Secretary's Report
We do not seem to be having much luck with Branch meetings. Our January meeting, scheduled to be the AGM had to be cancelled due major problems involving the access gangway on to the Belfast, which resulted in the closure of the ship. Regrettably, we have to report that the current position has not changed. The information available from the Imperial War Museum gives an opening date for "after Easter 2012" and this obviously will oblige us to cancel the March meeting.
The possibility of an alternative venue has been examined by the Branch Committee, but no successful alternative has emerged. This is more fully explained in a separate leaflet, sent with this newsletter to those members who normally attend meetings on the Belfast.
The HMS Belfast web site is easily accessed and will provide the current position at any time. Unless this changes the March meeting on the Belfast can now be considered cancelled. Should any further developments regarding alternative venues emerge, attempts will be made to contact the majority of the members who normally attend, but the current position at any time, can be obtained from the Branch Secretary.
Fewer meetings inevitably result in a lack of information about matters in general, or about members in particular. Communications are affected, but the full impact can be minimised if any urgent information concerning members is passed to the Secretary on the above number and he will then contact others as necessary.
For non urgent information, the Secretary would be pleased to receive anything of interest that he can place into an extra news sheet which will be sent out at the time of the currently cancelled March meeting in the form of a situation update to let you know that the London Branch still exists.
For some years now, a few ex Coastal Forces personnel living in the East Sussex area have gathered together at regular intervals to enjoy organised luncheons in a South Coast hotel venue. Visitors to these informal get togethers have, at various times, included some of our own Branch members who, together with other Branches, have travelled down by invitation from Coordinator, Ralph Kirby.
Ralph, with his wife, have for the past few years been covering arrangements and ensuring that the gatherings ran sweetly and smoothly. Inevitably, with the years intervening, and numbers slipping away, the decision to bring the luncheons to a close, was made with regret. As a result, the last one has now, sadly, taken place.
We asked Ralph if he could give us a little write up on the history of the luncheons - how they came into being — who started them — and when? He agreed and the article that he has written in answer to our questions follows this introduction.
Ralph was a Sub Lieutenant RNVR. and served on MTBs 474, 2015 and 509 — at a later date becoming a member of the CFVA.
In the opening paragraph of his article, Sydney Clifford is mentioned. Syd was a member of the London Branch and a former Chairman of the Branch at one period. He moved out of our catchment area to Hastings but seemingly found — as many do — that the CF ties that bind do not disappear with a house move.
Ralph's article follows.
ED.
Last of the Luncheons
It happened that Sydney Clifford moved to Hastings and met with Richard Harrison and they called together some Coastal Forces Members to a meeting in December 1998. It was realised that there were too few Coastal Forces Veterans to form a branch, but a luncheon was proposed and the first held at the High Beech Hotel on the 4th of November 1999. It was not a large gathering, but successful and enjoyable. The late Bob Drayson was asked to be Chairman.
Sadly, Richard Harrison died in July 2002, and at his funeral Bob Drayson then asked me, Ralph Kirby, if I would arrange for those who were attending to meet and honour the booking, which Richard Harrison had made for the November. Then with Sydney Clifford, Dorothy Berrecloth and myself; the Coastal Forces Veterans luncheons carried on.
Sydney Clifford, who has done so much for the Coastal Forces Veterans Association moved to the Isle of Wight. Dorothy and l were left in charge. He made a copy heading of the print he had made for me (co-ordinator) that left me with arrangements, posting, funding and encouraging attendances; whilst Dorothy arranged menus and table arrangements.
Lunches were moved where possible to late April and early October for the lighter evenings for people traveling. Obviously keeping to Thursday could have its advantages and disadvantages, but on the whole was successful.
Captain Trevor Robotham has attended and on the death of Bob Drayson agreed to be our Chairman in 2008, as sadly Lt. Commander David Harris, who chaired our luncheon in the presence of the Mayor of Hastings in October 2008, became ill and passed away. Trevor again became Chairman.
In April 2007, Dorothy was able to arrange a new venue at the Coodon Beach Hotel near the railway station which was more convenient. In my postings I had advised those travelling by car to be accompanied, which introduced ladies to keep numbers up.
From early on, reports of the Luncheons were sent to the local paper, and when printed were copied on to the Attendance List, together with the signatures of those who had attended, and these were posted to them. In 2005 I started receipts and payments as some good donations were sent or left in my hands from those unable to attend, all were noted where possible.
Dorothy always provided a welcome sherry and cordials, and I saw to the provision of bouquets and other presentations, latterly a whisky draw was introduced and members brought further prizes for it.
Routinely, when gathered at table the Chairman welcomed guests and members. The Rev. Graham Berridge, who joined us earlier on, said grace and remembered past Members. After lunch the Chairman proposed toasts to the Queen and absent friends. The guest speaker was invited to speak. Then any attending for the first time were invited to recount their service experiences in six minutes.
A report on the progress of the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust was usually given. We were fortunate in having had two Mayors and Deputy Mayors, Baroness Fookes of Plymouth and Sir Derrick Holden-Brown when he was Chairman of The Trust. Members attended from Essex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Surrey, Wales and West Sussex. The late Geoffrey Hiner had attended when in his 90s, and Mollie Hickie, now approaching 100!
Donations were also received from Berkshire, Scotland, Wales and Yorkshire. The present Director, Lt. Commander Rupert Head RN, wishes his thanks to be passed on for the contributions made to The Trust.
Ralph Kirby, Co-ordinator
