ARMY APPRENTICES NATIONAL MEMORIAL TRUST (AANMT)
Minutes of the 11th AGM held at the National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas 13:00hrs Saturday 4th September 2021
Members Present:
Johnny McGahan (Deputy Chairman/NMA Liaison Officer) – Harrogate
Glyn Marsh (Treasurer) – Harrogate
Roger Traves (Temp Secretary) – Arborfield
James Smith – Harrogate
John Stokoe (President) – Harrogate
Rob Cross – Harrogate
Peter Forster – Harrogate
Len Morland – Harrogate
Mick Taylor – Harrogate
Gordon Bonner – Arborfield
Bill Hough – Arborfield
Terry Hanman – Harrogate
Apologies Received:
Garry Kelly – (Chairman & Chaplin) – Carlisle
Steve Joyce – (Secretary) – Carlisle
David Chapman – Chepstow
Max Warwick – Arborfield
Colin Taylor – Carlisle
Keith Thrower – Arborfield
Bill McGinn – Events Organiser – Carlisle
Mike Davies – Arborfield
Bill Duncan – Harrogate
Muarice Snooks – Harrogate
1. Chairman’s Welcome
The meeting was opened by Johnny McGahan who welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting especially those who had travelled a long distance. He explained that in the absence of the Chairman, Rev Gary Kelly who was unable to attend, he would chair the AGM. He passed a copy of the agenda to all present.
Johnny explained that Steve Joyce was recovering at home after surgery and thanked Roger Traves for temporally standing as secretary.
As not everyone had seen the minutes of the EGM dated 22 February 2020 Johnny read them out and some copies were distributed to members.
2. Matters Arising
Roger had received a letter from Mike Tizard that raised a number of issues concerning the 2 organisations, one charity based and the other not. The majority at the meeting generally thought it to be a matter of misunderstanding. Len Morland suggested that we should deal with this issue after the meeting at the hotel and together produce a short statement explaining the reasons for the existence of the Army Apprentice National Association (AANA) and its role. This was to help those who are dubious about the AANMT & AANA running in parallel. This document has been drafted and will be distributed with these minutes and issued to all the Association Secretary’s.
Rob Cross also raised the point that the qualification for membership of the AANMT and AANA did not include those that attended the Foundation College. These students are called junior soldiers not apprentices. He proposed that we should include Junior Soldiers.
Proposed: Rob Cross. Seconded: Glyn Marsh. CARRIED.
3. Election of the Trustees
The current Trustees are:
Garry Kelly – Chairman and Chaplain (Carlisle)
Johnny McGahan – Deputy Chairman and NMA Liaison Officer (Harrogate) Steve Joyce – Secretary (Carlisle)
Glyn Marsh – Treasurer (Harrogate)
Bill McGinn – Events Organiser (Carlisle) Rob Cross – Harrogate)
Ken Carver – (Carlisle) James Smith – (Harrogate) Roger Traves – (Arborfield)
The Trustees present agreed to continue and were elected for another year. Those not present were also elected and will be contacted to get their agreement.
4. Secretary’s Report
Due to the absence of Steve Joyce there was no Secretary’s Report.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Glyn explained that the AANMT has received no funding during the pandemic period, but there have been some small costs.
Copies of the statements of accounts for the AANMT for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019 and for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 were distributed. They are also attached to these minutes.
Glyn asked if the accounts could be accepted. Proposed: Rob Cross.
Seconded: Len Morland.
CARRIED.
A statement for the AANA for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 were handed out to members at the subsequent meeting and they are attached to these minutes.
Fund values as at 4 September 2021 are: a. AANMT £1.300.55
b. Entertainment £123.00
Glyn explained the problems with opening a new bank account in the name of the Trust , due to it be registered with the Charities Commission, The previous treasurer
had experienced similar problems and found an alternative solution. The Association has opened a bank account and is currently holding the funds of the Trust on its behalf. The Association has no funds of its own.
6. Webmaster’s Report
David Schofield has been doing some work on the Web but he is becoming unable to continue due to ill health. Glyn Marsh has been helping to run the site; also Colin Taylor has agreed to help out. However we need a volunteer webmaster. Peter Forster may be a candidate and will have a look at what is needed, but he has not committed himself yet.
7. Events Organiser’s Report
Due to the absence of Bill McGinn there was no Events Organiser’s Report.
8. NMA Liaison Officers and Legacy Fund Report.
The Chairman reported that on inspection it was found that lichen had grown on the face of the monolith and on some gold leaf lettering. The sand slits required to be topped up also in some areas of the base the mortar was missing and required re- pointing. The whole base needed a general clean up. The NMA have been informed and have actioned all but the re-pointing. This will be actioned in the near future.
The Legacy Fund stands at £39,032.41
9. AOB
Johnny McGahan reported that a private room had been booked for dinner at the hotel at a cost of £100. He suggested that this cost be shared amongst those attending which worked out at approximately £5 per person. The Treasurer Glyn Marsh suggested that the £123 that had accrued from entertainment donations from previous years be used instead.
Proposed: Glyn Mash Seconded: Terry Hanman. CARRIED
The Chairman gave his thanks to Mo Hope for producing the order for the Dedication Service and to Rob Cross for doing the printing of the programmes at his own cost.
The Chairman mentioned that it might be a good idea for future Army Apprentice weekends to be held on the first weekend in September as this is the anniversary of our memorial Dedication Ceremony. Although there was not a formal vote all present agreed, so the 11th anniversary Army Apprentice weekend will be held on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2022.
There being no further business to attend to the Chairman closed the meeting at 1410 hrs.
10. NB:
The following Trustees who were not present at this meeting have agreed to stand for another year. They are: Garry Kelly – (Carlisle), Steve Joyce – (Carlisle), Bill McGinn – (Carlisle) & Ken Carver – (Carlisle)
Colin Taylor has agreed to take on the vacant post of Webmaster.
Bill McGinn has informed us that due to family health problems he cannot continue on with the Events Organiser post.
Garry Kelly who was elected as Chairman has now declined, so Johnny will stand in until a new Chairman is found.
Attachments: [can be seen on request]
Income & Expenditure Statements
AANMT & AANA Clarification document