Branch Circular #603 (November 2010) by RNA Rayleigh

Branch Circular No 603

November 2010 Dear Shipmate Branch Secretary, I hope you enjoy this edition of the Circular and give it a wide circulation to branch members. Just a reminder to get your e-mail address to us as soon as you can, so we can send you the Circular electronically (to Nigel please). Some branch secretaries have commented that the Circular arrives too late for their monthly meeting. The Circular is timed to arrive for meetings in the first week of the month (the majority). However, it has to go to the printers on 23rd or 24th of the month to be printed and posted. As soon as it is ready it is published on the RNA website http://www.royal-naval-association.co.uk/ , so no need to wait for hard copy. Word copies of forms are also now available to be filled in on your computers and returned electronically, find them on the web-site or ask Nigel or Michelle. There are important announcements for elections to the National Council, motions for the 2011 Conference and nomination for branch delegates. The conference booking form is in this month’s Circular and will be repeated into the New Year. Don’t forget the annual return too please. Thank you to branches who arranged for crosses at the Field of Remembrance, it was a very moving ceremony. Our National President reported our plot to the Duke of Edinburgh and the Chaplain of the Fleet led a short service afterwards with serving sailors and RNA members. The Cenotaph ceremony was very popular this year with almost 10,000 marching. S/M Bob Coburn led the RNA squad and the new National Chairman laid the RNA wreath on our behalf, moving to the saluting dais with the Princess Royal for the ‘Eyes Right’ and a wink at S/M President and shipmates as they marched past, on their way to a finger buffet at the Civil Service Club. Apologies for those who missed out on tickets, RBL were strict this year. I sincerely apologise for the fact that Yearbooks have still not been sent out. We have had problems with our printers and we hope to have them any day now. I include the President’s reflection on the Strategic Defence and Security Review which has been causing a lot of comment in the National Press and television, as you can imagine he is not very complementary on the subject of carriers. I hope the lead in to Christmas is fun and that you enjoy some comradely good cheer!

Yours Aye Paul Quinn General Secretary 1

Greeting from the National Chairman Daily orders ***Seminars ***National Ceremonial Adviser ***Club C3 Application Form ***2011 Conference Form ***Llanelli Branch ***Virtual Branch ***Writing Competition ***Diaries ***Yearbooks Nominations for the National Council elections 2010/2012 Conference 2011 – Motions and Amendments ***Branch Delegates to the Annual Conference ***Gallipoli Association ***Models ***Visit of HMS Chatham to Chatham

Shortcast FNA Social and AGM Sick and Disabled Act ***Mountbatten Festival of Music HMS Protector reunion Rosyth and West Fife Diamond Jubilee HMS Glasgow reunion HMS Ceres reunion ***RNA Plymouth Longcast ***A note on the SDSR from the National President Ship’s Office Pusser’s Rum Competition ***Area and Branch Updates ***Royal Marine Bands Nominations for National Council Conference 2011 Motions and Amendments ***Delegate/Observer Form Conference 2011 ***Conference Booking Form Branch requests for 2011 renewal cards Branch Report 2011 Jack Dusty’s corner Latest Slops Price List and Order Form – New – Ladies scarf. 2011 Diary order form (now in) Christmas 2010 card order form Club C3 Application form Swinging the lamp ***History Notes

For the Noticeboard ***AFPG ***Coastal Forces DVD ***HMCA RNA member benefits ***HMCA RNA member travel insurance ***Forces discounts ***Pussers Rum Gift Aid Form HQ Contact Details

*** Indicates a new or substantially changed entry

Glossary of terms NCM NC AMC FAC NatCh NAtvCh NP DNP GS Asap

National Council Member National Council Association Management Committee Finance Administration Committee National Chairman National Vice Chairman National President Deputy National President General Secretary As soon as possible

