The secretary opened the meeting at 1200 hours. Fire Safety precautions were announced. 28 personnel were present.

The Chairman made the following points on behalf of the President, who sent his apologies for none attendance:

The President required the Chairman to breathe a bit of fresh-air back into the Charter and for it to be rewrote and staffed out to all the bazaars ensuring that it’s realistic and sets out what the Association is all about and what it can and can’t achieve.

The second point the President wished to pass-on was the fact that this is meant to be fun and is all about camaraderie, having a few drinks, keeping together and looking after ex-members who have perhaps fallen on bad times (not financially) and informing the correct authorities. Its not the forum for getting your rocks off about something that happened back in 1973 or indeed concerns over promotion. The President is anxious that we should remember that the CGA should be fun.

The Chairman went on to say that he was asked to have a re-look at things earlier in the year. He expressed the fact that he’s only the acting Chairman and is handing over after the AGM.

A vote of thanks was given to Richard Beale, who held the position of CGA Chairman for 2 ½ years.

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Regimental

The CO 29 Cdo Regt RA gave a comprehensive Regimental update, which covered the followingaspects of Op HERRICK 5:

• Strike
• OMLT
• JPCC
• Bastion Support Gp
• 8 Bty Lead Cdo Gp – VELA
• Rear Party
• Orbat
• FST Make-up
• Force Laydown
• Regtl Gun Gp
• Deaths of Soldiers
• Manning

Mr Mark Beale asked the question if there was any foreseeable move out of the Royal Citadel for the Regt?

Mr Neil Randall asked if standards on the Cdo course were dropping?

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There was no record of the Minutes of the Last Meeting apart from a note stating that the Secretary (Norman Fox) was resigning. The Chairman suggested that we all now look forward rather than back.

The Chairman informed the meeting that he had posted a lot of information on Neil Randall's website and was grateful to Neil for allowing this. He emphasised that there are some significant changes to the Charter and covered the ball points.

        The purpose of the Charter:

The Chairman asked if there were any concerns over the revised Charter:

No comments from the floor, therefore the revised Charter is now binding.

The Chairman raised the point that the Central HQ Element holds the CGA funds and were not

inconsiderable, he expressed that most monies comes from the MoTN and the generosity of the regiment.

The Chairman went on to explain that there is now a £250 cap written into the Charter, which can be spent by any member of the committee without the approval of the full committee (region reps), any major expenditure would be voted on at the AGMs.

The Chairman asked the floor if they were satisfied.

A question was raised about holding monies in a high interest account.

Regimental Webpage. The Chairman explained that the CO has kindly allowed the CGA space on the Regimental Website, which is completely separate from the Regroup. The CGA webpage will differ in style from the Regroup website in that it will only show the Charter, contact numbers, parish notices, email addresses of committee and area reps. The Chairman emphasised that it will be a ‘read only’ page and if a link can be made to the Regroup Website then that will be investigated by the new committee.

A question was raised from Mr Josee regarding the continuity of the webpage.

Mr Webster asked about web security.

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Selection of Committee Members. The Chairman explained that volunteers have come forward and put themselves up for candidates to form the new committee. He went on to announce the candidates, who are as follows:

Chairman - Martin Lambert-Gorwyn

Vice Chairman - Kevin Langshaw

Membership Sec - Chris Price

The Chairman went on to say that Regional

Representatives were also advertised for information only and what they wish to do is entirely up to them and the area that they represent. A representative for Plymouth is still required and holds a key position between the regroup and CGA.

The new committee was voted-in with no against votes being recorded.

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The CGA Secretary gave a Statement of accounts.

Total balance as @ December 2007 was recorded at £7,042.85.

An explanation was given regarding the monies received by the CGA from the MOTN.

A question was raised by Mr Connelly about a £10 donation given by CGA members for a silver centre piece.

A committee member asked what can the CGA monies can be spent on.

The Chairman stated that members should come up with a good case and gave an example of ‘Hardware’, software, perhaps travelling cost for an ex-member that’s fallen on hard times. He expressed that all cases needs to be presented to the central committee for approval.

Mr Alan Caruthers asked the forum if anyone could see the CGA moving forward and made reference to the numbers attending the AGM (08 Dec 2007).

A debate took place with both positive and negative feed back. The mention of the CGA being an organisation to pass information around the bazaars was raised and discussed. The Chairman made the point that this was the third attempt at revitalising the CGA and if it doesn’t work now, then the monies would go into suspended animation. He talked about providing a formalised structure, although perhaps a sleeping structure, which should react to events and provide a method of communicating with ex-members.

The Chairman of the ABA spoke about the success of getting this organisation up and running and gave a quick explanation on how it works and the fact that they also have Charter; news letters etc and made the point that it can be done and was positive that the CGA can do the same.

Mr Nick Jones asked whether serving soldiers of the Regt were members of the CGA.

The Chairman stated that the membership was loose and that every Commando Gunner is a member and don’t have to sign-up or indeed pay. He emphasised that it was an Association of Comrades.

