IN ATTENDANCE:
MARTIN ROBERTSON, MALCOLM WEAVERS, RUSSELL FRANCIS, CHRIS LEAN, MARTIN SMITH, LESLEY BORZONI, DONALD BORZONI, GRANT VALENTINE, KIM UNDERWOOD, SIMON MORSE, CLINT WORDLEY, CHRIS BARWICK, JOHN WATT, CHRIS GREENAWAY, ADVIAN HULL, ANDREW ROSE, DEREK DOCKESEY, DEREK TURNER-POTTER, RICHARD SEARLE, NIGEL VINSON, ROBERT TOMPKINS, RAY MARSH, BARBARA MARSH, DANNY SLAVIN, TIM CHANCE.
APOLOGIES:
KAREN SMITH, GARETH HARDING, KEITH JACKMAN, BEN COUNSELL, GEOFF LAMBETH, LISA LAMBETH, WILLIAM GROOM, MAX CLIFFORD, KEITH HASKETH, EDDIE WATTS, DEAN HUTCHINSON, LAURIE WATSON, KEVIN HOLLOWAY, GREG JACKSON, DAVE MILLS.
The meeting opened at 12.30, and the 2008 minutes were agreed and signed.
Chair’s Report
The Chair thanked the existing EC members for their hard work and team spirit, and said he was looking forward to the new season. He emphasised the fact that although not much may have been immediately apparent to the membership, he was fully informed about the activities of the EC, and the results would soon be visible in the form of the Bugle Call, new membership arrangements, the website and the shows.
Working with the ACWS
A positive meeting had been held with the ACWS, at which both organisations agreed to work more closely, and had common ground in the areas of publicity and shows. There is to be a joint publication in The Skirmisher magazine, and SOSKAN have invited them to 3 events, Wellington Country Park, Paris Western and Bath. They in turn have invited SOSKAN to Rockingham Castle and Hingham. This is a small village where Lincon’s ancestors lived, and there will be living history, firing displays (not artillery) and camping around the village greens. More details of these shows will be published on the events page on the website.
DD brought up some issues from the past about working together with the ACWS as far as the quality pyros were concerned. The infantry felt that working together was not too much of a problem, and DTP agreed that they could co-operate effectively while each army was commanding its own men. RT believes that it is important to have one person in overall charge. It was agreed that the best way to get better was for both organisations to work out the battle plan, and attend the debriefs, which SOSKAN have found useful. There was also some concern that the minimum standards of the ACWS are not as high as they could be. DB advised that the ACWS provide first aid night cover.
The question of issuing black powder which has not been made up into tubes was raised, as the instructions for Rockingham were not to bring powder or tubes . This is due to the requirements of Rockingham, who are providing the powder. It was agreed that a separate area would need to be provided for tubes to be made up in a secure environment, and not in tents etc.
It was confirmed that on SOSKAN shows, the guest fees included made up cartridges, and the general rule for shows is that only made-up rounds should be brought to shows, not loose powder, and loose powder should not be stored in tents. RF agreed to confirm this with Philipp Elliott-Wright, as the powder officer.
Shows
MS gave the list of shows currently booked, and confirmed that the list would be on the website in full, as well as being published in the Bugle Call, along with details of camping, event points etc.
He emphasised that all enquiries or ideas that members have about shows must be channelled through him, and this was re-enforced by RF. Members are not to approach clients direct, as this can cause problems with the contract, and what has been agreed that we can provide.
Wellington Country Park at Easter would need a powder guard. There would be no firing on Saturday, so there would be no powder issued until Sunday morning. The guard would be needed 6pm Sunday until 10am Monday. The entrance gates would also need to me manned between 5pm and 8am as WCP want them to be locked for public assess during this time. A rota would be discussed nearer the time. A map of the site was given to everyone at the meeting.
First May bank holiday Rockingham Castle. The multi-period part of this event has fallen through, but there will be a joint ACWS show. Details to follow as soon as they are available.
Fort Nelson will be on the second May bank holiday, in the trenches again.
A new venue of Puxton Park, near Weston Super Mare is scheduled for 20-21 June.
July 12 is the joint living history event at Hingham, Norfolk.
18-19 July Colchester. Only around 30 men are needed for living history, drill, display. One company from each side would probably be sufficient. Some Virginians and the 18th said they may be able to go. There is a clash of dates here as we have also been invited to an event on
19th July in Rickmansworth in Herts. The organisers are very keen, and if it goes well have plans for a larger event in the future. It is only on the Sunday, living history and a battle. It is a paying event. The Arks thought they might be available.
25-26th SOSKAN’s official Warrior event. This is the only event which is being recognised as a SOSKAN event, and covered by the insurance.