Shipmates, As we come to the end of another year I and National Vice Chairman Keith Crawford would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy festive season and hope that together we can all enjoy a prosperous and fruitful New Year, both individually and as an Association. I have been the elected National Chairman for almost three months. It has been a great honour to accept that role and a great pleasure to work and act for you all in that time, and I look forward to continuing to do so to the best of my ability for whatever time I remain in that office. 2011 is the Year of Recruiting after the Motion put forward by 10 Area at Conference 2010, and as I write this the National Council is engaged in the first stage of a new marketing strategy to support this recruiting push and to refresh and update the image we give of the RNA to the serving Navy and the outside world. We need to attract new, and younger, members to enable the RNA to still be around when our current young Sailors and Marines and their dependants, later in their lives, look for the comradeship and support that we have all enjoyed in the RNA. If every member brought one new member on board our ship we would have 40,000 RNA Shipmates. You, the members, are our greatest asset, and the Branches of which most of you are members are the heart and soul of our Association. I have thoroughly enjoyed the comradeship, social activity, support and just sheer fun of my own Branch for 22 years, and have seen it double in size during that time. God willing I hope I will be able to go on enjoying it for another 22 years. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but every long road begins with just one small step. Keith and I look forward to taking many such small steps with you all, and hope to meet many of you in the months ahead for a bit of banter during the visits we have offered to make to a meeting in every Area during our year in office. We shall be working hard to try and make your small steps easier and even more fun in the future. I send all Shipmates in the RNA - Life, Full, Associate or Honorary - and their families, my personal very best wishes, and those of the whole National Council, for a very enjoyable 2011. I hope that at this time next year we will all be members of a bigger and better RNA, with the promise of even greater things to come. Good luck to you all. I am extremely proud to be your National Chairman.

Chris Dovey

Daily orders ***Seminars We hope to have the dates for the seminars shortly, just awaiting the return of the HMS NELSON WO and SR mess manager from service duties. ***National Ceremonial Adviser A brief note of correction on last month’s note. After the appointment of the new NCA he or she will not be Deputy National Ceremonial Advisor, but will be acting as a shadow or understudy. The Deputy NCA is still S/M Chris Durbin. Apologies for any confusion. ***Club C3 Application Form Club secretaries are reminded that their completed and counter signed C3 should have been be with HQ already. A blank copy is attached to this circular for those who have yet to submit. ***2011 Conference A reminder that there will be NO centralised booking of accommodation for this conference. Delegates and observers should make their own arrangements for booking accommodation. There is NO accommodation at HMS DRAKE and delegates and observers should not ring the WO/CPO mess or DRAKE accommodation office. It will also be delegate and observers own responsibility to get themselves from accommodation and the conference venue to HMS DRAKE. Taxi fares are about £5 one way. The Plymouth Tourist Office can offer advice on accommodation their number is 01752 306330. The booking form is to be found in the Ships Office this month. ***The Llanelli Branch Held a Trafalgar Dinner on the Friday 22 October 2010 and a Memorial Service on the Saturday 23 October 10. The Guest speaker was the Area 7 Chairman S/M Nigel Trigg. The branch was honoured to have the Logistics Officer from HMS Trenchant Lt Matthew Rees RN. He unveiled a memorial plaque at the Llanelli Town cenotaph dedicated to all shipmates who have "Crossed the Bar". The branch has an excellent relationship with the submarine. ***Virtual Branch We are about to go live on the trial for the Virtual Branch for housebound shipmates and we will be in contact with those who have expressed an interest. If you would still like to be considered give the Gen Sec a buzz asap. . This is a genuinely great deal with no strings that could be of huge benefit to some members. ***Kingston University Press - New Creative Writing Competition Kingston University Press invites contemporary work about war, conflict or peace-making from any point of view and any part of the wider community, not limited to service personnel. The aim of KUP’s current competition is to collect material likely to lead to publication of a selective anthology and to an archive. Up to 2,500 words of prose or 40 lines of poetry. Prizes totalling £1,000. Closing date: 17 Dec 2010. Profit from this initiative will support the charity SSAFA Forces Help, which is celebrating its 125th year and cares for those who serve or have served in Britain’s armed forces, and supports their families. Visit http://fass.kingston.ac.uk/kup/competition for full details including terms & conditions. 5

