Editors Comments
The new C.O. and his little bit at the front
Editors Remarks
Norfolke Trayned
Bandes AGM 2001
Worcester
Bexley Heath
Upnor Castle
Well, at last we have some events to attend. Inside this newsletter there are warning orders for three events to attend.
What I have been asked to convey to you, is to get your memberships sent to Mandy as soon as you can, as memberships need to be payed up before turning up at events.
Dear Rattes,
As most of you will now know as from the Battle Abbey major muster I became the Commanding Officer of the regiment. Whether this proves to be a Holy Grail or a poisoned chalice only time will tell. Before I go on, can everyone please read the minutes from the AGM as certain decisions were made at Battle that people may not yet be aware of. Now, where was I .... Friends, Norfolkes, Countrymen ......
I know that there are quite a lot of members, past & present, who have expressed concerns about the state of the society and the regiment. I would like to be able to stand on a soap box and say that I will bring back the old days with nearly every regiment fielding twenty or more pike and having the numbers to support at least one wing of musket, with battles containing more pushing and club musket than you could shake a 16 foot stick at!
You know and I know that is not the case - things have changed. What I can promise is that I will try to consolidate and build Norfolkes into one of the R.A.'s leading regiments and that our voice and opinions will continue to be heard. NTB over the years has lost numbers, just like every other old established regiment, but I think that we have retained enough of our identity to recover.
In my opinion, the way forward for the regiment is to build up our identity through the social side. This is not always possible at major musters due to the nature of these events - the pull of beer tents, public houses and camp fires means that we tend to be spread all over the place. Our best efforts at Battle to have a regimental get-together and feast were unfortunately spoilt by p*** awful weather. The fighting may occasionally be frustrating at major battles, but if we have established a group bond (let's get kinky now!) then the pull of the social aspect will keep the regiment going.
Warning Orders for Worcester & Upnor Castle are included and hopefully we will get invites to more small and mid-sized events in the future, so let's try to turn out large numbers at these shows. This will re-enforce our identity and will show the other units of the society that we are a unit to be respected, trusted and relied upon. Although these may not always have the glitz and prestige of major events I have always found them to be extremely enjoyable and the best way to meet other regiments (remember Cawsand anyone?).
What I need is for all of you to continue to support Norfolkes and myself in the future. If you know of lapsed members, try and pester them into coming back. I am also aware that the majority of regimental members are getting a little long in the tooth, so let's see if we can find some mad young things to swell the numbers.
On paper it looks easy, in reality it will be harder, but let's try to make it a success. I will not be at Worcester until the Monday, but for those going please liaise with Crawfords, as we will form up with them, and have a good time.
Yours in the cause,
Bruce Goodridge
Captain of the Norfolke Trayned Bandes
Please let the organiser of the events know that you are coming to the event as soon as possible.
We need to encourage the officers and members of the regiment who are doing their best for the sake of the regiment, show your support. Also let's put on a good show if we attend any of the events that are in this Rattes Tayle.
To people who have friends or family that are interested in joining, let us know what is needed to encourage them to join?
The Annual General Meeting of the Norfolke Trayned Bandes was held at the Battle Abbey major muster on Sunday July 8th at I1:30.
1 . Minutes from the last meeting
The minutes
from the previous AGM were accepted.
2. Matters arising from the minutes
There were
no issues raised for discussion
3. C.O.'s report
Peter Conboy (PC) gave a report
covering a number of issues.
PC announced that he was standing down as C.O.
of the regiment, but would remain as the commanding officer for Skippon's
Battalia. With effect from this point Bruce Goodridge (BG) was to take over the
position of regimental C.O.
PC also informed the meeting that Weldon's
regiment had decided to revert to Company status under Montague's regiment
within Poyntz' battalia.
After the conclusion of PC's report, Graham
Middielon proposed that in appreciation of the hard work PC had performed
whilst C.O. that PC be given life membership of the regiment. This proposal was
seconded by Andrew Fanner and was duly voted on and accepted unanimously.
4.1 Regimental Secretary
CG informed the meeting that it was
developing into a quiet season, particularly in light of the Foot and Mouth
crisis, and as a result there was little news to report on.
