A.G.M. Tuesday 24 April 2007
Chairman's Report.
Commander Chris Cole RN
I am happy to report that the flotilla has had a very successful and very busy year.
We have enjoyed 9 extremely interesting lectures and we are very grateful to the late ken Williams for starting us off so well at the beginning of last year.. I won't go through all the lectures now but suffice to say that we have had inputs from all arms of the services on a broad range of maritime subjects from historical, through recent and present, to 30 years into the future. We have been privileged to have some top level speakers and we are very grateful to Nigel Broadhurst for taking up the reins from Ken Williams and for doing such a good job.
As a result, attendance has picked-up in response; numbers dining on a regular basis have risen from 30ish to 40ish and the regular diners' list has grown to 25. Several private guests have since become members, and even two of our lecturers have joined the flotilla. We continue to recommend car-sharing, both for green reasons and to encourage regular attendance, especially by those who no longer wish to drive after dark.
Following the news that we could no longer use the lecture theatre within CTCRM, we were grateful to the CO, Col Phil Sampson for arranging for us to use the ante-room which has proved to be a comfortable and popular setting for our evenings. Our thanks also go to Sharky Ward the Presentation Suite manager for the continued loaning of "IT" equipment which has worked out very well.
Many members of
the flotilla have enjoyed a number of visits during the course of the year.
In
august 25 members visited 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, courtesy of Lt-Col
Mick Green. More recently, in march 23 members visited HMS Bulwark, courtesy of
Commander Andy Aspden and 4 ASRM. These visits reinforced our links with 3 Cde
Bde & the ATG. Highlights at 539 ASRM were the exhilarating rides in the rigid
raider & new offshore raiding craft, as well as the LCAC(L) hovercraft. Two
LCVPs of 4 ASRM provided an interesting river trip and an appropriate way to arrive
at HMS Bulwark, where those on the trip were given a detailed brief on LPD operations
and a grand tour of an impressive modern warship. Particularly prevalent on both
visits, was the warmth of welcome and genuine hospitality shown to our members,
despite the operational pressures our hosts were under.
Visits attract a significant proportion of non-flotilla people, particularly from the Fleet Air Arm Association, some of whom subsequently become members; voluntary collections enabled the organiser to cover both the expenses incurred in arranging the visit and to enhance the reputation of the Flotilla by making donations to charity (of £95 & £123 respectively), thus ensuring that there was no call on central funds.
Information about visits is passed by e-mail and members interested but not yet "wired" are recommended to arrange e-guard cover with friends. Again we are very grateful to Nigel Broadhurst for arranging those particular visits.
During the summer period we also managed to maintain our links with HMS Exeter by taking up their offer of joining in their affiliates sea day and also attending a cocktail party in Devonport. We are in regular touch with the Ship's Company, which of course is now onboard HMS Edinburgh in the Falklands. Some of the ship's company will be joining in our Trafalgar Day service later this year, which will also combine a commemoration of the Falklands campaign and may include a freedom of the city march by the Exeter Ship's Company.
Those of us who attended the summer party had a very enjoyable evening that culminated in the ceremony of sunset performed by the Exeter Sea Cadet Corps.
Our traditional golf day at the east Devon golf club went very well and although we were a bit short on the ground for golfers we had a very good turnout for the dinner in the evening. Thanks to Robert Harland for organising the event again.
In late September 9 members of the flotilla were able to take up an invitation by the Rennes chapter of the French naval reserve to join them as part of the Exeter/Rennes twinning association, in a 5 day visit to Rennes. A report on the visit was posted on our web site. Suffice to say that it was very successful and we are expecting to host a return visit by our French hosts later this year between 9th and 14th October. Flotilla members will have a chance to meet them as we are hoping that they will be attending our lecture night on 9 October when they have offered to give a presentation on their organisation. As a result of our involvement in the Rennes visit the Flotilla has become closely associated with the Exeter Twinning Association which is proving beneficial.
The Flotilla was also involved in supporting the Royal Navy Presentation Team when it visited Torquay, by attending and asking awkward questions.
October saw our traditional Trafalgar Day service at the cathedral, which was a great success and we are grateful to Rory Jackson and John Davies for all the hard work that goes into arranging the event. As I mentioned earlier, this year we are planning to incorporate a commemoration of the Falklands campaign.
November saw our annual dinner with guest of honour vice admiral Sir Tom Blackburn in his capacity as chairman of the maritime society and sea cadet corps. We were privileged to be entertained by the Devon and Dorset Light Infantry Corps of Drums and their woodwind quintet, which enhanced a very successful evening.
For those intending to come to this year's dinner I am pleased to announce that we have secured the services of the CTCRM Corps of Drums and their string quartet.
Just before Christmas I was invited to represent the Flotilla at the Exeter White Ensign Association carol service which may have re-ignited links betweem the Flotilla and the Association, which I believe existed in the past.
Last but not least in terms of activities involving the flotilla, we enjoyed our annual lunch in march, which included a tree planting ceremony to commemorate Falklands 25 and those present enjoyed listening to a first hand account of the sinking of the Belgrano from the former CO of HMS Conqueror who was able to join us for the lunch.
Although we have managed to maintain our links with the Amphibious Task Group through the visits organised by Nigel we have been unable to get our patron to visit us during the year. I have offered to call on a number of occasions but such is his diary that it has not been possible. Similarly, for various reasons, we have been unable to entertain the Commandant from CTCRM but we hope we can do something about that during the coming year. Phil Sampson is due to move on shortly and I would like to record the Flotilla's grateful thanks to him for all he has done during his time in office on our behalf. I would also like to record a vote of thanks to the mess staff for accommodating us so well.
On the membership front, numbers are up and we now boast a membership of 204. This comprises 58% RN, 32% RNR and 85 RM members. Thanks to all those members who have actively recruited on our behalf. Thanks also to the Membership Secretary, Andy Quick, for continuing to do a splendid job that includes managing and maintaining our web site.
As the General Secretary, Gerald Newton has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the administration of the general business of the flotilla runs smoothly and Chris Seaton is doing a first class job as our treasurer. I would also like to thank Chris Walliker for auditing the books for a number of years now, for which we are grateful. Sadly Chris is standing down, which is understandable and we are now looking for another volunteer to take over. Any volunteers please see Chris Seaton after the meeting.
Derek Sergeant did a fine job in organising the car passes, despite ill health, and we wish him well in his absence.
From a personal point of view I am very
grateful to all the committee members who have worked extremely hard over the
past year in supporting me in my first year as Chairman and to all those members
who have supported the Flotilla. I believe the Flotilla has benefited greatly
from their input and I think we can look forward to another eventful and hopefully
successful year.