November’s Branch Meeting was held at the Canary Social Club on 10 October 2017 with 47 members attending.
The Branch Annual Re-dedication was observed conducted by S/M’s Clifford Self, Mike Mizen, Nev Townsend, Gus Honeywood and John Kett. A Stand Easy followed before reports were received from:
Chairman
The Chairman presented S/M’s Gavin Rule and Steve Deane with their ID Card and RNA Badge, and welcomed Martin French on his visit to the Branch.
The Chairman commenced by saying a big ‘thank you and well done’ to all those involved in making the Trafalgar Night dinner and dance such a great success, especially to Pat and Barbara who put in so much work. He has heard nothing but praise from those who attended, and his guests especially thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Well done.
By the same token the Chairman would like to offer another well done and thanks to Gus and Nev for organising and more importantly, supporting both the breakfast club and ‘run ashore’ outings. There is no doubt in my mind that the organising of all these events, both within the Branch during our monthly meetings, and the outside events are what make the Branch the success that it is.
On Sunday 15th October the Chairman attended the Sea Cadet Corps Trafalgar Parade and was invited to inspect the Royal Marines Cadets. He was impressed by their excellent turnout and high standards of drill and although he didn’t inspect any Sea Cadets, he could see that they also were of a high standard. The march through the City to St Peter Mancroft church was first class as was the return journey after the service. Many of these young Cadets aspire to join the regular Forces and he is sure that many will achieve their objective. We should support them as much as we can as these young Cadets are the future of the RNA.
When it comes to parades of course the biggest one in the City involving the Branch is the Remembrance Day parade which was held last Sunday.
The Chairman made no bones about it, that he was immensely proud of the very good turnout by the Branch members, both during the march to the War Memorial and service that followed, and the march through the city to the Cathedral. For those of you who were there, you heard the applause from the public, it is not just because you are ex-Service men and women, it also because you set a high standard of bearing and discipline, and he reported that he heard someone say, “they are very smart aren’t they”. A very well done to all of you.
By the same token, the Chairman was equally impressed by the turnout for the Armistice Day parade at the War Memorial on the 11th of the 11th, and was surprised to see so many members of the public in attendance, the number seems to grow year by year. Once again, the RNA was in the forefront of numbers attending, so once again, well done and many thanks, especially to our Branch Standard Bearer, John Kett, who carried the Standard on both days.
Earlier this evening of course we had our own remembrance service for those members who “crossed the bar” during this past year, unfortunately too many. The Chairman advised that he would like to hear members views regarding the short service and how you think it could be improved or changed, or whatever. Please pass on your comments to any of the committee members to help us with our planning for next year.
Secretary
There will be Committee positions that need filling next March, namely Welfare Officer and Membership Secretary. These are co-opted positions on the Committee. If any Shipmates would be interested in being considered for either of these positions, then please let him know.
Sincere thanks have been received from Mike Hillier to Mike Wilkinson, Neville Townsend, John Pain and myself for attending the RAF Swannington Remembrance and Commemoration Service last Saturday. He apologises that he didn’t get much chance to talk with any of us on the day, however he is really grateful to us all for attending. As mentioned previously, there were two Navy Boys who both died when their Mosquito crashed when flying with 157 Squadron RAF. Mike has found it difficult to trace much about them, however he will not give up and hopes to create a permanent memorial inside the Church to those aircrew members who died flying from here, and he will certainly include those Boys on that Memorial. If any of our Shipmates have any information, the please let me know so we can get the information to Mike Hillier. Finally, he wished me to pass on my very best wishes to all at the Norwich RNA Branch.
Details are in this month’s Semaphore Circular regards Navy Deferred Pensions, and have also been published on the website and will also be in the next Up Spirits.
Welfare Secretary
Earlier in the month the Norwich Brass band gave a concert at the Open with a bit of Remembrance Music. Considering they have only been together three years, it was excellent. They intend to hold a concert again next year. Well worth attending.
Should you possibly need assistance from either the RBL or SSAFA in the future please ensure you keep your service documentation safe A copy is now required by all the major forces charities. It’s not a problem if you have mislaid them but we would rather know now than later as is causes delays. The RN and RAF are not too bad, but the Army can take a lot longer. If you have mislaid them, please let me know, it’s a very simple form to complete to enable the MOD to provide that necessary evidence.
Social Secretary
Provided an update on forthcoming events:
Forthcoming Events
02nd Dec – Breakfast Club – 1000 at Village Inn Little Melton
05th Dec – Branch Committee Meeting – 1930 at BVC.
12th Dec – Christmas Function – 1930 – Theme for the night is Gash Christmas Jumpers. Also, please bring along prizes for the Raffle on the night.
06th Jan – Run Ashore – 2000 at Beehive Pub.
09th Jan – Branch Meeting
17th March – HMS Invincible Memorial Service – 1200 at Happisburgh Church – Followed by Lunch at Smallsticks Café Followed by a Tour of the Life boat station. Thanks to Shipmate Paul Dale for setting this up.
Any Other Business
S/M Gus Honeywood – Because we have a vacant position on the Committee would like to propose S/M Phil Coates to join the Committee.
Proposed: S/M Gus Honeywood
Seconded: S/M Nev Townsend
Unanimous show of hands from the Branch.
S/M Pat Whiley – Advised that we will be using the same venue for Trafalgar Night 2018 and have managed to secure the same price, with one more choice on the menu for the main course.
