30 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2007
A warm President
welcome
HQ relocation is on
commissions
promised
THE hosts of this year’s National
Conference have promised a warm
welcome to all shipmates who
travel to the English Riviera.
Torbay
agenda for delegates
branch in
East Cyprus
THE National President of
RNA dates back to
the RNA, Vice Admiral John
1945 when the Torquay branch of
McAnally, visited Cyprus to carry
the RN Old Comrades Association
THE proposed relocation
was commissioned, and it changed
National Council appoint one
the future, a proposal seconded by developing governance, structure
out the commissioning ceremony
to RNA Torbay in 1951.
of RNA headquarters from of its members to represent the
East Antrim. and activities with a view to
of the Eastern Cyprus branch.
This will be the second time since
London is one of ten motions
interests of overseas branches and
Motion no 8 was short and to maintaining a thriving Association
During his three-day visit, the
1991 that Torbay has organised the
submitted by branches which
that the member so appointed hold
the point; Chatham proposed that for the foreseeable future. President also paid a visit to the
event, which will take place at the
have been accepted for
no other standing appointment
the Association hold a biennial The motion was seconded by well-established Cyprus branch at
Riviera International Conference discussion at Conference this
within the National Council.
national seminar on Welfare, an Bletchley. the western end of the island.
Centre from June 14-17.
Liskeard branch is behind
idea which has won the backing of Submitted motions were The commissioning of the new
year.
Motion no 6, which proposed
the Isle of Sheppey branch. reviewed by the Standing Orders branch took place at the Dhekelia
Thursday 14 see some initial Norton Fitzwarren branch
that the Association make
And the same combination Committee at their meeting on Offi cer’s Club in the presence of
administration undertaken, while provided Motion 1, which states
representation to Her Majesty’s
of branches also proposed March 3, and they invite branch the Commander British Forces
delegates will arrive on Friday that (a) the decision of the
Government that recipients of the
Motion no 9, that the National committees and delegates to
Cyprus, Air Vice Marshal Richard
15 – welcome desks will operate National Council to investigate
Pingat Jasa Malaysian medal be
Council provide a comprehensive consider them, and whether they
Lacey, the Commanding Offi cer of
between midday and 6pm at the relocation of HQ to a more
given permission to wear it with
summary of the proceedings of wish to propose any amendments.
the Cyprus Squadron, Lt Cdr Alex
Torquay railway station and the suitable area be endorsed; (b) any
other medals.
their meetings to Area Secretaries To allow time for the production
Bush, serving RN personnel from
Riviera Centre. relocation of HQ be carried out on
The motion was seconded by
within 21 days of each meeting. of printed amendments, HQ
Ayios Nikolaos, representatives
Conference will be formally a cost neutral basis; (c) Portsmouth
Portland branch.
The final matter up for discussion should be informed of amendments
of other Service associations,
opened on Saturday 16 at 10.30am is the most suitable location for
Looking to the future, Cork
was introduced by Peterborough, before Monday June 4.
guests and shipmates from both
by the Mayor and Chairman of HQ; and (d) the National Council
and County branch proposed in
which proposed that Conference If a branch proposes an
branches.
Torbay Council. proceed with the relocation of HQ
Motion no 7 that, noting the decline recognise, applaud and confirm its amendment or amendments, then
In his address the President
The Conference church service to the most suitable location as
in size of the Royal Navy, Branches support for the excellent work and it should be represented by a
underlined the aims and objectives
will take place at the Central soon as practicable.
of the Association must diversify leadership of the National Council delegate to Conference, so they
of the Association, which are
Church in Torhill Road on Sunday The submission was seconded
their activities in order to meet in promoting the objects of the may speak on the amendment at
“Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and
17 at 10.30am. by Exeter branch, and is a
the objectives of the Association in Association and in reviewing and the appropriate time.
Comradeship”.
