MARGATE  RNA

2nd December 2011 Mount Batten Lounge R.B.L. Margate. S/M H. Allen in the Chair

There were 27 Members present and 6 apologies

Opening.
The chairman shipmate Harry Allen opened the meeting at 20:00 with a silent tribute for shipmates that had crossed the bar,

Minutes.
The minutes of the November meeting were read they were accepted and proposed by S/M Sid Jones and seconded by S/M Denis Whitehead. There were no matters arising.

Correspondence
Various articles were read from the monthly HQ circular.
A letter was read from Jeffery Gray son of the late Dolly Gray thanking the RNA for the standards and side party who attended his funeral on 31st October.
A letter re: - the blessing of the sea on January 8th 2012.
Letter re: - a community safety forum to be held at the media centre Kings Street on Tuesday 6th December at 19:00.
An appeal from the secretary of Londonderry branch RNA appealing for funds to complete
the Matelot statue to be placed outside the new maritime museum.
The latest copy of the Warship magazine.
News from Area 2 recent Q & A session with the national chairman at the UJC London on the 5th November and other events.
The many Christmas cards received were read.
The Correspondence was proposed by S/M John Watkins and seconded by S/M Derek Edwards.

Treasurer’s Report.
The report was given by S/M Taft the financial statement for November gave us total branch assets of £1,252-90 a slight decrease due to paying for diaries, slops and pooled fares. Tonight’s raffle raised £50. The audit would take place on Wednesday 4th January.
The report was accepted and proposed by S/M Tony Sayer and seconded by S/M Derek Edwards.

Social Report
S/M Taft said he was taking names for the AGM dinner at the North Foreland golf club on Wednesday 7th March 2012 cost £14 per head. He has also rebooked the Swan for the Trafalgar dinner to be held on Friday19th October.
The chairman then asked for a show of hands from those interested in a Christmas function on Friday 16th here in the Mountbatten lounge, a positive response, therefore bring a plate 19:30 for 20:00.

Welfare Report.
No welfare cases this month, S/m Chris Cesana stated that S/M Roy Page (92) is now house bound in his sons flat in London.

Standard Bearer’s Report.
The standard was paraded by S/M Reg Cooper on Remembrance Sunday in Margate and also at the grave of the unknown sailor in the cemetery on Friday 11th November.
If anyone would like the extremely important position of standard bearer please let a committee member know.

T/S Jamaica Sea Cadets.
The chairman reported that the cadets were holding a jumble sale tomorrow at 10:00 -14:00 all were welcome to attend. The collection box was emptied this contained £32 adding previous donations a cheque for £50 will be presented to the unit on Saturday. The Broadstairs branch of Asda has a collection box for the unit.

AOB.
The chairman reported that Bob Maxted had crossed the bar and would be cremated next Friday; Bob attended our functions as a guest.
The old double seven reunion is organising an RNA reunion at Mill Rythe in March the chairman has copies of the letter for those interested.
S/M Taft showed a calendar produced by S/M Ron Baker and discussed its production. The secretary then stated that subs were due at January’s meeting still £10.

Close
The meeting closed @ 20:57 with prayers and singing of the branch song.

Up Spirits
Happy Birthday to Happy Birthday’s to S/M Mike Gilbert.

Next meeting
Friday 6th January at 20:00.