February’s Branch Meeting was held at the Canary Social Club on 13 February 2018 with 44 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 presented S/M Lindsay Lock with her ID Card and RNA Badge, and welcomed Greg Emmott and Martin French on their visit to the Branch.
The Chairman started by wishing all members a good evening and welcomed to the February meeting; continuing by updating Shipmates regards the health of some of our members. As you are aware Bernadette had to spend time in hospital and it is wonderful to see her here this evening. On the other hand, Barbara Whiley fell over at home and broke her shoulder in two places although information received indicates that Pat has put her on light duties and now she only has to do the washing, ironing, cooking and hoovering. The Chairman finished by informing Shipmates that Jean Hogben is also unwell, and it was very good to see S/M Fred Hogben at the meeting. He asked everyone that you give these Shipmates, and the others who are also unwell, their thoughts and prayers as they go through your daily life.
Next month’s meeting is the AGM and Gus will talk about that in his report. However, it should be pointed out that your Committee have already been planning events right up to the December meeting, so if you feel that you would like to be involved in the decision-making process, put your name forward as a Committee member.
The next thing the Chairman discussed is the instigation of the Jim Bowles Trophy. An article has been submitted in Up Spirits but basically the Committee, with the full backing of Jim’s family, have commissioned a trophy to be awarded annually to the Shipmate who, in the opinion of the Committee, has done the most for the Branch members. It has been agreed that no Committee member can receive the trophy, and that the trophy will be suitably engraved and that the recipient will receive a personal award. Jim’s family donated £250 to help set it all up in memory of Jim. The award will be presented at the AGM and the article in Up Spirits will provide more information
Secretary
Informed all present that new Data Protection Act Regulations will come into effect from May this year, and the details are:
“New Data Protection Act Regulations come into effect as of May 2018; to this end all members need to be aware that all membership listings that are sent out; whether electronically or as a hard copy can only be shared with other named people on the list and may not be shared with another Branch or organisation without everyone’s express permission. Additionally, we should never CC email recipients as everyone can see the list and it is too easy for that list to be accessed when out of a person’s control. Always BCC recipients lists.”
Thanks have been received from the Kirkpatrick family, via Derek Grieve to all the RNA members who attended the service remembrance of the life of their mother. Derek reports that they were visibly moved by the standard’s presence; and the way the standard bearer complimented the service. Derek continued that as a good friend of Pauline, and the Temporary Chairman of the Sea Cadets Management Committee that he would also like to add his thanks. You helped to give her a grand send off.
Also reported that he had received communication this evening from Patricia Evans, thanking all those Branch Members that had attended the funeral of Rosemary, widow of the late Lt. D W Thompson.
Membership Secretary
Thanked all those that had paid their subscriptions this evening.
Welfare Secretary
We have been approached by SSAFA to see if one any of our membership could spare the time to visit an ex-RN vet who served in WW2 and participated in the Malta Conveys. The gentleman is question lives in Brooke. I have the details if anyone could make a visit.
Social Secretary
Provided an update on forthcoming events:
Forthcoming Events
25th Feb – Sunday Lunch – 1300 at Bawburgh Golf Club – 2 course Carvery £14.45.
03rd Mar – Run Ashore – 2000 at Alexandra Tavern – Stafford St (between Dereham Rd and Earlham Rd).
17th Mar – HMS Invincible Memorial Service – 1200 at Happisburgh Church – Followed by Lunch at Smallsticks Café. Followed by a Tour of the Life boat station. List is on the top table.
10th Apr – Branch Meeting – 1930 at Canary Social Club – Will include a presentation from Fishery Protection from Lowestoft.
Costessey RBL have organised a trip to the National Arboretum in June. They have between 5 and 8 spare rooms for the trip. Anyone interested in joining them please contact Stewart Blackburn.
Visit to HMS QE will take place in May; weekend of the 18-20th. Visit day will be Saturday 19th (FA Cup Final) starting at 0930. A more detailed programme will come from the ship in due course. Numbers will be limited to 30, we have 29 confirmed with 3 on the reserve list.
S/M Phil Coates advised all present of the Christmas Squares he will be running at every Branch Meeting up to and including the November Meeting; for the Christmas Meet. The monies received will be split in two with 50% being given out in monetary prizes and the other 50% being spent on prizes for the Christmas Raffle.
S/M Nev Townsend reported that on behalf of S/M Paul Dale, a Run Ashore will be arranged on either 15 or 29 April for a walk along Sea Palling Beach, with a carvery costing £6.50 after the walk.
S/M Pat Whiley advised that he is taking bookings for Trafalgar Night, so far 44 have added their names to the list.
S/M Reg McGuire asked all who would be interested in attending Sunday Divisions at Royal Hospital School at Holbrook to raise their hands, this indicated that there would be significant interest in arranging the event.
Any Other Business
S/M Keith Smith – Reported that the daughter of S/M Jim Davies had commented at his funeral how professional those from the Branch that had attended had looked. Keith also expressed his sincere thanks to S/M John Kett for attending, even though he wasn’t feeling at all well.
S/M John Kett – Advised that he had attended the funeral of Stanley Arthur Smith and read a poem from the Order of Service.
Following Stand Easy, all present were asked to stand and introduce themselves very briefly stating their name, when they joined the services (if applicable) and when they joined the RNA. This venture was embarked upon so that the newer members would know who the older members were, and vice-versa.
