AGM 15 April 2000

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION - 92 A.G.M. - 15 APRIL 2000 THE PARADISE ROOM - PLEASURELANDS - BLACKPOOL PRESENT: Chairman - Ken McGinley Vice-Chairman - Peter Fletcher MBE Secretary - Sheila Gray Treasurer - Bill Kittsen Exec Cmte - Bobbie Brewster Mike Doyle Ken Taylor The Meeting commenced at 13.45 hours with an attendance of approx 200 Members, Associate Members and guests.

1.

Peter Fletcher conducted the Act of Homage, the Last Post and Reveille. He also read out a Prayer sent to us by our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling.

2.

Ken McGinley than began the Meeting but it was interrupted by a member, Ken Roberts, stating he wished the AGM be postponed until the confusion of allegations and accusations against Sheila Gray be dealt with.

It is now difficult to report the Meeting from this moment as, at this time, Ken McGinley counted me both as dismissed from the post of National Secretary and also ‘expelled’ from the Association.

Therefore, at this moment in time, I was not sat with the rest of the Exec Cmte and therefore not taking notes, as I would normally. However, for the benefit of those members, not in attendance, I shall do the best I can.

We do not intend to give you a ‘blow by blow’ account of what occurred, needless to say, there was a heated discussion but suffice to say, the majority of members present did not agree with Ken McGinley’s, Bill Kittsen’s and Derek Fidderman’s actions or accusations. Also,Ken McGinley would not allow a Report, sent to the AGM by Sue Rabbitt Roff, to be read out, therefore, members took away a copy so they could read it for themselves.

It was stated, by some members, that Sheila Gray was NOT ‘expelled’ and as for her ‘dismissal’ from the post of Secretary, the members agreed to lessen it to a suspension and that she should be reinstated BEFORE the Exec Cmte stood down and so be in a position to stand for re-election. This motion was carried.

The Exec. Cmte stood down.

ELECTIONS: KEN TAYLOR, had not applied for re-election because of his ill health. CHRIS ROWLANDS had already resigned from the Exec. Cmte because he was dissatisfied with what was happening.

The elections were conducted by a show of hands but here again we cannot give you exact figures but standing for election to the post of Chairman, was Ken McGinley and Ken Roberts - Ken McGinley was elected.

Ken McGinley then took over the election procedure, as the Constitution directs. However, instead of continuing with the elections he gave a speech to the effect he wanted a Cmte consisting of, no ‘sick people’ and only someone with whom he could trust and work along side. A member stood up and asked if this was an ‘election or a sermon’ and added that he should ‘get on with the elections and he

could make his speeches later’. Ken McGinley continued talking for a few minutes then the elections continued.

Vice-Chairman: Peter Fletcher and Derek Fidderman - Peter Fletcher was elected by a veiy large majority.

Secretary: Ken McGinley announced that Sheila Gray was the only candidate and, for some unknown reason, he asked for a count. We do not know the figures as Ken McGinley did not announce them but from the show of hands, Sheila Gray was elected by a vast majority. Ken McGinley, after a silent pause on his part, then said -‘Thanks very much, have a nice weekend -1 STAND DOWN’! He then left the stage and was accompanied by Bill Kittsen; Derek Fidderman, who had been sitting with the Exec Cmte; Mike Doyle and Bobbie Brewster. That left only Peter Fletcher sitting at the table and Ken Taylor, who was sat near to the table.. The departing people took away all the paper work pertaining to our AGM, the raffle prizes and even the raffle tickets with them. This is the reason why it is difficult to give you figures.

The Meeting continued and at first, it was decided, that as Ken McGinley had relinquished the post of Chairman, that Ken Roberts, being the other candidate for the post of Chairman, should accept the post.

A member said this was not acceptable and it was then voted upon that Peter Fletcher took over the position of Chairman. The motion was carried. I had already been elected to the post of Secretary, which only left the other posts to fill. John Lowe of Manchester, was asked if he would be willing to take on the post but said he did not think he would have the time. Therefore, Ken Roberts who had stood against Ken McGinley and after a show of hands, accepted the post of Vice-Chairman. He had also put his name forward as Treasurer (Proposed and Seconded) and he offered to do this job also, on a short-term basis until we could find a suitable person to take on the task. This was agreed by a show of hands. A short while later John Lowe said he would be willing to take on the post of Vice-Chairman and it was agreed, by the new Exec. Cmte, that this would be of benefit to our Association. Ken Roberts agreed to stand down and then be able to be a full time Treasurer. This too was accepted. ;

, Exec.Cmte Members: Derek Musselwhite of Cornwall and Pat Hurley of Milton Keynes were duly '"’^elected and Martin Blackburn, the son of a Christmas Island veteran, was opted onto the Exec Cmte by the rest of the Cmte.

The Meeting ended at 16.30 hours.

The Social was held in the evening and the Kiribati Dancers performed and were greatly appreciated.

Even though the departing Cmte had left us without funds, raffle prizes or even tickets, the members rallied round and supplied enough prizes to hold a Raffle. The Pleasurelands supplied us with some raffle tickets and we managed to raise £151. We then had a collection which raised a further £239 making a total of £390. This was given to the Kiribati Dancers, which honoured the agreement the previous Cmte had made, whereby they had said they would pay towards their expenses. The Dancers accepted this graciously and our honour was saved.

Church Parade - Sunday 16 April. Once again we were made most welcome at the Salvation Army Citadel and everyone enjoyed the Service. However this too was marred as the departing Cmte and the Association Standard Bearer, had also taken our Association Standard and instead of a number of Standards at the Church, we were reduced to only two. We did not allow this to spoil the day and we all proudly marched, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band, down into the town. We then dispersed at approx 12.30 to make our way home.

