NAVY NEWS, JULY 2007 33
Proposed
HQ move to
Association explores
Area 3 is
top of the
Portsmouth
recruiters
THE Sword of Honour for the
area which recruited the most
supported
DELEGATES decided that the formal link with RN
new full members was this year
retained by No 3 Area.
Gosport branch won the Brigg’s
Dirk for branches over 30 members
Association should investigate a
who were most successful at
move away from London – and
THE ASSOCIATION has
shipmates, with the intention of initiative, saying that new members delegates that some branches
recruiting, while the small branch
that Portsmouth appeared to be
award – the Brigg’s Rose Bowl –
the best option.
made the first move towards
convincing the serving Royal Navy would bring “an additional “must be more welcoming to
to believe ‘Once Navy, Always
went to Gosport’s near neighbours
Despite impassioned pleas
offering free membership
dimension” to the Association. younger members.”
Navy’.” S/M Paul Fitzgerald (Dartmouth) He said he had asked if the
the Isle of Wight.
on behalf of Chatham, the four- to all serving Royal Navy He added that approval to
suggested an additional line of son of an acquaintance, a Royal
The equivalent awards for
part motion proposed by S/M
personnel in a bid to bring
negotiate an MOU could be “a
overseas branches went to Port
enquiry – the Association should Marine, would like to visit the
Alan Fielder-Smith of Norton
Phillip Bay in Australia (branches
Fitzwarren branch, and seconded
in fresh blood.
lifesaver for the RNA”.
approach ‘splinter groups’ such branch – to be told ‘he doesn’t
over 30 members) while the small
by S/M Tony Milliner of Exeter
Following overwhelming
S/M White felt the move, which
as ship associations to encourage want to be associated with a load
sought to formalise the ad hoc
branch award went to Moraira
branch, was carried with little
support from Conference, the
them to join the RNA as well. of old fogeys who would tell him
hospitality shown by branches
and District, in Spain.
opposition.
National Council will now
He believed such groups could that it was better in their time than
and areas to the serving Navy,
Commissioning certificates
Before the debate began, seek to instigate a formal link
easily exist within the Association it is in his.’
were handed to East Cyprus and
could also make the RNA “a very
Deputy President S/M Adrian
between the serving and ex-
– a suggestion which President S/M Gamlin said that serving Knowle, while Golden Jubilee
significant naval pressure group”.
Nance updated delegates on
S/M John McAnally said he would personnel have different attitudes certificates went to Bridgwater,
Navy through a Memorandum The motion was seconded by
the progress of the Relocation
personally take up. and different requirements. Chichester (this one apparently
of Understanding.
S/M Len Manners (Beccles).
Working Group to date – and
as carried with ten years late), Dereham and
Proposing the initiative as a
S/M Bill Sunderland (York and
Supporting the motion, S/M The motion w
assured them that no decisions
just a handful of opponents. Mexborough and District.
motion of urgency, RNA Chairman
District) queried how long free
Gamlin (Chelmsford) warned
had yet been made, despite
S/M David White told delegates
membership would last, and was
rumours that Portsmouth was a
that such a move would bring to
assured that it would only be as
done deal.
the Royal Navy “an awareness of
long as a person was serving.
S/M Nance said that the
the RNA, what it stands for, the
S/M Phil Brown said the
current HQ building in Chelsea
Issues ‘need to be faced’
good work it does each year in the
Littlehampton branch rejected the
Manor Street was a ‘wasting
field of welfare, as well as learning
motion – many of his colleagues
THERE was a sense of familiarity as RNA of HMS Cornwall’s boarding party in the Gulf
asset’ – the lease runs until
of and even experiencing some were pensioners and expected President S/M John McAnally opened the in March, the Admiral said that people in
2042, but when other factors
of the many successful area and serving sailors to pay their own conference. positions of authority needed to face issues
such as relative inaccessibility,
branch social activities around the way, although he added that the Thanking Torbay branch and No 4 Area for head-on, accept that the Navy “had got some
London prices and congestion
UK and abroad.” branch was in favour of closer their efforts, the President reminded delegates things wrong”, and “make every effort to learn
charging, and distance from
He urged the 156 delegates to liaison with the Navy in principle. that he had been the last captain of HMS from this and jolly well get it right in future.”
Naval headquarters were taken
put aside financial considerations: S/M John Stewart (Saltash) Torquay – and warned that he could fill the But he declared that restoring public
into account, there was a valid
“This exercise has to be seen as wanted to know what status – and entire day with dits about those days. confidence was not a task for the serving Navy
argument for selling the lease
investing for the future of the voting rights – this new class of But there was plenty of business on the alone: “I see the RNA, with its strength at home
and following the MOD’s lead by
association, and at no cost to us,” member might have. agenda, and after the Chairman of Torbay and overseas, and with its various international
“rusticating”.
he said. S/M Arthur Gutteridge Council, Cllr Beryl McPhail, had officially linkages, as a valuable part of the Royal Naval
S/M Nick Withington (Isle
“We should look further ahead, (Plymouth) welcomed the opened the conference – noting the historic community, and I believe we should progress
of Sheppey) said Portsmouth
links between the English Riviera and the Royal forward together.”
was “not a good location”, and
Navy – Rear Admiral Richard Ibbotson spoke He added that backing the motion of urgency
that Chatham offered the better
of some uncomfortable times for the Navy. on closer links with the RN (see lead story,
option.
