Lodging House Appeal

On Tuesday 22nd Brian Mackenzie and Kenn McKinnon delivered the goods that the members donated to the Lodging House Appeal. They were gratefully received by the staff and thanked us all for our kindness.

Not Forgotten Xmas Lunch

The Not Forgotten Association invited ten of our members to the Marriot Hotel for an Xmas Lunch. We were greeted with a Sherry/Port reception. Entertainment was laid on by two lovely girls singing Christmas and Old Time songs and a game of Heads or Tails. After the meal there was a raffle which raised the some of £800 + for their funds. We extend a big thank you to Rosie our hostess.

Yorkhill Children's Hospital

On 3rd of the month five of our members visited the new Yorkhill Hospital for sick children. We were greeted by Coral the manager of the play group and were invited to participate in tea and scones. Our members presented the play group with a bumper bundle of toys for the children, and S/m Kenn our chairman presented them with a cheque for their funds on behalf of the RNA. Thank you to all who donated toys and monies to this good cause.

Remembrance Sunday

We had a good turnout for the Remembrance Parade in George Square on the Sunday 8th. S/m Brian Mackenzie paraded the standard. The weather was unkind to us as it rained for the whole of the parade. We adjourned to the city chambers for the civic reception and to get a nice hot cup of soup and refreshments. Thank you to all who attended.

Garden of Remembrance

Our Standard was on display with seven of our members attending the opening of the Garden of Remembrance in George Square on Tuesday 3rd. The service was led by Reverend Dr Karen K Campbell. After the service and wreath laying we were invited into the city chambers for a buffet lunch. Thanks to S/m Brian Mackenzie our standard bearer

Seafarers Service

On Sunday 25th seven of our members attended the Seafarers Service at the Glasgow Cathedral. There was a good turn out of cadets from Ardrossan, East Kilbride, Helensburgh and Glasgow. Our standard was on parade and carried by S/m Chris Lord. The cadets were inspected by Commander Lesley Stephen RNR, Commanding Officer HMS Dalriada. The service was conducted by The Revd Dr Laurence Whitley, Minister, Glasgow Cathedral and the sermon by Revd Mark F Dalton RN, HM Naval Base Clyde.

Trafalgar Dinner

We were once again at Arrochar to celebrate Nelsons Victory at Trafalgar. Although our ranks were somewhat depleted we still had a very good time. The Dinner was excellent and S/m Brian Mackenzie gave the toast to Nelson. We held a raffle which raised a nice sum for our funds. After dinner we held a SODS Opera. This most appreciated by the members and their guests. S/m Alec Thomas was the director/producer with the appearance of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (Kenny and Brian) not to forget the Brothers St John and other supporting acts with the cameo appearance of Sir Alfred Hitchcock (Eddie Pollar).

Cadet Inspection

The committee were invited to TS Queen Elizabeth cadet unit in Clydebank for their inspection and prize giving. The inspecting officer was Captain Peter Adams accompanied by Commander Hugh Barris from HMS Scotia. The evolution was based on Nelsons victory at Trafalgar and the cadets did a splendid display with the death of Nelson particularly good. The evening ended with the prize giving and the RNA trophy went to the cadet of the year. S/m Brian Mackenzie presented a cheque on behalf of our branch to Lt Cdr George Troupe for the cadet funds.

Scottish Area Meeting

On 26th our branch hosted the area meeting which was attended by 6 delegates and 8 observers. The Branches represented were Glasgow, Edinburgh Inverness, Forth Valley, Lossiemouth, Perth and District and West Lothian. There was the usual agenda plus a discussion about the forth coming RNA National Conference to be held in Perth in 2017. We would like to thank S/ms Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox for doing the catering. The next area meeting is on Saturday 21st November 2015 at the RBLS Club Grangemouth all are welcome.

Recruiting Day

On Saturday 22nd S/ms Kenn McKinnon and Brian Mackenzie had a recruiting day at the Forge Shopping Centre at Parkhead. They had a stall set up in the main concourse and had gizzits (Hats, pens fridge magnets etc) for the general public for a small donation. They were there from 10:00 to 15:00 all in all a successful day.

VJ Day

On Saturday 15th six of our members attended the VJ Celebration hosted by the Parachute Association at Knightswood Memorial. There was a service in the church before we assembled at the memorial to lay wreaths. This was followed by a parade down The Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a finger buffet and entertainment was provided.

AFD Dumbarton

On Sunday 5th July S/ms Frank Halliday (HLVP), Brian Mackenzie (Sec), George Troupe and Bill Bannerman attended the AFD Parade in Dumbarton. The parade took them through the town to the riverside church where a service was carried out then on to refreshments in the church hall. Thank you to all who took part.

SVR Visit

I received an invitation for 4 of our members to visit the Scottish Veterans Residencies new complex in Bellrock Close, Cranhill, Glasgow. S/ms Kenn McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie, David Carlin and Anne McKinnon attended this event. We were met by the manager Edward Gorman and introduced to the staff and veterans. We were given a tour of the complex which has 30 individual flats, a library, games room, IT room, conference rooms, meeting rooms and a cafe. This is all designed to help x service men/women and families to integrate back into civilian life by assisting them to obtain housing and jobs.

AFD

27th June was Glasgow's AFD. We had a stall in George Square which was manned by S/m Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie and Kenn McKinnon. We held a tombola as well as having other gizzits for the public. The parade stepped of from Holland Street at 12:00 and was in the square for 12:30 where the lord provost gave as short talk. At 14:00 the city chambers were opened for a civic reception for the veterans and serving personnel. 13 of our members marched in the parade and thank you to S/m Brian Mackenzie for taking the standard.

BBQ

Our BBQ was held at the cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank. This was attended by 14 members and 7 guests. Entertainment was provided by the S/ms singing and telling jokes, and a raffle was held. The food was plentiful and excellent. A big thank you to our chef Brian Mackenzie and his better half Irene. All had a good time.

Ships Visit

Nine of our members accepted the kind invitation from HMS Sutherland to come on board for a tour of the ship. We were hosted by EWO Tim Cox who arranged for our members to tour the ship. After the tour we were invited to the W.Os mess for a few refreshments and to swing the lantern and tell a few ditties. Chairman Kenn presented the mess president with a bottle of Pusser's Rum and a plaque for their mess and in return was presented with a plaque from the ship. Many thanks to the crew of HMS Sutherland for a good day.

VE Day Knightswood

Four of our members attended the VE Day memorial Service at St Margaret's Parish Church, Knightswood to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The service was conducted by the Reverend Sandy Fraser. After the service there was a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial cross and the a march down Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a finger buffet and entertainment was laid on by our hosts The Central Scotland Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association (Glasgow).

Standard Dedication

On Friday 17th S/ms Kenn McKinnon (Chair), Brian MacKenzie (Sec), Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox (Comm) attended the Service of Dedication of the Grangemouth Branch Standard of The Submarine Association. The service was held in the RBLS Club where the Rev Pat Lang conducted the ceremony and well attended by members from other branches throughout Scotland. The branch chairman thanked those who attended and their Standard Bearers and invited the company to partake of a few rums to celebrate the dedication of their Standard.

Fish Boat Night

On Friday 27th February nine of our members and 4 guests attended a small social evening at McMonagle's Fish Boat in Clydebank's shopping centre. The evening went well with a very good meal and a good bit of banter. A big thank you to all who attended.