MARGATE  RNA

Last Update:
20th November 2008:

Minutes of the November 2008 Branch Meeting.

7th November 2008 Mount Batten Lounge R.B.L. Margate. S/M H. Allen in the Chair

There were 34 Members present and 8 apologies.

Chairman’s Welcome.
S/M H.Allen welcomed all to the meeting.

Opening.
The meeting opened at 2000 with a silent tribute for those shipmates that had crossed the bar, the chairman asked all members to remember shipmate Bill Empson who crossed the bar last night. He then spoke of our secretary’s absence who had just admitted his wife to the QEQM hospital.

Minutes.
The minutes of the October meeting were read: - These were accepted and proposed by S/M Tony Sayer and seconded by S/M. Mike Gilbert.
There were no other maters arising and they were signed as a true copy.

Correspondence
E-mail from John & Sheila Sanderson offering their condolences to Bill’s family
E-mail from Harvey and Irma also in Spain offering their condolences.
A copy of Warship magazine.
The Monthly headquarters circular and copies of a trial publication “Club together” which has several good articles on pensions and benefits.
The Channel Dash association fund raising lunch at 86 St James Street London.
The Correspondence was proposed by S/M John Watkins and seconded by S/M John Sheldon.

Treasurer’s Report.
S/M Francis Empson gave the report main outgoings this month was £60 for 3 wreaths and total branch assets of £1251-50 the report was proposed by S/M Roy Page and seconded by S/M Peter Bishop.

Welfare Report.
S/M Taft reported on S/M. Bill Empson who crossed the bar last night and asked the chairman to give the funeral arrangements. There will be a church service at St Austin’s at 14:30 on Friday 21st November followed by cremation at 16:00. S/M Allen then said he had visited Bill in the hospice on Wednesday and that S/M Bill had insisted that the clean ensign be used for his funeral and not the dirty one. S/M Taft said that branch members and standard bearers would meet at the crematorium unless they wished to attend the church service.
S/M Taft then spoke of S/M Reg Baker who has completed one course of radiotherapy and was going back for a check up in December.

Social Report
S/M Taft gave a financial report on the Trafalgar night dinner and the total cost to branch funds was £315-10. After some discussion it was agreed that S/M Taft should go ahead and book the Swan for next year on 16th October. The committee would look at other venues for a possible buffet type event in March.

Standard Bearers Report.
S/M Taft reported that he had paraded the standard at Sunday’s Trafalgar Day Parade and again at the RBL Festival of Remembrance in the Winter gardens on the 24th.
S/M Taft said he would be parading the standard at this Sundays Remembrance day parade, and again at the grave of the unknown sailor on the 11th of the 11th.
S/M Allen then reminded all that we parade at Margate cemetery at 11:00 on Tuesday the 11th.

T/S Jamaica Sea Cadets.
The chairman stated that there was still no decision on the future of the CO of the unit. He then spoke of the presentation of a cheque from HMS Jamaica association for £300, It was agreed that this money could be used to purchase new standard and associated equipment for the cadets.

AOB.
S/M John Chapman proposed a vote of thanks for S/M Taft for his organising of the Trafalgar night dinner.

Change of Meetings
The December meeting would be held on Friday 12th at 20:00 and this is the Christmas social.

Close.
The meeting closed @ 20:30 with prayers and singing of the branch song.

Up Spirits
Happy birthday to shipmate’s Tony Sayer and John Watkins.



Press release for November 2008.
There were 34 members at our November meeting the Chairman shipmate Harry Allen gave the sad news that shipmate Bill Empson had crossed the bar and his funeral arrangements were, a requiem mass at St Austin’s church at 14:30 Followed by cremation at 16:00 where the RNA and standards will man the side. Bill was very proud that he served aboard HMS Ajax at the battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of WW11, he continued in the navy until discharge as a chief petty officer in 1961.
The meeting heard how busy the standard had been in recent weeks having been paraded at Trafalgar day, the RBL Festival of Remembrance, remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day in the Margate cemetery at the grave of the unknown sailor.
The meeting finished with “up spirits” for the birthdays of S/M Tony Sayer and councillor S/M John Watkins.
Our next meeting is changed to Friday 12th December at 20:00.This will be social evening please bring a plate.
We invite any serving and former Royal Naval, WRNS, Royal Marines, QARNNS, and Fleet auxiliary personnel to join us. Our meeting are held in the Mountbatten lounge of the Royal British Legion Club Margate.