Honorary SecretaryRoyal Engineer Yacht ClubArnhem Division, ICSC(L) 10AJoint Services Command and Staff CollegeShrivenhamSWINDONSN6 8TS

Tel: 07734 824748Email: reyc@royalengineers.com

Commodore (des)Flag OfficersREYC Committee Members

Copy to:

Trustees and Hon Rear CommodoresREYC Members

Reference: REYC/Sec/AGM Minutes

Date: 21 Mar 14

MINUTES OF THE ROYAL ENGINEER YACHT CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD IN CHATHAM STATION AUDITORIUM, FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2014

Present Col C ThackwayLt Col M Johnson-Ferguson

CommodoreVice Commodore

Chairman

Col (Retd) D M GillLt Col P CrickMaj B Whishaw

Lt Col (Retd) A DouglasMaj S O L MayesMaj S J HartBrig (Retd) D InnesCol (Retd) R WilsonCol (Retd) RC Hendicott Col (Retd) JDC Anderson

Mr K GortonLt Col (Retd) P ClarkeMaj R DukeMaj M SmithLCpl R SimpsonCapt (Retd) B ForsterCol (Retd) P DaviesCpl K BusbyLt Col (Retd) R DudinCapt (Retd) J Robin OwensMr s HurstMaj (Retd) M CrawfordCol (Retd) M BrookeBrig (Retd) C GallowayBrig (Retd) J LuckenMaj Gen (Retd) CarlierSgt D SpeakmanCol (Retd) N MontaguCapt R Giles

Rear Commodore (Regions)Rear Commodore (Offshore)Rear Commodore (Inshore Des)

Membership SecretaryHonorary TreasurerHonorary SecretaryTrusteeTrusteeHonorary Rear CommodoreHonorary Rear Commodore

Sec

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Brig (Retd) M Hill

Apologies Col (Retd) M MoundeMaj J RobinsonCpl A Hearn

ActionItem 1 – Introduction and election of new Cdre

1. VCdre welcomed the attendees to the meeting and requested that Col Thackway leave the room. In Col Thackway’s absence, he was voted in as the new Commodore. Proposed by Col (Retd) Ross Wilson, seconded by Maj Murray Smith. Vote was unanimous.

Item 2 – Minutes of recent meetings

2. The minutes for the Main Cttee meeting on 22 Mar 13 were a true and accurate account. Proposed by Brig (Retd) David Innes and seconded by Capt Rob Giles.

Item 3 – Matters Arising from previous minutes

3. The following individuals were added to the attendance list from AGM 13:

a. Col (Retd) James Andersonb. Col (Retd) Ross Wilsonc. Lt Col (Retd) Roger Dudin

4. Registering of yachts. The REYC yachts will be registered in the individual names of the Club’s two retired Trustees. VCdre responded to a query from the floor and acknowledged that the Club would incur a fee every time the Trustees change over but this should be at a minimum of every five years.

Hon Sec

Item 4 – Commodore’s Report

5. Cdre congratulated the following:

a. Board sports. Winning the Inter Corps Windsurfing competition (Maj Steve Jones) and the Army Kitesurfing Championships (Capt Simon Warren).

b. Offshore. Ilex and Right Royal participating in Fastnet 13 with credible results; the first all female Army crew taking part in Fastnet 13 with Sapper representation and continued involvement with Toe in the Water charity.

6. Outgoing Cdre. Cdre thanked Brig (Retd) Steve Hodder for his energy and commitment to running the Club as Cdre.

7. New Trustees. Cdre welcomed the two new retired officer trustees: Brig (Retd) David Innes and Col (Retd) Ross Wilson.

8. Outgoing Hon RCs. Cdre voiced his thanks to the outgoing Hon RCs Maj Gen (Retd) Chris Elliott and Brig (Retd) Chris Galloway and the work that they have done during their tenure.

9. Outgoing RC(I). After 6 years in post, Lt Col Andy Gladen has handed over RC(I) to Maj Bernie Whishaw. Col Gladen oversaw considerable

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development in Club windsurfing and kitesurfing. Cdre passed on a huge vote of thanks and welcomed the new RC(I), thanking him for stepping into the role.

10. Looking ahead. With the departure of the Army from Germany, redeployment from Afghanistan and the ensuing contingency footing, there will be increased opportunity for soldiers to engage in sport and AT. The Club must seize this opportunity. The Cdre listed his five main aims:

a. To increase membership; both serving (reserve and regular) and retired.

b. To increase activity levels in all disciplines.

c. To have additional focus on, and grow, dinghy sailing.

d. To adjust the governance arrangements for Offshore and Chatham Branch.

e. To decide on how many hulls to retain; basing it on recommendations from RC(O) and members of the Club.

