On Monday 12th 10 of our members were invited to join the Not Forgotten Association in the Double Tree by Hilton, Perth Road, Dunblane for a Christmas Luncheon. We were entertained by the two lovely singers who had us playing a game of Kings or Queens and a good game of the Twelve Days of Christmas. S/m Frank Halliday presented Rosie with a cheque for £100 from the City of Glasgow RNA. Many thanks to Rosie and the girls for a great day.
Children's Hospital Visit
On 5th December S/m's Anne McKinnon, Joan Lowe, Alec Thomas, Thomas Gates and Chairman Kenn McKinnon delivered toys to the play group in the new children's hospital. We had some tea/coffee and biscuits with the staff then our chairman handed over a cheque for £300 for their funds. This was raised by the members and the Lennoxtown bowling club.
On Wednesday 2nd November six of our members attended TS Queen Elizabeth's Cadet inspection and prize giving. The RNA prize of a Bosuns Call was presented to their best cadet. There was an evolution of navigation and one on semaphore signals which we struggled with. All in all a very good evening.
The above pictures are copyright do not use.
We once again celebrated Admiral Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar with a weekend and a celebratory dinner in the Arrochar Hotel. We had 33 members and guests at this event where two of our guests took a small part in the entertainment. Colin Botfield from URNU (Glasgow University) did a talk on Nelson in costume, and S/m Andy MacDonald from the Grangemouth Branch was roped in to do the compare at our SODS Opera. The company were most amused at this entertainment. S/m Edward Pollar donated a bottle of Pusser's Gunpowder for the toast to Nelson.
S/m Brian MacKenzie is modelling the new RNA Tartan that has been commissioned for the National Conference in 2017. Anyone wishing to purchase any of the tartan can contact Brian his number is in the diary.
S/m Kenn McKinnon and Brian MacKenzie were invited by the Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland Lt Cdr Kieth Conway to join him onboard HMS Somerset at the King GeorgeV dock where a reception and a capability demonstration with a tour of the ship was held. This was followed by Ceremonial Sunset at 21:00.
We held our BBQ on Saturday 16th in the Clydebank Cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth. 20 members and 10 guests attended. Thanks to our chef S/m Brian Mackenzie and hi wife Irene for laying on an excellent spread. We held a raffle which raised £50 for the cadet's funds and had a good old sing song helped along with a few singing gingers.
On the 12th eight of our members were invited to Central Station by Scottish Rail to attend a tea party for the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth's birthday. We were greeted by the head of the station and seated in the main concourse where we were served by very pleasant rail staff. Two of our members won prizes by having a lucky star on the underside of their plates. S/m Eddie won M&S vouchers and S/m Rita won train tickets from Virgin Trains to anywhere she wished to go. All in all a good afternoon was had by all.
On the 28th we held our social Fish and Chip night in TS Queen Elizabeth Cadet Unit in Clydebank. The Fish Suppers were delicious with plenty of wine etc to wash it down. There was a raffle which raised £55 which was presented along with a donation of £40 from S/m David Carlin and a Cheque for £200 from our branch which S/m George Troup accepted with thanks on behalf of the cadets.
On Thursday 26th six of our members were invited to TS Queen Elizabeth Cadet Unit in Clydebank to celebrate S/m Lt Cdr George Troupe receiving the BEM for his service to the cadets and community over the past sixty years. Well done George from all your shipmates in the branch.
On 23rd March four of our members were invited by the staff of Sir Gabriel Wood's Home to attended a lunch in Inverkip Marina. The venue was held in a local hotel with good Scottish fare on offer IE: Fish and Chips or Mince and Tatties etc. Music and entertainment were provided with our members joining in with gusto and toe stomping on the dance floor.
On the 17th March at our AGM The City of Glasgow Branch celebrated 20 years since the formation of the branch. There are only three original members left they are Brian MacKenzie, David Carlin and William (Bill) Bannerman. Unfortunately Bill could not be in the Photograph as he is confined to home with a shoulder injury. In the Photo on the left is Brian Mackenzie (Secretary) and David Carlin (Treasurer). As our membership is improving we will be around for a long time yet.
We celebrated S/m Joan Lowe's 85th birthday with a Splice the Main Brace and presented her with a cake by the Hon Vice President Frank Halliday which we all enjoyed. Many thanks to Joan for supplying the rum.
