No 4 Area

(The South West Flotilla)

National Council Members Page

NCM’s  Report  to  No 4  Area  Meeting Street on Saturday 30 January 2010

1.  Good afternoon S/ms and thank you from Monica and me to those branches and shipmates who kindly sent us Christmas Cards.  I wish all branch members and families a healthy 2010.

2.  It is pleasing to note the BBC, after ten years saying the date as two thousand and something, has cottoned onto the simple practice used in previous centuries and now saying - twenty  ten. 

3.  A memorable date of two contrasting events for our meeting today. On this date in 1649 (not one thousand six hundred and forty nine), Charles I of England was beheaded for treason.
    By contrast it is the 45th Ann’y of the State Funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965.  Those of us who were there in London in 1965, snug in our greatcoats, will recall the day I’m sure.

4.  The last N/C Meeting was on 5 December.  S/m Stirling Simmons was welcomed to his first council meeting having taken the place of S/m Ron Fielding as NCM No 10 NW Area. 
Also at his first meeting for 15 months since being nominated as the RN serving members’ N/C   representative was the CWO WO Andy Rayney.  He managed to stay until lunch then left.  He leaves the Service soon, so we may not see him again.  While he was with us WO Rayney did praise the new recruit mentoring scheme at RALEIGH.  This praise has been echoed by RN hierarchy who want the scheme to reach BRNC Dartmouth, SULTAN and COLLINGWOOD.

5.  Sadly after a long illness Cdr Frank Ward, the DGS, who had incidentally finished work at the end of October, died on Boxing Day.  His funeral at Stubbington saw over 300 people turn out from the many organisations Frank had been involved with.

6.  For all Branch Treasurers.  A reminder to check with their banks that no charges are planned for Branch Accts, following the EU Payment Services Directive that came in Nov ’09.
     Also, importantly, the new book keeper is now in post at HQ, Mrs Michelle Bainbridge, the wife of a serving WO – so should we perhaps see one new serving full member sign on shortly ?
    ALL queries with Branch HQ Accounts should now be directed to Michelle on 02392 723823 or to michelle@royalnavalassociation.com

7.  Branch Secretaries please advise your members about the two page article concerning Healthcare for Veterans in the January HQ Circular – it is item 17, immediately before an item on that healthcare product, Pusser’s Rum !!

8.  PR Report.  2009 was not a good year for PR throughout the Association, though individual Areas may claim otherwise.  Purely in financial terms it was virtually a disaster.  N/C directs a huge amount of funding towards PR each year and this has not been spent effectively for the benefit of the Assoc.  In spite of calls to do so not a single Area had contacted the National PRO with details of its events programme that could attract HQ support.  Some branches, almost taking the mickey, had contacted HQ only days before their event expecting a shed load of goodies to appear on their doorstep the following morning – and for senior RNA representation to attend, too.  (None in Area 4 to my knowledge).  This practice is pathetic and has to stop. 
     Branch PROs need to keep in touch with Area PROs and vice versa; and the Area PROs likewise with the National PRO.  Even if nothing is due to happen for a few months, then still let each other know.  That way, if a big event is happening somewhere maybe some extra funding or goods can be directed at it.  PR affects us all in the RNA and Areas have to communicate.
     I hope the PR Seminar planned for May will be a rowdy one for obvious beneficial reasons.

9.  Welfare Report. Nat Welfare Advisor S/m Rita Lock informed the AMC Meeting in Nov that welfare grants to date of £10,533 had been made.  Income to the CCF from Areas and branches was good for the year.  Such donations are always something for branches to consider.  The Welfare Cttee reported considerable practical assistance had been made available to individuals, other than financial help.
     A donation of £1,000 would be made to the Not Forgotten Association this year.

10.  Ceremonial Report. The Association’s Biennial Parade I already reported at the last Area Mtg, but it is interesting to note that in addition to RNA and IMC nation members attending, there was support on the day from WRNS Assoc, RMA, HMS GANGES Assoc, HMS St VINCENT Assoc, Federation of Naval Assocs, HMS BELFAST Assoc, Submariners’ Assoc. Invitations to these and other associations will help to make this parade worthwhile in future.
    The National Standard Bearers’ Competition was originally planned to be held in No 4 Area at HMS DRAKE.  For logistical reasons this has been changed to HMS TEMERAIRE at Portsmouth on 24 April 2010, with associated events held in the SRs’ Mess HMS NELSON.

11.  A final HQ move was discussed, but with the current slump in commercial property there is no advice to delve into a declining market.  Incidentally, the decision to move into HMNB has been vindicated now that a couple of our considered initial options have turned out to be decidedly poor.  Spare accommodation still exists in the NB so there is no pressure on the Association to move out of ST – quite the opposite, as the emphasis seems more to keeping us.
 
12.  Recruitment of our new General Secretary will begin in February using the same interview panel as for the DGS two years ago.  With some 17 applications having been received so far, the task could be quite challenging.

12a.  The V/Chairman, S/m Chris Dovey, mentioned that the RMA and the RAFA both have memorials at the National Arboretum and ought the RNA have one there, too, which would, of course, have to be self-funded.  A memorial to RNA shipmates who have crossed the bar was dedicated recently at Clacton-on-Sea, attended by the National President.  Apparently, there is a spare chunk of granite held at Clacton which might do the job.  The AMC will investigate this matter; and would no doubt appreciate any feedback from active Areas like No 4.

14.  The General Secretary has said he is now generally relaxed about the running of HQ in the future.  A lot of work has been carried out by Kim Brindley, who has stood in on a part time basis for some of Frank Ward’s work.  This has included putting together possibly the very first SOPs the RNA has ever had.  Kim’s hard work on that task, and other projects he has been involved with, should be greatly appreciated by us all.

15.  Gizzits – I have a stock of 2010 calendar cards from which you are welcome to take away a fistful for your branch shipmates.  We have the style with the RNA crest super-imposed, while the serving RN members have one with the Pusser’s Rum emblem on.  Ideal for wallets, purses or shirt pockets - and only on very rare occasions in the West Country, useful for getting snow off your car windscreen.  You may recall the stiff plastic model put out by RNBT years ago, this is a far more eco-friendly model.

16.  Those with this year’s 2010 diary, if you are not already aware, please keep hold of the cover and miscellaneous info pages because the diary for 2011 will be in the form of an insert.  So you take out the old 2010 pages and replace them with the new 2011 pages. 
     Seeempool - as the meerkat might say !

17.  Commemorative Silver Trafalgar Medallions are still available from HQ.  Out of the original 200 plus there are just 21 left at a cost of £25 each; but these items do contain 2 oz silver.  A number have been used by branches as presento gifts to special guests of the branch.  Those wishing to obtain these splendid souvenirs should contact Nigel at HQ fairly promptly.

18.  The arrangements for Conference 2010 in France are contained in a most comprehensive briefing pack, complete with necessary booking forms, which all branch secretaries should be in possession of.  Of importance are the hotel charges and the discounted prices from cross channel ferry operators for foot passengers, those travelling by car or mini-bus, or most expensively by coach.  Try to avoid ringing our busy HQ with enquiries, all the information needed is included.

19.  For those who seek reasonable watering holes on trips around the country please note that the Liverpool RNA Club closed in November.