A.G.M. Tuesday April 2006
Chairman's Report.
Captain John Hart RN
Chairman's 2006 Address with a Review of 2005/2006
"England expects every man to do his duty" and we did in this celebration
year. Two hundred years since Nelson's famous victory at Trafalgar and yet we
celebrated as if it were yesterday. The City Parade including the post chaise
from Falmouth to London went through without a hitch. The following civil lunch
in the Guildhall was a feature event led by the Lord Mayor and many premier citizens
of the city. The Cathedral Service was again a tribute to the Immortal Memory
and all was done in such style that the Lord Nelson would have been proud to be
at the centre of it.
In the Flotilla we have continued our smooth course
through the efforts of Lt. Ken Williams and the loyal support of many of our members.
We have delved outside the maritime perspective and looked, albeit fleetingly,
at air reconnaissance and the opposition's view of our efforts. However our theme
is still sea orientated with a look at the Fishing Industry in Devon and the global
trip with P&O. This wider view will define our future programme and our hopes
are with Lt. Ken Williams for a swift recovery.
The Officers' Mess and the
staff at Lympstone have again served us very well with a superb Birthday Lunch
and regular open house. I am sure that the new annual lunch will continue to be
a success and will lead us to many more great years as the premier gentlemen's
club in Devon.
Review of 2005/2006: -
May lecture, "Amphibious
Capability in 2005" - By Commodore George Zambellas DSC, Flotilla Patron
and COMAW
June lecture, "A Timely Reminder, No Turning Back" - By
J Williams-Life as a tail end Charlie in Lancasters.
July - Summer Party at
CTCRM.
September - Annual Golf Competion at East Devon Golf Course.
October
lecture, "The Sea War 1939 to 1945, a German Naval Perspective" - By
Professor H Bennett.
October Trafalgar Bicentenary Service in Exeter Cathedral
and presentation by the Flotilla to the Cathedral of 'The Devon Trafalgar Roll'
November lecture, "Capability a Smart Procurement Requirement" - By
A Britton AMIME - How the Navy gets its kit.
November - Flotilla Annual Dinner
in the Officer's Mess CTCRM.
December lecture, "An airborne view of Pegasus
Bridge and the Rhine Crossing" - By Robert Gilbert - a former Army Major
involved in airborne operations.
January lecture, "D-Day Beach Reconnaissance"
- By Commander NC Glenn OBE RN-Surveying the Normandy Beaches 43/44.
February
lecture, "The Fishing Industry in Devon" - By Keith Bower - The future
of fishing in years to come.
March lecture, "Round the world with P&O"
- By Captain D Dornom RD** MN - Merchant navy life, Cadet to Master.
March
- Flotilla Birthday, Lunch in the Officer's Mess CTCRM.