks – The Chm opened the meeting at 7.40 pm. He explained that Raming Lodge were planning renovations and had withdrawn use of their meeting room at the last minute. He extended thanks to our Branch Steward to swiftly organising this 2 floor meeting room, Pedr’s efforts were greeted with applause. Onwards & Upwards was our theme for the evening, it was the view of the committee that the record members were about to hear would show good progress and some excellent plans for the future.

3. Apologies – were received from Pat Ward, Derek Higgs, Geoff Tolley, Matthew Oddie, David Hardcastle, Preeyakron Luangtangjai and Bob Machin.
Bob had to return to UK in view of his mother’s worsening condition, our best wishes & sympathies go with him.

4. Introduction of New Members – The Mem Sec confirmed there were no new members present at that point.

5. Minutes of Previous Meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting  having been circulated & there being no additions or amendments the Act Sec proposed they be taken as read, this was seconded by Rob Kelly and passed unanimously.

6. Matters arising from previous meeting – Chairman.

6.1 ANZAC Day Visit to Kanchanaburi. Those who visited Kanchanaburi  extended a vote of thanks to John Burnett for his excellent organisation, this was followed by applause. The event was a great success, leading to the thought that Chiang Mai sub branch may consider joining the trip to Malaysia later this year. Peter Campbell has joined TRBL as a result of his taking part in the trip. He also bid successfully for a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, which he then re-donated, raising a total of 11,000 baht. The Chm extended thanks to peter for this generous action.

6.2 Frequency of Social Meetings. This will be discussed at 13.1

6.3 Support for TRBL Chiang Mai Website. This has recently been updated, thanks to webmaster Victor Hayes and now includes photos from the ANZAC trip and the trip to distribute the share of the proceeds from the Citylife Garden party, please visit the website for details.
The website has recently been extended to include a section for golfers, more details on this will follow

6.4 Questionnaire re. Member’s Interests. The committee reviewed this proposal and decided that to undertake this task correctly would involve costs and time which would be better spent on other activities and therefore decided to postpone this indefinitely. However any member who wishes to express an interest or make suggestions is welcome to do so. As anonymous suggestions are not acceptable members may visit the website and email any committee member of their choice or simply click  ‘contact us’ During these discussions new member Colin Haggar joined the meeting.

7. Update by Chairman – The immediate need for additional main committee members has receded as the Act Sec will continue until the next AGM. What would be welcomed is for members to assist those people already responsible for various activities, for example Tony Archer would like to form a Welfare Committee to support the caseworkers & Sally Ward would welcome assistance in organising the various fund raising events.

These need not be time consuming tasks, even a few hours a month would be welcomed. Please contact the Chm to discuss this if you would like to help.

Funeral To Go Box. When the need arises we intend to be in a position to respond rapidly to requests for TRBL to attend and pay last respects to departed ex-service personnel. We are adding such items as flags for coffin drapes, Acts of Remembrance and appropriate poems for each branch of the armed forces. The flags are being order now so we can be ready to make a dignified contribution when called upon.

This will not at present include a Chiang Mai RBL Standard, the costs and conditions surrounding the purchase of such an item prohibit our doing so at present. 

Fundraising. The Grand Lotto Buffet at D2 was attended by 61 people and all 100 draw tickets at 1,000 baht each were sold, a considerable achievement. Cash prizes totalling 60,000 were distributed, the principal prize winner Pat Ward, has also joined TRBL! 40,000 bahts worth of prizes were also won, a very successful event.

At this point the Chm asked Events Organiser Sally Ward to outline plans for future events. 

TRBL Ladies Night. This will be held at Pern’s Restaurant on Wednesday 27 June. This will be in addition to the normal Social evening at TOB which will go ahead as planned. The Restaurant will create a special menu and ‘treats’ for the event and will be able to seat 34 people. The evening is to honour the Ladies of the Legion and to raise a modest amount of funds, more details will be circulated within the next couple of weeks but already there has been a good take up of seats for the meal costing around 550 baht.

Summer Splash. Once again and by request of members this popular event will be held at The Real Centre of the Universe on Saturday 4 August with Duke’s Restaurant catering the BBQ, wines provided by TRBL and Beers & Soft Drinks
from TRCotU. Details to follow.

