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London Branch August 2012


Written by London Branch | Posted on 18th August 2012


Hello again Now that Branch meetings have resumed, following a long period when HMS Belfast was closed due to gangway failure, concern is now focused on the attendance pattern of our meetings. At the May meeting seven members were present and at the June meeting about ten members were present. These figures include committee members and represent a considerable decrease compared with those of the November meeting last year. Over the eight months since November, which includes the Belfast closure, a reduction in the number capable of attending is inevitable. Time and health will see to that. Members living some distance away can get information from the minutes of the meeting and the newsletter, without travelling being involved. A variety of other reasons may be in operation, ones that are not immediately apparent. We can continue as a Branch for a long time yet with fewer members actually attending. But one thing though, is currently affected, and that is the newsletter. Poorly attended meetings do not generate copy and it is difficult to find sufficient to write about from them. What little there is, can be covered within the minutes, leaving very little for the newsletter. Such is the position with this edition. The article on Armed Forces Week is included as space filler and, it is realised, may or may not be of interest to everybody.

Armed Forces Week

So called because its aim is to celebrate the achievements and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, past and present, usually held in the third week of June each year, throughout the UK. Three years ago, the writer was in Blackpool and was soon aware that the town recognised this as a special week and events in support of the Armed Forces took place during the period. He returned there last year and again this year for the latter part of the Armed Forces Week, a stay which he looked forward to. Blackpool, of course, is not everyone's cup of tea. But away from the hustle and bustle of the town, and situated a mile or so beyond the North pier towards Cleveleys, is a hotel of considerable size, part of a major hotel group, which provides accommodation packages covering the Armed Forces Week This year in June, a three night stay, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, breakfast and evening meal (including a five course Gala Dinner on Friday evening) was £117.00. With a glass of wine on entry, the Gala Dinner is a mind boggling, jaw dropping affair, when over 800 people sit down for a meal in an immense function facility, and nobody waits any longer to be served than could reasonably be expected in the average restaurant, and nobody feels short of space. Sitting is managed comfortably at superbly decorated circular tables taking ten diners each. The whole thing is a masterpiece of organisation, carried out by those who have done it all before. For those not staying in the hotel (and there are many from a huge catchments area) the ticket price for the dinner is around £18.00. The function is attended by local dignitaries. Dress code is lounge suit, blazer or black tie. Entertainment follows the dinner. For those not staying in the hotel it is "carriages at midnight", and for those staying, the journey is as far as the nearest lift to take them to their floor. It is a really nice part of the short stay. And as a plus point (so far) no single supplements apply so that there are no awkward arrangements to be made about sharing. And no problems with parking, the car park is huge. A Remembrance Service is held on Sunday morning at the Cenotaph, situated on the sea front near the Tower. Buses stop running, roads are closed. At the end, the public wave their Union Jacks and you feel proud to be British. We have our freedom because of the Armed Forces and those who served, and those who are still serving and those who never returned. They are not forgotten at this service. Worth the journey. Branch Sec.