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TORREVIEJA BRANCH HELD AT EL PARAISO RESTAURANT
ON WEDNESDAY 4th AUGUST 2008
In attendance:
Robin Hargrave President
Rod Millington Chairman
Gill Burden Secretary
Roger Joy Treasurer
Angela Joy Jack Dusty
Gerry England Social Secretary
Dick Conway Public Relations Officer
Marion Millington Welfare Officer
Attendance: 34 Full members, 18 Associate members and 2 visitors
Apologies were received from: S/M’sAnn Macrea-Clifton, Barbara Burrows, Peter Garnham, Tor Strangeland, Ron Hughes, Stuart & Shirley McKay,Toni & Glenn Rapley, Royston & Iris Kear, Lee & Celia Ramscar, Les & Ros Ellis, Bob & Chris Head, Bill & Jean Turrell, C. Holloway, Eileen Craven, Margaret & John Forshaw , J. Clarke, Mike & Ruth Wright, Philip & Brenda Hayward.
The Chairman, S/M Rod Millington opened the meeting at 17.40hrs welcomed all those present and apologised for the late start and reminded members that there was no smoking during the meeting.
The Chairman than asked members to stand while he took the opening prayer and asked that members remain standing after the prayer, for one minutes silence in memory of our departed S/M Ruby Middleton who had recently crossed the bar and for those who had lost their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places of conflict around the world.
The Chairman then said how nice it was to see S/M Colin Middleton here at the meeting and expressed deepest sympathies to him and his family, from all members of the Torrevieja Branch of the RNA, on the loss of his wife S/M Ruby, and then went on to thank all members who attended the Memorial Service for S/M Ruby. There was a collection made at the church of 200E. S/M Colin Middleton has divided this money between the RNA and Orihuela RBL, because S/M Ruby was a member of both of these branches. The Chairman thanked S/M Colin for this very kind donation of 100E, which will go to the Welfare Account, and the Branch applauded S/M Colin for his very kind gesture.
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary, S/M Gill Burden, started by thanking S/M Les Ellis for doing the Minutes of the Meeting for July. However, he had not been able to do them in the usual way because the July meeting was around the time that he moved to his new house, and that is the reason for the briefness of the July’s Minutes. Also please note that the date on these Minutes were incorrect. The date should have read Wednesday 2nd July 2008 not 2009.
One item that was left out of the July Minutes was the election of S/M Robin Hargrave, to the position of Torrevieja RNA Branch President and that the existing President Dave Hutson, to be made Honorary Life Member of the Branch. S/M Robin said that he was very surprised by this gesture and almost speechless. He said that he really appreciated the Branch’s continued confidence in him and would be delighted to accept this position, and although he can no longer attend the meetings he would try to be at other function and to continue to promote the Torrevieja RNA wherever and whenever possible.
The Secretary then went on to say that while she was on holiday, she has received a telephone call from the NCM Chairman of the RNA S/M David White to say that Torrevieja Branch had received a certificate, at the RNA Conference, for the most full members joining a Branch in the year from July 2007 - June 2008, and could he present this certificate to the Branch when he came to see some friends in Spain week commencing 14th July. As the Secretary was not due back from her holidays until the 12th July this would fall very nicely for the following week. The Secretary then contacted the Chairman who told her that another meeting had been arranged on the 17th July at Greenland’s Leisure Club, so the presentation was arranged for the same date. Unfortunately, it was all done very quickly and therefore not many RNA members could be notified of this presentation, which did actually take place on this date.
The Secretary then said that she had the HQ Circular for August, if anyone wanted to read it. Most of it was about the June RNA Conference, which took place in Dundee. Two of our members did go to the Conference but didn’t stay too long.
The Secretary then reported that she had written a letter to HQ complaining about the fact that she did not receive the HQ Circular in time for our monthly meeting. She had received a letter back from HQ saying that they hoped in future, to be able to get our Circular out in time for our meetings, and also that the Circular does appear on their website on the day that they finish writing it. They finished their letter by saying that if any overseas member would like to visit them while in the UK, they can generally fit in a lunch. (Don’t forget that HQ is moving to Portsmouth very soon).
The Secretary also reported that a card had been received from Cathy Carson thanking the RNA for the beautiful bunch of flowers, which was presented to her at the last meeting.