Sheila Gray (Mrs) Secretary

7

Peter Fletcher MBE Chairman

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ALL WE SEEK IS JUSTICE

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION - 1992 Chairman: Peter Fletcher MBE

Sponsors: Lord Parry DL Earl Russel Secretary: Mrs Sheila Gray ' Treasurer. Ken Roberts

Vice-Chairman: John Lowe

Monte Bello 134 Clisplcy Lane Haydock St Helens Lancs WA11 OUB Tel/Fax: 01744 29636

Committee Advisers: Professor J Rotblat,CBE,MA,DSc(Warsaw) PhD(Liverpool),DSc(London),F!nst P. Dr Rosalie Bertel,PhD,G.N.S.H.-Canada Professor E Radford, MD-USA Solicitor: Mark Mildred Chaplain: Canon Nicholas Frayling(Rector of Livernool)

29 April 2000

Dear Member Many of you must be wondering just what is happening with our Association, especially after receiving the latest Newsletter. I shall try and put into words the exact picture.

First let me say, our Association is as strong as before and I hope, indeed I am sure, will continue to grow.

We held our AGM on 15 April in Blackpool, as usual, as you will see by the enclosed Minutes. Sadly it was not the orderly meeting we are used to and for this we apologise to those who attended. However, after what has happened over the past year, I suppose we should have expected it.

I

Some of you may know, or have heard, that Mr McGinley, with the help of Mr Kittsen and Mr Fidderman and also unfortunately, backed by some of the previous Exec Cmte, have been running a campaign to try and blacken the names of our Secretary, Sheila Gray and also Sue Rabbitt Roff, for whom many of us have a great respect None of the accusations or allegations were true. They have both carried out their tasks in the correct manner and have committed no crime whatsoever. The past year has been a nightmare, especially for Sheila but throughout, she continued to do her job. I will not go into details of the campaign but I hope this situation will never arise again and should never have been allowed to happen in the first place. Both Sheila and Sue, throughout this campaign, have received very supportive letters and phone calls from members who would not believe what thev were being told. They knew there would be another side to all the stories. Sadly only one side was being publicised.

I would like to say we are sad at Mr McGinley’s actions because without him we would never have had our Association. For many years he worked hard on our behalf and it truly saddens us to see how he has changed. Hopefully the rest from all the pressures of Chairman will help to heal whatever is troubling him.

Once you have read the Minutes, you will discover that, at election time, the old Exec Cmte walked out, that is except for Ken Taylor and myself. I must add that Mike Reid was not present but as his name was not put forward for nomination, then he too could not stand for election. Disappointingly Ken Taylor’s health prevented him from standing again but we are hoping he will continue to help the widows and children and he has said that he will. Thanks Ken. Contrary to what the Newsletter said, Chris Rowlands did not resign because of ill health but because he did not like what some people were doing and so harming our Association.

Myself and the rest of the Exec Cmte, are asking you to stay firm. I say this because Mr McGinley has been speaking to some members and telling them that they must demand their records back from Sheila and send them to him. This, of course is your right but I beg you to think what the consequences could be. If our members scatter we will not have the valuable medical information of you all with which to pressure the MOD or the NRPB. That would please them! They may be able to file pieces of paper away in a dusty drawer somewhere but they cannot file people!

The research programme is still going strong, contrary to what some of you may have been told and we must back it all the way. The research that has already been carried out at Dundee University has already reaped rewards. It has convinced the Governments of both New Zealand and Fiji to award their veterans pensions. The Australian Government is holding talks at ministerial level to see what they can do for their veterans. Even our Government has taken notice and there are discussions in progress as to how to conduct a new study - this time fully independent There has already been one major meeting of the NRPB with Sue Rabbitt Roff as to the fairest way forward. They have both agreed to hold a blind study (neither side seeing the others figures) and in six months they are to meet again and compare notes. They will then decide what will be the best way to conduct this new study. Let me say that this forthcoming study is to take notice of ALL deaths, not just cancers and this is a huge concession from the Ministry! Therefore, stay with the Association and, you never know, we could just win!

You will note in the Minutes that a Report from Sue, was not allowed to be read out at the AGM. If anyone would like a copy, then please send a sae. to Sheila and she will send you one. I have to ask you to do this because until all accounts, records, etc are transferred to the new Officer, the normal resources are not to hand. With regard to subscriptions - they can either be sent to our new Treasurer, Ken Roberts - 1 Regal Close, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool Cleveland TS25 IDG, Tel: 01908 313024, or to myself or Sheila for forwarding. & f I Once we are fully organised your Representatives will be sent a full list of the Exec.

Cmte and Reps, to pass onto you. If you do not have a Representative then Sheila or myself will supply you with one. This cannot be done immediately because, sadly two Reps have given in their resignation since the AGM. I do hope the others will not follow suit. Enough harm has been done to our Association and it is now time to rebuild and strengthen.

Think carefully, do you want the past seventeen years of struggle and success to disappear or do you want to continue our fight for justice? The answer is in your hands.

I know what I would like and I am sure most of you will agree. We have come too far to back down now and let the Government walk all over us.

One final note - it has just come to our attention that Mr McGinley received a letter from the police Fraud Squad, days before the AGM. It stated they were still waiting for possession of the last few cleared cheques from the Bank but it also states ‘My initial view is that, as yet, there is no evidence of dishonesty by any individual9! He did not report this to the AGM! My best wishes to you all and now lets us get back to business in the hope we will have victory before not too long.

Yours sincerely

Peter Fletcher MBE National Chairman