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ONLOOKER

Issue 76

Chairman's Word

Dear Friends

Greetings in the name of Jesus, for maybe one of the last times as your Chairman. Yes, I have to tell you all that at the Annual General Meeting at Wesley's Chapel I intimated that this could be my last year in the this wonderful role you have elected me to. On top of that, our ever-efficient Secretary, John Bates, also intimated that he wished to stand down, although he would still mastermind the production of our wonderful ‘Onlooker' magazine. Incidentally, at this point, I must say that I think costs for the ‘Onlooker' (via our annual subscriptions) will have to rise in the not too distant future; paper and postage have all increased quite dramatically in recent times. If this was not enough standing downs, Hugh Vosper, our Boys' Brigade representative, also felt that this would be his last year in post, followed by Terry Roper our Brass Band Coordinator since the meeting! Both have done a fantastic job in their respective roles, we thank them for all their hard work. However, this means one thing, we need even more volunteers to fill all those posts that have been vacated for various reasons! I must say that I have truly enjoyed the privilege of taking the Chair over probably some twenty years or so and that I will not let you down. By this I mean that if no one is found to take on the role I am prepared to carry on for another year or so, but I do feel that it is probably time to take a back seat. I believe that London Stedfast has achieved great things in the Lord's work, now it needs your help to map out the way ahead. Please give prayerful consideration to filling the roles of Chairman, Secretary, Brass Band Coordinator and Boys' Brigade representative for the times that are ahead. I look forward to hearing a great list of names being sent in to either John or I for these very important posts.

Since our last edition of ‘Onlooker' there have been two very important events. First, was our own Annual General meeting at Wesley's Chapel, which turned out to be what one might call an action packed afternoon? My only complaint would be that it still was not very well supported, especially the act of worship at the end, what could we do to make it a must in people's diaries I wonder? Again your thoughts will be very much welcomed in order that we can make it more attractive to our members. The elections brought the return of the Committee plus Brian Rutt as the Bugle Band Coordinator, but with the decisions I have mentioned above. My thanks, on your behalf, to all at Wesley's Chapel for making us so welcome.

The second BIG event was the Federation Annual Council and Fellowship Weekend meeting at Bromley. I must admit that I had mixed emotions about spending a weekend away, but in the end I enjoyed the chance to share with like-minded folk from all over the United Kingdom and even further - New Zealand! The weekend was full, perhaps marred for me by some of the attitudes during the actual Annual Council Meeting on the Saturday morning. To be able to share the Church Parade on the Sunday morning with the local Boys' Brigade Battalion was very special, for me what it should be Church, Boys' Brigade and Stedfast working together as one BIG family. I am sure that our Secretary will be writing more on both these events for your delectation. I would, however, at this point like to offer grateful thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of both these events.

I know that all of us have very special memories of our days in the Company, maybe as Boys or even as officers. When I grew up in the 5th East Surrey, two officers were the Finch twins, Alan and Dennis, both spent enormous amounts of time in making the Company a great experience for the members. Sadly, Alan was promoted to glory in early July this year. I am sure that all Stedfast members join with me in sending our love to Dennis and his family as they mourn for Alan.
On behalf of all members of the Committee I take this opportunity to wish you every blessing and trust that you have a restful and refreshing summer.

Every blessing to you all as you seek to serve our Lord.

I am yours because I am His.

John L Lines MBE
Chairman London Stedfast Association

ONLOOKER

Issue 76 - Summer 2010

Secretary's NEWS

What a busy period the past six months have been. Getting the previous Onlooker magazine produced and mailed out to you for early March. Planning our LSA Annual General Meeting at Wesley's Chapel later in the same month. Organising a concert for the FDF in April, when their Brass Band visited Bexleyheath during a tour of England. Updating our LSA website. Then of course, the recent Federation ACM Weekend at Bromley, when the past 6 months were spent finalising the programme and associated details.

Most of these events would not have been possible without the help of key members of the LSA management committee. In particular I wish to single out Roger Wallis for his continuous involvement and support over the past twelve months in conjunction with the Federation weekend event at Bromley. Plus Roger also took on the important job of being the Registrar for that event. Thank you very much; your help was much appreciated. Reading the letters and emails sent to your Secretary, it seems all those attending had a great time. I do hope you will enjoy reading the special report and looking at the pictures covering the Stedfast weekend at Bromley in May.
Brighton Stedfast Association is acting as host for next years Stedfast Federation weekend, and it will be held at Eastbourne. Please look for the early details of this special annual Federation event printed in this Onlooker. I do hope many of you will be able to attend that weekend in May next year.