Diaries The diaries are selling like hot cakes, please get you order in to Nigel asap. Yearbooks See grovelling apology in covering note. Nominations for the National Council Elections 2010/2012 in Areas 2,6,7,8,9,11 and Scotland. The above Areas are due to hold Elections for Membership of the National Council for the period 2010 – 2012. The Nomination Form can be found at the back of this Circular. Conference 2011 - Motions and Amendments Motions and Amendments for debate at the Annual Conference should reach the General Secretary by 11th February 2011. The necessary form can be found at the back of this Circular. Branch Delegates to the Annual Conference to be held in Plymouth on 11-12 June 2011 Nomination forms for Branch Delegates to the Annual Conference to be held in Plymouth on 11-12 June 2011 can be found at the back of this Circular. ***The Gallipoli Association The annual lunch was held on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 to mark the 95th anniversary year of the Campaign. The lunch took place in the historic surroundings of The Naval Club in Mayfair. The occasion was a special one this year, as the Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh attended. Colonel Michael Hickey captivated the audience with an excellent talk in which he highlighted several personalities and events in the Gallipoli Campaign. ***Models The HQ has taken delivery of two ship models of HMS VEGA and HMS CEASAR. Both are marvellous and were made by John Barfoot a draftsman at Fairmile Construction. GS would be interested in hearing from anyone who served on their ship. Visit of HMS Chatham to Chatham Report by S/M Bill Murray (NCM 2 Area) I was informed that HMS Chatham would visit Chatham for the Remembrance Weekend 2010 during a dinner in the Devonport Wardroom during April 2009. The dinner was held in honour of the Ship’s ‘affiliates’ of which RNA Chatham has always been a member. The CO Cdr Simon Huntington flew home for meetings with RNA Chatham and Medway Council to arrange outline planning for the visit in advance of the return of the ship to Devonport. A Sunday meeting in August commenced formally in the King Charles Hotel at 18.00 for an hour and moved to the King George V pub, Brompton where more intensive talks took place aided by much food and real ale supplied by the owner and very active Honorary Member of RNA Chatham branch, John Brice. That meeting closed at 01.30 with much having been discussed!

The ship’s arrival in Chatham on Tuesday 9 November itself proved a gala day, with welcoming crowds on the water front in Gillingham waiting for her to enter the locks to the dockyard basins. When alongside I went aboard to welcome her and receive copy of her programme for the visit. The programme proved very tight indeed with events planned for each day of her visit with RNA Chatham’s full involvement. All formal parades were attended by branch members including serving RN members and two USN officers from DEODS , Rochester and the Chatham RNA Standard. During dinner on the Friday evening, Cdr Huntington thanked RNA Chatham for its considerable hospitality to the ship and the very useful liaison that had been of much help during the visit. ***Great ideas for Christmas presents*** The GS has received review copies of books and there may well be something of interest to members or their families. All can be ordered from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Churchill’s Pirates by Jon Sutherland and Diane Canwell (ISBN 978 1 84884 256 4) The story of the RN Patrol Service or Harry Tate’s Navy. Great photographs and first-hand accounts of a very dangerous service. Members will appreciate the great appendices with details of the vessels and their men, including honours and awards. A VC citation is included. Wings over the Waves by graham Roy Drucker (ISBN 978 1 84884 305 9) This is the biography of Lt Cdr Roy Baker-Falkner DSO DSC RN, and great FAA hero of WW2. This is a superb book full of anecdotes on the FAA during WW2 and in particular the Barracuda, photographs are good too. Highly recommended but the type-face is a bit small. Warspite (From Jutland Hero to cold War Warrior) by Iain Ballantyne (ISBN 978 1 84884 350 9) A really top notch book about HMS Warspite and her adventures in WW1 and WW2. There is a very short chapter on the nuclear submarine. This is a really fun book with loads of photos, maps and documents – very high production quality. It is paperback so affordable too. Diving Stations by Peter Dornan (ISBN 978 1 84884 321 9) Submariners might be interested in this biography of Captain George Hunt and his service in HMS Ultor in the Mediterranean submarine Fleet. An extremely successful CO. Killing the Bismarck by Iain Ballentyne (ISBN 978 1 84415 983 3) This is a re-telling of the Bismarck story with the emphasis on eye-witness accounts, the author contends that the Ships was trying to surrender when sunk and spares no detail of the effects of war at sea. Well rooted in historical records and orals history. Royal Tars by Brian Lavery (ISBN 978 1 84486 125 5) from www,anovabooks.com A really top notch book on life on the lower deck of the Navy from 875 to 1850. Full of anecdote, stories, dits and a very good piece on how to find naval ancestors. Recommended. 7

