HomeRNA 10 Area. News Page.
22.04.08
Deputy National President to officially open the Area spring Conference.Commordore A R Nance OBE BSc the Association deputy President will officially open the No10 Area spring conference at the Savoy hotel in Blackpool on Saturday April 26th. Following a short address to the delegates, Shipmate Nance will take questions from the floor prior to his depature to fulfil a further engagement in the south of England.
10.04.08
Record of decisions at the National Council Meeting held on 29th March 2008.
1. The National Council approved the following motion:
“That the Trustees of the Royal
Naval Association authorise the Relocation Working Group to negotiate
the relocation of the Royal Naval Association Headquarters to Semaphore
Tower, HM Naval Base Portsmouth and accept the Draft Heads of Terms
subject to any minor variations considered appropriate, and subject to
legal and professional advice, and not to proceed further with the
Upper Admiralty Library investigations without National Council
approval.”
2. The National Council approved the following motion:
“That the Relocation Working Group
be authorised by National Council to proceed with the sale of the lease
of 82 Chelsea Manor Street, London SW3 5QJ (subject to contract)
achieve the best price in the current market subject to professional
advice, and meeting all legal obligations imposed on the Royal Naval
Association and its Trustees.”
3. The National Council invited the General Secretary to extend his appointment until 31 March 2009.
4. The National Council approved the following motion:
“That a Recruitment Panel
consisting of the National President, Deputy National President and
three National Council Members chosen by ballot, and advised by the
General Secretary, be established to recruit a Deputy General Secretary
and General Secretary in a suitable timescale.”
5. The National Council approved the Association Accounts for 2007.
6. The National Council approved a salaries increase for Headquarters Staff of 3% p.a. commencing April 2008.
7. The National Council approved the following motion:
“That the redundancy payments
recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee be paid and
that Staff Salaries (determined according to a formula devised by the
Accountant) be continued untll 31 December 2008.”
8. The National Council approved the following motion:
“That the proposed Budget for 2008
be approved for implementation, and that a Shadow Budget for 2009 be
prepared for consideration at the National Council Meeting planned for
31 May 2008.”
08.04.08
Area Committee in talks with National Council
Members of the No10 Area committee met up with the National Council at the conclusion of their meeting at HMS Eaglet on March 29th.
The get-together had been arranged to discuss several points of 'misunderstanding' which have arisen between this Area and Headquarters recently.Topics discussed included the proposed Headquarters move from London to Portsmouth, the content of the General Secretary's letters of reply to several members of this Area and the benefits if any, of the Association's continued membership of the International Maritime Confederation (IMC)
Although several matters remain unresolved, it was agreed that the frank discussions between the two parties have gone a long way to understanding each others points of view.
07 04. 08
Rhyl branch calls it a day.
The Rhyl branch decided at its March 1st meeting to decommission the branch due to falling numbers. Its Chairman, Shipmate Peter Conlon in announcing their decision, said it was no longer able to find the volunteers needed to fill the committee positions. The remaining members of the branch will seek to join the Headquarters roll.
04.04.08
Bolton Branch honours Atlantic rower.
A teenager who became the youngest person to row the Atlantic has been honoured by the Bolton branch of the Royal Naval Association. Rachel Flanders, aged 17, was one of a four-woman crew - the Atlantic Angels - who rowed the 3,000-mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the West Indies. The crew was taking part in the Woodvale Challenge Atlantic Rowing Race to raise cash for three cancer charities.
They completed the journey in 74 days, arriving in Antigua on February 14. The Bolton School pupil was invited to a special ceremony at the Bolton Sea Cadets Unit headquarters in Castle Street, The Haugh, on Wednesday evening. (02.04.08) Her parents, Richard and Louise, and 12-year-old brother Charles also attended. The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Barbara Ronson, presented her with a badge, headscarf and telescope, on behalf of the association.
Jan Thomas secretary of the association's Bolton branch, said: "We were delighted to host a ceremony in honour of Rachel. What she achieved was fantastic. She showed real determination and courage. It is only when you go to sea for a length of time that you understand what she has been through."
Rachel, from Heaton, said: "I had a lovely evening. I enjoyed meeting all the members of the association and sharing stories of being at sea with them. "I feel honoured that they wanted to make me a member of the Royal Naval Association."
22.03.08
Skin Cancers and War Pensions.
The hazards of a suntan may be rather exaggerated, as witnessed by the hardy veterans of the Second World War, who spent lots of time stripped to the waist in the burning heat of the North African desert or fighting the Japanese in the Far East. However, as a group, they are particularly prone to rodent ulcers, otherwise known as basal cell cancers, on the exposed parts of their skin, which are relatively easy to treat with surgery or radio-therapy.
