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A long planned for day, and not an unproductive one. This afternoon convened the second meeting of the Walmington Ex-Servicemen's Relief Fund under my chairmanship. As directed each member gave a run-down of progress in their area to-date.
I asked the Vicar to commence and he gave a baleful account of the conditions faced by certain individuals in and around Walmington. Although his descriptions of these privations was perhaps a little sentimental for my taste there is no doubt that there is a problem which needs addressing.
Mr Jones' account was of necessity rather shorter as his fund-raising group has yet to receive any direction from we, the committee. This has not, however, prevented him from calling an initial meeting held, I gather, in the snug at the Red Lion. It was necessary to curb some of his groups more robust suggestions for fund-raising. I am not at all convinced that standing at the corner of the High Street and Eastgate Road with fixed bayonets is necessarily the way forward.
I was not quite sure what to make of the suggestion of Miss Simpson that we engage in something called marketing. Apparently this is very popular in America. From the way she describes it, it would appear to be a complicated way of describing advertising. I did not wish to discourage her, although I very much doubt that marketing will ever catch-on here. Besides how shall we describe a trip to buy provisions if this American expression catches on? So I suggested she compile a report and bring it to the next meeting in one week's time.
I reported back on the financial situation which is very grave, as the fund is running an unsecured overdraft at Swallow's Bank as a result of Wilson's lax management. The vicar has agreed to make the church hall available for any public events which is only right as this fund was his idea in the first place.
It was agreed that Mr Jones' group should immediately begin planning for a programme of fund-raising in Walmington. In the meantime I shall use my influence, as a former Rotarian, to access that organisation's considerable charitable resources.
I was rather concerned by the attitude of Mr Gordon, acting as secretary, throughout the meeting. Each time I paused to consider a decision he coughed and looked at me closely, as if in scrutiny. I suspect he may not approve of my style of chairmanship - perhaps preferring to spend time on lengthy discussion. However we are all busy men (and women). I don't feel it necessary to discuss such trivial matters at length. Nevertheless I must keep a close eye on Mr Gordon. Coming after that letter of Pike's (surely at Gordon's dictation) I feel certain he cannot be trusted.
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