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.