Written by London Branch | Posted on 18th April 2011
Secretary's Report
Hello again. Following the deadline for receipt of subs, a new Members List and has now been completed. Membership has held up well and the few losses that we have encountered have been confined mainly to distant members who are unable to attend Branch meetings. We are able to see the numbers present at meetings remaining fairly constant, this after allowing for the loss of those who have crossed to calmer waters, the balance being redressed in many cases by those ex CF members who come forward every now and again, who had never heard of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association in it's heyday. They are still around!
Under ‘Any Other Business’ at the last meeting (March) mention was made of an e-mail received from a U.S. based charity in connection with a commemorative visit to Normandy and Pegasus Bridge, Ken Gadsdon offered to follow up and obtain more details and it was intended to publish these details in this newsletter for members information. Whilst the request for information was sent, a reply has so far not been received.
And finally, a reminder to bring with you at the next meeting (see the March meeting minutes) your photos and your medals and your stories for George Phillip's granddaughter, Lauren to collate into a background on London Branch members.
E.D.
Well no, not really. It's the gunroom on HMS Belfast. When we met there for the March meeting we found tables placed in position from a previous function — no food of course — so we availed ourselves of this facility and the result was a rather glitzy picture of some important people discussing important matters.
London Branch meeting on HMS Belfast
The Branch Committee are at the far end of the table but due to the distance from where the camera is even with good sight, much detail is lost but can be seen with the aid of a magnifying glass. Elderly people sometimes use magnifying glasses. If you know anyone older than yourself (there might be) they could possibly lend you one. Our thanks to Ted Else who took the picture
The last meeting of the Southern Group
I attended the 24th luncheon and get together of the Southern Group held at the Cooden Beach Hotel, Bexhill on 7th April.
Chairman Trevor Robotham regretted that Secretary Ralph Kirby and his wife Mary had decided that this was to be the very last meeting. This was no surprise as Ralph has warned us on several occasions previously.
Numbers attending (34 this time) were reducing, age was taking its toll and the Chairman agreed that the sensible decision was to cease while we were still a reasonable entity.
London Branch and South London fielded seven members only this time: a greatly reduced number from days gone by.
So the finality of parting permeated this meeting, but we all were thankful that Ralph and Mary had continued with organising our meetings for twelve years.
Trevor gave a brief resume of the Trust's activities over the past year and promised that the next issue of the Newsletter would be distributed shortly. He then presented Ralph and Mary with a magnificent glass vase in recognition of their work for the Group.
Members were delighted to see Wallis and Edna Randall this time and Wallis was handed a gift in recognition of his work for CFVA for many years.
As previous agreed, I handed Trevor, for retention in the Coastal Forces Museum Portsmouth, our Branch gavel which had been given to us by veterans of the Kameradschaft der Schnelboot-und-Tender-Falirer e.V in memory of our annual visits to their reunions and subsequent friendship.
After prayers given by South London Branch member, the Rev Graham Berridge, we made our sad farewells and I then summoned up my courage for the homeward trip, with Doreen at the wheel.
Ken Gadsdon
