SOUTHERN SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION

MINUTES FOR THE OFFICERS AND NCO MEETING 2010

28 FEBRUARY 2010

FORT PURBROOK, PORTSMOUTH

12.30

Apologies for Absence

Bernie Horlock 28th Mass, Stuart Bromwich 20th Maine, Phillip E-W Ordinance, Lee Garogan 42nd Penn, Martin Smith Engineers, Paul Mills 18th Mo, Chris Fuhr 16th Tenn, Liam Bundy 16th Tenn, Donald Borzoni Medical

In Attendance

Geoff Lambeth 28th Mass, Paul Foker 55th Virg, Keith Harkett 1st Ark, Chris Barwick 4th US Infantry, Tim Chance 1st Ark, Richard Searle, Sargeant Major CSA, Jane Searle Civilian Society, Robert Tompkins CSA C in C, Nigel Vinson 16th Tenn, Andrew Rose 1st Maryland Art, Laurie Watson Engineer Corps, Derek Docksey Engineer Corps, Adrian Hull 1st Maryland Art, Danny Slavin 1st Maryland Art, John Watt 18th Mo, Jim Smith Cavalry, Kevin Holloway Sargeant Major US, Clint Wordley 16th Tenn,Chris Greenaway 18th Mo, Mark Aldous 18th Mo.

2009 minutes for Officer and NCO Meeting 2009 were accepted

Report from the EC Chair

The Chair thanked Martin Smith, Geoff Lambeth, Jane Searle and Chris Greenaway for helping with events organisation, due to still no Project Officer coming forward

Nutopia Filming have contacted the committee as they are putting on a 12 part documentary, filming to take place on the 9 March 2010 in London, 4 soldiers needed - 4 names put forward, the EC will contact Nutopia to say we can provide people for the parts, and await for their response.

3-5 April - Wellington CP Easter

Camping from Friday - 2 Battle Points, gate duty needed Site plan circulated, but a new area for car parking needs to be found. Sunday night will be music in the Pub and a large turnout for this is needed.
Gate guard was raised and it was deemed too long and did not work very well
Gate times will be 0900-2200 Friday, 0800 - 2200 Sat, 0800 - midday Sun, Mon by appt. A key will be given to each company commander for access to site.

3 - 4 May Rockingham ACWS

Rockingham - members letters received regarding several Health and Safety issues from last years event. The proposals are that Soskan Gray fight Soskan Blue. After the Soskan battle is finished, no members are to go and join in with ACWS battle.

No battle points, we need members to support SoSkAn events

9 -10 May Chestnut Park

Living history only. Vote taken to attend this show. It was decided to give this a miss this year.

29-31 May Bovington

3 day event like Detling. Battle Points 3. TBC

12 - 13 June

Potters Bar Carnival, Parade Sunday. 2 day event, first day camp and then Street Parade, mile half to a static display ground to do a small skirmish, 30 - 40 people promised. The skirmish will last around 15 - 20 min. The organisers are basing their publicity is based around us, therefore we need the turnout. Bring firewood, raised fires, great publicity raising event. Battle Point 1 is a paying event. Awaiting to see if we can do a static display with Artillery, we are waiting to see if the fee can be raised.

19-20 June Stanford Hall

Please see ACWS Website

26-27 June Bloxham

Martin Smith organising 2 Battle Points. TBC

24-25 July

Glemham Hall, Suffolk, Salute to Heroes, organised by Event Plan. A Yes Vote was agreed to do this one. TBC

31-1 August Alabama

7-8 August Event Plan - Broadlands Romsey

2 Battle Points. TBC

28-30 August Detling

3 Battle Points

4-5 September Puxton

Looking into camping area after the area which was supplied, and also if we can have Artillery. TBC

25-26 Bath

Same form as every year with a Beer Tent. It was also agreed that we can book Crooked Style. 2 event points

Fort Nelson has received a lottery grant, and have had fatal accidents there due to the car park being on the other side of the road. Part of the lottery grant is to provide new car parking which unfortunately is going to be where we used to camp. We therefore will need to keep in touch with them and see about going in 2011, if some ground for camping can be found. We are also still chasing up 2009 payment from them.

Proposed event in Perthshire 2011 was discussed, the logistics into going will be looked into this year.

Detling Camping - Discussed that camp tours will be done at certain times to try and get more footfall into camp. Camp Layout to be done by Wellington for camp commanders to agree.

Disciplinary and Grievance Policy

This was discussed and amended and Russell will circular to membership at WCP

Close Combat Letter

Down to officers of their Companies on the battlefield. Any other hand to hand combat is scripted before the battle.

No need to put into Rules and Regulations, we already have a good set of Offices and NCOs’ to train their companies

Bath Council Noise Complaint Letter

Soskan had a complaint about from a local council concerning cannon fire at last years Bath event. At last years event we stopped the big cannon firing. This year we need to send an official letter from Soskan to the museum stating what we are going to do to reduce the noise. Claverton will in future notify both councils to advise them of our event. Decibel readings will be taken this year to see the noise we emit in battle this will be done by Laurie Watson Soskan's Health and Safety Consultant.

AOB

Health and Safety - Clint

Serious lack of first aiders at events No first aid at Rockingham and Bovington. Clint needs to know of any first aiders in the society. It was also agreed that SoSkan will provide 2 Upgraded first aid kits to be kept in each army HQ tent.

Musketry Skills Tests - Secretary will hold certificates and will issue at events to Health & Safety Officer in each Army, to distribute when the test has been completed. A central list will be held of members who have completed this test, this is to be done by the third SoSkAn event of attendance by a member in the year otherwise no battle until a certificate is held

Use of Ramrods on Battlefield - Down to company commanders, ongoing training

Question Need for Bayonets being Secured/Not - discussion regarding health and safety. In future when canteens are checked by Cpls they will also check the tightness of the bayonet in the scabbard, before going into battle.
The EC recommends bayonets’ being secured, whether held by properly fitted bayonet scabbard or by fixing with leather and toggle, (no modern clips to be used).

Minimum Standards Adhered to - Trainers being worn at Ft Nelson and Bath 2009 by 20th Maine last year, down to Officer in charge of 20th Maine.

Powder Delivery - in future it is being looked into that there will be one powder issue a year and also Philip will email all powder monkeys when delivery is due. Powder Officers to ensure Philip has their email addresses of all powder officers so he can notify them.

Pyros - discussion regarding budget increase to £2,000. Also Pyro course will be undertaken.

Leaflets - looking to have a new civilian authentically correct picture done for leaflet to replace the incorrect one in the present leaflet. Geoff Lambeth will liaise with Civilian Society to arrange a new photo at Wellington.

Fire Buckets - kept in streets and NCOs’ are to ensure they are always full.

Ropes & Stakes -tape for setting out area for public display, Clint looking into

Powder Box - Roy Daines needs a box, please can companies who have one let the Secretary know as the original list of box keepers has been mislaid

Letters - Black Powder Licences, reminder that letters will need to be received from Secretary before applying for a new licence.

Membership cards - will come out with Bugle Call. Police are starting to check-up with Soskan to make sure that Shot Gun Licences renewals are active members of Soskan before renewing them.

Website - Music - Research desperately needed for the website, this is needs to be put into the website and not in the forum.

Meeting closes at 1530 Minutes for 2009 Meeting>>