Royal Naval Association - Aquitaine Branch
Sue Writes:
There were 14 members present and 11 apologies.
As you can see from the minutes Ken and I are no longer directly involved with the running of the RNA.
The new Chairman, Kevin King, and Vice Chairman, Steve Collins, are now in charge.
So far no-one has stepped up to be secretary. If anyone feels they could help Kevin and Steve please contact any of us.
Because the second Wednesday in April falls on 2 days after Easter a lot of people were not available and neither Kevin nor us are available the week after, there will be no lunch in April, the next lunch is to be on Wednesday May 13th. The venue is to be decided.
Our thanks to you all for all your friendship and support over the years
Ken and Sue
It is an honour to take over the position of Chairman from Ken and a bit daunting given his and Sue's committment to RNA Aquitaine over the past years.
We wish them both huge success in their move to sunny Scotland.
I will endeavour to push out something of interest about once a month along with the usual emails about upcoming social events. This may come via the website or by email.
I would be really grateful if you could:
a. Send me any dits of any length and subject that you feel may be of interest to us all as a group. Nothing better than a good dit, or snippet of local information.
b. Let me know if you have any ideas for a social event, or even better if you would like to help organise one yourselves
Steve (Jumper) Collins and myself have the following news to share at this stage, your feedback is always welcome and it is my aim to involve as many of us as possible in all our events. To that end, we may widen our geographical scope for events in order to encourage those that feel left 'in the wings' to participate.
MAY LUNCH
This will be held at the Relais de Gabillou, Mussidan on Wednesday May 13th. Lots of time to make the effort to meet up and catch up with news. The cost will be 25 Euros and will consist of three courses, coffee and a quarter carafe of wine included. Extra drinks may of course be purchased separately. Menu to be promulgated, plenty of parking. Jerome, the owner is French but speaks with a distinct Yorkshire accent on account of living there for 20 years! See you there. Full details will be available after Easter
SUMMER PARTY/BBQ
At a Plan D'eau (swimming beach/lake). Date in July/August to be confirmed. I am hoping this one may involve what I know as a Spanish BBQ where we all bring food and drink to share.
TRAFALGAR LUNCH
Brilliant! This year we will have Trafalgar/Pickle Night lunch on the Illustrious day, October 21st. Volunteer required to make the after dinner address (If I can do it, anyone can)!
OTHER EVENTS
How about Uckers/Horse racing/Car Treasure Hunt and a Quiz or two. Feedback and volunteers welcome.
WEBSITE
Brian has made some updates to this website, please use it as often as possible to keep in touch
COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES
Steve is leading on this one. Now the RBL is no longer in our area we hope to, between us, visit all the graves in our area over the coming year. There are not too many and, as they are quite spread out, this is an activity we can all participate in.
MEMBERSHIP
As we are quite a small branch it would be good if we could expand a little. If you have Navy (or other military) friends and partners or acquaintances that you are aware of in the area please reach out, and see if they would like to join (ex-RBL members may be interested too). Feel free to give them my contact details. lets see how we can grow in the coming year.
My crest is that of the City of Exeter, dating from 1588. Sorry US Marines, we got Semper Fi first!
Finally I wish you all good health and happiness (fuel prices notwithstanding, thanks Mr Trump) for the coming year.
Yours Aye
Kevin
If you haven't advised us, and you have a new postal address, please do so at your convenience.
It seems that most unnamed roads and streets, town and country, now have names, and most houses have numbers.
Our new address tells you that our house is 404 metres up a dead-end road from the mainish road (we're at the end).
Changing this one line has proved expensive, including new number plates for our older car.
Beware! It is obligatory to tell all official people like Carte grise, banks, Impots etc.
