Minutes of the General Meeting held on Wednesday 1st September 2010
at the Hemel Hempstead Methodist Church Hall

1.] The Chairman: Richard Smellie welcomed everyone, introduced our guest Tony Lloyd and presented a new member badge to Keith Beckwith. He then gave us the sad news of the death on 16 July of Bill Quincey. Members stood in silent tribute.

2.] Speakers Secretary: Nigel introduced our speaker Graham Laurie, an RAF pilot for 36 years, awarded the MVO for services to the Royal Family. Graham spoke to us about Roald Dahl’s life just before and during WW11. Dahl was born of Norwegian parents on 13 Sept.1916, his father died when he was 3. He went to school at Repton. After school he enjoyed an expedition mapping rivers in Newfoundland then, against his Housemaster's predictions, was accepted for a Management Apprenticeship with Shell. He learned selling in Somerset and, at 21 was sent to East Africa by ship to be based at Dar Es Salaam selling Shell products throughout Tanganyika. In Nov. 1939, he joined the RAF in Nairobi. Shell agreed to continue paying him until the end of the war or until he was killed. After just 11 hours 25 mins. of tuition he went solo in Tiger Moths. He was commissioned in Sept.1940 to 80 Squadron, flying Gloucester Gladiators. Delivering his aircraft to Fukha and given wrong information, he crashed in no-mans land. Rescued by British forces but suffering severe head and back injuries and temporary blindness, he was sent by rail to Alexandria, where it took 7 months before he could walk again.
Back to 80 Squ.in April 41 to fly Hurricane Mk1’s based in Greece, he shot down a German Bomber on his second day and another on the next. Then followed a series of chaotic air battles over Athens and Crete where the Squadron was reduced to just 5 aircraft before being reformed in Haifa. By this time, Dahl’s earlier injuries prevented further flying and he was sent back to the UK, then Washington to work for Lord Halifax.
Dahl was a handsome man, a skilled photographer and letter writer, popular in the highest social circles and trained to elicit information from his contacts. These contacts included Roosevelt, C S Forrester, Disney, Fleming and others. He was persuaded by a literary agent Ann Watkins to write short stories with a war background, thus starting his writing career.
Nigel gave our thanks for a super talk.

3.] Apologies/Present: Apologies 19, Present 90.

4.] Minutes of the August meeting were read, agreed and signed.

5.] Matters Arising. None.

6.] Secretary's report: Graham has received a letter of thanks from Jack Baynton-Glen.

7.] Care Secretary: – Doug was delighted to have no bad news to report.

8.] Social Secretary: Dave gave details of the planned events:
• 9 Sept. Oxford Castle & Ashmolean Museum.
• 19 Oct. Kill or Cure - a coach-based medical history tour including lunch.
• 3 Nov. Club Cheese & Wine at Potten End enlivened by the Jolly Jazzers – this event is free to members and we hope everyone will attend.
• 24 Nov. Thursford Xmas Show with breakfast en route.
• 15 Dec. Xmas Lunch at Boxmoor Lodge.
• 20 – 23 May Spring Break to Hythe and the Cinque Ports, cost £310 (+ £40 for singles). This event is full but names for the reserve list are being taken.
The Theatre Club will be attending Shirley Valentine on 14 Oct. and Don Giovanni on 9 Nov.

9.] The Treasurer: John confirmed an Opening Balance £2314, Income £711, Expenses £277 leaving a Balance in Club Funds of £2748 plus £230 held for Future Events to give Total Funds held of £2978.

10.] Speakers Secretary: – Nigel advised that Graham Laurie had donated his fee to the Roald Dahl Museum. For the Nov. meeting we will have a Magic Lantern Show.

11.] AOB: Graham gave details of ‘A Night at the Races’ and the ‘Willow 10K’ both in aid of the Willow Foundation. He then gave a rendition of ‘Noah’s Lament’ for which Members gave generously to the RNLI collection box.

12.] Meeting Closed: at 12.15 pm. Next Meeting 6 October

The Committee - 2010/2011