NFA Xmas Luncheon

On Monday 9th ten of our members were invited to join the Not Forgotten Association for Exmas Lunch in the Glasgow Marriott Hotel. We played the game of Kings and Queens and the winner received a bottle of port. A raffle was held and raised over £500 with an auction of a home made Christmas cake which raised £120 and it was donated to the Erskine Home. We were entertained by the Swingtime Sweethearts. A big thank you to the organiser of this event Rosie Thompson and her team.

Forth Valley RNA

On the 6th S/m's Brian and his good lady Irene, Anne Cox, Anne McKinnon and myself took up the kind invitation to join the Forth Valley RNA at their Christmas Social in the RBLS club in Grangemouth. The night went very well with plenty of singing gingers and an excellent buffet. They held a raffle which raised over £100 for a local charity. On Saturday 7th we attended the Scottish Area meeting which was also held in the RBLS club.

Children's Hospital Visit

On the 5th S/m's Kenn McKinnon and Brian Mackenzie visited the Sick Children's Hospital play group. Our chairman Kenn handed over a cheque for £420 for their funds and 50 selection boxes for the children in hospital over the Xmas period.

Faslane

On the 28th Brian Mackenzie, Scottish Area Chairman and Kenn McKinnon, City of Glasgow Chairman went to Faslane for discussions with Stephano Panucci WO1, Base Warrant Officer and Murray Anderson CPO, Visit Liaison Officer with regard to the RNA visiting and talking to the younger men who are about to leave the service and let them know how we could help them in civvy street. We also discussed way that we might get involved in various projects on both sides.

Ukkers Final

At our branch meeting we held the Ukkers final for 2019 which was won by S/m Eddy Pollar with S/m Alec Thomas coming a close second. Both received their respective trophies and commemorative glasses.

Glasgow's Garden of Remembrance

Glasgow's Garden of Remembrance was opened on the 29th. Five RNA members attended the service which was conducted by the Reverend Karen K Campbell. The Lord Lieutenant Councillor Eva Bolander (Lord Provost) and Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin gave readings. Thank you to our standard bearers S/m Bob Coburn (Inverness branch) Scottish Area and S/m Brian MacKenzie Glasgow Branch and S/m Kenneth McKinnon for laying the wreath on behalf of the branch.

Trafalgar Weekend

We went to the South Beach Hotel in Troon for our Trafalgar weekend. The dinner was well presented by Stuart and his staff. S/m Brian MacKenzie gave a short speech and the toast to Nelson and those that fell with him. S/m's Kenn, David, Alex and Eddy gave us some excellent ditties. The night ended well with plenty of singing gingers being consumed in good naval tradition. S/m David Carlin presented Stuart the hotel owner with a plaque from our branch.

Awareness Day

On the 24th of October we had another awareness day at Morrisons at Auchenlea (Easterhouse). Thanks to S/m's Anne McKinnon, Anne Cox and Brian MacKenzie for assisting me. We raised £325 which will be distributed among the charities we support.

BBQ

On Saturday 10th we held our BBQ at the cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank. Our chef was S/m Brian MacKenzie ably assisted by his good lady Irene. We held a raffle and all monies raised went to the cadet unit. Thanks to George Troup President of the unit for allowing us to use their facilities. A good night was had by all.

Armed Forces Day

On Saturday 29th seven of our members attended in George Square for Armed Forces Day. We had a stall set up in the city chambers which was manned by S/m's Kenn McKinnon, Anne McKinnon and Brian MacKenzie. S/m's Eddy Pollar and Tom Dickie (both over 75 years) were invited by the Lord Provost Eva Bolander to join her in a private reception to celebrate the D Day landings of WW2. S/m Brian MacKenzie carried our standard in the parade from Holland St to George Square with s/m's Aleck Thomas and Eddy Pollar and others. The parade was followed by a civic reception in the city chambers for all who took part in the parade.

AFD Flag Raising

Our standard was the only one at the flag raising ceremony in Glasgow's George Square on Monday 24th. The ceremony was attended by four of our members. There was a poor turnout of veterans. The standard was carried by S/m Brian MacKenzie.

Uckers Championship

Uckers champion S/m Eddy Pollar and S/m Brian MacKenzie runner up receiving their commemorative glasses from S/m Alec Thomas, Vice Chairman and organiser of the Uckers competitions

Rum Story Visit

On Saturday 18th May, 15 of us went to Whitehaven in Cumbria to visit the Rum Story. The tour is over four floors and takes you through the slave trade to the production of the rum on machines that are still operating for the past 200 years give or take a few. Afterwards we went round the town and down to the harbour and consumed a few wets before heading home. All in all a long but good day out.

Unforgotten Forces Conference

On Thursday 25th S/m Brian MacKenzie Scottish Area Chairman and Kenn McKinnon City of Glasgow Chairman were invited by the Unforgotten Forces to attended their conference held at the Stirling Court Hotel & Conference Centre, University of Stirling. On the agenda were presentations from SSAFA, Age Scotland, Age UK and Poppy Scotland to name a few. Speakers: Mark Bibbey: CEO Poppy Scotland James Martin: Star of Star of Still Game and Royal Navy veteran. Gary Gray head of welfare services Glen MacDonald: Unforgotten Forces Coordinator. Charlie Wallace: Scottish Veterans Commissioner. Graeme Dey: MSP Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans.

HMS DEFENDER – RECEPTION AND CAPABILITY DEMONSTRATION

Commanding Officer, Commander Richard Hewitt Royal Navy, and Ship’s Company of HMS DEFENDER. The Clydebuilt, Glasgow Affiliated Destroyer invited the Scottish Area Chairman, Brian MacKenzie and guest and the City of Glasgow Chairman, Kenneth McKinnon and guest to join him for a Reception and Capability Demonstration on board, on the evening of Monday 25th March. This comprised a tour of the ship, followed by drinks and finger buffet together with an opportunity to meet and talk to members of the Ship’s Company. The evening culminated with Ceremonial Sunset at 9pm.

HMS Defender visit

Seven of our members were invited on board for a tour of the ship afterwards we adjourned to the warrant officers mess for a few wets. We had lunch on board and swung the lantern with the crew. S/m Kenn Presented the mess with a bottle of Pussers Rum and a City of Glasgow RNA Plaque. He also received a HMS Defender Plaque from the Warrant Officers mess.

K13 Commemoration

Copyright K McKinnon On the 26th S/m Brian MacKenzie (Standard Bearer) and Kenn McKinnon attended the commemoration service for the K13 Submarine lost with all hands in the Gareloch while undergoing trials in 1917. The service was held at the memorial in Elder Park, Govan. Rear Admiral Paul Halton OBE Commander Operations laid a wreath on behalf of the submarine service. Also in attendance were Commodore Ames Perks Deputy Rear Admiral Submarines and Commodore Bob Anstry Deputy FOSNI. The service was conducted by The Reverend Paul Jupp, honorary chaplain to the Submarine Association.

HMY Iolaire Memorial

On Sunday 6th 13 RNA members attended the memorial service in Glasgow's Cathedral to remember the loss of 205 service men returning home from the 1st World War the ship hit rocks as she was about to enter Stornaway harbour. S/m Bob Coburn carried the RNA National Standard with S/m's Brian and Bernie with their branch standards. S/m Brian MacKenzie gave a reading. In attendance were Cadets from Clydebank and East Kilbride and RNR members from HMS Dalriada.