28 NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2008
HQ move
‘is taking
RNA ‘should be run
Value of
unity is
RNA back
to sea’
UNITY was the watchword in
addresses by one of the VIP guests
DEPUTY president S/M Adrian
by ex-RN members’
extolled
and the Association president.
Nance told Conference that the
Flag Officer Scotland,
Association intends to vacate their
Northern England and Northern
current HQ in Chelsea Manor
Ireland (FOSNNI) Rear Admiral
ANOTHER bid to increase outnumber ex-officio.
Street by the end of next month.
Philip Jones, told delegates that
He concluded: “The ex-officio
The lease for the building has
the influence of associate the “growing sense of unity
members of the National Council
been sold back to the owners
members met with failure
between the RN and RNA will
are there because of the qualities
for £465,009, and there is plenty during branch motions at
be manifested in the way your
they have to offer, for the good
of work to be done on around
activity and your engagement
Conference. service they have given to the RNA
50 years worth of unweeded files
with the regular and reserve Navy,
in the past, and continue to give, along and also our youth and
found in the cellar, he said.
This time it was the turn
or because of particular merits cadets activity, will be channelled
Although “serious interested”
of Peterborough, seconded
they have in fulfilling the office through the work of the Naval
in one property, in Portsmouth,
by Newbury, to champion the
they hold. Regional Commanders around
nothing has been settled, so a
cause of associate members
“The National Council therefore the country and their staffs.”
temporary lease – for at least a by proposing that those who
feels this motion is unfair to those Rear Admiral Jones also
year and possibly longer – has
have completed at least five
members at best, and an insult to spoke of the RNA’s need for the
been taken out with the RN for
years membership of the them at worst.”
re-invigoration of new blood from
offices close to Semaphore Tower
RNA should be eligible to Motion 6, proposed by the RN, while the Navy seeks
in the Naval Base.
Huddersfield, seconded by
“We are going back to sea,” said
be designated as accredited the experience and heritage of
Mexborough, urged the RNA
S/M Nance.
branch delegates, with the
Association members, another link
“to represent to the appropriate
“We’ve been above the high
power to vote at area meetings
drawing the two groups closer.
authorities that suitable
water mark in Chelsea for a very and National Conference.
President S/M John McAnally
inscriptions be added to existing
long time, and we are moving Proposing Branch Motion 2,
pointed out that an organisation
war memorials in recognition of
from a stagnant Naval backwater S/M Tom Tubb said “Associates
as large and scattered as the RNA
subsequent conflicts involving UK
into the tidal reaches of one of the in my eyes pull equal weight, and
must rely on volunteer trustees –
Armed Forces.”
oldest naval bases in the country, in return I propose this motion for
National Council members.
S/M Graham Horner said “You, the membership, choose
where the wash of new blood will the third time to Conference in the
memorial day parades often these individuals to represent your
come in, giving us the vitality hope that it is third time lucky.”
appeared to remember only those interests,” he said.
that has been mentioned before, He said they beavered away in
who had fallen in the two world “They are not delegates who
that will keep alive the waters of exemplary fashion, they observe
wars, not those victims of the are expected slavishly to follow
comradeship that we so much RNA objectives and many are
46 conflicts since 1945, and in the instructions of their areas –
esteem.” family members who support the
part that was down to a lack of they are representatives who are
Asbestosis:
RNA and RN with pride.
inscriptions on memorials. tasked by their areas with using
But S/M Doug Pointon
He said he didn’t want their judgement, intelligence and
(Harrogate and District)
individual names recorded – of experience for the good of the
Send evidence
disagreed, saying: “I appreciate
which there are more than 16,000 RNA community in general.”
that associate members do a very
– but the names of conflicts.
good job, but at the end of the
Delegates of several branches
S/M McAnally also reminded
DELEGATES voted for National
day the RNA should be run by
expressed their support for the
delegates and observers
Council to continue their efforts
ex-Royal Naval members.”
motion, but had reservations – as
that the Association could
S/M Trevor Howard (St Helens)
not sit still.
to campaign on behalf of victims
S/M John Dale (Crawley) pointed
of asbestos.
said he was concerned that the
out, not all war memorials are “They are trustees and not
Introducing the motion, S/M
day may come when associate
owned by local authorities, and curators,” he continued.
