Sir Gabriel Wood Visit

At our December meeting we invited some members of Sir Gabriel Wood’s Home for retired sailors to an evening of entertainment at our branch. We held a raffle and laid on music and a small buffet. Thank you to S/ms Joan, Anne, Anne and Rita who did the catering. Thank you to all who donated prizes for the raffle.

Lodging House Mission

On Monday 23rd S/m Brian Mackenzie paid a visit to the Lodging House Mission in East Campbell Street Glasgow and delivered the donations of socks, underwear, gloves, scarves and toiletries that the members had donated to their cause. S/m Kenn McKinnon accompanied Brian and publicity photos were taken.

Yorkhill Visit

On 12th December S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Frank Halliday, Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon and Thomas Gates visited Yorkhill Children’s Hospital where we delivered toys to the Play Group. We were invited to join the staff for refreshments and discuss the distribution of the toys etc. Our chairman Kenn handed over a cheque from the branch for their funds.

Not Forgotten Association’s Xmas Lunch

On 9th December 11 of our members were invited to the NFA Xmas Lunch in the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow. There was a sherry reception when we arrived then we moved into the main hall for our lunch which consisted of three courses, home made soup then a turkey lunch followed by a cheesecake sweet, wine was served at the table. Rosie as usual hosted the event with three young ladies providing the music and song for our entertainment. The afternoon was eventful with dancing, singing and a raffle. We also played a game of heads or tails in which our Hon Life Vice President was the TOSSER for the game.

URNU

On 5th December 9 of our members were invited to attend the Officer Training Centre at Glasgow University for a social evening with the staff and students of the University Royal Naval Unit based there. The evening started with the traditional mincemeat pies and mulled wine. The students showed us around their unit and explained what they do and hope to achieve in the future. The night went well and we extended them an invite to join us at any of our meetings if they so wish.

HMS Defender

HMS Defender came alongside at the King George VII dock for a 3 day visit to its birthplace. Twenty of our members were invited on board the ship on Saturday 30th for a tour of the ship and to the WO & Senior Rates Mess. Chairman Kenn McKinnon presented on behalf of our branch a bottle of Pusser’s Rum and an RNA plaque to the WO’s and Senior rates mess and received a plaque from the mess President in return. The visit went extremely well, thank you to all who attended.

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday was well attended and we had a dry but cold day. Thank you to S/m Chris Lord our standard bearer for the day. S/m Joan Lowe laid a wreath on behalf of our branch and S/m Nat Millar laid one on behalf of the Jewish service men. Thank you to all who attended this event.

Garden of Remembrance

On 5th November the City of Glasgow opened a garden of remembrance in George Square where S/m Kenn McKinnon laid a wreath on behalf of the branch. S/m Brian Mackenzie carried our standard. Branch members in attendance were S/ms J Lowe, A Cox, A McKinnon, T Dickie, G Dury, B Bannerman, T Gates and G Fisher. Afterwards we adjourned to the city chambers for a light lunch. A big thank you to all who attended.

Trafalgar/Seafarers Service

The RNA attended at the Glasgow Cathedral for the Trafalgar/Seafarers Service on the 20th October. We paraded in front of the cathedral along with sea cadets from TS Galatea and Cunningham. The Royal Marines Band was present and after the service played retreat in the apse of the cathedral. The inspecting officer was Captain Chris Smith RN, Regional Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

TS Galatea Inspection

On Wednesday 15th 5 members of our branch attended at the SV Glen Lee (Tall ship) where the sea cadet unit TS Galatea is based. The inspecting officer was Captain Peter Adams, MS-SC Northern Area Officer. We were show an evolution called “Copy Cat” where instructions to build a unit was describer by word of mouth from a leading sea cadet to their respective teams but were not allowed to show the team what to do. I thank S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie, Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox for attending this event.

Arrochar

We celebrated Nelsons victory over the Franco/Spanish fleet at Trafalgar with a dinner in the Arrochar Hotel. The manager David Cummings is ex navy and procured a bottle of Pussers for the toast to Nelson and those who fell with him. After the meal and speeches we had a raffle which raised a goodly sum. The speech and toast was given by S/m Brian Mackenzie. The meal was excellent and afterwards we adjourned to the bar where entertainment was laid on and many a singing ginger was consumed. All in all a very good weekend was had by all who attended.

Sea Cadet Inspection

On Wednesday 25th S/ms Kenn McKinnon (Chair), Brian Mackenzie (Sec), David Carlin (Tres) and Frank Halliday (HLV Pres), were invited to attend the sea cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank for their inspection by Captain Peter Adams RN. It was an excellent evening and we were entertained by evolutions in fire safety and first aid. Captain Adams presented trophies to the cadets and a trophy from the RNA was awarded to the cadet with outstanding sailing ability. There was a good turn out from the cadet’s parents and our Padre David Eynon gave the blessing. A buffet was laid on and afterwards a few singing gingers were raised in a toast to the unit.

Scottish Area Meeting

On Saturday 21st we hosted the Scottish Area Meeting. The committee was chaired by S/m Brian Mackenzie (Glasgow Branch), George Lees (Secretary), Graham Rigby (Treasurer) and Mike Heskith National Council Member). In Total the meeting was attended by 21 delegates and observers. The meeting was also attended by WO Gary Nicholson from Faslane who is a representative of the RNRMC (Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity) who gave a talk on what the charity does for those still serving and for veterans and families. Many thanks to S/m Joan Lowe who organised the lunch and to S/ms, A Cox and A McKinnon for their assistance on serving the lunch.