Item 5 – Vice Commodore’s Report

11. New Trust Deed. A new Trust deed is being drafted to bring it in line with the Club’s 2011 Constitution.

12. Gift Aid. HMRC accepted the Club as a charitable company. The club can now claim tax back on donations, including backdating all those made since the Constitution was updated in Mar 11.

13. ASA Meeting. VCdre attended the AGM council and Members’ Meeting on 11 Mar 14. It included changes to governance, safety regulations and ‘Duty of Care’ which will impact on the Club, mandating more formal responsibility. ‘Duty Holders’ will be nominated within the ‘Competent Authority System’. Detail is still to be worked through, though in the mean time, the Club will continue to operate under RYA guidance. Matters which came up in the meeting were:

a. Non-swimmers. On-duty military non-swimmers may no longer take part in water-based sports. This does not impact on private civilian charters.

b. Life-jackets. Life-jackets must be worn by all military personnel on duty.

c. British Kiel Yacht Club (BKYC). The BKYC is likely to close either at the end of 2015 or 2016. The decision point is Aug 14. The yachts are likely to be sold at market rate (as previous fleets have been).

Item 5a – Finance

14. The Club’s finances are healthy.

15. £100,000 spend. If a hull is sold this year, the Club’s income could go over £100,000 which affects its charitable status.

16. AF1514. Referring to the AF1514, Hon Treas explained the main differences with last year’s report. This included not being awarded the H&M Fund 13 and being unlikely to receive 2014’s allocation. VCdre is investigating why the payment has been stopped.

VCdre

Hon Treas

Hon Treas and 3

17. Offshore & Chatham accounts. The Club Trustees have stated that the Offshore and Chatham accounts need to be included in the AF1514 to give an overview of the Club’s full financial position Hon Treas is engaging with both parts of the Club to ensure this.

18. Increase in subscriptions. At AGM 15, an increase in subscriptions will be requested. This will include clarification of Rule 9a as to how paying into the RECCT affects an individual’s membership status. (Afternote: increase not required in 2015).

Item 5b - Membership

19. Report. Static on numbers. Constant turnover of almost equal numbers joining and leaving (approx 35 of each). There has been a decrease in serving officers and increase in retired members (who make up 2/3 of active members). Need to keep recruiting serving members as they will become retired members. Must also provide attractive elements for retired members; dinner and Yearbook are important in doing that.

20. Yearbook. Mem Sec thanked Maj Rob Duke for his production of the Yearbook this year.

21. Retired skippers. Mem Sec suggested that retired members of the Club might wish to volunteer their services to the Club and use the yachts to take out and train serving personnel.

22. Data sheet. The data sheet (including details of the Data Protection Act changes) will be sent out in March. Mem Sec requested that members reply and update any changes to their details.

23. Cdre thanked Mem Sec for his work.

24. Gift aid. Gift aid forms will be available at the AGM. All donations after March 11 qualify.

*****Townsend Trust Update*****

25. Trust Background. Col (Retd) Ross Wilson gave an update on the Townsend Trust (Maj Gen (Retd) Neil Carlier and Brig (Retd) Mike Hill retired from being Townsend Trustees in 2013 and were replaced by Brig (Retd) David Innes and Cols (Retd) James Anderson and Ross Wilson). He described how the fund was set up: Lt Col Stan Townsend used to do a lot of sailing with apprentices in the Baltic and gifted his yacht to the Club. After a number of years, the Trustees sold the yacht and set up a trust with the money. The Trust was to encourage soldiers and, exceptionally, young officers, to take up sailing. It is currently valued at £25,300. When Ragna is sold, 46% of the money should be returned to the trust.

26. Maui funding. This year £300 was allocated to LCpl Mann and WO2 Curry for 12 days windsurfing in Maui. Their experience has been recorded in the Yearbook. WO2 Curry is planning a development training camp in 2015 in order to pass on the benefits of the Maui trip to REYC members (current and potential).

27. The Trust welcomes applications for funding in the spirit of the trust.

***********************

Item 6 – Offshore Report

28. Offshore report. The report will be posted on the Club website.

RC(O)

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29. Hulls update. RC(O) gave an update on the state of the hulls.

a. Ilex. Ilex has had new winches and a new prop and is in good working order.

b. Right Royal. Right Royal remains the most popular yacht for charter. There were a number of teething problems, but they have been dealt with. The yacht was purchased with cruising sails and after a hard year sailing, including the Fastnet, they now need replacing.

c. Ragna. Ragna is tired and has a crack in her mast. As is would be difficult to sell her in her current state, the plan is to fix her and then sail her for another year. RC(O) requested a limited liability fund from the main account of not more than £10,000 in order to re-mast and re-rig the yacht. Proposed by LCpl Roddy Simpson, seconded by Lt Col (Retd) Patrick Clarke. Vote was unanimous. £10,000 due funding from the ASA will be needed for the programme re-fit; the limited liability amount requested from the Club is in addition to the ASA funding so that she would be in a fit state to be sold in 2015 if required.

d. Usage. The total yacht usage for last year was 337 days; RC(O) didn’t see the stepped increase that he had expected.