Sponsored Walk. A team from TRBL completed a journey from Myanmar to Kanchanaburi in time to join the ANZAC Day services. This has inspired 6 Chiang Mai residents & members to plan a similar trip for October. They plan a sponsored walk of the Death Railway and will be looking for sponsors at 1,000 baht per team. This is an exciting project with PR potential and we wish the teams well and await more details.

Christmas Fayre. Projected for the last weekend in November, up to 150 stalls will be available for food, drink, crafts and gifts and other products. Members with local businesses are particularly urged to take a stall to make this an RBL family affair. This will be held at JJ Market and will be a shared event, Lanna Care Net are our projected partners.

The Vice Chm also added that once again there will be a Golf Event in support of the Poppy Appeal. To be held at the Green Valley Golf Club on Friday 26 October. The format will follow that of the 2011 competition, around 100 golfers will take part. If you are not a player why not just come along to the dinner in the evening?

The Chairman thanked both contributors for their efforts and reports.

8. Report from Secretary – The Act Sec advised that since his resuming office the committee has met on 4 occasions. 9th & 15th Feb; 30 April. A total of 3 meetings as the final meeting on 30 Mar was suspended & resumed on 6th April.

The Committee had no alternative but to accept the resignation of the Social Secretary from his position and the committee, we are delighted that he has agreed to continue to serve TRBL in a new role as Branch Steward, we shall be hearing from him later.
The branch records of minutes and meetings are now updated and complete. It only remains to establish and complete a Branch Assets Record Book, it is hoped to do this within the next few weeks.

9. Report & Financial Statement from Treasurer – The General Fund now holds 17,740 baht, including 2,100 baht donated in support of the locally held ANZAC Day service. This will be retained and added to our Poppy Appeal proceeds in November. We also have the 6,000 baht winning bid (6.1) which will be sent to Chonburi with any monies over the 10,000 baht float agreed with our Mother Branch. Bank Books and statements are available for inspection after the meeting.

10. Report from Welfare Representative – There have been no new cases in Chiang Mai since the last BGM. The Welfare team continue to look for more volunteers. At present Bob M is in UK and John B is ever willing to assist but is not yet trained. As Trevor D is travelling more this leaves us short of caseworkers, a course is being planned for Tony A & John B, if anyone else
would like to take part they will be more than welcome. Likewise anyone prepared to keep some confidential minutes or financial records or to lend a hand generally would be sure to be appreciated.

11. Report from Membership Secretary – currently we have 74 members, including this evening’s signing. To make joining even simpler a shortened version of the membership has been devised, purely for local use to make the transcribing to TRBL paperwork records more straightforward. These can be obtained from the branch Steward at TOB or members of the committee and will shortly be available for completion on line on the Chiang Mai Sub Branch website:- http://trblchiangmai.org/

12. Report from Branch Steward – The new large illuminated sign identifying TOB as the ‘Home’ of the Sub Branch is now in place. There are banners in the course of design which will be used in the interior bar area. In addition your Steward will be co-ordinating with the Welfare Rep, who has an interest in improving the appearance and facilities for RBL members, to see what other improvements can be introduced.

The exclusive promotions for May include
ToNight – Guinness & Kilkenny at 165 baht a pint.
9th May – Pool tournament.
16th May – Free Sandwiches.
23th May – Sausage & Mash or Pork Steak at reduced prices
30th May – Cheese Night. A gourmet evening of which RBL members are encouraged to take advantage. Great Value if you’re a Cheeseaholic

13. Additional Agenda.

13.1 Every Wednesday is Legion Night – To clarify that this the Act Sec read from the committee meeting minutes of 6 April:-It was also decided to clarify arrangements over ‘Legion Nights’ the Act Sec should advise members that every Wednesday was a Legion Night. Any promotions arranged for those evenings should be exclusive to RBL members & sponsored by The Olde Bell. In the event that RBL wished to hold a promotion at TOB on any Wednesday the costs to be agreed beforehand with the Branch Steward. It should be publicised that Committee Members would do their utmost to be present on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays.

