Minutes of the Royal British Legion

Chiang Mai Sub-Branch General Meeting held at Branch Headquarters,
The Olde Bell Pub, Chiang Mai,

on 7 April, 2010.

 Committee Members in attendance:

 Mr. Glenn Croston Chairman /Acting Secretary

Mr. Pedr Fawkes - Treasurer

 Act of Remembrance.

 The Chairman read the Act of Rembrance and the Kohima Epitaph. There then followed a minute’s silence. The meeting was opened at 7.43pm by the Chairman, following the Act of Remembrance.  

Present: Mr. Glenn Croston; Mr. Pedr Fawkes; Mr. Scott Churchill; Mr. Bob Elkins; Mr. Victor Hayes; Mr. John Burnett; Mr. Rob Kelly; Mr. David Hardcastle; Mr. Richard Prouse; Mr. Russ Barnes; Mr. James Johnstone-Hall

Apologies: Mr. Derek Higgs; Mr. Richard Thomas; Mr .Steve Graham; Mr. Chris Ashton; Mrs. Ros Croston; Mr. Denis Thompson

Guests: None

Opening remarks by the Chairman.

 The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and mentioned that the sub-branch currently has 43 members.

Minutes of the previous meeting.

There being no matters arising from the members regarding the previous minutes, it was agreed these be taken as read.

Proposer: Mr. Scott Churchill

Seconder: Mr. John Burnett

Matters arising from the previous meeting.

 The Chairman then spoke about the following events:

 24 - 26 April Visit to Kanchanaburi for ANZAC Day Remembrance Services

The cost of hotel accommodation for the first night of this trip (570 baht per night B&B per room) must be paid in advance. This is non-refundable! There are still rooms available at the second hotel TRBL members will be using. With regard to the transport for Chiang Mai members to get down to Kanchanaburi to join up with other TRBL members in Thailand who are also attending the event, the Chairman informed the members present that it was the intention of those who had already committed themselves to attend, to share the cost of petrol as hiring a minibus was too expensive given the low numbers involved.

10 - 17 June - Visit to Malaysia.

Price approximately 15,000 baht per person, includes flights, transfers, hotels and free "Troops Night".

 Depart Bangkok Wednesday, 9 June and spend one night in Penang. Thursday, 10 June: travel to Ipoh, stopping at the Taiping War Cemetery if possible. Three nights in Ipoh attending 4 services, returning to Penang on Sunday, 13 June followed by 3 nights in Penang before returning to Bangkok on Wednesday, 16 June. Contact Bert, the Secretary of the Chonburi Thailand branch for more details.

;26 June; TRBL Chiang Mai 2010 Poppy Appeal fund-raising event at The Empress Hotel.

 The chairman again outlined his idea for what will be the major ;;Chiang Mai TRBL event for 2010, from which it is hoped to raise at least 100,000 baht for TRBL funds for the sub-branch. He stated that no further work had been done since the last meeting as it was felt by all those he had spoken to about the event, that after Songkran would be a better time to hold a meeting of those who were willing to assist in organising the evening itself, selling tickets and securing Grand Draw prizes. That first meeting will be held at The Olde Bell in late April and all members will be notified when the date is set. Mr Rob Kelly again kindly offered his services as and when the organising sub-committee is set up.

12 - 18 August - Visit to Myanmar

Price approximately 22,000 Baht per person, includes flights, hotels, breakfast, tours and guide.

 The RBL in Thailand hopes to make its first visit to Burma on 12 August. The itinerary to be along the following lines;

12 August - 2010 arrive in Rangoon and settle in hotel (flight details to be advised)

13 August - tour Rangoon visiting War Cemetery and war museum, Shwedagon Pagoda, Strand Hotel, Down Town Yangon. O/N Yangon

14 August - travel to Maulmein via Bago. Brief sightseeing in Bago ( Bago Palace/ Shwemawdaw Pagoda). Settle in hotel at Maulmein.

15 August (V.J. Day), visit Thanbyuzayat war cemetery, Setse beach, Kyaikkhamee Pagoda. Overnight stay in Maulmein.

16 August - return to Rangoon. O/N Yangon;

17August - free day in Rangoon

18 August - transfer to Yangon airport for your return flight to Thailand

TRBL Chiang Mai members should contact Bert Elson, the secretary of TRBL Chonburi in Pattaya or the Chairman if they would like to attend this particular event.

Secretary's Report.

 The Chairman confirmed that none of the sub-branch members had offered to take on the responsibilities of sub-branch secretary following the resignation of the previous incumbent, Mr. Stewart Wilson, in February. He stated that he was willing to continue in the role in an acting capacity until October, when all three committee positions will be reviewed at the sub-branch AGM.

Treasurer's Report.

 The Treasurer produced a statement of accounts for the sub-branch social fund showing a balance of 21,950 baht. The sub-branch does not have any TRBL funds to account for at this stage.

;Welfare Officer's Report.

The Chairman, in his role as Welfare Officer in formed the members that, since the New Year, he had completed applications for assistance from TRBL (Form A) for three Chiang Mai residents and one in Udon Thani province. He had also visited another Chiang Mai resident in the same period who it was discovered did not qualify for TRBL assistance. He had also attended two funerals, in Uttaradit and Korat, in the last month and laid wreaths from the sub-branch on behalf of the members. The Chairman again made the point that this is exactly what the Legion is all about, and that this is why it is intended that sufficient funds be maintained in our branch account to provide much needed financial for those in need of assistance who live in the northern Thailand region and who meet the criteria for assistance, so that we can assist them more expeditiously in the future.

Committee Report.

The committee had nothing to report that was not covered elsewhere during the meeting.

Propositions received from the membership.

 No propositions were received from the membership before the meeting.

Any other business.

 The golf tournament to raise funds for the 2010 Poppy Appeal has been pencilled-in on the Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club's calendar for Saturday, 30 October 2010. One of the club's members has agreed to act as the tournament referee/official on the day. A further meeting will be set up in the near future to confirm costs and members will be notified accordingly. The Chairman also asked members to volunteer on the day to organise events for children and family members to help make it a fun event for everyone. The TRBL Poppy Appeal in Chiang Mai will be launched at this event. Should the event proved to be successful, the Chairman envisaged it becoming an annual event along with the formal event in late June to celebrate UK Armed Forces Day.

Date, time and place of the next General Meeting.

The next General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21 July, at 7.30pm at The Olde Bell Pub.

Closure of the meeting.

 There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.35pm.