It has been a busy few months since the last newsletter with plenty for our members to do and see, including visits to Vital Spark/Sebring Sports Cars and most recently to a preview of the RHS Malvern Spring Show at the Three Counties Show Ground. A report on the latter will appear in the next newsletter. The INVEST Mentoring Project in partnership with the Gloucestershire Community Foundation and the Cranfield Trust is now entering its third year and is going from strength to strength. I am so grateful to the Honourable Company members who have given so much time to support charity leaders within the County and I would encourage more members to volunteer for this highly successful venture.
The two biggest events have been a highly successful Gloucestershire Lecture, delivered by Lieutenant General Nick Borton, and the much anticipated (and much delayed due to Covid 19) friendship visit to South Korea in partnership with the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. Both these are covered later in the newsletter.
All members will have recently received subscription renewal notices from the Clerk and I am grateful that so many members have paid their subscriptions so promptly. You will have noticed that we have introduced a new Partnership category of membership, which allows partners of existing members to join the Company for a much-reduced fee and to play a more active part in our work.
The Gloucestershire Lecture
On 22nd March 109 members and their guests attended the Officers’ Mess at Imjin Barracks to hear Lieutenant General Nick Borton, the Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and an Honourable Company member, delivered the Gloucestershire Lecture. The title of his talk was “NATO Command in an Era of Conflict,” which was particularly relevant in the context of the current war in Ukraine. Everyone will have been encouraged by the positive message imparted by General Nick about the readiness of NATO formations, in particular the quality and morale of UK forces committed to NATO.
A good indicator of a successful talk is the number and range of questions asked and undoubtedly these could have continued for at least another 30 minutes, so interested everyone was in the subject. Our thanks to General Nick, the staff of his Headquarters and the Officers’ Mess for an excellent lecture and a delicious dinner afterwards.
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An extract from the report of the Trip to Paju
Fifteen members from the HCG and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum (SoGM) visited the city of Paju, near the North Korean border, for what was to be a “first” for the HCG – its first organised overseas trip. Some of those from the SoGM had been before and were able to guide us through the numerous issues involved and put us in contact with the relevant parties.
It was obvious from the first minute, the Koreans have the deepest respect for the “Glorious Glosters” and that has not diminished over the last 72 years. The Mayor presented Col Hodson with a magnificent bouquet of flowers, from the Chair of Paju City Council and the Chair of the Paju City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At each welcome, we were applauded in by the staff which made one feel genuinely appreciated.
Trip to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
The railway is run by 800 volunteers with only 10 paid staff (full and part time) and they are all passionate, knowledgeable and friendly volunteers of varying ages, including an apprentice undergraduate from the Dyson University at Hullavington who was helping to refurbish a Steam engine. They have 90,000 visitors a year and the whole railway is beautifully maintained.
Thanks to Michael Bennett for organising.
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Trip to Vital Spark near Stratford
Having owned and traded British Classic Cars over the years, Gary and Rebecca Denver together with talented & experienced engineers Paul and Artur, founded Cotswold Based Vital Spark, aware of the negative impact of driving petrol cars.They believe that electric cars need to be the norm and work to convert and maintain heritage classic cars to electric vehicles.
The visit included a detailed presentation and Q & A with Gary and Rebecca, a look at the vehicles with one above our heads and some Members took a spin in a classic Porsche.
They firmly believe that classic cars do not need to be just your weekend car but can now become your main runaround as the days of engine trouble on cold days are no more with electrification.
The trip finished with a lovely lunch at a local hostelry.
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Meet the New Treasurer of the Company
Steve Wood
Steve had over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, principally in the life and health insurance and reinsurance sectors.
He held positions of Finance Director and Appointed Actuary of a U.K. life insurance company and Appointed Actuary of a life and health reinsurance company and was successively UK Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer for Europe and the Middle East and Global Chief Marketing Officer for General Electric’s life and health reinsurance business. He had non-executive Board experience in the UK, Ireland, USA, Germany, Russia and Jordan.
Since retiring he held many voluntary roles including Member of the Alumni Fund Panel at the University of Bath, Trustee and Hon. Treasurer of the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and is currently Chairman of the Holst Birthplace Trust, Trustee of LINC and Chairman of the Cheltenham North Rotary Club Wine Festival Organising Committee.
He also supports Norwich City Football Club!
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New Members
Noel John
Noel spent around 20 years in the rail industry as Head of Health, Safety Quality and Environmental Management in many organisations. In 2016 Noel set up his own company, HSQE Gloucestershire Ltd as a management consultant. Noel helped companies with compliance against many standards in Quality Management, Environmental Management and Occupational Health and Safety Noel hopes to use his many years of leadership, management skills and experiences to help and mentor others.
Lord Michael Bichard
Lord Bichard's career has largely been in the public services as the Gloucestershire County Council Chief Executive, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education and Employment, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Arts, London and Chair of the National Audit Office. He joined the House of Lords in 2010 as a cross-bench peer.
Michael is now also the Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire.
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Trust News
The Trustees awarded grants at this meeting amounting to £6,500 as follows:
i) The Music Works £1,500
ii) Three Choirs Festival £1,000
iii) Allsorts Gloucestershire (to be paid from GCF funds) £1,000
iv) Friends of Foxmoor School £1,000
v) School Food Matters 2023 Programme £1,000
Bill Armiger presents the cheque to Hannah Bowman (Participation Manager) and Nicola Lawson (Trusts and Foundations Fundraising) from the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester Cathedral. The grant will help to fund the costs of the children's project 'What the Lark Saw' and its performance at the Cathedral.
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Members' Calendar 2023
Wednesday 24th May
Visit to Longborough Opera
Arts & Heritage Group Event
Sunday 11th June
Drinks at the Pied Piper Classic Cars, Trucks & Gardens
Highnam Court
1300 - 1600
Thursday 22nd June
Trip to Brimscombe Port and the Long Table
Monday 26th June
Walk and Talk at Colesbourne Arboretum
Wednesday 12th July
Air Salvage International, Cotswold Airport
10.30
Thursday 22nd August
Visit to the Stroudwater Textile Trust
Wednesday 11th October
Annual Dinner at Manor by the Lake
Thursday 2nd November
Trip to Javelin Park
Tuesday 7th November
AGM and Supper
Our mailing address is: Ellenborough House, Wellington St, Cheltenham GL50