Shortcast Federation of Naval Associations – Social and AGM 25 – 28 Mar 11 To be held at the Warwick Hotel, Blackpool. Contact Robbie Robson, 12 Rainton St, Old Penshaw DH4 7HQ, Tel 0191 5847058, e-mail Robbie.fna@virgin.net ***Chronically Sick And Disabled Persons Act 1970 – 30 Mar 11 To mark the implementation of this important legislation, there will be a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey at 1100am on Wednesday 30 March 2011. I have bid for 20 tickets, first come first served, bids to Nigel or Gen Sec please. ***Royal Marines - Mountbatten Festival of Music 14 – 16 Apr The Booking for the Festival of Music is now open: Phone bookings on 0845 401 5018 (can pay by cheque this way) On line at www.royalalberthall.com (£2 booking fee) Box office in person. 10% reduction for bookings for more than 15 Prices from £12 (behind a pillar) to £45/seat for a box (ear defenders required) HMS Protector Association Annual Reunion 29 Apr – 2May 11 To be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry, April 29th to May 2nd 2011. A memorial and Dedication service to be held at the National Arboretum on Saturday 30th April. Further details available from Dough Harris on 01495 718870 or dougatspindrift@aol.com or via the web site at www.hmsprotector.org to download booking forms. Rosyth & West Fife Branch 7-8 May 11 The Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated over the weekend 7-8 May 2011. Saturday 1900 Dinner Dance till 2359, in the Carnegie Conference Centre Dunfermline Fife. Rig Formal; anticipated cost, £25 including wine at the table. Sunday – Inverkeithing Fife, for a Church service at 1030; including the rededication of the Branch Standard. Followed by a march past lead by the National Standard and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland. HMS Glasgow (C21 and D88) – 6-9 May 11 The 31st reunion will be held at the Queens Hotel, Paignton 6-9 May 11. Details from S/M Gary Eaton 10, Elderwood Ave, Thornton, Cleverleys FY5 5EQ.

HMS CERES Reunion – 12-14 Aug 11 Reunion 12-14 August ’11 the The Crown Hotel Harrogate, contact - Richard Knight on 01937 581404 for more details.

***RNA Plymouth – 14 – 17 Oct 11 9th Biennial Trafalgar Weekend will be held at the Sefton Hotel, Babbacombe 14-17th October 2011. 3 days £110, 2 days £75. Details from Sue Gutteridge, Plymouth Social Secretary (01752) 849176.Email suzanne.09@hotmail.co.uk 8

RNA Longcast 4 Dec 21 Dec 23 Dec

2010 National Council (Maritime Club) Gen Sec and Michelle on leave HQ shuts for Christmas 2011

4 Jan 15 Jan – 31 Mar 19 Jan – 18 Feb 14 Feb 17 Feb 4-6 March 12 March 30 March 31 March 8-11 April

HQ reopens DNP abroad (contactable) Nat Chair abroad (contactable) Brief of EWO course 3/10 Audit date 4 Area Reunion 4 Area Standard bearers competition Lympstone Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey, Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 CEO of RN Charities meeting GS 3 Area Reunion

9 April

4 Area meeting – Liskeard (Nat Chair and Nat Vice Chair)

15-18 April

No.10 Area annual Reunion & Conference weekend at the Adelphi Hotel Liverpool

29 Apr 7-8 May 30 May 10-12 June 25-26 June 17 July 12-14 Aug 29 Aug 11 September

RNA Netley Anniversary Dinner (GS) Rosyth Diamond Jubilee – National Standard paraded Gravesend Branch Celebrations. RNA Conference – Plymouth Armed Forces Days Falmouth RNA Sea Sunday parade (GS) HMS CERES Reunion (The Crown Hotel Harrogate) Gravesend 76th anniversary, National Standard paraded Provisional date for the Biennial March in Whitehall. RNA Plymouth 9th Biennial Trafalgar Weekend Driffield Trafalgar dinner GS

14-17 Oct

21 Oct

Note:

National Council and sub-committees will be entered when approved on 4 Dec 10 Area Secretaries are invited to submit dates for Area meetings for inclusion in the Longcast

