MARGATE  RNA

Minutes of the July 2010 Branch Meeting.

2nd July 2010 Mount Batten Lounge R.B.L. Margate. S/M H. Allen in the Chair

There were 25 Members present and 9 apologies.

Opening.
The chairman opened the meeting at 20:00 with a silent tribute for those shipmates that had slipped their cables.
Minutes.
The minutes of the June meeting were read they were accepted and proposed by S/M Sid Jones and seconded by S/M. Reg Baker.

Maters arising .
The chairman informed the branch that S/M Dolly Gray’s Arethusa appeal was at a stand still as we could not contact the secretary. S/M Dolly Gray gave an explanation which was accepted and hopes contact can be made soon.

Correspondence
Letter from RAFA re Battle of Britain ceremony at Manston on Tuesday 20th July at 10:30.
Flyer about C&A Destroyers books 3 for £20. Clive Hopkins Hastings branch.
Flyer from Double 7 1st to 4th October cost £98-00 per person.
Mayors programme, cream tea, autumn dance
Dedication of plaque in Dover to Costal Forces of HMS Wasp on 10 July.
Maidstone sea service on 18th July.
Ashford branch social Saturday 14th August at the Elwick club
The National circular various items read.
The July copy of Warship magazine.
The Correspondence was proposed by S/M Dolly Gray and seconded by S/M Denis Whitehead.

Treasurer’s Report.
S/M Taft gave the financial statement for June with total branch assets of £1543-94
S/M Taft then explained that travelling expenses would be paid for long trips by the standard as recently we had travelled to the Isle of Sheppey twice a round trip of 100 miles. It was agreed that twenty pence a mile would be paid.
The report was accepted and proposed by S/M Betty Hazleton and seconded by S/M Ron Pitway.

Social Report
S/M Taft reminded all that the next event was the Trafalgar dinner on Friday 16th October at the Swan Westgate he indicated the menu but not finalised at present, cost to be as last year, which will be subsidised for members more info and collection of monies next meeting.

Welfare Report.
S/M Chris Cesana read the report written by S/M Betty Hazleton.
S/M Doris Bishop has been in the William Harvey hospital undergoing a course of treatment for her failing eyesight. She is now at home and her medication has been changed because it was damaging her kidneys.
S/M Ron Baker has today had a gall bladder operation performed by keyhole surgery and is sitting up and taking notice.

Standard Bearers Report.
S/M Taft reported he had paraded our standard at the Isle of Sheppey armed forces day and celebrating 50 years since the Sheerness dockyard closed. On Monday there is a funeral of ex submariner John Ray at 15:20 at Ash church.

T/S Jamaica Sea Cadets.
The chairman informed the branch that he and S/M John Bell were attending a meeting next Wednesday when there would be more news.

Delegate Report.
S/M Cox gave a brief report on the annual conference held in Ouistreham France on June 4th the bill for this is yet to arrive.

AOB.
The secretary asked if members would who have not filled in a ships in which they served could do so as this helps when old shipmates read our website and try to get in touch.
We then went on to discuss the Trafalgar day parade, it was agreed to hold this event again this year with greater youth groups involved, and S/M Reg Bakers input to shorten the march.

Close
The meeting closed @ 20:46 with prayers and singing of the branch song.

Up Spirits
Happy Birthday to S/M John Sheldon, and S/M Ron Pitway whose birthday it is today.

Next meeting:
Friday 6th August 2010 at 20:00