Chard Royal Naval Association Elect a New President.
The Committee for Chard Branch Royal Naval Association announced, through the Branch Chairman and Standard Bearer Shipmate Malcolm Day, their intention to bestow upon their Vice President Shipmate Roy Lovell, the honour of becoming Branch President. Those members present at the September bi-monthly official meeting showed their agreement and pleasure of this intention. The honour was gratefully received by the surprised Roy who stated he was truly honoured and would endeavour to maintain the high standard that is expected of the role.
The nomination of Roy as President, in this the 30th anniversary year of the Branch, is most worthy in light of the fact that Roy, a local born and bred member, was instrumental in initiating Chard Branch Royal Naval Association. Roy along with other ex-Royal Naval locals talked about the instigating of a branch and due to Roy making the initial contact with RNA Headquarters, Portsmouth was put in the ‘hot seat’ after being ‘volunteered’ as Branch Secretary, a role he held for 27 years. On retiring from this post due to family commitments he was asked to take on the role of Vice President, which he accepted, and has resulted in his continual support of both the Branch and the Royal Naval Association for the past 30 years.
The branch, as a result of his actions, was Commissioned on the 3rd of October 1987 and will be holding its 30th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 21st October, in conjunction with the Branch’s annual Trafalgar Night celebration to be held in The Shrubbery, Ilminster with members from across Area 4 Royal Naval Association attending to give support to this achievement.
Following the evening celebrations at The Shrubbery Chard Royal Naval Association members and their guests will be attending the Branch’s annual Trafalgar Service in St Thomas' Church, Cricket St Thomas at 10am on Sunday 22nd October. Every year on this occasion the Chard Branch Standard is paraded at the church service, and this year members of other Area 4 Branches attending the Trafalgar Night and 30th Anniversary celebrations will also be presenting and parading their standards.
Image L-R Chard Shipmate/President Roy Lovell, Shipmate, Chairman and Standard bearer Malcolm Day.
Image contributed by S/m Dick Moon, Chard