A note on the SDSR from the National President Admiral John McAnally CB LVO What do I think about the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review? I wanted to report to Shipmates earlier. Trafalgar dinners followed by presiding over the International Maritime Confederation left me short of time. It also seemed worth reading others immediate reflections and taking time to simmer down. But the more I think about it the more wound up I get. Not least by the way in which the late decision to scrap the Fleet Flagship ARK ROYAL was leaked overnight before the Captain could tell his horrified Ships Company - an outrage for which a public apology is merited. So are the short answers to my question to agree with American comment: a punch in the gut for the Royal Navy and UK Defence is in dreamland? Read on. Let’s consider the Strategic context. The main effort of UK Defence is locked into a campaign in Afghanistan which we re-entered under false pretences in 2006 and from which the Governments of both the UK and the USA evidently wish to withdraw as soon as possible. Meanwhile ours’ is determined to avoid being accused like its predecessor of underfunding this very costly war. But it continues the innovation started by Labour and which the Tories condemned in opposition, of drawing a very great chunk from the existing Defence Budget at the expense of all other operations and of future capability. The Coalition has thereby institutionalised preparing for the last war. I am indebted to Sir Jeremy Blackham for pointing out that we now plan approximately to halve the Navy considered necessary by the 1998 Strategic Defence Review despite a world of growing maritime significance and danger not least to our energy supplies. Turning to some elements of the Review itself. To use a metaphor devised by Professor Paul Cornish, ‘Affordability should have been the cart and Strategy the horse’. It looks like it was the other way round and conducted far too hastily to boot - half the time spent in 1998 with twice the remit given that Security was added to Defence. Even the just departed Permanent Under Secretary and Chief of Defence Staff who presided over the Review have in their internal letter to MoD staff admitted that the result has left a programme which will be incoherent for at least 10 years. How incoherent? Let’s look at a few recent declarations in the White Paper (Cm 7948), in the National Security Strategy and by the Prime Minister and Ministers: “we require an independent ability to defend the Overseas Territories militarily” “an enduring presence within priority regions of the world” “the ability to command UK and allied naval forces at up to Task Force level” “.....ensure continuous carrier strike capability” “we will still punch above our weight- we have no less ambition” (PM 19 Oct 10) “we will retain the ability to act separately when national interests require it” (SofS for Defence Today Programme 2 Nov 10) “This is no time to be sea blind .. “(Liam Fox on numerous occasions in opposition) All seem hollow. Leaving aside the reduction to 19 destroyers and frigates (13 below that deemed necessary in the quieter world of 1998) which will render us incapable of meeting current mandated tasks and further risk vital maritime trade and energy supplies together with more than halving the only world class amphibious force outside the USN just recently painfully acquired and paid for, let us look at Carrier Strike in more detail. It is amazing that these vessels have become so totemic and occupied more than 90% of the debate despite being able to contribute less than 1% of the savings demanded. On the other hand they and the nuclear deterrent are iconic

symbols of national power and the true keystone of whether or not the UK remains a serious player on the world stage which is why it was right to sign a binding contract for them and thereby to ensure national capability to build warships. The essentiality of large aircraft carriers is clearly recognised by India, China and Russia all of whom are in no doubt of their need for them. It is also noteworthy that US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton singled out British Aircraft Carriers as a capability they wanted us to retain. Not surprising when the USN inventory is down to 10 carriers against rising maritime dangers and competition. Land forces are, in the words of a retired General of my acquaintance, horribly vulnerable to air attack. The horrible truth for him and other Generals is that until Carrier Strike capability including fighters is restored the British Army cannot safely deploy outside the UK or Germany without the support of a foreign country either to provide access, basing and over-flight for the RAF or air capability from that supporting nation’s own armed forces. So much for an independent ability to defend Overseas Territories. Falklands Strategy. Our current strategy for the increasingly valuable and contested Falkland Islands is to rely on our in place garrison of 4 Typhoons (£200M apiece and more costly than a Type 23 frigate), a company group, the constant presence of 2 warships and the occasional unadvertised appearance of a nuclear submarine. It is true that the Argentine Armed Forces have declined more than our own but the enemy always has a vote and the UK has a long tradition of being caught with its pants down at the opening of a conflict. Another horrible truth is that without Carrier Strike including fighters and a Brigade level Amphibious force we have no prospect of responding to a coup de main which takes over Mount Pleasant airfield other than by a submarine blockade or attack on mainland Argentina - neither likely to be viable political options. For the next 10 years at least there is a window of opportunity for Argentina to inflict on us a national humiliation on the scale of Singapore in WW2 and one from which we might never recover. The Treaty with France. The Carrier co-operation element of the treaty with France while good in itself needs far more exploration since it is quite unlikely to achieve the stated objective of ensuring continuous carrier strike capability. Do we know that •

CHARLES DE GAULLE will be able to launch and recover our new Joint Strike Fighters when we eventually get them?

