MARGATE  RNA

Minutes of the March 2010 Branch Meeting.

5th March 2010 Mount Batten Lounge R.B.L. Margate. S/M H. Allen in the Chair

The monthly meeting continued after the AGM.

Opening.
The chairman opened the meeting at 20:00
This was followed by a silent tribute for those shipmates that had slipped their cables.
Minutes.
The minutes of the February meeting were read and these were accepted and proposed by S/M John Sheldon and seconded by S/M. Tony Sayer.

Maters arising .
There were no matters arising the minutes were then signed as a true record.

Correspondence
Isle of Thanet Festival of Remembrance Friday 22nd October 19:00 Winter Gardens with the HMS Collingwood Royal Marines Band.
Invite to RNA Sevenoaks 50th anniversary on Sunday 21st March @ 14:00.
Invite to RNA Seaford’s 25th anniversary on Saturday 24th April @15:00
Invite to the town mayor’s charity dance at the Winter Gardens Margate Friday 12th March at 19:30.
The National circular had not arrived yet.
The March edition of Warship Magazine.
The Correspondence was proposed by S/M Chris Cesana and seconded by S/M Geoff Humphrey.


Treasurer’s Report.
S/M B. Taft gave the financial statement for February main income was the AGM dinner money and raffle that raised £52 giving an inflated figure of £2005-79.
The report was accepted and proposed by S/M Sid Jones and seconded by S/M Malcolm Milham.

Welfare Report.
S/M Betty Hazleton reported that S/M Dolly Gray was back to QEQM hospital on Tuesday next for tests and observation. S/m Roy Page at present in Gordon House nursing home would be released home also on Tuesday next. S/m Doris Bishop was off medication but still under a specialist.

Social Report
S/M Taft stated that he had collected all the monies for next Thursdays AGM buffet and dance a total of 53 were attending the North Foreland golf club. Dress was to be smart casual and the function was at 19:00 for 19:30.
It had come to light that our annual Trafalgar night dinner at the Swan Westgate clashed with the Winter Gardens Festival of remberance which many members attend and help with the organising of. In agreement with the committee this year’s dinner would be brought forward to Friday 15th October.


Standard Bearers Report.
S/M Taft stated that the standard had been paraded at the following events: -
Wednesday 10th February Royal Marine club Deal for presentation of a cheque to the Royal Marine Para Olympic squad.
Friday 12th February Channel Dash events held at Ramsgate Harbour.
Monday 22nd at the funeral of Ray Aylett an ex RN communicator from Exeter.

T/S Jamaica Sea Cadets.
The chairman was unable to attend the SCC AGM due to the snow and ice but S/M John Bell was there. He reported that the attendance was small and amalgamation with Ramsgate cadets was in the future how far no one knew. Bob Bryant was back as C.O.and their next meeting was on 15th March.
The chairman stated that the SCC collecting box would now be counted by committee members and paid in to our account, then a cheque would be presented, this is so that it is properly accounted for.

AOB.
S/M Barry Harris stated that he had been in communication via Skype with John & Sheila Sanderson and that they send their best wishes to all.
S/M Ron Pitway had written his story of his war time experiences of the navy and they were now with the RBL.
The secretary stated that our next meeting fell on Good Friday 2nd April. To put the meeting back clashed with double 7 weekend so after a show of hands it was decided to keep it on the 2nd.

Close
The meeting closed @ 20:45 with prayers and singing of the branch song.

Up Spirits
Happy birthday to S/M Malcolm Milham.

Next meeting:
Friday 2nd April 2010 at 20:00. (Good Friday)

Press release for March 2010

Our annual general meeting took place on Friday 5th March, there were no changes to the officers and committee so its business as usual. After our formal meeting we like to swing a few lamps and heard that Shipmate Ron Pitway has written his memoirs of life in the navy during the war that starts with being sunk in the Mediterranean within weeks of joining up, he then went on to fight in the Indian Ocean on corvettes. Got a yarn to spin? Then 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.
Our next meeting will be on Good Friday 2nd April at 20:00.