October’s Branch Meeting was held at the Canary Social Club on 11 October 2016 with 36 members attending.
The usual formalities were observed with a minute’s silence for those that have crossed the bar, followed by reports from:
Chairman
Commented on the recent service for Edith Cavell and provided information for the forthcoming Armistice Parade and Remembrance Day Services.
Secretary
Advised that the RBL, along with the War Graves Commission, will mark the centenary of the final day of the Battle of the Somme Drumhead Service at Thiepval Memorial at 13:30 on Friday the 18th November. Tickets only.
Nick Barwis, an ex RN cook, has made contact. After being in the RN he was disabled in 1982. He has a website selling art prints of 1500 of Pussser’s finest ships from WW1 to the present date plus 400 framed ships and FAA squadron crests. His website is http://www.jackstaxi.net
The Poppy Appeal for 2016 commences on 29 October and finishes on 13 November.
Welfare Secretary
Advised that the Costessey and Drayton branch of the Royal British Legion have arranged a four-day trip to Normandy, from 5th to the 8th July. The trip includes visits to all the landing beaches, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery, Dead Man’s Corner and finally the V2 Rocket Site at La Coupole. I have a list of the full itinerary. Accommodation will be the Hotel Mercure Centre, at Caen. Cost per person £488. Unfortunately there is a single room supplement of £40 per night. (£120). If interested, please contact Sally Blackburn on 01603 745501
Commented that the Veterans Response Partnership are now providing an out of hours’ service to provide Veterans suffering with mental health problems, and they now have a response vehicle and can be contacted on 07494799023 or through their website at www.nsft.nhs.uk/veterans.
Social Secretary
Provided an update on forthcoming events:
Forthcoming Events
Branch Meeting – 11th Oct – Presentation on the Battle of Trafalgar
Trafalgar Night at Wensum Valley G&CC – 22nd Oct
El Alamein Service – St Andrews Church – 23rd Oct at 1100
Run Ashore – Eagle Pub on Newmarket Road – 05th Nov at 1930
Branch Meeting – 8th Nov – Presentation from Norfolk Police Historical Trust
Armistice Day Service – Norwich War Memorial – 11th Nov at 1030
Remembrance Service – Hethel – 12th Nov at 1030
Remembrance Sunday – Norwich War Memorial – Nov 13th Form Up at 1000.
Breakfast Club – Broadland View – 3 December at 1000
Branch Christmas Function – 21st Dec at 1930. Names to the list ASAP.
The Trafalgar Night Organiser provided an update on Trafalgar Night; advising that Pipe into Scran will take place at 1925 to be sat down at 1930. 92 people are attending the event and a request was put out to help in trimming the location at 1200 on the Saturday. One final request was made for raffle prizes for the event.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
– Next year’s Burns’ Night will be held on Saturday 21st January 2017 and the event will follow along similar lines of previous years.
Tickets are £35 per person and for money you will get the traditional Burns’ supper, piping in of the haggis escorted by claymore bearer, the traditional address with a few very short speeches. The meal is three courses with the starter being scoops of haggis, tatties and neaps. Whiskey and port for the loyal toast is provided and other drinks are available at a moderate price. Entertainment after the speeches will be a ceilidh band with a caller for the Highland dancing.
The venue is the Army Reserve Centre, Norwich and start time 18:00 for 18:30 with carriages at 23:59, although a lot of people tend to stay on afterwards. Please note the piper will pipe to dinner at 18:15 and guests are expected to be seated by 18:30
Dress Code: Highland dress or jacket and tie, serving military personnel may wear evening uniform. Miniatures medals are optional in all cases.
For group bookings the table arrangement are for ten seats. Please contact me soonest for tickets.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 8th November 2016 at 19:30.
The evening closed with a presentation from the Chairman on The Battle of Trafalgar.