I feel the time is now right for me to step down as the London Association Secretary, after serving in that role for some 12 years. It has been an exciting time being part of a great management team, and seeing many things being achieved during my period of office. But if the LSA is to continue with the work in hand and that being planned for the future, I think a younger person needs to take over. I am starting to get close to that landmark of birthdays, when greetings cards confirm that you are 75 years of age. As you are already aware our Chairman also wishes to hand over that office to another person after serving the LSA for some 20 plus years. It is very important that we start to find replacements for these two office bearers, so both the Chairman and I will be keen to hear from anyone willing to at least ask what is involved, then hopefully take on the job with our support of course. Please remember to ask for a person's approval before you nominate them.
Your management committee has been very stable for a good number of years, and in that period the LSA have made great progress and built good relationships with other Stedfast Associations and the Brigade. But for various reasons and reluctantly there comes a time when committee members wish to stand down. It happens in all organisations. So the challenge is now on to find replacements by our next AGM. But one position needs to be filled as soon as possible because Terry Roper our Brass Band Co-ordinator wishes to stand down now, and hand over to another person as soon as possible. Terry has worked continuously to build up our great Stedfast Brass Band; it would be tragic if all that good work were to falter. I do hope someone out there will step forward to act as Co-ordinator. I am advised that person need not play an instrument or even read music, but to coordinate their programme and keep band members informed of rehearsal dates and concerts etc. Anyone wishing to take up this job should make contact with Terry on his email (he still lives in Italy) Lsabrassband@hotmail.com

It was good to welcome and appoint a new committee member at our AGM. We are very pleased that Brian Rutt has agreed to act as Bugle Band Co-ordinator for London. He is also the London Bugle Bandmaster. At the same time we also most pleased to learn that Paul Hern is prepared to take on the job of Co-ordinator for the National Stedfast Bugle & Drums Band. Both these job vacancies (due to David Kemp standing down) appeared in the March Onlooker, to find replacements so quickly is great news. I do hope we shall be as successful with the Brass Band request. I have invited Paul Hern to tell us a bit more about himself, and that appears on another page in the magazine. We must congratulate him as he has already planned out a programme of some 16 events over the next year plus. The Band had a practice and meeting at the famous Kneller Hall a few weeks ago. On Sunday 27th June a large Stedfast Bugle Band took part in a five-hour programme of events in Chingford London, to commemorate Armed Forces Day (26th June). At 12 noon they lead a section of a large parade through the town centre (many hundreds turned out to watch), appearing later in the afternoon in an arena display, along with other Organisations and Cadet Corps. This will be good publicity for the Brigade and Stedfast. Hopefully I will have time and opportunities to take some pictures as well as being in the Stedfast colour party.

Publicity really does count! Going back to two of the events I have already briefly covered. Firstly the FDF visit to England (see the separate report elsewhere) I managed to get a good article in one of our local papers, including a picture of the band, promoting their concert at a local church. A former BB boy happened to read about it, and knew all about FDF brass bands and their ability to so play well. He telephoned me and we arranged to meet up at the concert. I am pleased to say he has now joined the LSA, we welcome Len Ramsey. Secondly the Federation Weekend event at Bromley. David Kemp (our Publicity man) circulated many local papers about this important event taking place. Another former BB member saw the article and left a message on David's LSA answer phone, about joining the LSA. He actually turned up on the Sunday morning and marched with us on the parade to church. A warm welcome to Peter Hibble. So publicity really does work. When I was holiday recently and wearing my Stedfast badge, a number of people showed interest and asked about our organisation. Wearing a badge always becomes a talking point. Ask John Russell about this. At a recent family and friends gathering, a person unknown to John approached him saying he recognised the BB type badge being worn. Soon both were locked in conversation. In the following conversation John learnt that this person had been a member of the Brigade Secretary's Steve Dickinson's BB Company. So wear your badge with pride- because you never know whom you may meet!

Donations by the LSA. Even though the amount of money we have left over from Onlooker production and associated costs of running the Association is reducing, we do try and donate whenever possible. We continue to send £100 donations to BB London Companies when they apply for financial help. More recently we allocated £100 to the National BB & GB Marching bands Competitions, this enabled them to purchase drinking water for the members present that day.

From the Collection Wesley's Thanksgiving Service, we passed on a cheque to Deal Rotary (our chairman is President) a cheque for £125 to support the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Rotary Clubs were collecting for "shelter boxes" see separate article. Also from the collection at the Federation event Bromley, the combined BB& Stedfast service collection, amounted to just over £300.00. This was sent onto Global Fellowship to do good work somewhere in the world. It's important that Stedfast continues to help financially when it can. But with around 40 members not rejoining the LSA (£400 income will be lost) the central funds will obliviously have less to give away.