30. State of finance. Offshore will move its account to main account. It will be brought into a service fund by the end of the reporting period so that it can be audited.

31. Hull strategy. There are three options:

a. Option 1. Three yachts: Racer, Racer/Cruiser and Cruiser

b. Option 2. Two yachts: Racer and Racer/Cruiser only

c. Option 3. Two and half: Racer, Racer/Cruiser and folk boat

d. Project Board. The Main Cttee will set up a project board with Maj Rob Duke as the manager, to put together a proposal for the replacement hull(s). The proposal will be set out at AGM 15. If anyone would like to contribute to the discussion, please contact Maj Rob Duke.

32. Report on 2013. RC(O) summarised the year’s activities:

a. Races. The Club won the Lymington meet and was placed 3rd in the AOR in IRC. The Ilex Trophy was a draw and two of the yachts took part in the Fastnet race. RC(O) congratulated WO2 Jase West and Sgt Dave Speakman on their skippering performances during the latter.

b. Sail Training Week 2013. Only one boat took part, but it was as success.

33. Dates 2014. Dates for 2014/15 are as follows:

a. 18 – 10 Apr 13. RORC Easter Challenge.

b. 12 – 16 May 14. AOR (Ex SOLENT VENTURE)

c. 17 May 14. Lymington Meet.

d. 21 Jun 14. Round The Island.

e. 21 – 25 Jul 14. Sail Training Week. Retired members are

RC(O)

Cttee and Members

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encouraged to participate.

f. 2 - 9 Aug 14. Cowes Week

g. 27 Sep TBC. Ilex Trophy

h. Wed afternoon sailing. 22 Engr Regt are running Wed afternoon sailing. RC(O) is not charging for the use of the yachts. It will be run as a loss leader to encourage more soldiers into sailing.

i. TRANSGLOBE 15. Two Challenger 67 yachts will take part (Army v RAF and Navy). It will be a cruise in company. 33 Engr Regt (EOD) are responsible for the Lanzarote to Rio de Janeiro leg.

j. GALLIPOLI 15.The Sappers have been allocated the Turkey – Malta leg.

34. Future of JSASTC. A question was raised about the future of JSASTC, Gosport. RC(O) said that BKYC will close but JSASTC will endure. In addition to this potential extra demand for Corps yachts, the Army has raised an SOR that JSASTC cannot meet. Regimental yachts currently can provide up to 50% of this SOR.

35. Renaming of Bosuns. Bosuns are now referred to as Adventure Training Instructors (ATIs).

Item 7 – Inshore Report

36. Committee. The Inshore Cttee is now:

a. RC. Maj Bernie Whishaw

b. Secretary. Maj Jim Edwards

c. Windsurfing. WO2 Dave Curry

d. Kitesurfing. TBC.

e. Dinghy sailing. Lt Nush Knebel

37. Thanks. RC(I) thanked Lt Col (Retd) Patrick Clarke and Lt Nush Knebel for their help in running dingy events in 2013. Thanks were also given to Maj Steve Jones and Lt Zoe Gent for their efforts in running the training camp in May.

38. Windsurfing. RC(I) stated that although windsurfing has been run successfully over a number of years by self-motivated individuals, not enough new members were joining.

39. Development. Grow novice and intermediate sailors and focus beginners through AISTC (S&N).

40. Update on Kitesurfing. Capt Sim Warren is the first Kitesurfing Inter-Services champion and the first overseas training camp will take place in Jun 14. Now that kitesurfing has been introduced into the Summer Olympics, it is likely to gain even more popularity.

41. Inshore facilities. Completion of ASA facility (36 beds) at AISTC will make centre even more attractive. RC(I) stated that we need to be better at providing sailing locations near to bases. There are a number of options across the country e.g. RNSC facilities, Rutland Water (RAF), Catterick waters,

RC(I)

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Kinloss etc. It is also a good way to build relations with the local community.

42. Choice of training dinghy. The Club owns a Laser 2000 but it may not be the most suitable vessel to train on. A novice-friendly one-design might be more appropriate. Various options should be looked at, including the ‘plug and go’ option.

Item 8 – Regions Report

43. Lymington 2013 was a success.

44. Call notice for Lymington 2014 has been sent out. If Ragna cannot be sailed, another yacht will be required for the race.

45. Mary Cup race 20 Sep 14 . Instructions to follow.

46. RTI

47. 21 Sep 14 - Bart’s Bash if anybody is interested in taking part.

