NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2026

BRANCH MEETING

Meeting August 7th at 12.05pm at the Owls Nest, 5 members were present.

Members, please note there will be NO Management meeting at the next Branch Meeting on the 12thSeptember 2026.

The meeting was opened by the Chairman who welcomed all those present especially our local REA Representative Josh Brown.

We now have a new style Branch Newsletter, and members were asked what they thought of it. All gave a positive and favourable response.

To date 5 letters of the 20 sent out to members have been returned of which 2 were returned as not at this address.

Members were asked if they were interested in purchasing blazer/tee shirt B&M badges at a cost around £17. Anyone interested please contact the chairman.

Thank you to all those who attended the late Dave Watts funeral.

John Cusack our treasurer is quite ill and has had to spend a spell in hospital. Our thoughts go out to him and his caring wife Val for his speedy recovery.

Jan Bridle suggested that perhaps members could visit their local Breakfast Club on a recruiting drive.

The Branch Christmas Lunch is to be held at the Canford Magna sports centre on Friday 18th December 2026 at 12.30pm. There is a maximum of 26 places, so please book with Jan Bridle early. Its open to a all who attend Branch and the lunch activities.

Cost relating to transport for those with mobility issues and incidental venue cost will be covered by Branch.

The main branch meeting was closed and a separate meeting called by the President was convened. The meeting was attended by the President, Chairman and the Area Representative.

This meeting was requested to discuss the present discord occurring at the social dinner gathering. The following points we discussed:

STATUS OF THE SOCIAL LUNCH

The President asked what was the status of the lunch meeting?

Chairman’s reply:

The social lunch is a Branch function (like Christmas dinner) but, it is not a Branch Meeting. All Branch business must be brought to a Branch Meeting for discussion by a member. (a member is a person who is a fully paid-up branch member and is eligible to vote)

The separation of the two gatherings was agreed at a Branch Meeting as a means to appease those who wished to continue the, then Thursday lunch but, at a different venue.

The agreement was, that the Branch Meetings would remain at the Owls Nest in a hope of attracting new and younger members. Without these changes it was agreed that the Branch possibly has about 5yrs life left in it and attracting new members is top priority.

BRANCH INFORMATION

The President aired the view that decisions regarding Branch business was not being discussed with members. He also questions the need for the Chairman to seek advice from HQ regarding Branch matters,

Chairman’s Reply:

The Chairman replied by saying that, as Chairman it is incumbent that he advises the Branch to the best of his abilities. To listen and manage requests of the Branch Members. The Branch is there for the good and benefit of all Persons, their wives and families combined with the duty to see that the REA and it’s Branches fulfil it’s charitable support to them.

Regarding the point of contacting HQ etc, to enquire about options for the Branch and to seek the best way forward and to put these findings to the Branch Members was justifiable.

All the options and information gained from the enquiries has been discussed at various Branch Meetings. If there are members who feel they have not been included it is possible that they, for perhaps, personal reasons have been unable to attend Branch Meetings at the Owls Nest.

The Area Representative at this point did state that it was fair that the President should bring up the question of passing on information and that all matters of branch business should be heard at the Branch Meeting. He also stressed it was incumbent upon all members to attend Branch Meetings.

He also addressed the fact that the Branch Christmas Lunch arrangements were presented to the Branch as a “fete accompli”, with no consultation with the Branch Members and this was not the correct way to proceed especially as it’s the Branch Christmas Lunch.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

The President read out extracts from 2 emails. One regarding advice from the Chairman to Jan Bridle regarding the running of the lunches. The second was an email from the treasurer to the President.

Chairman’s response:

The email sent to Jan was a private email giving her friendly advice on the financial management of the lunches and the suggestion she could reintroduce a raffle at the event. For what ever reason this email was passed to the treasurer who took offence.

John Cusack has worked tirelessly for the Branch. His skill and hard work in balancing our accounts over the years has been irreproachable. The private email to Jan was in no way meant to criticize him or his work in any way. If this has caused John any upset then the Chairman apologises.

FUTURE

The Chairman expressed the view that he hoped that the Tuesday lunches at Canford Magna would perhaps attract new members from the surrounding area as it is very difficult for the Branch to cover the conurbation of BCP.

The meeting closed with a promise to work better together. Josh stated that he was always ready to help and advise at any time.