Delegates will be given details composite motion constructed
He expressed how honoured
of times and locations on arrival from similar proposals made by
he was to be invited and that he
– but S/M Mike Seaward said the the following branches: Norton
appreciated how important and
overriding message is that “all Fitzwarren, East Antrim, South
essential the work is in supporting
shipmates attending will receive a Liverpool, South Bristol and
ex-service personnel, a view
very warm welcome from all the Carmarthen.
echoed by the Commander British
members of Torbay.” Motion number 2, proposed by
Forces in his address.
the Isle of Sheppey and seconded
S/M Peter Hill was elected as
Tributes paid
by Chelmsford, proposes that
the fi rst Chairman of the Eastern
the Association withdraw from
Cyprus branch.
membership of the International
to RN Divisions
Maritime Confederation.
Turning to financial matters,
Toasts at the
Woking branch proposes that
THE Collingwood Memorial
Bye-Law 5e be amended to read: restaurant
Service is to be held on June
“The nominating authority shall
1 near Pimperne village between
pay a fee to HQ equal to ten times
Members of the Littlehampton
Blandford and Salisbury.
the annual rate of subscription,
branch have enjoyed a celebratory
Trustees of the Collingwood
subject to a maximum of £100, for
lunch at the Vardar restaurant.
Battalion Royal Naval Division
each nomination that is approved.
The lunch was organised to
War Memorial and the president
A certificate… …HQ.”
celebrate the 61st anniversary of
and members of Blandford and
The amendment is shown
the formation of the branch in
District branch of the RNA
in italics, and the motion was
1946.
will host the service at 3pm,
seconded by Dorking.
During the event there were
and an address will be given by
Conference could be heading
toasts to the Queen, the branch,
Col Michael Hickey, a Gallipoli
for Northern Ireland in a couple
and to absent friends.
historian.
of years if Motion no 4 is
There was also a certificate of
The service remembers the men
accepted: Londonderry branch
appreciation presented by branch
who died while serving in Anson,
proposed that they should host
president S/M Phil Brown to
Benbow, Collingwood, Drake,
the 2009 National Conference, a
the retiring social secretary S/M
Howe, Hood, Nelson and Hawke
Rosemary Finch.
Battalions and the RM Battalions
suggestion which was seconded by
The new social secretary is
from Portsmouth, Plymouth,
East Antrim.
Falklands veteran S/M Andy
Chatham and Deal.
Overseas branches have their
Wadey.
A polished marble memorial
say in Motion no 5, proposed by
Southern Ontario and seconded
S/M Andy served in HMS
● S/M Harry Hanger, a long-term member of Kettering branch, stands sadly by as the branch standard
recalls the gallantry and sacrifice of
by Perth, Western Australia. is laid up at St Faith’s Church in the town. The branch closed in January after membership had fallen to
Intrepid in the South Atlantic,
the men of Collingwood Division
The motion states that the the point where they were unable to form a committee.
landing troops at San Carlos.
who died on June 4 1915.
Attendees will gather at the
Anvil Hotel, Pimperne, on the
A354, from noon onwards.
Thanks all round at Beccles
Rewards for cash crops
Thanks, Harry,
IT WAS thanks all round for bearer S/M Frank Sparham, who events and functions.
S/M Michael has, for a
the Beccles branch at their together with five other standard S/M Maurice went on to thank
A MEMBER of the
pcar number of years, raised
annual general meeting, held at bearers, S/M Roy Colbeck (Fleet other members of the branch for
Stocksbridge, Dee
and District branch has been bedding plants from seedlings
hello, Tansy
the Royal British Legion club at Air Arm Association), S/M Derek their tireless work.
singled out for recognition and sold them to friends and
Ravensmere. Monument (Royal Marines
He concluded that the past 12
because of his fund-raising neighbours.