Some you win,
Admiral Ibbotson, Flag Officer Sea Training, above) could bring other benefits, such as
The delegate also asked
said: “The Royal Navy has had a difficult period an RNA Liaison Officer for every ship, unit
whether the “overloading” of
recently.” and establishment, easier ship adoptions and
National Council with members
some you lose… Referring to the abduction of the 15 members access to ship’s programmes.
from No 3 Area had any
influence on the decision.
A proposal by the Isle of Sheppey Portland, were successful in
S/M Nance countered by
branch to withdraw from suggesting the RNA approach the
demonstrating the geographical
membership of the International Government to gain permission
spread of the National Council
Maritime Confederation, to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysian
members on the Working Group,
seconded by Chelmsford, was medal along with other medals.
who could outvote the Area 3
defeated after delegates were told A motion by Cork and County,
members.
by the National Chairman that the seconded by East Antrim, that
S/M Mike Rockett (Loughton)
prestige of being a member had to RNA branches must diversify
also demurred on the grounds
be worth the cost – less than the their activities, was comfortably
of location and cost of travel,
annual cleaning bill at HQ. defeated, and Chatham’s Motion
although S/M Margaret Tedrick
Woking, backed by Dorking, 8, that the RNA hold a biennial
(Long Beach) said the trip from
succeeded in their proposal that a national seminar on welfare, was
California to Portsmouth via
cap of £100 be placed on the fee withdrawn as National Council The Royal Naval Association
Gatwick was relatively simple.
for life membership, and Motion has already agreed to the idea.
The motion proposed that:
4, that Londonderry branch host Motion 9, from Chatham,
Once Navy Always Navy
a) The decision of the
the 2009 National Conference, backed by the Isle of Sheppey,
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship
National Council to investigate
won unanimous support. that the National Council produces
the relocation of HQ to a more
Despite a flurry of amendments a comprehensive summary of
suitable area be endorsed;
and amended amendments (all meetings to Area secretaries within
Who can join?
b) Any relocation of HQ be
defeated), overseas branches won 21 days was defeated – it was
• Full Members
carried out on a cost neutral basis;
the right for National Council to pointed out that National Council
c) Portsmouth is the most appoint one of its members solely members and delegates should be
Serving and Ex-Service members of
suitable location for HQ; to represent them – giving them providing such detailed reports to
RN, RM, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves
d) The National Council the same level of support as UK their areas for dissemination as a
proceed with the relocation for areas. matter of course.
RFA and RNXS
HQ to the most suitable location The motion was proposed by And the final motion, in
• Associate members
as soon as practicable. Southern Ontario and seconded which Bletchley (seconded by
The motion was carried in full by Perth in Australia. Peterborough) praised the work of
Others in sympathy with our objects
with little opposition. Liskeard, seconded by the National Council was carried.
especially families
President advocates
What does the
Association do?
We:
‘survival strategy’
• Support the Royal Navy
• Maintain Naval traditions
• Enjoy social activities
THE ASSOCIATION is in difficulties, and that “the demise of the Association ought to be
• Re-unite shipmates
action needs to be taken, RNA President S/M
unpalatable to everybody.”
• Remember the fallen
John McAnally warned delegates.
He added that “a desperate position necessitates
“Shipmates, we are in trouble. Membership is in
desperate remedies.”
• Help the disabled
significant decline,” said the President.
“We do not want to change the world – only save it • Look after the needy
“Our numbers are reducing from our current
as best we can,” he concluded.
28,000 by about 1,700 a year.”
RNA Treasurer S/M Barraclough told delegates
• Cheer up the distressed
He added: “You don’t have to be a mathematician
that the annual accounts showed the Association’s • Stand together in unity
like Einstein or have the intellectual qualities of an
expenditure had exceeded income by around
archbishop to calculate that in ten years, given the
£40,000 – less than was forecast because of higher
current rate of decline, our Association will cease to
than expected investment income and lower costs for How to join
be viable.
building maintenance.
“Shipmates, we have to embark on a survival
Stock market improvements, however, meant the
Write to RNA HQ
strategy,” he continued, adding that the delegates
Association’s net resources increased by £55,000. 82 Chelsea Manor Street
had to give “detailed consideration as to how we can
And while the main source of income remains
avoid disaster – because that is how I, and a great
subscriptions (up £10,000 to £235,000 in 2006),
London SW3 5QJ
number of RNA and Royal Navy people, perceive the
the Treasurer observed that investments and legacies Tel: 020 7352 6764
future, should we fail to take a proactive stance and now make “a significant contribution” to the RNA’s
Fax: 020 7352 7385
save this wonderful Association.” finances.
S/M McAnally said the fact that most other similar Charities and Welfare Officer S/M Rita Lock told
www.royal-naval-association.co.uk
membership organisations were suffering should not Conference that the Association had paid out more
bring any comfort. than £90,000 in 2006.
He urged delegates to vote for the strategy that S/M Lock thanked all the associations which had
would “keep the RNA ship afloat for years to come.” helped the RNA, and also Association members for
While admitting that some proposals would prove giving “so much of your time and money into helping
“unpalatable” for some members, he pointed out those not as fortunate as we are.”
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