13.2 Football Cards – The Chm explained that Football cards would be numbered for ease of recording. To simplify the decision as to whether to hold a Football Card sale all cards would be drawn on the night, irrespective of the numbers of squares sold and the proceeds divided equally between the winner and RBL Veteran’s Fund.

13.3 Improvements to RBL facilities at TOB – The Wel Rep confirmed that he would meet with the Branch Steward and they would work up some ideas together. Another thought is to ask members if they would volunteer to give a few hours to do some handiwork or decorating and thus reduce the costs involved, particularly to TRBL.

13.4 Identifying TOB as the ‘Home’ of TRBL – see 13.3.

14. Points for the Next Meeting.
There were no points raised for the next meeting.

15. Date of Next Branch General Meeting.

The next Branch General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18 July. This date and the venue will be confirmed nearer the time.

The meeting closed at 8.35.

Rex Baggaley, Acting Secretary. 4 May 2012

TRBL Chiang Mai in Kanchanaburi for Anzac Day 2012

Members from all over Thailand including Pattaya, Bangkok, Korat, Chiang Mai and Udon Thani made their way to Kanchanaburi on the 24 April ready for the service on 25 April, many attended the dawn service followed by the main one at 10am. After the service we headed to the lesser known war cemetery at Chungkai to hold our own small service and to lay four wreaths (the only ones laid at Chungkai).

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The Olde Bell British Pub Newsletter March 2012

Dear Gold Card Member,

The haze has been sitting thickly over Chiang Mai in recent weeks and many of you have, we know, left the area for less carcinogenic climes. Those of us that have no choice but to stay for business or family reasons, have to carry on much as normal. I remember being in Ukraine a few years after Chernobyl and being shocked that the locals were still eating local vegetables. What do you expect us to do, asked my host, not eat? It’s a bit like that here, we just have to go about our business and hope and pray that our loved ones won’t be affected. Anyway we did just that last week and combined a visa run with a trip around what we could see of the mountains of the north. Burning was certainly going on a plenty, but, as usual we enjoyed ourselves away from the bustle of Chiang Mai. We especially enjoyed our night in Chiang Khong, near the Mekong river crossing to Laos. Where a night in the very comfortable Namkhong Guesthouse and resort close to the centre of town, cost us a reasonable 600baht. We ate at in a restaurant just south of town that is one of the places that is licensed to serve Giant Mekong Catfish. The taste was unremarkable and I can thoroughly recommend leaving these remarkable fish to struggle for existence away from the dinner table! Later in the evening and needing some Western sustenance, we repaired to Rin Bar, a pleasant bar/restaurant run by an affable Belgian called Danny.

Anyway it was good to get away for a few days even if it meant that St. David’s Day had to be put on the back burner! Those of you stalwarts who came along were rewarded with a free drink which we hope you raised to the old country! We are now back in harness and looking forward to a few events that are coming up this month especially as the air quality has just begun to improve over the last 2 or 3 days. Just before we get onto that though, news on the car parking front. Joining forces with Chris from Marijuana bar, we have now got keys to the car park next to his bar and almost opposite The Bell. This means that the car park is now open every day, come rain or shine or indolence. If you want to use the car park between 10am and 5pm you can come to us for a key. After 5pm, if the fellow isn’t there, Chris has a key as well. The parking charge is 20B per hour or 50B for the day. We will be mounting a few ‘car park included’ promotions over the coming weeks and months. If you are going to Chez Marco before coming to us for coffee and liqueurs, or are popping in for a pint before dining there (as many do), take your car park ticket to Marco and you’ll qualify for free parking.

Wednesday 14th March Wednesday is Legion night, and although it’s not a committee night, ordinary members are still welcome to come along. There’ll be a pool competition for the first 12 applicants – Legion members or Gold Card holders. A free plate of chips with your first drink for any Legion Member/Gold Card holder that comes along. We’re also offering Fish fingers, chips and Beans for just 95 baht!