•

They will demand much more than France’s RAFALE and SUPER ETENDARD?

•

Or that either nation’s carriers would be able to supply the other’s aircraft with weapons to carry out military missions?

Just achieving a common and compatible weapons inventory would be far more expensive than the more effective solution of running both our new Carriers. Scrapping the Harrier. Perhaps the most inexplicable and least defensible decision is scrapping Harrier in favour of Tornado. In Afghanistan: •

which of these aircraft can take off and land from Kandahar runway if half of it is blocked,

• •

which responds in 30 minutes and which in less than 10, which performs better in hot weather and requires fewer ground crew?

More widely:

•

which can deliver from Carriers close air support of ground forces, interdiction of surface units with

•

deploy Storm Shadow with a little extra investment,

•

has nearly twice as many airframes provided with precision guided ground attack capability,

•

which will require a further £1.4B to re-engine it in 2014,

• •

which can remain in service until 2023 without any significant investment?. Finally which will cost 7 times as much to keep as the other?

Maverick missiles, rockets and smart bombs,

In every case the advantage lies with the Harrier yet Tornado has been chosen. I urge all RNA members and everyone who reads this article to sign the petition at ://www.ipetitions.com/petition/primeminister/ The Fiscal Deficit. It is said that these risky reductions are essential to the vital elimination of our fiscal deficit. Yet just before the SDSR announcement several billion extra pounds were allocated to an extension of education to 2 year olds and the Coalition also decided on a vast expansion of DfiD’s budget. Both seem of dubious value at least I would have thought to most Tory supporters. Indeed a case could be made that we are subsidising India’s new Carrier and Pakistan’s nuclear weapons at the expense of our own. Defence is planned to get only about 5% of total Government spending which is still rising. Clearly political choices have been made and Defence cannot be said to have the priority so often stated and the Maritime element of it least of all. We will for at least the next 10 years apart from nuclear submarines slide below France, Italy, Spain, India and Japan’s maritime capability. Work in Progress. It is important to realise that the SDSR outcome announced on 19 October is a work in progress not a single event. It is as underfunded as its 1998 predecessor and that is before many of its decisions have been costed. No one yet knows where the 5,000 Naval and Royal Marine manpower reduction is to come from. There is much discussion to be had over implementation, on how to reach the desired 2020 state and in the next Review due in 2015 in which Afghanistan will be seen as something to avoid rather than an overwhelming priority. Shipmates might be tempted to believe the Naval Staff in MoD have done a poor job - shades of the earlier planned loss of Carriers in 1966. For the record that is not my view. I have been privileged to know as much about what has been going on as my retired status allows and I believe it was much worse at earlier stages and could have ended up that way. The Naval Staff have a strong intellectual case. It should be given more attention. This is an episode; there is plenty more to come and our serving Shipmates need and deserve our support and encouragement if the best result for our nation is to be achieved. Such a result should include: •

Carrier Strike capability to be regained as soon as possible on the basis of at least one RN Carrier fully operational at all times.

•

Rescinding the inexplicable decision to retire the Harrier in favour of the Tornado.

• •

Recovering a Brigade level amphibious capability including one LPH continuously at high readiness (R2). Speedy fulfilment of the pledge to develop a new programme of less expensive modern frigates.