Plastic surgeon Hamish Laing, writing in the British Medical Journal, points out that those so affected should be aware that they may be entitled to an additional war pension. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Veteran's Agency (0800 169 2277).
22.03.08
New book published to commemmorate Zeebrugge Raid.
Paul Kendall has sent me details of his forthcoming book.
I have spent six years researching the Zeebrugge Raid and my book on the subject entitled 'The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: The Finest Feat of Arms' is being published by Spellmount in April 2008. This publication coincides with the 90th anniversary of the raid, which took place on 23rd April 1918, St George's Day. During the course of the research I have contacted many of the relatives of the men who took part in the raid and have unearthed unpublished photos and testimonies.
I know that the Zeebrugge Raid is an important event in the history of the Royal Navy, which is being commemorated this year, the 90th anniversary in April 2008. The book can be purchased from "The History Press" (tel 01453 883300), priced £25.00. ISBN is 978-1-86227-477-8
The purpose of my book is to:
-
Provide an account of the Zeebrugge
Raid which took place on 23rd April 1918 to attempt to block the
submarines at Bruges. These submarines were responsible for sinking a
third of all allied merchant shipping during the First World War and
there was a danger that the German submarine campaign could have
starved Britain into submission resulting in defeat.
-
Explore the role of the German
Flanders Flotilla based at Bruges, which passed through Zeebrugge to
attack Allied shipping during the First World War.
-
Give an account of the German
perspective of the raid. I also have many German photos of German
personnel at Zeebrugge from a collection which I own.
-
The book features the personal
testimonies of many of the participants, who took part in the
operations, which have never been told before.
-
I have written biographical tributes
and have included the photos of approximately 140 of the men who took
part in the Zeebrugge Raid. This is the most important feature of the
book, because I give an account of the fascinating lives of the men who
raided Zeebrugge. Many of the sailors and Royal Marines that took part
in the operation also participated in the Battles of Heligoland Bight,
Dogger Bank and Jutland. Many of these men also took part in the
Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 and in the Somme offensive in 1916. Some of
the men that survived the Zeebrugge Raid also rejoined the services to
fight in World War Two. For those that were deemed too old, they served
in the Home Guard or the ARP. One example is Captain Chater, the
adjutant of 4th Battalion RMLI. who took part in the actions at Antwerp
1914, Gallipoli 1915, Zeebrugge 1918 during World War One and in 1944
landed in Normandy on D Day. Lieutenant Cooke is another Zeebrugge
raider who during World War Two lived under German occupation in Jersey
an for over a year risked his life, when he sheltered an escaped
Russian prisoner of war in his attic. Their involvement at Zeebrugge
and their life stories make fascinating reading and enhance my book on
these raids. I have made contact with many of the children and
grandchildren of the men who took part in the raid who have provided
photos and testimonies regarding the Zeebrugge raid.
I hope that my book pays homage to the men from the Royal Marines Light Infantry and Royal Navy who raided Zeebrugge and will ensure that they will not be forgotten. I hope that you find this information of interest.
02.03.08
Full 'House' For Area Reunion
This years Area Reunion in April at Blackpool promises to be one of the best attended in recent years. With over 245 shipmates packing into the Savoy hotel on Queens Promenade in the resort, the weekend is expected to be a very busy period for the organisors of the event.
28.02.08
RNA & RMA expected to join forces
Recent unconfirmed reports suggest that both associations are seeking closer ties in an effort to stem the continuing loss of members in both organisations. It is understood discussions regarding the merger are at an advanced stage; with an announcement concerning their amalgamation possibly given at the Dundee National conference. It is thought, the recent initative by the Deputy National President's 'Memoradum of Understanding' may have been the incentive for both associations to start exoloratory talks.
23. 02. 08
London Headquarters relocation to Portsmouth moves a step nearer.
Recent reports suggest that the Association have been offered a building in the Portsmouth dockyard complex for use as its new Headquarters. It is rumored, the currently redundant semaphore tower will become the Association's new base at no charge, sometime later this year.
22.02.08
Conference Minutes now available.
The minutes of the recent Area Conference held at Atherton are now available to download.
13.02.08
Visiting Ships information to be restricted.
A recent directive from the MOD via the NRO has cut down the notice of intended visits from two months to one. Also, distribution of visit lists will in future be discontinued by the conventionial mail system. Future information on visits will only be given to those persons directly involved with the visits arrangements. It is unclear at present how this will affect the RNA.