Two long standing members of the Branch Committee have recently decided it is time to move on:
John Parnaby has been a member since 2006and will best be remembered for providing and cooking the BBQ at many Senior Camps and keeping the rest of the Committee in order by taking the minutes. He has also repaired trailers and provided machinery to help with the bigger challenges. I’m sure we will continue to see and hear him at our events where he has been known to commentate and generally pass judgement in public on proceedings!
Anthony Rowles-Jones joined the committee so long ago he can’t precisely remember when he answered the call but thinks it was around the Millennium! He is best known, of course, for having been Senior Camp Commandant for 10 years but has also served the branch as Health and Safety Officer and more recently as Child Protection Officer too. He is still in post to finish off a couple of tasks and conduct an orderly hand over but wishes to finish in time for Christmas. Apparently it wasn’t anything we said, rather he has his own business which has become very successful of late and is demanding more of his attention.
We wish them both the very best and thank them for their years of tireless service.
Having noted the decline in the strength of our forces I am delighted to announce that two fearless ladies have accepted our invitation to join and we welcome Mrs Liza Curtis and Mrs Candy Robbins to the ranks.
With Anthony holding three key posts we have undertaken what can best be described as a ‘front bench reshuffle’. As you may know Heidi Greenwood is now a fully qualified school teacher and so is already well versed in Child Protection matters and so will assume that role. Candy Robbins has kindly agreed to take over the post of Branch Secretary and has also very kindly agreed to take the Minutes! Candy tells me her hearing isn’t perfect so what she doesn’t catch I’m sure she will make up with great inventiveness :). Liza Curtis will assume responsibility for Health and Safety and, as announced at the end of Senior Camp 2012, Stuart Fellingham has agreed to be Commandant.
We are all exceedingly grateful for those who give up their time and energy to run the Branch on behalf of the members and I’m sure you will wish to join me in wishing them all the best of luck in their new roles.
For the record the Branch Committee is listed below together with specific responsibilities where appropriate.
Mr J Bedford – Wivelsden Farm XC Course
Mrs A Cook – Margaret Sheffield Memorial Fund
Mrs L Curtis – Health and Safety
Mr R Emeny – Jump Steward and Transport Co-ordinator
Mr S Fellingham – Senior Camp Commandant
Mrs C Fry – Programme Organiser
Mrs H Greenwood – Child Protection Officer
Mrs S Muggeridge – Chief Instructor
Mr M Nichols – District Commissioner
Mrs C Robbins – Branch Secretary
Dr L Ripley – Treasurer and Membership Secretary
Mr A Rowles-Jones (Retiring)
Ms C Russell – Clothing
Anyone mystified by the rules concerning the constitution of the Branch Committee basically membership is by invitation of the Committee; there is no process of nomination or election because the vast majority of the members are minors. The Branch Committee appoint the DC and, in the beginning (eg. on the formation of a new Branch) the Committee is appointed by the DC who is initially appointed by HQ!
Mike