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EAST KENT BRANCH
ROYAL SIGNALS ASSOCIATION
MARCH 2015
NEWSLETTER No 279
This month the branch met at The Black Robin in Barham for our first ever Extraordinary
General Meeting, which attracted 38 members, keen to put their views across and make some
interesting suggestions and observations, which should occupy the committee very nicely in the
next few months. The EGM was called by the committee to discuss and to fmd a solution to the
worrying trend, noticed from the beginning of last year, of the dwindling numbers of members
attending the monthly functions.
The Hon Sec chaired the meeting and began by welcoming and thanking those present for
turning up to support the committee in this quest, and then went on to outline the committee
concerns. Since the beginning of last year, the number of members attending the monthly
functions has decreased to a level where it was felt that the branch could not continue at the
present levels, and offered the membership four options to consider. The fourth option was to
close the branch, which was overwhelmingly rejected and therefore immediately discounted as
an option. Much discussion ensued, and members came to a resounding conclusion that the
branch continues to function on a monthly basis, with a reduction in the number of "outside"
events, preferring more lunches with speakers at two permanent locations, one in East Kent,
and another for those in West Kent. The venues chosen were The Black Robin for the East, and
The Grange Moor in Maidstone for the West. Timings will also change to 12.30 meet for lunch
served at 13.30. There are five immovable feasts in our annual calendar, 1 the AGM, 2 the
weekend away (Mayor September), 3 the annual BBQ, 4 Remembrance Sunday, and 5
Christmas Lunch. And so, with that in mind the Hon Sec immediately reserved the function
room at The Black Robin for the 12th April. More details in the future functions paragraph.
Marion Ballantyne's raffle netted the branch £89
Overall, the meeting was a great success with a clear mandate for the committee to continue
organising the branch along the lines of the proposals mentioned. The Black Robin is a new
venue for the branch, but the cosy function room gives us the privacy to conduct our meetings
without disruption to others, and the extensive menu gives a choice to suit all appetites. The
Grange Moor needs no further enhancement, we all know what we get there and is a great
favourite with the members.
News of Members. The funeral of Colonel John Gibson will take place at 1.30pm on Tuesday
24th March 2015 in the Chapel of Our Lady Underwood in the Western Crypt of Canterbury
Cathedral. All are invited to attend, and after take refreshments in the Refectory Restaurant in
the Cathedral Lodge in the Precincts. The branch standard will be on parade.
The branch extends best wishes for a speedy recovery to Graham Jolly, who has recently
undergone surgery in hospital. We hope to see you and Lynn at a future function, soon.
Future Functions. As previously mentioned, our venue for lunch on Sunday 12thApril will be
at The Black Robin, in Barham, nr Canterbury. For those with sat nav the PC is CT4 6HS and
the doors open at 12, so please don't arrive too early, and send the completed chitty to the Hon
Sec ASAP.
On 17th May, we will be at the Grange Moor Hotel, and in June it will be back to The Black
Robin. Further details in the next newsletter.
It is intended to resurrect the visit to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London on or
about the 12thJuly, but we need significant numbers to warrant the use of a coach for what will
be a late night. The visit starts at 19.30 with a private "free" Yeoman Warder (ex R.Sigs) tour
of the Tower (and places that only they have access to) followed by the Ceremony of the Keys,
followed by an invitation to the mess for drinks. Supper is available at a charge and will be
advised in the next newsletter.
Notices. The Hon Treas. would like to remind everyone that subscriptions for 2015 will be
due on 1st April 2015 and the rate is £10 per person. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR
STANDING ORDERS FOR THE BRANCH ARE UP TO DATE AND ANYONE WHO
NEEDS TO SET ONE UP CAN OBTAIN THE FORM FROM THE HON TREAS. Many
members are continuing to pay at the old rates, so please check to avoid the Hon Treas.
having to spend time and valuable branch funds unnecessarily.
YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER WILL DOUBTLESS BE VERY MUCH
APPRECIA TED BY "MR. MONEY."
Advertising. If anyone can recommend a tradesman who has completed work for you
personally please let the Hon Sec know and he will contact them. Advertising in the newsletter
helps with the branch costs and you can have work done with a degree of confidence that a
member of the branch has also been happy with the results.
To The Hon Sec 16 St Michaels Close, Rough Common, Canterbury. CT2 9BN
My party for the lunch on Sunday
iz" April at the Black
Robin at 12.30 will be ......... Pers
At £15 pp. Our individual menu requests are as follows. Please fmd enclosed cheque for
£ ....... for a 2 course lunch (main meal and dessert)
Main Course
name
name
name
name
name
Slow roast pork with crackling and black pudding
Topside of beef with Yorkshire Pudding
Half roast chicken with sausage and apricot stuffing
Chestnut and cranberry nut roast with Yorkshire Pudding
Dessert
Molten chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream
Apple and thyme crumble with fresh custard
Banoffee pie with peanut butter ice cream
Chocolate and orange bread and butter pudding with cream or ice cream
Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream or custard
Selection of homemade ice creams
NAME
.
THE ADVERTISERS BELOW HA VB cARRIED OUT WORK FOR BRANCH MEMBERS AND COME
RECOMMENDED BY THEM. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY FORM OF GUARANTEE AND
THE BRANCH DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
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