19 Members and guests - Balvinder Gill, Alice Walusimbi, Richard Scott Herridge, David Tye, Shola Wey, Francis Musa.

Tessa Kingsley, Jenny Sansom, Bajan Aulak, Nick Maurice, Cliff Harris, Sister Josephine O Mahoney, Brian and Janice Austin, Gian Clare, Liz and Ron Fennell, Steven Kelk, Jane Knight, Juliet Berry, John Geater, John Fisher, Jo Hobbs, Rohini Kochar, Chris Corfield, Jim Layton, Andy Jeans, Mike Carrick, Derek Partridge, Dennis Sellu, James Plaskitt, Pippa Austin, Margaret Watkin, Andy Smith

Accepted as a true record. Proposed J Alty seconded M Hodkin

John McFarlane presented the audited accounts and circulated copies. As he has only recently taken over as Treasurer, he would not be able to give a lot of retrospective explanation for last year. He pointed out that despite the healthy balance in April, we have now sent a further £19K to Bo and we anticipate a sizeable expense on sending the container to Bo. Bill Evans pointed out the reduction in the funds of Bo Koloseum. Myf Hodkin emphasised the benefit of gift aid. Approval of the accounts was proposed by Andrew Watts and seconded by Sylvia Lee. This was passed unanimously. Janet Alty moved a vote of thanks to our new treasurer and this was seconded by Bill Evans and passed unanimously..

Bill Evans circulated copies of his report which had already been published in the Newsletter to members. He wished to highlight certain aspects of it.
Firstly, he acknowledged the great contribution of Geoff Lee who very sadly died in January. Bill said that it was not just his accounting skills which were so appreciated. In some ways his experience of Sierra Leone was even more valuable. He will leave a great gap which no one else can quite fill. He was so active right up to the very end raising money for the Community Centre project.
Secondly, Bill pointed out that although we have already raised £24K for the Bo OWL Community Project, some of which is in the form of loans from members, it is an ambitious project. A comparable amount will be needed for the second phase of the project. We are committed to intensive fund raising; and a lot of effort will be required.
The Civic linking may develop in different ways from that which we first thought. The development of local democracy in Sierra Leone is seen as a national priority by the UK Government, so we intend to play a part.
We are planning further exchange visits. Bruce Knight will be going at Christmas to further a musical link. Exchange visits are another need for funding.
There have been frustrations in establishing school links; but there are some promising signs, not least at Kenilworth School.
We are very pleased that Moussa Conteh has been elected as an MP, this will have benefits and constraints for Bo Kolseum.
Bill concluded by referring to the tremendous amount of voluntary work by many people not just here but in Bo in particular where they have so few facilities. Although we do need new recruits, especially younger people; he said "you are a great team".
Approval of the Chairs report was proposed by Janet Alty and seconded by Andew Watts.

The Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer were willing to stand. The post of Vice Chair is vacant. There were no other nominations. Bill Evans John Myers and John McfFarlane were duly elected.

Janet Alty, John Fisher, Brian Austin, Bob Crowther, Marion Grimwood, Myf Hodkin, Jane Knight, Sylvia Lee, and Andy Smith were willing to stand again for the committee there were no other nominations.

Bill Evans and Andy Smith have been elected to the new UKOWLA Council. Richard Scott-Herridge is also on it from Daventry, which gives a strong local representation
As there was no other business, the formal part of the meeting concluded and an informal discussion took place.

"Sweet BO"
Bill welcomed Councillor Balvinder Gill, Chair of Warwick District Council. Balvinder Gill quoted a statistic that less than 4% of the world's population own over 80% of its wealth. In that context he felt that OWL does a very good job; and he would like to support it in any way he can. He will be happy to liase with the two Councillors on the committee.
Francis Musa and Fidel Conteh are Sierra Leonians with strong Bo connections who are both living and working in Milton Keynes at present. They said they had been very surprised impressed and gratified to learn about our friendship link with Bo. They would like to support it. It was felt that they could help by networking with other Sierra Leonians in this country. The problem of getting the container shipment we are sending to Bo safely through customs was given as an example of where a network of contacts could be useful.
Janet Alty emphasised the importance of the mutuality and equality of standing in the friendship link. She made an appeal for assistance with packing the container. We do need to give to our friends in their time of need.
Myf Hodkin gave an example of how her understanding of the world had been enhanced during a visit to Bo through a conversation with a child.
Councillor Misan McFarland said that she originates from Nigeria and her heart is with the OWL link. Her husband would join on behalf of her family.
Patrick Sesay observed that a friend in need is a friend in deed. He was thanked for his contribution to the Kenilworth V1th Form Assembly which had been enthusiastically received by students and staff, and we hope it will stimulate their link with Christ the King School.
Patrick gave an amusing version of the name "Sweet Bo". The vehicle registration number is prefaced by SB in Bo and by EK in Kenema. Consequently Sweet Bo and Expensive Kenema.
Richard Scott-Herridge oulined his experience of a link with Uganda, as part of which a 'Learning Web Site' had been set up - it was hoped to add to this with a CD ROM and video.
The importance of an education pack for schools was acknowledged. We had to look at education in a wide sense of age and purpose. Spreading the word via Women's Institutes could be very effective.
Bill Evans said we need to retain our ethos of what linking is about. We are not an NGO. It is not about doing for but working with. Our hand of friendship to Bo has meant a lot, exemplified in civic linking terms by the fact that he was the first civic visitor to Sierra Leone since the war, and it is reported that he is now widely referred to as "Grandfather Mayor"
Bob Crowther said that in terms of Council involvement we need to have a clear vision of what the Council can do. He did not feel that the Freetown/Hull link was the right way for us to go; it would be better for the LA link to be seen as a part of the Community Link. He also referred to the value of making contact with both Hull and Hastings who have links. Hastings has been able to gain support from the SL expatriate community.
Bill Evans brought the meeting to a close; and expressed thanks to the volunteers who had provided an excellent lunch.