Committee News

 

REA PCS Branch Committee Meeting – 13 Oct 20

President’s Report

At the end of 2019 our Chairman, Brian Felks, advised me that he wanted to stand down due to deteriorating health and I reluctantly accepted his resignation. Roy Walker, the incumbent committee member and webmaster, was proposed as a suitable replacement and he kindly agreed to take on the role. This proposal was supported unanimously by the rest of the Committee, including the outgoing Chairman. I will purchase a suitable gift from the Sapper Shop for presentation to Brian as a token of our appreciation for all his hard work over many years as Chairman. I will also send flowers to Brian’s wife Jackie, to acknowledge her tremendous support.

With Brian taking a back-seat I took over as POC for the Village Hotel regarding arrangements for the Annual Reunion and AGM. This event was postponed from Apr to Oct due to Coronavirus restrictions and again from Oct to May 2021 due to the ongoing situation. It may yet have to be cancelled altogether and I will be liaising with the Hotel about this.

This week I received an email from our Treasurer, Chris Connaughton, intimating his resignation. Chris has served on the Committee for many years and will be sorely missed. A suitable volunteer to fill Chris’s boots will now be sought, along with a replacement for Roy. As Roy has kindly agreed to continue as the webmaster, the new committee member could be given responsibility for Welfare and Social matters.

As there can be no AGM this year due to the pandemic restrictions, members will be kept updated on developments through Post Horn and the PCS Branch website. Hopefully, we will be able to meet up during 2021, Covid-19 permitting!

COMMITTEE UPDATE – OCT 20

This year, due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by Covid19, it has not been possible to hold an AGM. However, the Branch Committee met online via Zoom on Tue 13 Oct 20 where the appointment of Roy as Chairman was ratified by unanimous agreement. Under normal circumstances, Committee members may put themselves forward for re-election each year at the Branch AGM in accordance with REA Rules. All other Committee members have also agreed to remain in post for another year. The minutes of this meeting will be published in due course.

Branch Chairman

Following the decision by Brian Felks to stand-down as Branch Chairman at the beginning of the year, an ideal replacement has been found from within the Committee in the form of Roy Walker, who has agreed to take on the role. As you know, Roy is also Webmaster for the PCS Branch website and has also agreed to continue doing this. I am very grateful to Roy for stepping up to the plate. I have made a suitable presentation on behalf of members to Brian as a token of our appreciation and thanked him for his tremendous contribution and all he has done for the Branch. I have also sent flowers to Brian’s wife, Jackie, to thank her for her wonderful support to Brian.

Welfare and Social member

With Roy moving to Chairman, there is now a vacancy on the Committee and nominations are invited to take on the role of Welfare and Social member. Please send your nominations to the Branch Secretary, Larry Peacock (secretary@pcsbranch.org.uk). Self-nominations are welcome, so if you are interested please get in touch.

Branch Treasurer

Our Treasurer, Chris Connaughton, recently intimated his wish to stand-down at the end of this year following completion of the end of year accounts. Tilly Clifton has volunteered to take-on this role and, under REA Rules, may do so as an Associate Member. It has been a long-held aspiration to include an Associate member on the Committee. Unless there are any objections to this proposal, the plan is for Chris to handover to Tilly in January 2021. Any objections should be submitted in writing to the Branch Secretary as above.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their forbearance during these strange times and also for your continued support of the Branch.

Graham Meacher

Branch President

We are also looking for a younger member to take on the Branches Standard Bearer Role. (Training will be given).

The latest Government advice regarding Coronavirus and the number of persons allowed to attend events still stand currently at 30. As there is no way of knowing if this number will increase before the reunion, the Branch Committee has decided to POSTPONE the PCS Reunion (again) scheduled for 16-18 October. The new dates are now 28-30 May 21, (no dates available in Apr due to postponed weddings!). The dinner will be held on Sat 29 May. The venue remains the same, i.e. The Village Hotel Liverpool (https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/hotels/liverpool/) see below.

Those who have made bookings at the Village Hotel should ‘phone 0151 556 4585 to change to the new date.

Those who have booked rail travel should contact the relevant Train Operating Company to amend their bookings.