Branch secretary S/M Maurice Association), S/M Leo Whisstock
months had seen the branch go
efforts. Each year he donates the
HEARTFELT thanks were
Kissinger paid tribute to his (Royal Naval Patrol Service), S/M
from strength to strength, with
S/M Michael Clifton has proceeds to the Stocksbridge,
expressed by more than 50
predecessor, S/M Geoff Richards, Alf Muffet (Union Flag bearer
membership in excess of 150.
been presented with the Deepcar and District branch,
members of the Plymouth branch
and wished him well on his move for the British Legion) and S/M
He also noted that Beccles
Mountbatten Cup for 2006, which in turn makes donations
at the annual general meeting as
to the Netherlands. Brian Woodruff (Beccles branch
was a “happy ship”, sharing past
which was handed to him by to Naval charities.
chairman Bob Palmer presented
Praise and thanks were of the Royal British Legion), for
experiences both good and bad,
the branch area delegate. In 2006 he raised £500, and
an engraved glass goblet to WO
recorded for Beccles standard representing the branch at various
being bound together by our
unique British sense of humour.
The cup is awarded annually has donated more than £2,000
Harry Hooper, president of the
S/M Maurice also reminded
by the Area 9 chairman in the past five years.
WOs and SRs Mess at HMS
members that our serving men
to the branch or individual And all this was done
Drake, as a token of appreciation
and women are no different as
member who has made an despite being a carer to his
for the liaison between the two
they maintain those qualities and
outstanding contribution to partner Janet, who died last
groups.
traditions in the face of danger.
the Association. year.
The branch uses the Mess
facilities for meetings and for
many social events.
The chairman wished Harry
Leeds gears up for Rally for
good luck for his retirement,
and extended a warm welcome
to incoming president WO Tansy
Lee.
Veterans Day event
standard
Members mark
ORGANISERS are hoping for a Forces and youngsters.
THE ROYAL British Legion is to
bumper turn-out at their Veterans It is hoped that an RAF band
hold its Devon County Rally on
Sunday June 24.
branch closure
Day event in Leeds. will be able to take part, and the
The key event, on Saturday RNA, Royal British Legion and
The event will include the
June 30, is at Moortown Rugby other such organisations will also
dedication of the new County
MEMBERS of the Market
Union FC, and it is hoped that up be present, as will the Lord Mayor
Standard.
Harborough branch attended
to 3,500 people will attend. of Leeds.
Hosted by the Commando
the laying-up ceremony of the
Planned in tandem with the A number of sailors from HMS
Training Centre RM at
Kettering branch standard, a
MOD, the event is part of the Ark Royal, which is affiliated to the
Lympstone, organisers promise “a
ceremony which was also attended
‘Celebrate Leeds 2007’, and will City of Leeds, are also hoping to
fantastic day out for all members,
by representatives of several other
feature activities for all ages, from turn up – of interest to the rugby
their friends and families.”
branches from the area. ● S/M Charles Howson has retired as president of the St Austell
small children to veterans and club’s liaison officer Paul Walker, Arena displays will include
Members also joined the Royal branch after a term of eight years. The branch paid tribute to the
their families. who served in the previous Ark on parachutists, musical displays, the
Marines Band, Plymouth, the leadership and support of S/M Charles, a former RN commander,
Two rugby matches will her last commission. Bideford Youth Pipe Band and
ship’s company of HMS Quorn at a dining-out held at Lostwithiel Golf Club, and he replied that he
involve the Royal Navy, the Other units who have indicated RM displays, and there will be a
and members of other youth and valued the long-standing friendships and looked forward to a long
Army, Moortown and Leeds their willingness to attend include drumhead service for the dedication
Service organisations to celebrate association. Branch chairman Sid Robbins presented S/M Charles
Tykes Veterans, while a parade the Gurkhas, 212 Field Hospital itself and Beating Retreat.
Quorn receiving the Freedom of with a decanter (above). The new president of the branch is S/M
and march-past will involve the and possibly an RAF field The event will run from 11am
the Borough of Melton. Kev Bunt
veterans, members of the Armed kitchen. to 5pm.
0030-031_NN_may.indd 130-031_NN_may.indd 1 117/4/07 12:04:477/4/07 12:04:47
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57