Written by London Branch | Posted on 18th June 2011
Secretary's Report
Hello to all
The month of May saw us gathering again on the Belfast. We could not fail to see, on arrival, the rather impressive array of photographic equipment already set up in the Gunroom preparatory to the photo session organised by Lauren and companion Ken on our behalf But we had to contain ourselves as the camera was not scheduled to start clicking until after the meeting ended. We are most grateful to both of these likeable people, who hail from a generation twice removed from our own, who attend university, but who, nevertheless, are interested in those who served to hold on to the freedom that is theirs today. We all came armed with our early service photos which were incorporated in the take (in these photos, caps, of course, were almost invariably tilted back because that was how real sailors looked).
But we were good at learning, weren't we! So our thanks go out to Lauren and Ken. Their task is by no means ended and it is hoped that the pictures may find a place on the web site. For members who are unable to attend meetings but wish to participate, please forward photos and information on their boat numbers to Lauren (email withheld). For those not on-line, send them to me, Eddie Dibley - pick up my address from the members list and I will see that Lauren gets them.
Photo Shoot on HMS Belfast
Charlie Smorthit, Chairman London Branch, at photo shoot on HMS BelfastJohn Lambert, London Branch, at photo shoot on HMS Belfast<John Williamson, Treasurer London Branch, at photo shoot on HMS BelfastVera Mitchell, London Branch, at photo shoot on HMS Belfast
On another matter, those receiving a copy of the minutes would have noted with regret that the North Midlands Branch will be disbanding the next October. The closure has been decided because notification had been received that their venue - a Sports and Social Club - will, itself, be closing sometime after October and no suitable venues are known in the area. A discussion within the Branch took place, and with the ages of members in mind, it was thought better to take the decision to close after the October meeting. As the Branch Secretary summed up the situation "At least, Shipmates, we have not surrendered to old age and faded away! The decision was not ours but the club where we met".
A letter has been sent from the London Branch expressing our regrets at this turn of events, but the facts offer little room for manoeuvre. We earnestly hope that the funds available will be sufficient to provide a fitting closure to an honourable CFVA Branch!!
It is some time now since we did a round of calls to those members who do not enjoy the best of health. Individual calls are frequently made by those who keep their eye on a particular friend or person in their area, so that communication does take place although it is not immediately apparent. Too many calls, of course, can prove to be something of a nuisance; too few (or none) can add to a sense of isolation that may already exist. A balance between the two would seem to be the best thing.
Making a call, we find that the situation with Sybil and Dennis Reeve has not improved. Sybil, at the time of writing, had just returned home after a fortnight in hospital recovering from a fall that left her with a bad fracture. They both lack mobility and walking about is a thing of the past. Doug Elliott sounded reasonably OK. He had tried to do a bit of weeding in the garden but had had to return to the house in a rather weakened condition. Annette probably told him that at 89 you just don't do too much weeding!
Bill MacAngus's condition remains much the same as it has been for some time - a good deal of pain with little relief Ken Gadsdon feels much better after a recent operation and has been able to take up driving again, albeit only short journeys for the time being. Strangely enough, nobody seems to moan about themselves. With the passing of the years, with troubles of some sort being the norm, there seems to be a determination to deal with things to the best of their ability. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all those members who find themselves occupying the front line.
Kind regards to all.
E.D.
Our Congratulations
Just in time before the newsletter was completed and ready for posting, we received the news that London Branch member Allan Phillips had received the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Allan - full title Lt. Cdr. (SCC) A Phillips RNR (Rtd.) was awarded this distinction for his service to the Sea Cadets, spanning some 60 years. Wife Pam (Lt. SCC. Rtd.) had put in some very earnest work to bring the nomination to a successful conclusion. Allan must have wondered recently, why conversations paused whenever he entered the room! The award could not have gone to a better person.
Sincere congratulations from all the shipmates of the London Branch.
An Appreciation
Shipmates
Our Branch meeting on the 15th May was more interesting than most, as no doubt -Eddie will report in the minutes. But it was also a memorable one; on that day our member Kevin Costello chose the occasion to launch our re-designed website and give it a simpler name at the same time — www.cfv.org.uk
I well appreciate that although every member readily supports our website, most members have little knowledge of nor interest in, IT matters. Mores the pity, but ‘thanks’ for your act of blind faith, any way: You are the owners of a really interesting and remarkable website. Its immense detail and ease of retrieving information is astounding. There is no other site which provides such detail on 'all things Coastal Forces'. You can view many disparate sections eg Latest Veterans News, War Stories — extracts of our National Newsletter — Coastal Forces Bases, Photo Gallery and comments from interested 'outsiders' from across the world in our Forum.
Much remains to be added, but the revised skeleton is now in place and it will be much easier (he says) to add some more flesh in future. I urge you to ask a great grandchild to use his or the local librarian's computer to display some of our website. You will be amazed, and should be proud of what you have helped to create.
This note is to bring to your notice the tremendous amount of work entailed in developing this project, and to congratulate Wallis the Initiator, Ted the original Constructor and Kevin the final Re-Constructor.
I can only nibble at the edges of IT technology. Ted has tried to upgrade me, but with little success. I do try to follow Ted and Kevin's progress but the intricacies bewilder me. I can only contribute by giving words of encouragement, pretending that I understand what they are doing.
Especially do we owe a big thanks to Kevin. As you know, Kevin joined us via the website, because his dad served in MLs in WW2. He soon tactfully suggested that he might be able to help improve the present site. ‘It might take a while, but it will be a gift in tribute to my dad and fellow shipmates’, he said. Both Ted and I grabbed him with pleasure and some relief.
We now know that 'young' Kevin is a professional web designer. He has a business to run and a living to earn. He can command high rates for his knowledge and the complicated work involved. (One expert's cost-estimate is £10K for the state-of—the-art site we now own).
For almost two years, in close conjunction with Ted, he has devoted much of his spare time to our website. Time is the most precious gift one can make, and Kevin, especially, earns our gratitude in giving up much of his leisure hours over this period. I estimate that over the past two years both he and Ted each have spent more hours on its development than that spent by our entire Committee. And I should know!
Kevin tells me that most of the intricate work is now complete and he, as Webmaster, and with Ted's help will now be able to continue with maintenance and further development at a more leisurely pace. We wish them well. My one regret is that Kevin lives too far (Warwickshire) to attend our meetings. Like us all, I would like to be able to shake his hand.
Ken Gadsdon.