John Stewart (Saltash) spoke
members outvote full members,
many are private – “be prepared “A curator is someone who
of the problems of the various
sit on the National Council and
for a long, hard battle,” he said. looks after something valuable
diseases caused by asbestosis, and
take the role of chairman.
S/M John Gamlin (Chelmsford) with a view to keeping it as it is.
asked if any real progress had been
S/M Mike Kieran (Coventry)
was also in a quandary; he could “A trustee, on the other hand,
made since the matter was raised
commented that as a matelot
not expect RNA HQ to contact all has a moral responsibility for
in the 2005 Conference.
he joined an association run by memorial owners, and felt that the maintaining what is good, and
Seconding the motion, which
matelots: “If I wanted to join an legwork and lobbying should be improving or developing that
won approval, S/M Gordon
association that was joint Service done by individual branches. which is capable of a more active
Strudwick (Liskeard) said between
or civilian-orientated, I would S/M Chris Dovey, for the or extended life.
10,000 and 15,000 people will have
have joined the British Legion.” National Council, said that the “Curators should not take risks;
died of tthe disease since 2005.
He concluded: “Matelot
RNA supported the motive behind trustees are compelled to take
A number of shipmates also
associations are for
the motion, but believed it to be some risks if they are to justify
took to the podium to state that
matelots to make decisions
impractical. their existence.”
they were affected by asbestosis.
on, not bus drivers and He also pointed out that
S/M McAnally also noted that
President S/M John McAnally
dustbin drivers.” the National Armed Forces
trustees, as individuals or groups,
said it would be helpful for
A two-thirds majority was
Memorial at the National
can be misunderstood, and often
branches and areas to collate firm
required to carry the motion, but
Arboretum in Alrewas was
take flak for it – “almost a core
evidence and information, which
55 voted against it, with 47 for.
designed for that purpose.
responsibility of any trustee is to
could then be used as ammunition
take the blame, and quite often
by the Association in a bid to raise
Motion number 3, introduced The motion fell, but president there is quite a lot of it.”
public awareness.
by S/M Keith Merrett (Worthing), S/M McAnally said the vote did There was also a plea for members
proposed that a capitation fee of not prevent the RNA from raising to bear in mind that the “robust,
Memorandum
ten per cent of the subscriptions the matter for debate through ● One of Dundee’s most famous sons, Desperate Dan, looks on as developed and arcane” Naval sense
received in HQ by December 31 delegates prepare for the 2008 conference in the city’s Caird Hall COBSEO, the Confederation of of humour and still alive in the
each year shall be paid to each British Service and Ex-Service Association is often beyond the
area in respect of branches within
to the reasons behind the motion, Although National Council
progresses
Organisations. ken of the general public, who by
its area. The current level is five
and if it was defeated the Gift Aid supported the motion in principle,
Motion 7, from West Lothian, looking at certain websites could
per cent.
option would be explored, the and S/M Nance said he did not
seconded by City of Inverness, misconstrue the processes and
S/M Merrett, who was seconded
President called for a vote, and the seek to sway members, he told
proposed that the national standard
A TWO-part motion of urgency
values of the organisation.
by S/M Mike Broderick of
motion was duly dismissed. delegates that in some complex
bearers competition be held
saw progress made on the
The other VIP guest, Lord
Waterlooville, said the extra cash
Motions 4 and 5, both proposed personnel matters the result
during the appropriate National
Memorandum of Understanding
Provost of Dundee John Letford,
would be very useful for branch
by Isle of Sheppey and seconded of such a motion could prove
Conference weekend, as delegate pointed out that one of his official
negotiated between the
welfare and the like, and could
by Maidstone, concerned the expensive to the RNA.
S/M John Sweeney said it would be titles is Admiral of the Tay – though
Association and the Royal Navy
also help support entrants to the
appointment of HQ staff. In any case, he said, where such the most fitting occasion, providing
he is no longer able to claim a
sparked by a resolution at last
standard bearers competition.
The first urged National opportunities arise, the National spectators and plenty of interest.
share of all cargo on the river.
year’s Conference.