Vice Admiral John McAnally

Ship’s Office Pusser’s Rum Competition Outrageous dits concerning rum related fun may be entered for a prize of blue label Pussers Rum. Entries to The General Secretary at Room 209, Semaphore Tower, PP70, HMNB, Portsmouth PO1 3LT

Area and Branch Updates

Area

Branch

Change

Norwich

Acting Hon Sec; Keith Smith, 01603 731184. 85, Grove Avenue, New Costessey, Norwich NR5 0JA

Reigate

New meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 13:30. Still in the Double Seven Club, Hanworth Road Amendments for the Diary - with apologies! 7 Aberystwyth John Mleczec is on 01970 611552 4 Portland Annie Robbins is still on 01305 822218 4 Plymouth Arthur Gutteridge is still on 01752 849176 5 Hunstanton Secretary is John Welford on 01485 533988 6 Luton & Dunstable All mail should be sent to the Secretary at: 12, Wellfield Avenue, Sundon Park, Luton, LU3 3AT 1 Westham Secretary is Alan Spencer on 0208471 8989 1 Kingston Upon Thames Secretary is John Brett on 020 87551697 11 Harrogate Secretary Doug Poignton on 01943 874471 4 Plymouth From Jan 2011 Branch meetings will be on the third Wednesday of each month, one week’s notice required for security access. Overseas France Nord New Hon Sec Elizabeth Yeowell. 6,Le renaudiere, L’Oignonnerie, 50860, Moyon, France. Royal Marine Band Engagements – Category 2 (Service|Charities) All bids must now go to the appropriate Naval Regional Commander : Deputy Naval Regional Commander (Wales and Western England) Tel : (W) 0117 978 6018 / 93547 6050 (Mobile) 07950 320461 -dnrc@mod.uk Chief of Staff Naval Regional Command (Eastern England) HMS PRESIDENT, 72 St Katharine‟s Way LONDON, E1W 1UQ Tel: 020 7481 7328 (Mobile) 0788 165 8683 Naval Liaison Officer Scotland and -cos@mod.uk Northern Ireland Naval Regional Commander (NE) RNRLO DNLO Tel: 01383 425535 HMS CALLIOPE Fax: 01383 425780 (Mobile) 07714 South Shore Road 722039 Gateshead Email: nrcsni-nlo@mod.uk NE8 2BE Tel: 0191 477 8607 Fax: 0191 490 0279

Nominations for National Council 2011/2013 (RNA Bye-Law 7) For the attention of All Branch Secretaries in Areas. 2,6,7,8,9,11 and Scotland Nomination Forms The envelope containing the completed form should be marked NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL COUNCIL and must reach RNA HQ no later than 11th February 2011.

Each Branch is allowed to nominate ONE MEMBER from any Branch within its own Area, as a Candidate for election to the National Council, Subject to the approval of the Branch to which he belongs. (See Note Below) NAME OF NOMINEE PROPOSED BY BRANCH ADDRESS OF NOMINEE ………………………………………….. CHAIRMAN SECRETARY BRIEF HISTORY OF NOMINEE (in the Association)

If the Candidate put up by the proposing Branch is NOT a member of that Branch, this section must be completed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Candidate's own Branch, and their signature implies Branch acceptance of the Nomination. Candidate's Branch Signature of Chairman (Candidate's Branch) Signature of Secretary (Candidate's Branch) I undertake to attend as many National Council Meetings as is possible and to sit on any Committees to which I may be elected. Signature of Candidate This form must be returned even if no nomination is made. It must be, despatched to be received at HQ no later than 11th February 2011. Nominations received after this date cannot be included in the Ballot.

NOTE: Only one nomination is needed for a candidate to be included in the ballot.

Conference 2011 - Motions and Amendments PROPOSED MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2011 (Proposals must reach The General Secretary by 11th February 2011) Name of Proposing Branch: MOTION / AMENDMENT

EXPLANATION OF THE MOTION / AMENDMENT (Notes)

This Motion / Amendment is put forward as representing the views of the Members of this Branch. If accepted it will be proposed to the Annual Conference. Date: Hon. Secretary: Seconded By:

Branch

Notes (a) A separate form is required for each Motion /Amendment (b) A manuscript copy is acceptable for additional Motions /Amendments if the printed form is not available. (c) The Motion /Amendment should be as short and precise as possible avoiding ambiguity. A Motion should normally start with the word `THAT' (d) The explanation is to assist the Standing Orders Committee in understanding the intention behind the Motion so that they may be able to consider acceptance and the wording under Rule 15. (e) Motions may be submitted at any time but must reach the General Secretary by 11th February 2011. (f) Motions of Extreme Urgency should reach the General Secretary not less than 48 hours before Conference. (In accordance with Standing Orders S8(7) as amended at 1996 Conference.) (g) Amendments to Motions should also normally reach the General Secretary not less than 7 days before Conference. However they can be submitted in writing direct to the Standing Orders Committee during Conference. (h) Bye-Laws - Under Rule 19 only the National Council may make a Bye-Law. A Motion to Conference may propose that a Bye-Law be set aside or it may ask the Council to consider making or amending a Bye-Law. (i). The Branch Proposing a Motion must have it Seconded by another Branch before forwarding it to the General Secretary (as carried at item 4 of 1995 Conference.)