4.2 Membership Secretary
Mandy Skeels informed the meeting that
numbers were unclear as the majority of the regiment had rejoined that weekend.
All members participating on the field had paid up however.
4.3 Treasurer
BG informed the meeting of the current financial
situation (with £1338.33 held in the account at the end of the financial
year - full accounts are available on request from BG). The regiment is
therefore is a reasonably healthy position from which to fund the renewal of
regimental kit, etc. This position has come about following the eventual sale
of a large period tent and income from Babylon Hill and other sources.
4.4 QuarterMaster
Andy Keys (AK) is to review the state of the
regimental kit and dump bits that are rubbish. A list of proposed new kit is to
be drawn up with a view to purchasing said requirements when the opportunity
arises. In addition, AK was given approval to price up a modern tent in which
to store kit at musters.
4.5 Rattes Tayle Editor
Geoff Freitag (GF) is happy to keep
producing the RT, but does require input so he can issue the magazine on a
regular basis. An updated address list is to be made available to GF and BG
from Mandy Skeels as certain regimental members had not received their copies.
C.O. note to ALL regimental members - please try to send something/anything to
Geoff as we want to keep NTB together through this quiet period.
4.6 CofS Rep
Tim Keagle was actually attending the CofS meeting
during the course of the regimental AGM. If there is any relevant information
to be passed onto the regiment, then Tim will undoubtably pass it on through
the medium of the Rattes Tayle - isn't that right Tim?
4.7 Musket Rep
The regiment was told by Andrew Fanner (AF) that
there may be a problem in the future with regard to transporting the regimental
muskets. Some of the muskets held by the regiment are of little real use to the
regiment so it was proposed that these old redundant muskets be advertised for
sale in the Parliament Scoute - AF was therefore actioned to arrange for an
advert to be placed in the Scoute through Mark Skeels
5. Election of new officers.
The status of a
couple of regiment positions were discussed at the meeting, including the roles
of Pike Rep and Musket Rep. The requirement for these positions will be
reviewed further by the C.O. and committee at a future time. The position of
Regimental Chairman (as opposed to the meetings chairperson) would be retained
by PC.
Meetings Secretary -
BG informed the regiment that as he had
several roles to perform within the regiment he was unable to perform the role
of meetings secretary in the future. Graham Middleton volunteered his services
which were gratefully accepted by the regiment.
6.1 i)Title: Changes to dates allowed for AGM
Proposer: S.K.Rabson
Seconded: P. Conboy Proposal:
The NTB shall allow the AGM to be held at
musters which fall on the Easter weekend, in preference to later dates such as
the May Bank Holiday. This requires a change to the second sentence of the
clause 3.1 of the Meeting regulations to the following: "The first at the
Easter Weekend, failing this is the late May Bank Holiday, failing this then
the first major muster or, failing this, the nearest approximation to it, will
be the Annual General Meeting (AGM)."
The motion was voted on and passed by
the meeting.
ii) Title: Subsidising new musketeers licenses
Proposer : P. Conboy
Seconded: A. Fanner
Proposal: "Mindful of the cost of new shot gun licenses
and mindful of increased RA bounty being paid for musketeers; NTB will pay 50%
of the cost of new musketeers shotgun licenses, with the remaining 50% payable
after the fifth appearance of the musketeer at NTB supported events."
Argument: New shotgun licenses now cost £55 and this cost is very great
for new recruits who are also trying to purchase their first C17th clothing.
Further it was the aim of the RA in providing increased bounty for musketeers
to help subsidise these costs. Therefore it is proposed that money channelled
to the regiment from the RA be used to facilitate new firers getting licensed.
It is important that the maximum numbers of musket are firers as this adds to
the spectacle of events and dictates the pace of the musket block.
The
meeting discussed the above proposal and it was agreed it should be amended to
cover renewals for musketeers as well for exactly the same reasons as stated in
the argument. This was accepted and was passed by the meeting. The amended
proposal is as follows.