The Secretary said that was the end of her report and handed the microphone back to the Chairman.
The Chairman then said that he hoped that a photograph of the presentation of the certificate would appear in the Navy News soon.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were distributed prior to the meeting. The Chairman asked if there were any matters arising from those Minutes. There were none so the Chairman asked for a proposer and seconder for the Minutes. The proposer was S/M Sally Conway and seconded by S/M Baz Winwood.
Treasurer’s Report
S/M Roger Joy reported the state of the Branch Funds for July.
The Treasurer then stated that the amount in the Social Fund would probably soon be reduced. He also said that there were two donations this month, which had been paid.
One was for the International Veterans Day and the other for the Help for Heroes.
Welfare Officer’s Report
S/M Marion Millington reported that S/M Royston Kear was still under going treatment, and at the moment is not very well. S/M Barbara Snell had been poorly after her fall, but she had now gone back to her family in UK until September.
S/M Eileen Craven also had had a fall and unfortunately S/M Marion has been unable to contact her because her telephone is not working. However, S/M Marion has been told that friends and family are visiting her. S/M Marion hopes to visit her sometime in the following week.
S/M Marion then went on to say how sorry everyone was about the passing away of S/M Ruby Midddleton on the 18th July 2008.
Social Secretary’s Report
S/M Gerry England said that he had spoken to the Treasurer and that the Branch couldnot subsidise the Trafalgar Night this year but Trafalgar Night AND Christmas will be subsidised, so you will be getting something back for what you have put in. Tickets for Trafalgar Night will be on sale during the break tonight and at the September and October meetings. The price for the tickets will be 7.50E for members and 20E for friends. Members to make their own way to the venue as there is no coach provided.
There will also be a Menu del Dia at Dona Isabel in San Miguel on the 30th September, price as before 9E for lunch, which starts at 13.00hrs. S/M Gerry also asked for members to put their names forward for the Crib Competition, which is on the 3rd December. S/M Gerry then asked if everyone had a copy of the Social Calendar if not please see him.
Jack Dusty’s Report
After the stand easy, S/M Alan Punt gave a brief report of his career in the Royal Navy.
Public Relations Officer’s Report
S/M Dick Conway showed the members the certificate that the Branch had been awarded for the most full members achieved in the year July 2007 – June 2008 and said that he would send details and a photograph to the Navy News for admission. He would also include a photograph of S/M Mike Trump being awarded his Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal by MCM Chairman S/M David White, which took place at the same time as the certificate award. S/M Dick then gave S/M Gerry England his Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, as S/M Gerry was unable to be at the certificate event.
S/M Dick said that he had now received some advertising material form HQ RNA that he would display at the Veterans Day on September 19th.
S/M Dick also had photographs of the Chairman S/M Rod Millington presenting the ship’s bell to the Torrevieja’s Mayor and the Mayor presenting S/M Rod a small statue of the “Old Man of the Sea” in return. This statue is the 1st of 10 replicas of the existing statue which is situated on the sea front at Torrevieja.
At the International Veteran’s Day, which is on the 19th September, there will be the usual Tug of War. For the last 3 years, the Torre Army has won. S/M Dick says that he requires 6 members with boots to take part in this competition. Names to him please.
Any Other Business
The Chairman asked if there was Any Other Business. The Chairman said that he had a couple of items to bring up. S/M Rod then said that he had received complaints about the use of the phrase Shipmate before peoples’ names and that it wasn’t used while S/M Rod was the Secretary. The Chairman then asked the members if they wanted the phrase dropped and go back to the old way. There was a show of hand for the phrase Shipmate to remain provided it was used with the Christian name of the members as well.
S/M Rod also asked the members, if they would like the Branch to close for the months of July and August. There was a show of hands for the Branch to continue to have the monthly meetings throughout the year without a break.
S/M Elizabeth McCallum asked what had happened regarding the group photographwhich had been taken some 3 months ago as she hadn’t seen it. S/M Dick Conway said that it had been displayed on the web.
S/M Colin Middleton thanked members for their condolences the flowers and telephone calls that he had received on the death of his wife S/M Ruby.
There was no further business so the Chairman closed the meeting at 18.40 reminding members that the next meeting would be on the 3rd September at 17.30 hrs at El Paraiso Restaurant.
