Message from the Chairman

Dear MW Association Member,

I hope this email reaches you all and that you are all well and looking forward to the Christmas Break and New Year celebrations.

I thought I had better introduce myself to you all , now that I have taken over the chair from Taff Reader. As some of you may be aware Taff was awarded the Dixie Dean Prize, for service and dedication to the MW branch, at the inaugural Mine Warfare Annual Dinner in Southsea earlier this month (details on the MW Association Facebook page). A well-deserved award from the branch, for his continued enthusiasm for the branch and the association. 

For those of you that don’t recognise my name, please find attached a resume/CV of my last 46 years with a RN ID card, and those that do recognise the name, know who I am! As my ‘CV’ states I left my last ‘Naval’ job, with Wales University Royal Naval Unit, in February of this year and I thought it time to get back to my roots and take on the Chair of the Association. Shortly after the Branch Dinner, I was honoured to be part of the MW Association contingent at the Cenotaph for Remembrance  Day. An event ably organised and led by our Vice Chair Bunny Warren, and one that I would definitely put on your association bucket list.

Prior to taking the chair, I was asked to investigate and organise the 2023 MW Association Anniversary (Black-Tie) Dinner and AGM, in London. This I have done, and the committee can now announce the as Saturday 18^th March 2023 and the event will be held on the River Thames (not sure if that qualifies for Sea Time) but it is on an ex-warship. The Venue is the HQS Wellington, and I will send out more details, very shortly, once the committee have agreed the amended contract, with the hospitality company.

Being in central London there is, of course, plenty of accommodation available, at various prices. Ranging from Circa £800.00 per night at the Savoy, a 7-minute walk, or a 5-minute walk from the Hotel Strand Continental at £58.00 per night and just on the opposite South Bank of the Thames is the UJC. Click Here for more options. With an ‘exclusive’ tube station (Temple) almost opposite the venue, the last train to Ealing Broadway, tonight, for example is 0034 and to Upminster 0041, so there is an option to stay out of town and travel in! In addition, there is always the Uber Boat service! As I say I will be sending out more info after the committee have dotted the i‘s and crossed the T’s!

One other event I have been organising for the past 16 years is THE SHINDIG, incorporating the Army v Navy Rugby Matches, at Twickenham. Details of which can be found at www.theshindig.org.uk. It is the SHINDIG TEAMS intention to open this event up to naval affiliations, associations & clubs, so you can bring friends, family as well as all your rugby club! Another event not completely finalised, due to the date changing and only being confirmed this week. So, save the date Saturday 13^th May 2023 from 1100 until 2100, yes a 10-hour MW Shindig!

I’m looking forward to meeting you at the various events, dit sessions, reunions, etc; and please do inform us of any MW related events you would like other members to attend, so we can get the info out there and in the diary. See You soon, hopefully.