BBQ

Our BBQ was held on Saturday 14th at the sea cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank. The BBQ was enjoyed by 13 members, 7 family and friends and 2 sea cadet staff who had a good time. After the food we had a raffle, a few wets and a good amount of swinging of the lamp. A big thank you to our cook, S/m Brian MacKenzie and ably assisted by his wife, Irene. S/m Joan Lowe catered for the sweets and ran the raffle. Thank you to all who turned up and help make it a good night.

Rouken Glen Armed Forces Event

On Saturday 7 September East Renfrewshire Council and the Newton Mearns RBLS held an Armed Forces Event in Rouken Glen Park. This was the first time they have done this and they hope to make it an annual event. They will run it in June to commemorate Armed Forces Day. Four of our members attended S/m Brian Mackenzie carried the standard. Thank you to S/ms T. Gates, A McKinnon, A Cox and K McKinnon (Chairman) for attending.

VJ Day Knightswood

On Saturday 24th four of our members attended the service at Knightswood Cross to commemorate VJ Day. S/m Brian MacKenzie carried the standard and S/ms David Evans, Bill Bannerman and Jack Duncanson accompanied him. A big thank you to all who attended.

AFD Parade/Stall

We had a stall in George Square on AFD which went extremely well. It was manned by S/ms Brian MacKenzie (Secretary, Joan Lowe (Vice Chair), Kenn McKinnon (Chairman/PRO) and two X Wrens. We had a lot of Gizzits and a Rum Barrel which went down well with the general public who donated generously to our association. The RNA Association contingent was led by S/m Eddie Pollar with S/m Brian MacKenzie as marker. A big thank you to all S/ms who attended the square and participated in the parade. Also thank you to our standard bearer S/m Kenny Grieve a job well done. After the parade all were invited into the City Chambers for a civic reception. Well done The City of Glasgow Royal Naval Association.

AFD Standard Raising

On Monday 24th several S/ms (4) and the chairman Kenn McKinnon attended in George Square for the ceremony of raising the Standard for Armed Forces Week. The Lord Provost Susan Docherty gave a speech before the bugler played and the standard was raised. The parade was brought to attention while the piper played. We were then dismissed and adjourned to the City Chambers for some refreshments.

National Conference

Eight of our members and their spouses attended The RNA National Conference in Liverpool where we stayed in the Britannia Adelphi Hotel. Friday night was a get together where S/ms met up with old comrades and made new ones. Saturday was the conference and in the evening the Gala Dinner followed by the Grand Ball. Sunday service was held in St Nicholas Church, then a parade on the floating pavement in the Albert Dock area. That afternoon in the banqueting hall there was a Sods Opera with old friends Salome, The Cardinal, Yahoodi O’Reilly the famous violinist to name but a few. The evening ended with great entertainment and a dance. The old and long missed Up Spirits was revived for the weekend which we all enjoyed with relish.

BBQ

Our BBQ Held in the TS Queen Elizabeth Sea Cadet Unit in Clydebank went extremely well. A big thank you to the cadets for the use of their premises. We had a good turn out from our members and their guests. A special thanks to our chef of the night S/m David Carlin and his assistant S/m Frank Halliday the food was excellent. Music was provided by the cadet unit and we held a raffle in which the chairman did very well. 17 Members attended the BBQ.

Operation Curry Line

On Saturday 18th May 7 of our branch members and their spouses/friends attended the Royal Marines Association Mess in HMS Dalriada in Govan for a curry and beer night. The night went well and the curry was excellent. Entertainment was laid on in the form of a disco and a raffle. S/m Brian gave a good showing in the singalong. We hope this is the start of our associations getting together for future events. photos supplied by the RMA.

VE Day Commemorated

On Saturday 4th May S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie, David Evans, Jack Duncanson and Bill Bannerman attended the memorial service to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe at Knightswood Cross. After the service in church we assembled at the memorial for the laying of wreaths. This was followed by a parade down the Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a buffet lunch was laid on for those who attended.

Scottish Veterans Residences

Our chairman Kenn McKinnon was invited to attend a meeting of the Scottish Veterans Residences Committee held on board The Glenlee (the tall ship) in Glasgow. The meeting was hosted by Carol Smillie and was attended by members of our serving forces and reserve units. They are in the process of building accommodation in the Cranhill area of Glasgow to assist personnel leaving the armed forces who run into difficulty in civilian life.

HMS Dalriada Rededication

Our chairman was invited to HMS Dalriada to celebrate its rededication after its relocation from Greenock to Glasgow at Govan. S/m Frank Halliday attended on behalf of the Clyde Division Old Hands Association formally HMS Graham. Frank was the coxswain for the reserves based there. The inspection of the guard and divisions was carried out by Lord Astor of Hever the Under Secretary of State for Defence and the service was conducted by The Reverend Tommy Goodwin RN. This was followed by the unveiling of a new plaque commemorating the rededication. This was followed by a march past with the salute being taken by Lord Astor. We all adjourned to the wardroom for a buffet lunch and a few wets and a lot of lantern swinging.

Ships Visit

Three of our members, S/m Brian Mackenzie accompanied by his wife, S/m David Carlin and his daughter and S/m Alec Thomas and his wife were invited to a cocktail party on board the visiting Federal German Ship Hessen which was berthed in the KGv dock in Govan.

TS Galatea Visit

S/ms Kenn McKinnon (chairman), Brian Mackenzie (secretary) and Frank Halliday (Hon Vice Life President) accepted an invitation from the sea cadet unit TS Galatea based in the Glen Lee (tall ship) at the transport museum. We were entertained by the cadets with a display of drill and evolutions about camping IE: what to do and what not to do. The inspecting officer was Lt Cdr Thomson the First Lt from HMS Dalriada who presented the cadets with the badges, promotions and trophies they earned. Our Chairman presented a trophy from the RNA to their top new entry cadet.