Mr Nick Jones then went on to ask, if that’s the case where is the Regt now?

The RSM replied by stating that the Regt is busy and are on a weekend off and that’s where they should be.

The RSM viewed his thoughts on the Association and mentioned the CGA Dagger.

Mr Josee stated that the Association is a continuation of the serving Regt, which was agreed with by the Chairman.

The Chairman stated that we must not keep looking back and agreed that there have been problems in the past but we all must strive to make this Association work and the fact that CGA members were invited to the Regt’l Boxing night is a good start.

The point was raised by the secretary, about advertising the CGA amongst the serving Regt, which would be achieved by the annual CGA Dagger presentation and a CGA notice board outside the Guardroom, all very much positive issues.

The Chairman thanked all present for their comments.

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The Chairman expressed that there is a lot going on around the areas and mentioned that the ABA (Poole) and the London area have had successful reunions, with the NW about to have one and with Plymouth having their meetings the first Friday of every month in the Fisherman’s Arms.

The Chairman expressed that he is leaving this for the future committee but explained that the idea was not to have a Database but an external hard drive running from a correspondence website, which anyone can email. He went on to say that it’s a simple system and will save the embarrassment of sending out letters to widows of ex-members. This system is not membership driven but for anyone who so wishes to make contact, ask questions, pass a message to the CGA.

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Webmaster

The Chairman stated that the CGA webpage will be ‘read only’ and used as an advertisement for CGA parish notices, contact numbers and the Charter.

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The Chairman explained the introduction of the CGA Dagger. He highlighted that the recipient would be chosen by the Regiment on an annual basis and presented to a Junior Rank who has embodied true Cdo Gunner spirit. He also explained that the funding of the Dagger (£120 approx) would be provided by the CGA. The Chairman also emphasised it would show the face of the CGA and gain some publicity in around the Regt.

The Chairman asked the committee if there were any objections. None from the floor.

This was accepted by the Chairman and is to be actioned by the new elected Chairman.

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The Chairman stated that there was some misunderstanding concerning the 2012 Committee. He emphasized that the 2012 committee is all about the 50th Anniversary and has not a lot to do with the CGA, although emphasising that the CGA will be very much part of the celebrations. The Chairman informed the committee that the Hon Col detailed some movers and shakers to start making things happen and prepare for the event in 5 years time. Discussions took place covering money, how to approach the Chain of Command and the civic authorities.

No further comments from the floor were heard

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The Chairman spoke about Deaths & Notices and mentioned that he would leave this to the future committee to decide on the process. But he pointed out that someone, by email, had raised the issue about various deaths not being marked by the Regt. The Chairman explained that it’s very difficult to get all the correct information and unless you know about the death then there’s very little the Regt can do. He went on to say that when the CGA was set-up the idea was to send a wreath to all who had passed-away but this caused problems; money was not the issues it was the fact that not all deaths were not being notified, therefore some were receiving wreaths, perhaps the more prominent people, and others were not. The Chairman closed the issue and tasked the future committee to set-up a robust policy for the notifying of deaths.

Mr Randall made reference to the new Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas, which takes the form of a stone circle on which is inscribed the names of all servicemen and women who have died in operations since WWII. A discussion took place regarding, who informs who of deaths and who pays for the inscriptions. The RSM informed the floor that the Regt would pay for all ranks who are KIA and from 29 Cdo Regt RA. Further discussion took place regarding the CGA paying for names to be inscribed on the memorial.

In principle a proposition was made and that the committee take it forward to confirm the parameters:

Any member serving with 29 Cdo Regt RA on operations who is KIA will have there name inscribed on the memorial at the cost of the CGA.

A committee member asked how long do we go back?

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The Chairman discussed future functions and pointed out there are about 4000 ex- members of the Regt spread out all over the world and that it would not be feasible to have such a large reunion, although the Fiftieth Anniversary should encompass a large amount? He mentioned that it would not be feasible for the CGA to run a reunion every 2 years but made reference to the fact that smaller reunions have been held and referred to the Falklands Anniversary, Arbroath and 145 & 8 Bty events/reunions; all very successful. He went on to say that by running smaller events are much more feasible and gives a better opportunity for closed communication, to that end he mentioned that MoTN is taking place in 2008 along with a proposed 95 Cdo Regt reunion around Sep 08 being organised by Mr Faull. He also mentioned if individuals wish to run events/reunions then they may seek funding from the CGA, he suggested that this is probably a good way forward?

Mr Des Connelly made reference to the proposed 8 Bty 105 year Anniversary, which did not materialise and suggested that this is where the CGA comes into its own and helps to organise and facilitate such events.

Mr Connelly then remarked that we should all draw-a-line and go forward

It was proposed from a committee member that an Annual Reunion take place.

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This will be advertised at a much later date by the committee

New Chairman’s

The new Chairman (Mr Martin Lambert-Gorwyn) addressed the committee and thanked them for appointing him as the new CGA Chairman. He spoke on the following:

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