August bank holiday has Detling, with SOSKAN in a new field, closer to the arena, and with a larger area.
Details of the Paris Western Show 19-20 September are being arranged by Roy Daines, who will be putting information on the website. It will be a new site, closer to Paris, and larger. Transport will leave on 17th, and there will be a truck to take equipment etc. Members must have the relevant paperwork for weapons, and carry them in recommended containers. The cost will be similar to last year. Members may travel independently, but the group price is very reasonable. Food and powder are provided by the hosts. ACWS have also been invited.
Bath will be on 10-11 October, and is late due to the problems met with moving other shows.
On 5-6 December the Dickensian Parade in Rochester is on again this year, and should be a great opportunity for excellent PR. There is a parade, leaflets can be distributed, and a “Publicity Pub Crawl” on Saturday night. Drums, fifes and flags are all welcome. The possibility of accommodation t a local Fort is being explored.
A member raised the issue of the US Corona event, to which we were invited, but as there was only one week notice given, no-one was able to attend.
The Wimpole Sale on the week-end after Easter was mentioned, and the 18th would like to go as a recruitment exercise. The question of insurance raised, as it is not a SOSKAN event, and MS agreed to discuss this with Howard Giles to see if Eventplan cover it. The possibility of local insurance was mentioned.
American visitor.
RF has been contacted by an American who is looking at doing some research into the involvement of the UK in the ACW, and is interested in attending some re-enactments in the UK. They are hoping to get a grant, but if any members would be willing to put the individual up for a few days over the summer, let RF know.
Bugle Call
The latest copy of the Bugle Call was circulated, any was warmly welcomed by everyone present. Copies are being distributed to the whole membership over the next few days. It is hoped to have another edition ready by September.
Website
The EC has been looking at several options for developing a new website, as the existing one, although still functional, is out-of-date, and in need of replacement. The EC is hoping to confirm an agreement with West Hill Studios in the near future. The site will be professionally designed and managed, so many of the previous problems will not re-occur. Although it may take several months to finalise all the details, it is hoped to have a temporary site ready within a few weeks, which will then develop according to need. It will retain a members forum, and members will be encouraged to contribute their comments s to how the site should develop.
Health and Safety
Following concerns about the use of ramrods on the field, it was confirmed that ramming was not to be practiced during battles, and there should only be one ramrod available, which will be used for clearing fouled muskets.
CW confirmed that musketry tests would be carried out at WCP on the Sunday morning, and is available for anyone who needs advice on how it should be carried out.
There is not yet a date for the next NaRES pyros course, although Nathan has a list of people who would like to attend.
It was confirmed that Adrian Hull will be sitting on a NaRES committee regarding explosives.
Following the guidance given at the AGM that members should use 4 leaf caps, RF has identified a bulk supplier who can provide these caps at a wholesale price. RF asked for orders from the companies and will try to ensure that the caps are available by Easter.
It was confirmed that bayonets are not to be carried on a musket or rifle during a battle, but secured in the scabbard, as this is a requirement of some clients, and must be included in the risk assessment.
The volley firing at Bath was discussed, and it was agreed that it should be scrapped for H&S reasons, as the angle is too high, and the crowd is too close. There is also an issue of members hearing in respect of the angle. It was agreed that a present arms was sufficient, with the artillery firing a volley before stacking arms.
General camp safety, including monitoring woodpiles at the side of tents is now normally carried out by Provo marshals, and it is hoped that this will help to maintain good safety standards. Members are to be reminded of the dangers of gas fires being used in tents.
CW will now be overseeing first aid cover, and needs to know who is willing to volunteer at each event. It was confirmed that if people use equipment, they are entitled to claim back these supplies, if they have evidence of use, so need to keep the paperwork up-to-date.
Minimum standards
It was agreed that the current minimum standards needed to be maintained, and new members encouraged to meet them as soon as possible. Nigel Vinson and Robert Tompkins offered to review standards, with a view to raising them, particularly for members who are already meeting the basic requirements.
SM confirmed that he would be addressing the appearance of the musicians this year, and appealed for assistance in helping the young people to practice their 5 rudiments, to learn and practice set pieces, and become good timekeepers. It was acknowledged that this is a difficult area to manage, but can make a valuable impression.
History project
No information has been received on this topic.
Any Other Business
Membership. Malcolm Weavers apologised for the slowness in membership card production, which was due to technical difficulties. Most people’s cards are done, and will be issued as soon as they renew.
Kim Underwood is now officially co-opted onto the EC as membership secretary, and will be preparing new membership application forms for companies to give out to new recruits.
AH advised that he may not always be able to bring the small cannon due to transport issues.
There being no other business, the meeting finished at 15.45.
To print this page please Click Here - To Go to minutes of the 2010 Meeting please Click Here |