48. Cruising Log. Col (Retd) Bob Hendicott (Southern Ireland trip) and Col (Retd) Michael Gill (Snowgoose in the Baltic) have both submitted their logs for the Torch Trophy.

49. Chatham Branch. The Chatham Branch update is as follows:

a. A separate bank account has now been set up.

b. It is appreciated that Chatham Branch provides the REYC representation on the Medway. However, there are currently no serving members of the Club in the Chatham Branch.

c. Still awaiting leave agreement for the encroachment agreement by historic dockyard, slipway and container space. This is shared with Medway Yacht Club and the Sea Cadets.

d. Various works have been taking place, including the removal of gabions to give wider access to the river. This has been approved by the homes and community organisation.

e. Member numbers have remained static.

f. There have been plans submitted to convert the moorings to swinging moorings.

50. There are costs involved in maintaining the moorings and to get them approved. This needs to be looked at and a survey would take that into account

Item 9 – Dinner 2013

51. Hon Sec covered the details for the dinner.

Item 10 – Colours and Awards for 2012

52. Corps Colours.

a. Col Charlie Thackway

RC(I)

RC(O) / Members with yachts

Members

Members

RC(R)

RC(R)

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b. Maj Nick Deppe

c. Maj Rob Duke

d. Capt Sim Warren

e. Spr Fred West

53. Trophies

a. Anderson Trophy. Maj Murray Smith (presented at the AGM)

b. REYC Seamanship Trophy. WO2 Dave Curry

c. Brewer Trophy. Capt Sim Warren

d. Jardine Trophy. NOT AWARDED

e. Blagden Trophy. Lt Zoe Gent

f. Peter Clarke Memorial Trophy. NOT AWARDED

g. Carlier Trophy. NOT AWARDED

h. Torch Trophy. Col (Retd) Michael Gill

i. Avalanche Trophy. NOT AWARDED

Item 11 – Communications

54. Website. Cdre thanked Maj Murray Smith for his work on the Club website and E-bulletin.

55. Yearbook. Cdre thanked Maj Rob Duke for his work pulling the Yearbook together.

56. List of sailing officers. Cdre proposed that a list of regimental sailing officers be held. Proposed by Col (Retd) Mike Brooke and seconded by Maj Rob Duke. Vote was unanimous.

57. Additional Hon RCs. Cdre requested some more Hon RCs.

58. NCO Committee Members. Cdre requested two NCOs to be offshore committee representatives. Sgt Dave Speakman volunteered.

59. Cdre will write a letter to COs and include a Yearbook. In this letter he will advertise the Club’s activities to Units, in particular the Army Sailing Week this July.

Item 12 – Committee Appointments

60. New Cdre.

61. New RC(I).

Item 13 – Any other business

62. Disabled sailing. Mrs Diana Gill advertised Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy’s facilities as being suitable for disabled servicemen. It has wheelchair access as well. She asked for anyone interested to get in touch.

63. Microphone. The floor asked for the main cttee to use a microphone

NCO Members

Cdre

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next year.

64. Increase dinner uptake. It was suggested that a means of attracting younger members to attend the dinner was to subsidise it to the tune of £20 per head. To be discussed at next Cttee meeting.

65. ASA changes. Col (Retd) James Anderson asked about the effects of the ASA rulings and how Club members would be affected e.g. the Club is private, but soldiers are on-duty whilst on AT. VCdre stated that the Byelaws will be updated and circulated among members to make the changes clear.

66. Mary Cup anniversary. Lt Col (Retd) Patrick Clarke mentioned that 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the Club holding the title, ‘The Royal Engineer Yacht Club’ (after several name changes). 1864 was also the year that the Cutter Mary won the annual regatta and 100 years after that date the first of two original Mary Cup trophies was presented back to the Club. The Mary Cup itself therefore represents, not only the oldest regatta trophy that the Club holds, but it is also the first ever trophy awarded which holds the Club’s name as we know it today. He also suggested that, as in 1965 the first modern-day Mary Cup Race was run over a similar course to the original regatta in 1864, that 2015 ought to be marked as the 50th Anniversary of the first modern-day Mary Cup.

67. Request from Trustee. Brig (Retd) David Innes requested that proposals be published well before the AGM and that enough time be put aside at AGM 15 for the discussion on the increase in subscriptions and the new hull – allowing members to digest the information before making a decision.

68. Brig (Retd) David Innes then thanked the Cttee for their work over the past year, in particular to Lt Col Mark Johnson-Ferguson (VCdre) who has held the Cdre reigns for much of the last year.

Members

Hon Sec

Cdre

[Original Signed]

S J HARTMajHon Sec

Annexes:

A. Membership Report B. Offshore ReportC. Regions Report

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