"Mindful of the cost of new shot gun licenses and
mindful of increased RA bounty being paid for musketeers; NTB will pay 50% of
the cost of musketeers shotgun licenses.
6.2 New motions for 2001
iii) Title: Amendment to NTB membership
fees
Proposed: B. Goodridge Seconded: R Conboy
Proposal: "To raise the
family membership fees to £15".
Background: The NTB membership fees
have been frozen for some years. Some of the costs the regiment is beginning to
encounter cannot be sustained with the current rates. The rates for individuals
(£10) and new members (£3) are already at a reasonable level. It is
therefore proposed to increase the family membership to £15. This still
represents a fair price, especially when compared to most other units &
that family memberships now make up the majority of Norfolke Trayned
Bandes.
After discussion, and in the light of this being a lean season,
this motion was dropped by the proposer. An alternative motion was proposed and
is detailed below as motion v.
iv) Title: To introduce Associate membership of the Norfolke Trayned
Bandes
Proposed: B. Goodridge Seconded: P. Conboy
Proposal: "To
introduce Associate membership of the Norfolke Trayned Bandes. This will
replace the fee paid for 'Rattes Tayle correspondence'. Associate members will
not be given a vote at the regirnental meetings nor will they be allowed to go
on to the battlefield, unless already a full member of another ECWS
regiment."
Background: Friends of the regiment have been asking to be kept
in touch with events for years. Some have even asked whether they can join the
regiment under such a scheme. This membership would cover that situation and
could even expand our rank and file in the longer term.
The proposal was
accepted unanimously by the regiment with the recommendation that Associate
membership be introduced forthwith at a fee of £5 per annum.
v) Title: Amendment to NTB membership fees
Proposed: B. Goodridge
Seconded: P. Conboy
Proposal: "That children are free when joining the
Norfolke Trayned Bandes."
Background: With a large number of single parent
families being part of the regiment it was recognised that family membership
costs were not good value. The existing family membership would continue to
cover two adults. Single parents will now pay the individuals rate and all
children of the regiment are now free.
This issue was voted on and accepted
by the regiment.
vi) Title: To carry forward regimental membership into 2002
Proposed: B. Goodridge Seconded: J. Crane
Proposal: "All current 2001
memberships be carried forward to the end of 2002"
Background: In
recognition that the majority of the regiment will only attend two or three
events at most this season, it was proposed that the 2001 membership, if paid
up, would carry forward through to the end of 2002 as well. This also rewards
the regimental members for their loyalty. After some discussion, it was
suggested that the motion be voted upon. It was requested that the vote be
counted. The vote was taken with 17 for the motion, 6 against the motion and 3
abstentions, so was accepted.
a) NTB have a small living history at Bexley Heath on the first weekend in September. Stuart Peachey is looking for about 10 people and information is available from him.
b) There is no August Bank Holiday major, but we have been invited by Crawford's & Fairfax' battalia to partake in the event at Worcester. Participants are welcome but must adhere to certain English Heritage dress requirements. The regiment was asked if they were interested in attending, probably as part of Crawford's, which met with a positive response. BG said he would try to get a warning order as soon as it was available and issue it through the Rattes Tayle.
c) Banqueting was discussed with Stuart Peachey proposing a bring-a-dish social event up at the Greyhill site, probably in late October. The regiment accepted this idea and BG/PC are to co-ordinate a possible date around other requirements, such as the RA officers training weekend. More info will follow as soon as it is available.
d) PC and BG informed the regiment that there will hopefully be an RA march in 2002. The current idea is to march from Marston Moor to York. Participants can join the march either from the start or from a set point just outside York when everyone can don their authentic and/or best bib and tucker!
e) AF asked whether the regiment would be interested in hosting another Southsea castle event. This was also met with approval, so AF was asked to find out whether this was a genuine possibility.
8. Any Other Business
BG reminded everyone that
memberships must be payed and anyone partaking on the battlefield had to be a
signed up member. BG also asked that all leads be followed up.
9. Date of next meeting
The next meeting date
will be issued at a time in the future when musters are confirmed
(provisionally to be Easter at Mells April 2002)
AGENDA