THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS COMRADES ASSOCIATION OF THE ROYAL WELSH
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE RAMADA HOTELWEDNESDAY 07 DECEMBER 2022 AT 1100 HRS

SECRETERIES OPENING ADDRESS
The Secretary opened the meeting by welcoming and thanking everyone for making the effort to attend this very well supported meeting. He briefed the meeting on the Northern Ireland Legacy Inquiry and stated that should members of the Association be approached they are asked to inform RHQ The Royal Welsh immediately. Appropriate support and guidance can then be given to those concerned.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Bargoed And Blackwood Branch
Carmarthen Branch
Llanelli Branch
London Branch

MINUTES 0F THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The above Minutes were read, and the Secretary asked those present at the meeting to confirm that the Minutes were a true record of the previous meeting

Proposed by Mr P. Hinge
Seconded by Mr Keith Jones
Carried

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTES
Mr Paul Hinge gave an update stating there were still problems in getting into the Orthopedic Hospital in Oswestry from Wales, but at least one health board is now actively engaging with this.

THE MUSEUM PROJECT


  1. The Secretary and Mr Keith Jones briefed the meeting on this Project.
  2. The new Development Manager has now been appointed and it is hoped now that she can plan and secure the future of the Museum for years to come. Her name is Mrs Valerie Peacock.


DONATION
Mr Paul Hinge suggested that a Donation of £1000 should be made to offset the cost of electricity for this year. This was put to a vote and carried.

MEMORIAL HIGHTOWN BARRACKS, WREXHAM
The Secretary explained that the date has not yet been fixed for the unveiling of the Memorial, but due to Regimental Commitments of both Royal Welsh Battalions, it will not be the 1st of March which has been rumoured. It is likely to be in March and Branch Secretaries will be informed once dates and format have been decided.
Due to other unit’s commitments in Hightown Barracks, it is very unlikely that access to the Barracks will be granted during the opening.

BATTLEFIELD TOUR TO FRANCE 22-25 MAY 2023
A Battlefield tour have been arranged to St Venant in France for the 22-25 May 2023.
The letter has been sent out and four coaches have been booked. We still have some twelve seats available on the coaches leaving Wrexham, the Cardiff coaches are full.

THE WAY FORWARD, BRANCH STRENGTH
The Secretary spoke about the way ahead and that we now know what is in front of us and the line in the sand for 2024. He then stated that he was concerned at the number of Branches that have now closed and the strength of some others is quite concerning. He encouraged all Branches to stay as strong as they can on the lead up to 2024 and even beyond this date if they can.

BRECON REUNION
The Brecon Reunion for 2023 will tack place in Dering Lines, Brecon, on the 22nd of July 2023. A letter will be sent out in the New Year.

COMRADES WEEKEND 2nd SEPTEMBER 2023
Saturday 2nd September 2023

1. 1030hrs: Mayors Reception This will take place at the Restaurant in Coleg Cambria, all Branch Members are invited.
2. 1130hrs: Act of Remembrance The Royal Welch Fusiliers War Memorial
3. 1230hrs; Reunion Luncheon: Lunch will take place in the Function Room at Coleg Cambria.

At an appropriate time during the Luncheon, the President will present those who have been selected for the award of the Comrades Medal for 2023.

Please be at the Memorial Hall for 1100hrs, as many Branch Standard Bearers as possible. Format of the parade will be as normal, forming around the Memorial without blocking the road to the Car Park. The Parade Marshal will be Mr Keith Jones.

CLWYD AND GWYNEDD CADETS

1. The secretary has received a letter from the Clwyd and Gwynedd Cadets, stating that they are planning an educational trip to South Africa, which will include a visit to Rorke’s Drift. In 2023 and have asked if the Comrades Association would like to help financially. The cost to each Cadet is £900 plus spending money.

2. It was proposed that the Comrades Association should sponsor five Cadets who on this trip, this is to cover five Cadets whose family, could not financially afford to send them.

3. The cost to the association is to be £5k, £900 per cadet and £100 pocket money per cadet.

Proposed by Mr P Hinge
Seconded by Mr M Ball
Carried

SALE OF WHISKY AND GIN
The Secretary mentioned that the RWF Museum have on sale Black Flash Whisky and Gin, the stock is stored at Hightown Barracks and is on sale for Whisky £28 and Gin for £22. Orders through RHQ Wrexham.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Keith Jones asked if the Barracks in Caernarfon was about to close.
The secretary said that it was not up to him to make this announcement, but he had heard this as well.
Mr John Hughes stated that the Branch notes mentioned in the Journal is disappointing. - The secretary encouraged all Branches to send notes in so that they can be added to the Journal. if we don’t submit our notes they cannot be published.

Finally, the Secretary apologised and stated that he missed the opportunity at the start on the meeting to remember Major Bob Lake. He asked that all could stand for a moment of silence to remember him and those who have passed since our last meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 12.57hrs.