Newsletter - SEPTEMBER 2001
TRAFALGAR NIGHT DINNER
The first social function of SANO was a great success with an attendance of 47 including 14 guests including representatives from the Army and the RAF. The official guests were Commodore David Hughes RN, Naval Regional Officer[ Eastern England] who responded on behalf of the guests giving also an insight into the latest developments in the Naval building programme; Lt Cdr Tom Guy RN, CO of HMS SHOREHAM who hopes to bring the Minehunter to Shoreham in March next year ; and Ian Lowrie, Chief Executive of Adur District Council. Captain Bairdow presided. The Immortal Memory was proposed by Lt Ron Bakere who has asked me to inform those members who may have been less attentive than usual that he did not in fact go to school with Nelson or share his pencil box there being an interval of several decades between. Sussex by the Sea was sung with much gusto con brio the Bandmaster having informed the choristers that rubato was not an acceptable style of rendition.
A new addition to our memorabilia is a framed bas-relief bust of Nelson to stand on the table. This was presented by Jack Baird to whom we extend our sincere thanks.
Letters of appreciation have been received from the principal guests and several applications to join the Association have come in as a result of the event.
My personal thanks to those who helped in the organisation and setting up of the function and to the many who helped clear away afterwards.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
It has been pointed out that the notification for the Trafalgar Night Dinner stipulated that any guest must be of the same gender as the host. This is not a sexist ploy but merely a somewhat archaic method of saying that the event is NOT A LADIES NIGHT and that members are expected to invite a guest other than their spouse.
The gender aspect was introduced to avoid problems involving illicit affaires and bigamy but we are now in danger of becoming ensnared in the ramifications of Section 28 ! In future members will just be reminded that the Annual Dinner and the Trafalgar Night Dinner are NOT LADIES NIGHTS.
YOUTH AT THE HELM
One of our members lost no time in informing me that the piece about the four admirals in the last news letter was both inaccurate and misleading. The school’s correct title was “Brighton, Hove & Sussex Grammar School” also the dates given were not specified as showing the period when each admiral attended the school.
Since the dates given for the Second Sea Lord were ‘58 - ‘65 it would appear that he held Flag rank at the tender age of 17 or thereabouts ! Finally the CO of CURZON when Cadet Lippiett went to sea was Warwick Child; Don Bairdow went to sea with Lt Lippiett when he commanded a Fishery Protection Vessel. I promise to check my facts before rushing into print in future.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION & RULES
The Association is indebted to Pip Noël for the work he did in drafting the proposed New Rules and for checking that the amendments agreed by the EGM have been correctly incorporated. A copy of the new rules is enclosed. Please file them carefully so that there is no requirement to issue replacement copies at a later date.
LECTURE / LUNCH 24th November 2001
MERCHANT NAVY HOTEL
As part of the long term plan for the Association it was agreed at the recent EGM to provide material benefits where appropriate, and as one of these benefits arrangements have been made for members to have the use of the Merchant Navy Hotel at Lancaster Gate, London. The hotel rates are currently £59 a night for bed and breakfast in a single room and £92 for a double, with special rates for two or three nights at a weekend.
In order to use the Hotel it is necessary to obtain free honorary membership, which is available to those that have at least five years service as a professional seafarer (RNR and RNVR service qualifies).
Any member who requires further information should contact Lieutenant Commander Pat Saunders in the first instance: telephone 01273 - 416065 or E-mail “ pat@saunders58.freeserve.co.uk”.
FITTLETON MEMORIAL SERVICE
David Tettmar reports that the service in Fittleton Parish Church on 21st September was full to capacity and very moving.
He remarks that it was a pity that no representative from Sussex attended.[ This was probably due to the fact that the details were received too late to go out with the newsletter.]
FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Commanding Officers by David Miller. Pub: John Murray ISBN: 0 7195 5989 8. Ch.12 contains a description of the FITTLETON disaster.
RNVR Roll of Honour [Paperback] £18: obtainable from RNVR Officers’ Association Ltd., 38 Hill Street, London W1 5NS.
RECRUITING
I have produced a pack containing a brief history of the Association, a copy of the Constitution and Rules and an Application form. If you wish for one or more packs please let me know.
MEMBERSHIP LIST
At the EGM it was requested that copies of the full list of members be made available. I do not propose to send to every member but will supply a copy on request. The updating from details in subsequent newsletters to be the responsibility of the member. If you do not wish your address to be disclosed please let me know a.s.a.p.
COMMUNICATIONS
I am informed by the Chairman that some members have had difficulty in contacting me by phone. If the matter is of such urgency I suggest that an e-mail message be sent or that one of the following be contacted;
Ian Wright 01273- 594697 or Pat Saunders 01273-416065
both will then communicate with me as necessary.
ADMIRAL’S INSPECTION
No doubt many of you can remember the inspections of Sussex Division by ACR and in later years by FO Portsmouth.
Hove Sea Cadets have recently been visited by Cdr John Prime RN [ Area Officer , Southern] for their Annual Inspection. I am pleased to report that all went well. The unit deserves every encouragement in its new HQ in Marmion Road. I am informed that the proposal to purchase of HMS WILTON has been abandoned. New recruits are always welcome. Drill nights re Tues & Thurs ) 01273 770656
TAILPIECE
Once again the Telegraph provides food for thought. Thursday Oct 4th 2001 carried a report by David Graves aboard ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean. I quote from the opening paragraph:
“On the stroke of 9am yesterday, the Red Ensign was raised above the bridge roof atop the aircraft carrier Illustrious, the Union Flag on the bow was lowered and two tugs gradually pulled the ship away from the quayside............”
I leave you to draw your own conclusions!
Doug