On the 10th eight of our members were invited to the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club for an Xmas Lunch hosted by the Not Forgotten Association. We were entertained with singing and a few games one of which was the twelve days of Christmas. S/m Anne Cox entertained us with her impression of Elvis Presley. In the raffle three of our members won prizes. Our chairman gave Rosie a cheque for £100 on behalf of our branch. A very good afternoon was had by all.
On the 6th S/m's Kenn McKinnon, Brian MacKenzie, David Carlin and Robert MacKay visited the Children's Hospital Play Group to deliver some toys and books. S/m Kenn McKinnon presented them with a cheque for £400 for their funds. We were invited to have some tea and biscuits and a chat with some of the staff. S/m David even got to meet Santa.
On the 3rd S/m's Brian MacKenzie, Alec Thomas and Kenn McKinnon held another awareness day at the Morrison's store in Auchenlee. We raised a goodly sum which will be use to help fund events and other charities. Thank you to the lads for their time and effort. The picture is of Brian and Alec although they should have been wearing ELVES HATS.
S/m Anne Cox entered the Sun competition to be a Prince Charles 70th birthday tea at Spencer House, London. She received an invitation to the afternoon tea and was accompanied by S/m Anne McKinnon. They enjoyed meeting the prince and had a great time
On the 30th 4 of our members attended the Garden of Remembrance Service in George Square. The service was conducted by The Reverend Dr Karen Campbell. S/m Kenn McKinnon laid a wreath on behalf of the City of Glasgow RNA and S/m Brian MacKenzie displayed our standard.
On Friday 19th we held a social night in Curlers Rest in Byres Road. The night went well with a good buffet. We had a splice the main brace and a few words from the chairman Kenn and from our secretary a short speech on Nelson and Trafalgar.
Six of our members attended TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit in Clydebank for the inspection by Captain Peter Adams RN. We were shown evolutions on how to identify various marker buoys and the light signals that indicate safe passage. The second evolution described how various sailing vessels should give way to power vessels Etc. The third evolution was how to secure your boat to a jetty/pier and the use of various types of knots. Our chairman Kenn was asked to present the Frank Halliday Trophy to their top cadet Joanne Durnan for achievement that best promotes the unit.
On Saturday 29th September five of our members attended the dedication ceremony of a new war memorial in Alexandra Park, Dennistoun, Glasgow. We mustered at City Park in Dennistoun and marched along the Parade to Alexandra Park where the ceremony was carried out. The turn out for this was very good. After the ceremony we were invited to the Masonic Club in Wood Street for refreshments and a Buffet.
On Wednesday 22nd August four of our members attended the 100 year commemoration of the launch of HMS Hood at the West College, Clydebank Which has been built on the old John Brown ship yards where she was built. Rear Admiral Philip Wilcocks CB DSC DL gave a talk on her life in the RN. Commander William Sutherland RN gave a talk on her construction.
On Saturday 21st we held a BBQ at the cadet unit in Clydebank. Our chef S/m Brian Mackenzie was in charge of the BBQ watched carefully by his good lady Irene Mackenzie. A big thank you to the both of them for providing excellent fare. We held a raffle which raised £40 for the cadet funds. Thank you to all who attended and to the cadet unit for the use of their premises.
At our branch meeting on 19th July S/m Brian MacKenzie in his role as Chairman of the Scottish Area presented S/m Kenny McKinnon, Chairman of the Glasgow branch with a Life Membership of the RNA and a pennant from the Scottish area.
Our association was invited by BAE Systems to be affiliated with the new type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow being built at Govan. On Thursday 28th ten of our members were invited to go to BAE Systems in Govan for an introduction to the new build and to view the work carried out so far on HMS Glasgow. We were given a talk and virtual walk through of the ship by the senior production manager Dave Skinner. We were then taken to the construction section to see how they cut the steel and form it to the various shapes required. We will be invited back to view the different stages of the build. Our Chairman Kenn McKinnon Presented Nicola Woolfries, Communications Advisor with a plaque from the City of Glasgow RNA and pointed out that the crest was the crest used in all ships named Glasgow.
On the 27th of May Brian and myself assisted s/m Bernie to run an RNA stall at the Bikers Day in Erskine Hospital. There was over 1000 motor bikes in the parade which went round the village of Erskine before coming into the hospital. The weather was glorious for this event and every one had a great time. We had some off worlders visit IE: Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Chewbacca, O'bwan Kenobi and Sand People.
At our monthly meeting on Thursday 17th S/m David Carlin finally received a set of new wheels for him to get about in. He is chuffed to bits with them. They were Presented by S/m Paul Ellis.
On Friday 27th we held an RNA awareness day in the Morrisons store at Auchenlea where we raised the princely sum of £416.06 for our funds. Thank you to our volunteers Kenn McKinnon, Brian MacKenzie, Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox for their efforts on the day. We also made contact with some veterans who displayed an interest in the RNA which we hope they will attend.
In the photo with Kenn and Brian is the stores community champion Joanna.
Photo: Back row: Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow and Emmanuel Cocher French Consular General.
Front: Mr Kenneth Wilson (Army), Mr Eric Robertson (Army) Mr John Aiken (Royal Navy).
Mr John Aiken RN (officer Steward) along with Mr Eric Robertson Army and Mr Kenneth Wilson Army today received the Legion D'Honeur from the French Consular General Emmanuel Cocher for their part in the D Day landings 6 June 1945. John served onboard HMS Enterprise which led the American forces to Omaha beach. He also served on HMS Stine and Manxman and in the far east. All the recipients are members of the RBLS at Knightswood, Glasgow.
On the 16th five of our members and their guests attended the SSAFA luncheon at Graham House in Whitefield Road, Govan. Their new mascot SSAFALUMP was on display to the visitors and will be taking part in the kilt walk and marathon to raise funds for SSAFA. Our secretary S/m Brian MacKenzie handed over a cheque for £100 on behalf of the City of Glasgow RNA.