Saturday 17th March Today is one of those red letter days that few sports fans or pub fans will want to miss!! for starters today is the final day of this year’s 6 Nations Rugby and we’ve got all 3 games live on our big screen. We kick things off with Scotland facing a tough trip to Rome at 7.30pm, then Wales attempt to win a 3rd Grand Slam in 8 years when they take on France in Cardiff at 9.45pm. If Wales slip up then England could still claim the title with a win over Ireland at Twickers. It’s also F.A Cup quarter finals weekend with Everton meeting Sunderland at 7.45pm and Spurs entertaining Bolton at 12.30am (we’re showing the 1st half only of that one). PLUS of course it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Why not join us for a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny and to watch the sport! There’ll be Irish stew and homemade bread for 100Baht or we’ll give it you for free if you buy any 3 beers. There’ll be a free draw for a London 2012 baseball cap, a Heineken Rugby Shirt left over from the world Cup and if we can get any goodies from the Guinness distributer, they’ll go in as prizes as well! Tickets will be given to anyone arriving after 6pm when they buy their first beer. The draw will be made just before the England game at 11.45pm.

Sunday 18th March Today is the start of the Formula one season with the Australian Grand Prix live from Melbourne. Flag drop is at 1pm. Why not join us for Sunday Lunch? If you have our roast Beef or Roast Lamb, or one of our monster ‘Sampler’ plates, we’ll give you a free 175ml glass of standard house wine.

Wednesday 21st March This the 3rd Wednesday of the month is one of our major Legion nights of the month, and some committee members may attend so if you are a legion member do try to attend. Tonight is Curry night and we’ll be promoting our new range of Anglo-Indian curries that are proving very popular. If you buy any one of our range: Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Balti, Chicken Korma, King Prawn Madras, Chicken Dopiaza or Vegetable Curry, we’ll give you free Pilau rice, Roti, Mango Chutney and Onion Bhaji.

Saturday 24th March This weekend Football takes centre stage again with a packed premiership programme. In the afternoon we’ve got all the Super 15’s Rugby fixtures from Australia, NZ and South Africa. We’ll have Sausage Hash for just 80 baht for those of your with the munchies.

Wednesday 28th March Tonight’s Legion promotion is one of our famous BBQ’s: Steak, Seafood, Sausages and Salads. The cost to the public is 150 baht but members and Gold Card Members qualify for a discount to just 120 baht!

Cricket Sixes The cricket sixes start on 1st April. This week long festival of cricket is a fun way to spend a few afternoons watching some good quality games. This year there’s a free shuttle bus (well songthaew!) running every 20 minutes or so from various sponsors locations including The Olde Bell, to the Gymkhana Club grounds. We will again be running one of the food stalls offering many of the British/Australian favourites that you enjoy in The Bell. The cricket Committee are again hosting a welcome party on 31st March at the Porn Ping hotel and if you’d like to come along as one of our guests, do let us know.

Thanks for reading this and we hope to see you at The Olde Bell soon

Pedr, Beer, Billy and the Staff

–
The Olde Bell: Cold Beer, Warm Atmosphere

HRH Visit

The visit of HRH Prince Andrew that was postponed in November due to the floods is now back on, it is now scheduled for Friday 2 March 2012 at the British Embassy Social Club. He has requested to meet members of the Royal British Legion Thailand, we will arrive at the Embassy between 4 to 4.30pm and the Prince will arrive at 5pm to meet members, dress smart casual.

Food and Drink will be provided by the Embassy until about 7pm.

It is of course a long way for our Chiang Mai members to travel but anyone who wishes to attend please contact your Chairman Trevor Dobson as soon as possible.
Best regards
Bert

If any members wish to attend, please let me know asap so names can be submitted to the Embassy.
Passport/photo ID will be required for entry to Embassy.
Travel and accommodation arrangements are down to individuals however 1000baht per person towards travel expenses is available.

Super Lotto

Tickets for the Super Lotto which will take place on the 1st April at the D2 Hotel are on sale now.

Numbers cost 1000baht each only 100 tickets in draw.

Cash and prises totalling over 100,000 baht to be won!

Numbers available tonight in the Olde Bell or by contacting myself.

Regards

Trevor

AGM October 2011

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TRBL Chiang Mai September 2011 Social Night

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