But such a move would leave a
Council to advertise to fill vacant Council has done exactly what the S/Ms John Stewart (Saltash)
The MOU accepts that the age
hole in the Association’s finances,
positions as widely as possible – motion has asked. and Mick Kieran (Coventry) both
profile of the RNA is high and
according to the National Council,
S/M Mick Withington (Isle of Motion 4 was defeated, as objected on the grounds of the Rose Bowl
sees the creation of a new form of
which concerned the Portland
Sheppey) insisting on “absolute was Motion 5, which proposed extra time needed to stage it,
membership – Serving Members –
delegate, S/M Pete Shoesmith.
and complete transparency in the that decisions on HQ senior staff and the clash of duties between
with serving personnel entitled to
National chairman S/M David
selection of staff”. appointments be taken by elected
acting as delegate and competing is shared
enter a branch or club using their
White outlined an alternative: if
President S/M McAnally said: members of the National Council
as standard bearer.
Service Identity Card.
AREA 3 triumphed yet again in
half of Gift Aid subscriptions were
“Underlying this motion is an only.
But other branches, including
They would not be members of
the competition for the Sword of
returned to areas, in time – and undercurrent of feeling about S/M Chris Dovey, giving the
Crieff and Stonehaven,
a specific club (unless they joined
Honour by recording the greatest
if more members signed Gift Aid perceptions about what may or National Council view, said the
supported the motion, and with
as an individual) and would pay
increase in full-time members in
forms – the amount raised could may not have happened in the voting element of the Council was
an amendment suggested by
no subscriptions.
the past year.
be greater than the extra five per past,” and asked Deputy President made up of 13 elected members
National Council – adding the
Each RN ship or unit will
And it was a similar situation
cent of capitation. S/M Adrian Nance to address and up to eight ex-officio, and in
words “where practicable” to the
appoint a point of contact to liaise
with the Brigg’s Dirk for the
Adding that he was sympathetic those feelings. practice elected members always
original – the motion was carried.
with RNA branch committees and
branch of more than 30 members
HQ.
gaining most full-time members in
The motion, proposed by
National Council and seconded
by Beccles, asked first that
‘Mother of all conferences’ is promised
June to June, with Gosport also
repeating last year’s triumph.
The best recruiting small
Conference noted the MOU, and
branch, under 30 members, was
then that it should be finalised,
FRANCE Nord branch has promised “the battlefield tour, a wreath-laying ceremony and as “an ideal time to get a toehold in Europe.” split between Bracknell and
subject to minor changes in the
mother of all conferences” when they act as a drumhead service as well as the conference, The National Council view, put by S/M Paul Stafford, who will share the
draft agreed between the National
hosts in 2010. which would be staged at the ferry port of Harries, was that the Maldon motion was a Brigg’s Rose Bowl.
President and Second Sea Lord (a
The pledge was made as an alternative Ouistreham over the D-Day weekend. spoiler, and that there had been plenty of time The Tasker Bowl was resurrected
standard “latitude clause”), which
proposal, that the conference be staged in the Maldon submitted a motion of urgency for them to put in a bid for London, adding this year, and the winning area
will speed up its implementation.
London area, was soundly beaten. calling on National Council to “enable” a that clubs willing to volunteer for the task – for best Gift Aid recruitment –
Both parts of the motion were
The venue for future conferences does not conference in London instead of France. should not be told to “sling their hooks.” was Area 4.
carried unanimously.
usually spark debate, but Maldon branch felt S/M Richard Ascott said delegates had had S/M Glossop promised France Nord would The two overseas awards went
the costs of going to Normandy would prove a good run around the British Isles, but felt fulfil delegates’ best wish for “a conference that to Mediterranean destinations.
See next month for
too much for some shipmates. the Home Counties would be a better location, is going to be the mother of all conferences.” The Overseas Certificate
S/M David Glossop (France Nord) opened adding it was “entirely inappropriate” that the S/M Ascott asked: “If this motion is carried, for large branches was won by
reports from the
the debate by acknowledging the cost factor, but RNA should look outside the UK for a venue. then whose turn will it be next? Spain? Canada?” Torrevieja, in Spain, while the
National Council
announced that a package would be arranged France Nord, seconded by Long Beach, were but delegates were delighted by that prospect, small-branch version was awarded
including ferry crossings, accommodation, a backed by Saltash, S/M John Stewart seeing it and voted 90-14 in favour of France Nord. to Eastern Cyprus.
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