Yorkhill Visit

On Tuesday 16th S/ms Kenn McKinnon (Chairman) Joan Lowe (Vice Chair) Anne McKinnon and Tomas Gates delivered a selection of toys, books, games and DVDs to the Play Group at Yorkhill Children's Hospital. Our Chairman handed over a cheque to the play group from our branch.

NFA Xmas Luncheon

On Monday 15th eight of our members were invited to attend the Not Forgotten Association's Xmas Luncheon in the Radisson Blue Hotel in Edinburgh. We were greeted with a glass of bubbly before sitting down to a three course festive lunch. The entertainment was provided by the Swingtime Sweethearts. There was a game of Heads and Tails which our S/m Anne Cox won a Christmas Cake. There was a raffle in which S/m Frank Halliday won a bottle of red wine. After the entertainment was finished we said our thanks to Rosie our hostess and departed.

Remembrance Sunday

On the 9th we were in George Square for the Remembrance Day Parade. We had a turn out of 12 members. S/m Chris lord was our standard bearer for this event, and S/m Kenn McKinnon laid the wreath with S/m Nat Millar laying one on behalf of the Jewish service men who fell in the war. We retired to the City Chambers for a buffet and refreshments. We were invited to HMS Dalriada after the parade where a meal was laid on with plenty of refreshments and a good bit of crack at the bar.

Seafarer's Service

The Seafarer's Service was held in Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday the 19th October. The inspecting officer was Captain Chris Smith the Naval Regional Commanderr for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The service was conducted by the Revd, Dr Laurence Whitley and the sermon was given by Rev Paula Pye,RN (Chaplain, HMNB Clyde). The service was attended by 7 of our members.

Trafalgar Dinner

On Saturday 11th we held our annual gathering in the Arrochar Hotel to celebrate Admiral Nelsons Victory at Trafalgar. At the meal S/m Brian MacKenzie presented the hotel managers David and Jannette Cummings with a plaque from our branch along with a print of HMS Liverpool entering Liverpool with HM Yacht Britannia in the background. After the meal instead of the usual speeches S/m's Kenn McKinnon, Brian MacKenzie and Chris Lord performed a small SODS Opera. Brian was Fairy Liquid Chris was Fairy Snuff and Kenn was Hairy Fairy. The members and guests enjoyed this if the laughter was anything to go by. Many thank to all who came and especially to the performers.

Cadets

On 20th September the committee were invited to TS Queen Elizabeth, The Clydebank Cadet Unit for a naming/blessing service for their new boat. The service was conducted by the unit padre, David Eynon. Lt Cdr George Troup gave a short speech and the unit Commander, Rena Carrington named the boat Mr C and blessed her bows with a quaige of good malt whisky. The cadets then went to the canal where they launched the boat on its maiden voyage.

Not Forgotten Association Outing

On 29th ten of our members were invited by the NFA to a sail on Loch Lomond aboard the Lomond Prince. The weather was rather overcast but remained mostly dry. Onboard we were served a lovely cold buffet lunch with a refreshment of your own choice. As we landed back at Tarbet the sun came out and made for a perfect ending to the days pleasant outing. Many thanks to Rosie and her staff. Our Hon Life Vice President was happy he got to kiss Rosie after he had presented her with a cheque from our branch to the NFA.

MPs Question Time

On Tuesday 19th August, S/m Brian Mackenzie, Scottish Area Chairman of the RNA hosted a question time with MP David Mundell (Conservative) at the Leepark Hotel in Grangemouth. Members from all areas of Scotland were invited and with a good turn out there was a lively and informed question time. There was a variety of questions asked IE: independence, pensions and current affairs all of which were answered. S/ms Brian Mackenzie, Kenn McKinnon and David Carlin represented Glasgow.

VJ Day Commemoration

On the 16th three of our members attended the service at Knightswood Cross to commemorate the allies victory over Japan in World War 2. The church service was at 1100 the to the memorial at the cross where there was a wreath laying service. This was followed by a march down the Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a finger buffet was laid on. Members who attended were S/ms Kenn McKinnon, David Evans and Bill Bannerman.

WW1 Commemoration

On the 4th August, 9 of our members were invited by Glasgow City Council to the Commemorative Service in Glasgow Cathedral to mark 100 years since the outbreak of WW1. The service was attended by The Duke of Rothsay Prince Charles. In attendance were the representatives from around the commonwealth, commonwealth athletes, RN, RM, Army, RAF, and many civic dignatories.

Armed Forces Day Dumbartonshire

On Sunday 6 June six of our members attended Clydebank's AFD. We massed in Three Queens Square in the Clydebank Shopping Centre where we were joined by the Pipes and Drums and a company from The Highlanders 4th Battallion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and led by Cruachan IV, the Regimental Mascot. We paraded through the town centre to the town hall where a church service was held. This was followed by a buffet and refreshments. Thanks to our standard bearer S/m Brian Mackenzie and to S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Frank Halliday, David Evans, Frank Taylor, Bill Bannerman and David Carlin for attending.

Armed Forces Day

Glasgow held it's Armed Forces Day on Sunday 29th June in George Square. We had a stall with gizzits and a rum barrel which went down well with the civilian. Members on the stall were S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie and Joan Lowe ably assisted by two from the WRNS Association. S/m Eddy Pollar commanded the RNA contingent who marched from Holland St to George Square and the standard was carried by S/m Kenny Grieve. A big thank you to all who took part. Photos: The winner of the Pusser's Decanter getting presented by area Chairman Brian Mackenzie. S/m Brian with two URNU Midshipmen. The commodore chats to an old veteran before sampling a tot from the Glasgow branch.

AFD Standard Raising

On Monday 23rd members of our branch attended the ceremony in George Square for the raising of the Armed Forces Day Standard. S/m Brian Mackenzie attended the press call.

Lancastria Memorial

On Saturday 21st members of our branch and standard were in attendance at the Memorial Service at the HCI Hospital at Clydebank. A buffet lunch and refreshments was laid on along with some entertainment.

BBQ

On Saturday 24th we had our BBQ in Clydebank at the TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit. This was well attended by our members and their guests. This was made up of 16 members and 10 guests, the night went well and a big thank you to our chef S/m Brian Mackenzie and to S/m Joan Lowe who ran the raffle.

VE Day

On Saturday 3rd May. 6 of our members attended at Knightswood Cross to attend the VE Day commemorative service held by the Parachute Association. A service was conducted by Rev Sandy Fraser in St Margaret’s Church then a wreath laying ceremony at the Vets Monument followed by a march down the Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a finger buffet was laid on. A big thank you to our standard bearer S/m Brian Mackenzie and to all those that attended.

Birthday Wishes

One of our members S/m David Trimble will be a young 90 years old in February. We held a little celebration at our January meeting due to him going down under to the land of OZ for a few months. We all wish him a happy birthday and a safe journey.