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).
PCS BRANCH REUNION scheduled for 28-30 May 2021.
The Village Hotel in Liverpool has been selected for our 2021 reunion. The address of the hotel is – Fallows Way, Whiston, Liverpool L35 1RZ. The weekend starts with an informal gathering on Friday and the Branch AGM will be held on Sunday morning. Members staying at the Village Hotel need to book their accommodation using the Village Hotels online booking system (https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/hotels/liverpool) using the discount code ‘PRO20A’ (or, if this not possible, by phone 0151 556 4585 quoting the promo code ‘PRO20A’). Payment is made at the time of booking, ensuring the hotel is aware that you are attending the Royal Engineers PCS Reunion.
When booking can you please inform Branch Secretary (larrypeacock60@hotmail.co.uk) giving the full names of all in your party. Please also pick one Starter, one Main Course and one Dessert and submit choices to Larry using letter codes, e.g. ‘C, G, L’. Please also inform Larry of any special dietary needs. As usual, some wine will be available funded by the Branch.
Room online booking only Cost
Friday Night £76.00
Saturday Night £98.40
Sunday Night £28.80
Breakfast is available at 25% of normal cost when booking. Example (3 Nights B&B for double room £248.20
Cost of Saturday reunion Meal:- £25.00
Payment of meal to be paid by 1st April 2020 to PCS REA account:-
The Royal Engineers Association (PCS)
Branch Sort Code: 30-90-89
Account Number 31320060.
Please inform Branch secretary (larrypeacock60@hotmail.co.uk) that payment has been made.
Menu
Starters
a. Chilli duck spring roll with a spring onion, coriander, beansprout salad and Asian dressing.
b. Smooth chicken liver pate with bloomer toast and plum chutney.
c. Beef tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil with a green pesto dressing (v)
Main course
d. Corn-fed chicken breast with roast potatoes, sage stuffing, Lincolnshire sausage and smoked bacon.
e. Roast sirloin of beef with Yorkshire puddings and red wine sauce.
f. Roasted chicken breast with rosemary new potatoes and tomato and chorizo sauce.
g. Baked wild mushroom stuffed chicken breast with Madeira and tarragon
h. Baked brie and roasted vegetable turnover watercress and rocket salad, tomato and basil sauce (v)
Desserts
h. Fruit tart (v)
i. Bread and butter pudding (v)
j. Lemon tart.(v).
k. Warm apple and ginger crumble tart with cinnamon custard (v).
Thanks Roy. You have done a great job.
Margaret
Do we have a discounted rate and is there a menu choice available?
Best REgards
Geoff