Delegate/Observers for the Annual Conference 2011 Branch

Area

Name of Delegate Delegate’s Address

telephone No

Post Code

Delegate’s Vehicle Reg No If appropriate

Number of Observers Names of Observers

Vehicle Registration Nos for observers If appropriate

Group Bus Registration Number Driver’s Name Name of Branch Hon Secretary Contact telephone No: (if not branch Hon Sec) Contact e-mail address Name and Address for correspondence (if not branch Hon Sec)

*Please continue on a separate sheet with all your branch observers and their vehicle details Travel details will be sent to a single point of contact for your branch Delegate and observers. This will be the Branch secretary unless otherwise indicated. NB: A Delegate will not be confirmed as such unless or until the Branch Balance Sheet for 2010 and Annual Subscriptions for Branch Members for 2011 have been received in RNA Headquarters (Rule 12©). Should either not have been received in HQ, the Delegate's Status will be deemed to be that of an Observer.

2011 Conference Information and Booking Form The 2011 Conference will be held in The Guildhall Royal Parade Plymouth. Delegates have expressed a preference to book their own accommodation. Anyone wishing assistance should consult the Plymouth Tourist office on 01752 306330 or their website. The welcome buffet and Conference dinner will be held in the senior rates Mess HMS DRAKE. Access to HMS DRAKE will be by the main gate on Keyham Road for those in cars and minibuses only. Acccess for coaches is by the Camels Head Gate. Access to HMS DRAKE can only be guaranteed for named persons and their vehicles. It is therefore vital to provide Vehicle Registration details and names with your booking details; or at least two weeks before conference, to HQ. Those travelling by coach must provide details of your coach and driver’s name. There will be a welcome Buffet and entertainment on the Friday night in the Senior Rates Mess HMS DRAKE. The Conference Dinner will be held at (1930) in the senior rates Mess HMS DRAKE. On Sunday 12 June the conference service will be held in the Church of St Andrew. This service will also see the rededication of a new National Standard. After the service there will be a march past and salute. Following this Delegates are invited to fall in on the Hoe at the National Naval War memorial for a short act of Remembrance and final march past on the Hoe. Following this there will be a bar and light buffet lunch in the Guildhall. Cost payable over the bar.

Booking form, for events only. Please complete the booking forms to facilitate planning for the appropriate numbers. Those events annotated ’pay on the day’ please indicate anticipated numbers of diners.

Friday 10 Welcome Buffet in HMS DRAKE

Anticipated Cost £5/head

Saturday 11 Conference lunch

Pay on the day

Saturday 11 Conference Dinner

£15

Sunday 12 Post march past lunch

Pay on the day

No of members attending

Total cost

Please Note................

Approved on behalf of ........................ Branch ............................................. Name.......................... Please send completed booking form to HQ. 17

Branch applications 2011 Renewal Cards

New Members I D Card

BRANCH Return cards to NAME & ADDRESS

Post Code

NEW Membership Cards only

TEL / E-MAIL:

RENEWAL Surname

Initials

Gift Aid

Example

LIFE

FULL

Full

ASSOCIATE

Assoc

* *

Please note Renewal cards will not be issued for life members. This is for recording purposes only

BRANCH REPORT 2011 BRANCH…………………………………………AREA…………………………. (Note: This Report should be forwarded to H.Q. with a copy direct to the Area Secretary after the Branch AGM Byelaw 11) and not later than 16th April . It covers the reports to the National Council required by Bye-laws 17 & 18. Two copies of the Annual Accounts & Report should also be sent to H.Q. Bye-law 31 c. CHAIRMAN Name: Address for correspondence:

Telephone: VICE-CHAIRMAN

e-mail: