St Gabriel Wood's Xmas Visit

We invited the residents of Saint Gabriel Wood's Mariners Home from Greenock, to our Xmas meeting to enjoy a few wets and spin a few yarns with our members. We held a raffle which was well supported and our guests went way with most of the prizes.

The photos are of S/m Len talking to two of the men from the home. The other is of our chairman and secretary presenting the carers with a cheque for their funds.

We also extend our thanks to S/ms Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox for providing the food on the night.

The Chairman and committee wish all members and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Xmas Lunch with the Not Forgotten Association

Ten of our members attended The Not Forgotten Association's Xmas lunch in the Dalmahoy Hotel, Kirknewton. We had a sherry reception followed by an excellent Traditional Turkey Christmas Luncheon. This was followed by a raffle. Entertainment was provided by Miss Janet Beale a talented young lady who played a variety of instruments, she had the company singing there hearts out.

Our esteemed Treasurer reverted to his childhood and had fun playing with the squeeker balloons and squeeky blowers as seen in the photos.

Yorkhill Hospital Visit 1 December 2011

The Chairman: Kenn McKinnon, Hon Life Vice President: Frank Halliday and the Social Secretary: Joan Lowe visited the Yorkhill Sick Childrens Hospital to donate toys, books, games and many other goodies to the Play Group. Chairman Kenn also handed over to Lorraine and Jill (Play group staff) a cheque for £250 which was raised by our members and friends. We had a good chat about what the play group does for the children who are sick and attending hospital.

We look forward to our next visit to the hopital play group.

Glasgow Seafarers Service

The annual Seafarers service was held in Glasgow Cathedral to celebrate Nelsons Victory at Trafalgar and to honour all seafarers from the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and the Fishermen of our great nation.

The service started with a parade in front of the cathedral which was led by the National Standard of the Royal Naval Association, and the standard of the City of Glasgow RNA. Our members formed up along with Sea Cadet units from TS Galatea, TS Neptune and The volunteer band from HMS Neptune. The units were inspected by Rear Admiral Chris Hockley, Flag Officer, Scotland and Northern Ireland, who also did a reading in the cathedral.

The service was led by The Revd, Dr Laurence Whitley, Minister of Glasgow Cathedral.
The Revd, David Potterton, Principal Chaplin, The Sailors’ Society based in Southampton gave the sermon.

Trafalgar Dinner Dance

We held our Trafalgar Dinner Dance at the Arrochar Hotel at the head of Loch Long. The Night went well with a sumptuous meal follwed by a speech given by our secretary Brian MacKenzie on what a modern day Nelson might encounter today. Which was well recieved. This was followed by a raffle then we retired to the dance floor and refreshment area for the night. All in all a very good night.

TS Galatea Inspection 11 October

The Glasgow Sea Cadets of TS Galatea who are based in The Glen Lee (The Tall Ship) moored alongside the new Riverside Museum in Glasgow invited members of the RNA, Officers of HMS Defender, Civic Dignitaries and parents to an evening of Drill, entertainment and evolutions.

The evening started with colours followed by an inspection by the officer in charge of all the sea cadet units in Scotland, Commander Mark Buchan-Steele from HMS Caledonia. The evolutions involved the proper use of block and tackle and an engineering evolution on how to maintain outboard engines properly. This was followed by the Commander presenting the cadets with promotions, badges and prizes earned over the year.

RNA members in attendance: S/m Kenneth McKinnon, Brian MacKenzie, David Carlin and Frank Halliday with the prayer being delivered by S/m David Eynon (Padre)

Lancastria Memorial Unveiling 1 October 2011

Today seven of our members attended the memorial service held in the grounds of The Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank. S/m Brian MacKenzie paraded the standard at the service where a statue has been unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond on the former site of the Beardmore shipyard where a sunken World War II ship was built.

The Lancastria went down off the French coast in 1940 with the loss of 4,000 lives. It was Britain's worst maritime disaster. The Cunard liner was converted to a troop ship and attacked off the Saint Nazaire coast on 17 June 1940. She sank in just 20 minutes but news of her loss was not reported because Prime Minister Winston Churchill thought it would affect morale.

Commodore's Pennant Presentation

On the 21st September our chairman Kenny attended the sea cadets TS Queen Elizabeth unit in Clydebank for the presentation of the Commodore's Pennant. This was a special occasion as it is the first unit in the Clyde North District to obtain this honour.

Commander Mark Buchan-steele from HMS Caledonia presented the pennant and certificate to Junior Sea Cadet Adam Murray who had carried out all the units required and 20 more than required to achieve this honour. This was an evening of good entertainment of evolutions and drill by the cadets.

British Legion 85th Dinner Dance 20 Aug 2011

The British Legion for Glasgow invited 10 of our members to join them in the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow to celebrate their 85th anniversary with a dinner dance. The meal was excellent followed by a good night of music and dance.

