MARGATE  RNA

6th January 2012 Mount Batten Lounge R.B.L. Margate. S/M H. Allen in the Chair

There were 27 Members present and 5 apologies

Opening.
The chairman shipmate Harry Allen opened the meeting at 20:00 by wishing all a Happy New Year followed by a silent tribute for shipmates that had crossed the bar

Minutes.
The secretary started to read the minutes and then realised he had brought December 2010 minutes. He apologised and the minutes were abandoned.

Correspondence
A letter from the area secretary was read about S/M Bill Murray crossing the bar on Wednesday December 21st. The secretary then spoke of S/M Bill’s funeral that was held yesterday with 18 standards present.
The Conference study group report chaired by S/M Bill arrived 2 days before his death.
E-mail re the closing of the Gillingham vets club.
E-mail from Phil Hughes re the Russian convoy medal he has been very active on this.
Letter from 360 film productions looking for WW11 veterans.
Copies of Veterans World.
A letter re: - the blessing of the sea on January 8th 2012.
The latest copy of the Warship magazine.
The Plymouth conference minutes.
Items from the HQ circular were read last month.
The Correspondence was proposed by S/M Bernie Butten and seconded by S/M Derek Edwards.

Treasurer’s Report.
The report was given by S/M Taft the financial statement for December gave us total branch assets of £1,280-50. Tonight’s raffle raised £52 thank you Bernie Butten for selling the tickets in Betty’s absence. The accounts were audited on Wednesday 4th January and signed off as correct thanks to S/M Taft and the 2 S/M auditors. It was decided at committee to present the RBL Club with a cheque for £100 for use of the Mountbatten lounge.
The report was accepted and proposed by S/M Dennis Whitehead and seconded by S/M Chris Cesana.

Social Report
S/M Taft said he was collecting money for AGM dinner at the North Foreland golf club on Wednesday 7th March 2012 cost £14 per head entertainment by Tim Greenwood. He has also rebooked the Swan for this years Trafalgar dinner to be held on Friday19th October.

Welfare Report.
No report this month as S/M Betty is her self unwell with her ongoing back problem and is at present at her daughters in Biddingden, her next specialist appointment has been brought forward.
The secretary said he had several phone calls one regarding the scattering of ashes from a warship, I have put this gent in touch with the Channel Dash as HMS Trumpeter will be in Ramsgate on February 12th and I hope he was accommodated. Another lady asked for help in getting her late husbands war pension stopped and I was able to give her the correct phone number, she will also pass his funeral arrangements on to me, he served aboard HMS Illustrious in the Far East during WWII.
I have heard that the person who registers a death should now receive a telephone number that is a tell me once service who then alert all the other agencies.
S/m Chris Cesana stated that S/M Roy Page (92) is now house bound in his sons flat in London and sends his best wishes to all.

Standard Bearer’s Report.
The standard was paraded by S/M Bernie Taft at the funeral of S/M Bill Murray yesterday. If anyone would like the extremely important position of standard bearer, this is our branch advertisement, please let a committee member know.

T/S Jamaica Sea Cadets.
The chairman reported that the cadets had only just restarted this week and there was nothing to report.

AOB.
S/M Milham spoke of the renovation of the Sea Cadets model battleship

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

Up Spirits
Happy New Year.

Next meeting
Friday 3rd February at 20:00.