1[st] Brighstone Sea Scout Group Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Wednesday 15[th] April 2026
Present:
Keith Anderson Avice Mariner Helen Ockendon Chris Pocock (GLV) Mary Speed Stephanie Stanley Brian Thompson Carole Truman (Chair) Mandy Holloway Ben Lambert Dave Morgan Graham Walmsley
Carole Truman opened the meeting at 20.45 by welcoming and thanking everyone for coming. She invited everyone to introduce themselves by name and advise their role within Scouting.
Apologies were received from Paul Medland and Anne Watson.
Brian proposed acceptance of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 19[th ] March 2025, which Avice seconded. They were therefore accepted and signed.
Carole opened the Chair’s report by recognising the contribution of many years’ service of three previous members of the Trustee Board: Jean Matthews and the late Jenny Smart and Sue Jennings. Jean has not stood for re-election this year, and Carole acknowledged the sad death of Jenny, and only recently, Sue. She went on to thank all the leaders with the words ‘hats off to all the leaders’ for enabling another very successful year for the Group, and then thanked everyone involved in any way, and for working together, particularly around fundraising for last year’s cycling trip to France. The community are appreciative of the Group’s presence and this is reflected in their continuing support. Carole singled out Brian (and Helen) for particular thanks, for the amount of time and effort they give to the annual auction and Wolverton fundraisers, both of which add to local life as community events, as well as being fundraisers for the Group. Avice then thanked Carole for all the work she does too.
As Group Lead Volunteer, Chris Pocock also thanked all the leaders for providing full programmes, including regular trips and camping, and as a stand out, the Scouts’ international cycling trip last year. He thanked Dave for his work, thus allowing the kayak and water sports within the Group, and reported that the Explorer Section is very active and has recently completed the annual Monopoly Run in London, with one team coming in 3rd from over 200 entries. He thanked the Beaver and Scout leaders for supporting the Cubs section following Ollie’s move to the mainland. Local appeals have generated some interest in the Cubs’ leadership, and this will be followed up. Chris thanked Paul for all his work in handling the Scout Centre’s bookings, and then all the Trustees for their background support. Carole thanked Chris, and repeated her thanks to all the section leaders. The annual statement of accounts has been independently audited, so was received and signed. Chris nominated Carole Truman as the Trustee Board’s Chair, which Keith seconded, and was unanimously agreed. Carole proposed Keith Anderson as the Trustee Board’s Treasurer, which Mary seconded, and was unanimously agreed. The following proposed members of the Trustee Board were accepted en bloc: Avice Mariner, Paul Medland, Mary Speed, Stephanie Stanley, Brian Thompson and Anne Watson. Karen Heselton is prepared to continue acting as independent examiner, so Keith proposed Karen’s appointment which Brian seconded and was carried. Before the meeting closed, Mandy Holloway presented Avice and Helen each with the Chief Scout’s Length of Service Awards, and Chris with the Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service. Carole thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.25.