There were 35 members present. Tribute was paid to Chris Wilcox, former FA Vice-Chairman, GFA Chairman and Branch Vice-President, who died recently. Thoughts were also given to former colleagues Dave Josham and Dave Howell who died recently. Already, 134 members have paid subscriptions for the new season, including 30 under 16. Branch rule books are available for collection. Attention was drawn to the adverts from sponsors Filton College, Evening Post and Professional Sports & Fitness. If any member is able to offer sponsorship through their company, they are asked to contact Clare Bushell, Tony Mills or Colin Harris. The election of Peter Colley as Gloucestershire FA Representative to succeed Brian Derry was endorsed. Congratulations were given to John Hawkins who has been granted the Referees’ Association 50 year service award. It is planned to make a presentation to him at the December meeting. Members who did not attend the AGM were advised that all the proposed branch rule changes were accepted at the AGM. This includes the £2 increase in subscriptions, pre-empting a similar increase adopted at the RAE AGM which took place in early June. Members were advised of the new guest membership category, designed to assist younger referees who are unable to attend meetings, to do so with a parent or older sibling becoming a guest member. Anyone who might benefit from this should contact Colin Harris or come along to the September meeting. A member has been granted a cash sum from the RA Benevolent Fund. This is one of the benefits of being a member that many people seem to overlook and this person was unaware he could make a claim until informed by another member. If anyone encounters serious financial difficulties as a result of illness or injury, they should notify Colin Harris or another member of the Management Committee. Regardless of the financial situation, the Management Committee would like to know of anyone who is ill or long-term injured, so that good wishes can be sent and their position monitored. Members intending to apply for promotion were reminded to contact GFA Referees Secretary, Ken Fry without delay. The promotion exam takes place on 3rd September and the seminar on 24th. Promotion candidates were reminded to send their fixtures to Colin Harris as GFA Assessor co-ordinator as soon as they get them and there is a form available on e-mail for this purpose. Equally important is the need to advise any changes to fixtures immediately. There is a seminar on Thursday 23 August at Oaklands Park for anyone who may be interested in becoming an assessor. Contact Colin Harris. Simon Knapp has been appointed to referee the GFA Senior Challenge Cup Final held over from last season on 5th September at Cinderford Town F.C. Paul Rees is one of the Assistant Referees. Copies of the programme for the season were available to all in attendance, with information given on the guest speakers. It is hoped to have another meeting of young referees prior to the October meeting and ideas for this are welcome. Players are required for a team to participate in the County skittles competition on Saturday 6 October at Viney Hill. Contact Paul Rees or Andrew Kennedy; transport can be arranged. Chris Cordy has been appointed Recruitment & Retention Officer by the Management Committee and has spent a good deal of time during the summer considering ideas and communicating with members and potential members to try and boost membership and attendance at meetings. Any member on e-mail who has not received a communication in this manner is asked to advise Chris, who will be pleased to hear from anyone with ideas in this area. The new LOAF is available for sale and includes a lot of new features this season and as always, it is recommended that all officials have this in their possession. Members were reminded that price wise, RA supplies are very competitive and although kit can be obtained cheaper elsewhere, it is inferior quality. A new heavy duty kit has been launched, which is particularly good value. A new catalogue should be available soon and anyone wishing to order supplies should contact Steve Moore. There are no significant law changes for members to be concerned about at grass roots level, although there are some items of general interest, details of which will be posted shortly. Colin Harris gave a presentation on Positioning and Movement, with the aid of a FA video – see Training Section. The next meeting is on Thursday 6th September, when Guest Speaker is Steve Mellen, Evening Post Sports Editor.