June’s Branch Meeting was held at the Canary Social Club on 13 June 2017 with 43 members attending.
The usual formalities were observed with a minute’s silence for those that have crossed the bar, followed by reports from:
Chairman
The Chairman introduced S/M Norman Cox from the Wymondham Branch who gave a brief talk on the Project Semaphore iPad Training that he will be conducting on behalf of the Branch, before introducing Stewart Blackburn from Veterans Norfolk who gave a talk on the Britannia Veterans Centre.
Presented S/M’s Paul Dale and Daren Mason with their ID Cards and RNA Badges.
Started with apologies that he will not be able to attend the Branch lunch at Bawburgh Golf Course on the 16th July, having organised a battlefield tour to Normandy and where unfortunately the client changed the dates from the weekend before to the weekend of the lunch. Gave his sincere hopes that members will give their support to this important event in the Branch’s calendar as a lot of work has gone in to organising it.
Went on to give his thanks and well done to the members of the Branch who attended the D-Day commemoration service at the City War Memorial on the 6th June. Interestingly after the service a member of the BBC asked for an interview and the first thing she said was “Why are you here?” I don’t know whether she genuinely didn’t know or whether she was asking on behalf of those who presumably follow her on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
In this month’s Up Spirits, there is a short piece regarding the celebrations taking place in Felixstowe over the weekend of the 24th and 25th June. If anyone would like to go please make contact for a map of the town centre and the whereabouts of the carparks, as free busses have been laid on to transport any attendees around the various venues on both days.
Welfare Secretary
Gave special thoughts to S/M’s John and Dorothy Pain before providing details of the November Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph in London and The White Ensign Association concerning National Insurance and the State Pension
Social Secretary
Provided an update on forthcoming events:
Forthcoming Events
24th Jun – Armed Forces Day – County / Country wide
25th Jun – Dunkirk Veterans and Armed Forces Service of Remembrance – 1030 at St Andrews Church
28-29th Jun – Royal Norfolk Show – Members required as volunteers – 6 tickets available for 29th June.
01st Jul – Branch Run Ashore – 2000 at The Bush Inn, Old Costessey
16th Jul – Summer Luncheon – Bawburgh Golf Club
20th Jul – RAF Marham Families Day
12th Aug (DTBC) – Breakfast Club – 1000 at the Woolpack Inn, Norwich
Any Other Business
S/M Mike Mizen – Advised that the 26th August sees the first laying of the VC Memorial Stones. Each holder of the VC will have a memorial stone laid in their town of origin (or nearest to). Mustering for the event will be at 1045 with the Ceremony commencing at 1100. There will be a reception on completion.
On the 24th June between 1000-1600, the North Norfolk Railway and Holt RNA will be hosting a Drumhead Service commencing at 1100 (Muster at 1015).
S/M Keith Smith – Reminded members of the Dunkirk Veterans and Armed Forces Service of Remembrance at 1030 at St. Andrews on 25th June, advising there will be a reception on completion.
S/M John Kett – Advised members that the Flag Raising for Armed Forces Day outside City Hall, muster at 0945.
S/M Paul Dale – Advised members that he will be giving a talk on Shipwrecks of the Norfolk Coast at the next Branch Meeting.