Knightswood Service 13 August 2011

On Saturday 13th August members of our branch were invited to join the Parachute Association in Knightswood in a service to mark the allies victory over Japan. There was tea and bicuits in the hall prior to the service held in the church, we then went to the memorial at Knightswood Cross where wreaths were placed before a march down to the Lincoln Inn on the Great Western Road where a finger buffet was provided.

Not Forgotten Association sail on Loch Lommond

The Not Forgotten Association invited some of our members to Tarbet on the banks of Loch Lommond for a sail on the Lommond Prince a two decked pleasure cruiser. The weather was fair and as we sailed up the loch we were provided with a sumptious buffet lunch and a little drink to whet the appitite. We thank our hostess Rosie for a lovely and enjoyable day.

The first image is our dearly beloved ROSIE.

BarBeQue 15 July

On Friday 15th we held our BBQ and had a good turnout. The night went well and as you can see our esteemed cook turned up with a new grand, eye catching gaudy shirt for the occasion. A raffle was held which went well and we must thank all those who donated prizes.

We extend our thanks and appreciation to S/m Brian and his wife Irene for cooking the food, and S/m Joan for running the raffle.

Armed Forces Day 26 June 2011

Armed Forces Day went well with our Vice Chairman leading our members in the parade. The weather was reasonable and dry. Our stall in George Square was manned by S/ms Joan Lowe, Brian MacKenzie And Kenn McKinnon we had quite a few goodies for the visitors and at noon we had UP SPIRITS with Pussers Rum, Pussers Grog and some Lambs Navy Rum. We had a good laugh at some of the punters and mostly at the ladies who tried the rum, thier faces were a picture to behold.

After the parade we adjourned to the City Chambers for a reception laid on by Glasgow City Council. All in all a good day for all.

Picture 1 shows our esteemed Vice Chair apparently having a little dance after forming up in the square.
Picture 2 shows the members marching.
Picture 3 Shows S/m Joan manning the stall with the rum barrel.

AFD Glasgow 20 June 2011

Members of the branch joined other associations and regulars for the raising of the Armed Forces Standard in George Square today. The Lord Provost Bob Winters,and representatives of the Navy, Army and Air Force were in attendance. When the standard was raised we all retired to the city chambers for refreshments.

Hon Life Vice President

Hon Life Vice President

The City of Glasgow Royal Naval Association honoured shipmate Frank Halliday by making him, Hon Life Vice President of the branch. He served the branch as chairman for 14 years and was a member since the branch was founded in 1996.

The branch members presented him with a framed certificate in appreciation for his long and most appreciated service as branch chairman.

Royal Marines Standard

Members of the branch attended at the Cathcart Old Parish Church for the laying up of the Royal Marines Association's old standard and the dedication of their new standard. After the service all visiting standards formed a guard of honour as the congregation left the church.

Signals Standard Dedication

On 21 May members of the branch were invited to the 32nd Royal Signals Association's new standard dedication. After the service we were invited to partake of refreshments at a social night in the 32nd's headquarters in Maryhill, Glasgow. It was an evening of great entertainment and ditty spinning between associations and needless to say a few singing gingers were consumed.

Yorkhill Hospital Visit

Due to the bad weather we had in December the visit to Yorkhill Hospital for sick children was delayed till 21st March this year. S/ms Frank Halliday, Joan Lowe and our chairman Kenny Mckinnon presented Kirsten Sinclair and Loraine Harper with a cheque for their funds along with selection of toys and books. We had a long chat about what the foundation does for the children and it was suggested that we get Kirsten along to a meeting of the branch to give a talk on what they do.

End of an ERA

After 14 years of service as chairman of the branch S/m Frank Halliday stepped down. It was the end of an era as he had served the branch with diligence and fervour taking parades amongst a variety of other duties. He handed over to S/m Kenn McKinnon at the AGM held on the 17 March. At the end of the meeting he was presented with a small token of the branches esteem (A silver hip flask and a tot rum ).

Not Forgotten Lunch Feb 2011

Members of our RNA attended the belated Xmas lunch provided by The Not Forgotten Association in the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow. After a sumptious lunch we were entertained by a lovely and very talented young lady who sang old war time and more modern songs. There was a raffle which raised a staggering sum of £310, and need I say some of our members were lucky in the draw (mainly myself as I won a bottle of good malt whiskey) which I will enjoy. It was a most enjoyable afternoon but our wishes go out to our social secretary as she could not attend due to illness.

St Gabriel Woods visit

The members of the RNA played belated host to The Saint Gabriel Woods members. This was delayed due to the terrible weather we experienced in December. The night went well with our guests scooping many of the raffle prises. We express our thanks to S/m Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox for providing a splendid buffet. We ended the night by presenting the care workers with a cheque for thier funds.