Brighton & Hove SA Annual Service & Reunion 25th April 2010. It made a pleasant change for me to be able to just turn up on the day, and enjoy a Stedfast event without being responsible for the programme and smooth running. I was very impressed with the attendance. Some 200 members were present (two thirds of their membership) that is a considerably higher percentage than London manages to attract each year. I was made to feel most welcome. One interesting observation is that Brighton run their special day in reverse order to our annual event. I know that our Chairman John was disappointed that a good number of LSA members had left Wesley's before (even some during the service) so perhaps we should consider changing the programme next year, by starting with our Thanksgiving Service, what do you think? In the meanwhile we wish George Holkham MBE elected as Brighton & Hove President, and his fellow committee members every success, as they start to plan for the Federation Weekend for 2011, which will take place at Eastbourne.

Brigade HQ Felden, have approached the LSA to enclose a leaflet, which explains another opportunity to have a " Chair" named and placed in the new Thurso Centre at Felden. (See Onlooker issue 73 page 23). Many Stedfast members took advantage of a similar scheme for the main building, and their donations purchased some 70 chairs to completely replace the old and worn out ones. I am sure they had really big comfy armchairs in the Felden Lounge, when I went on courses there many years ago. If you missed out last time, here is an ideal time to purchase a chair for the Thurso Centre, and perhaps dedicate to a former family member or BB person.

In Memoriam. Sadly more LSA and world figures of Stedfast & BB have recently passed away. We are in particular saddened to learn of the sudden deaths of that famous BB man SP CHUA, a true legend in his own right. Tributes covering the life of this wonderful and inspirational man appear in our In Memoriam section. Many of you will remember Ernie Hewitt of the 2nd Grays Company. Ernie was a key person connected with the smooth running of the former BB London Royal Albert Hall Displays. He was responsible for the commentary throughout the show, introducing each item before they entered the arena. One year, which I shall never forget, my 14th West Kent Company, lost around half of our display item members - just as we were due to go on to the arena. They were scattered all other the building- it was so exciting for the BB boys, with endless corridors, underground changing rooms, countless stairs to the balcony, with so much to explore they had forgotten their display entry time. I think poor Dennis Sheppard was our team steward that year. Ernie sensing something was terribly wrong - due to an empty arena and frantic actions of staff, set about organising some community singing for the 5000 audiences waiting. Missing boys were eventually found and the show continued. Well - done Ernie for helping to make those RAH displays so successful, and bringing about a wonderful moment that evening.

Our Onlooker magazine continues to be read (and circulated) more and more I am pleased to report. You will note our Membership Secretary Roger Wallis (who also acts as Onlooker Subscriber Secretary) informs us that 12 members from other Associations have recently become subscribers, and now look forward to receiving this magazine 3 times a year. Some new readers pointed out that getting a 28 to 32 page magazine 3 times a year for just £10 is excellent value, when other Associations pay that sum for just an 8 page magazine, and with no colour printing! Roger and Jean Wallis were present at this years BB London Beating Retreat event at Chelsea Hospital, making those present aware of London Stedfast and promoting Onlooker.

Along with our Chairman, I need to confirm that Onlooker postage has gone up at least 3 times since we fixed our membership fee at £10.00 some four years ago. Our suppliers have helped to keep our expenditure down (despite their own increased costs for raw material and labour) to a minimum by pegging production costs to us. That has enabled us to carry on producing a good size magazine with plenty of pages (even some in colour) for the past 2 years. Our Chairman has already indicated in his comments about increased costs and perhaps the need to increase our annual subscription. Your management committee have discussed various options to present at our next AGM March 2011 for your consideration and approval

These were the various options considered. Do we continue to produce Onlooker with 28 to 32 pages (some in colour) 3 times a year? If your answer is YES - we shall need to raise the annual subscriptions - plus a little more for those living overseas to reflect the considerable postage fee. It now costs £6.00 to post 3 Onlookers to Rest of World places.
If you feel we should maintain our annual subscription at £10.00 pa (say for another 2 years), we shall need to REDUCE the Onlooker content, to around 16 pages without colour. The general feeling was that most members would wish to maintain Onlooker in its present format and understand that costs have increased, plus many issues have been considerably larger than the standard 24 pages. You will note this Onlooker is another 36page issue. Your LSA management committee have spent some considerable time considering the various options and best way forward. It has come to the conclusion (assuming you wish to retain Onlooker in its present format) that Annual subscriptions for UK members will need to be increased to £11.00 pa. Those living in Europe will be asked to pay £12.50 pa. Members living in Rest of World address will be asked to pay a little more at £15.00 pa - to cover the much higher Onlooker postage. . This proposal from your management committee will be on the agenda at our next AGM Saturday 19th March 2011. Should the AGM endorse our recommendation to increased subscriptions - you will be pleased to note they will not come into force until January 2012. If you know already that you will not be able to attend our next AGM, I shall be pleased to receive your comments, and will pass them onto the committee.

In the meanwhile do please enjoy reading your latest bumper Onlooker magazine.

John A Bates
Hon Secretary LSA
Vice Chairman Federation SA UK & ROI