N. S. T. School/College. 'Gravesend' News Page
Books writen by our members and well worth reading.
"OCEANS APART"-The journal of a Seaman. By Michael J Kenn A.B.MN Ret.
I hold a record with this book I sat down and read it.I expected it to take me about three years to finish as it is about 3'thick But I started it and it was so full of memories I had to finish it. If you would like it contact me it will cost £22.00inc P&P but a must if you were ever a peggy.
" AROUND THE BUOYS" By Bill Backshall Another great book contact Bill at billbacksal.bells@btopenworld.com as I dont have the price of the book.Published by Someday Publishers 2 Bells Close Lydiate. 0151531 7056
Member Derrick Royle.
It is with great sadness that I inform you That Derrick passed away at 4pm on Sept 18th 2008. He Leves Glenda his partner for 20 years and one son Andrew and his family As well as being one of our members Derrick was a personal friend, he was at the Old Sea School just one class ahead of me with Tommy. He was also just ahead of me in joining our association and just a few months older, so I sure hope I don't try to keep this up? Derrick was the chief cook on a good many ships in his time at sea including some of the Manchester Liners, again we sailed on the same ships but not together.Joyce and I traveled up to Middleton on Thursday the 25th for his commital he was given a full M.N.send off with the Red Duster on his coffin, And I led the cortege from the Cemertry gates to the altar with the M.N.Standard. The family were very impressed and send a big thank you to all our members.he will be sadly missed by many.
Urgent Notice
Did you serve on the RMS Queen-of-Bermuda or Ocean Monarch between 1956 & 1966 when they were both payed off.? this includes ALL Officers and Crew Members.Mr Bill Cox & Peter Manley are trying to arrange a Re-Union for May 2009 the venue will be held at The M.S.W.M.Society "Springbok" ALFOLD Surrey GU6 8EX. Who are able to provide Accomodation + Camping and Caravaning If you are interested please contact. J.D.Meadowcroft. 15 Springbok Cottages, Alfold, Surrey GU6 8HT or call 01403 753525 I will require your name and date you were on the ships. It will be a great help if you can do this ASAP,Many thanks G/Sec.
Friday June 27th I was in Blackpool for the vet's Service and Parade with the Merchant Navy National Standard,Getting very wet as everyone did but being made to feel very much at home. I would like to thank all the Committee and Members of Blackpool M.N.A. For Making Joyce and I so welcome and Phil & Sue for providing our accomodation. A very special thank you also, to Mr Mike Cullum the parade Marshall and Blackpool M.N.A.Chairman for doing such a wonderful job under difficult cercumstances,Also his Wife Mrs Cullum the Blackpool M.N.A Secretary for arranging all the catering for the guests in the club from Liverpool M.N.A. On Friday Saturday and Sunday July 18th 19th 20th I will be with the Sea Vision stand in Wellington Dock Liverpool representing The National Sea Training Centre Gravesend,Also The Merchant Seamen's War Memorial Society."Springbok" And Our own National Sea Training School/College Gravesend Association, Please come along and give us your support if you can. I have contacted at least 20 of our members in the Liverpool area who are going to come along and I hope help out. I am there from 10am till 10pm each day, Please come along so we can'n meet up, it will be great so you will know who is at the other end of the phone and collecting all your sub's each year. looking forward to meeting you there John.
Photo: Note The lifeboat davits are still there but the jetty is a bit worse for wear.Please look in the photo gallery at the latest photos we have been given of the Building before it was taken over for the Sea School, the other taken I guess in the 20's.!!!!We have welcomed 25 new members since Jan 1st this year this thanks to Mr W Backshall from Liverpool who passed on our info to the Liverpool Echo.
Another member Mr Brian Wiloughby has come up with a sugestion. That we should save the Old School Davits before they fall into the river, Good Idea. I have now started this project with his help I have written to the P.L.A who are always helpfull John Prescot still no reply and Gravesham Council. l have also arranged that they can be placed on the side of our lake here at The M.S.W.M Society our HQ if they are not wanted in Gravesend. The P.L.A. have offered to transport them to Springbok free of Charge. Then Gravesham Bourough Council came back to me,just like they did with the Plaque, With the wonderful idea that they are going to put them on one of their "Gravesend Re-Generation prjects" and set them up with a boat as a Memorial to the School and the boy's who trained there.I am very confident they will do this so as with the Plaque, again no cost to our Association but the best of all it means they will remain in Gravesend the proper place for them. They have also stated that they will keep me up to date with the progress,it took 3 years to do the Plaque but I would expect longer with the Davits as they will need to aquire a Boat to go with them I have offered to help with this matter as that was our idea for Springbok. But great news and another very special day for us in Gravesend.
More interesting news we have made contact with Capt McKellar's (Rememner Him?)Daughter I remember her as an 8 year old when I was at the school. I must add She was also quite frightend by him as all we lads were and that is by her own words.Any member wishing to have a list of our members names can do so by contacting The G/Sec with a first class stamp for the postage and I will send you the up to date list. (Note)They will only be given to Fully Paid up Members and by personal request."The Vet's Badge" If you were at sea before Dec 31st 1984 Put your claim in its FREE.I have the forms if you require one. NOT SURE if you can CLAIM it? No matter just claim,I can assure you they will only issue it if you are entitled to it.
NOTE At this years A.G.M. All the associations officers were Re-Elected.With two changes Our Auditor Mr Peter Torres has now taken on the job of Treasurer to work along with Frank,so we will have to find a new Auditor(Note)He dosn't have to be an association member.
Our General Secretary Mr John D Meadowcroft in addition was elected to become a Life Vice President. This was proposed by Mr Gordon Tumber our Masthead Editor for recognition of the work he has carried out for the association, it was seconded by Mr Owen Davies our Chairman with approval from all members attending.(Note)Officers are expected to stand for a term of 5 years unless they request to stand down
The committee members members stand for 1 year and are Elected or re Elected at each A.G.M)The treat for The Rev Bill McCrea and his good lady to a weekend at Springbok as token of appreciation for his services to our association.As most of you know, The dedication of The Old School PLAQUE took PLACE on the 16th FEBRUARY 2006 at 15 30hrs in Gravesend. It is at the Town end of the Gordon Prom next to the Heritage Centre and the Gravesend Rowing Club So next time you are in Gravesend take a look at it. Members wishing to have a copy of the program please send a cheque to the value of £1.50. including postage to the G/Sec for your copy.Also Gordon has made a CD of all the photos again the cost is £1.50. Get this direct from Gordon if you wish to have one.This will help our funds and they are well worth the price.Joyce and I with John our standard bearer and Dennis our Ex Standard bearer were invited by "The Not Forgotten Association" to join them on their veteran's Day outing Starting from the Festival Pier London on the M V Erasmus sailing at 1645 we were treated to Pink champagne and nibbles on the way down to the Painted Hall at the Grenwhich Naval College it was a wonderful trip down, On arrival at the College we were piped ashore then escourted up to the hall by H.M. band of the Royal Marines on arrival we were treated to lots of food and more food then a concert given by Robert Hardy CBE Sara Jones CBE DL Edward Woodward OBE, Rolf Harris CBE. Kate Adie OBE,The Drifters & The Original Tiller Girls Engelbert Humperdinck and lots more famous artists. We all had a wonderful day, But sadly I managed to pick up a ticket for £100 for driving in a bus lane at 23.30h on our way home which took a bit of cream off our great day out.I just couldn't believe it when it arrived in the post on Friday morning.Warning Don't Drop anyone off in a bus lane just stop in the road and hold everyone up.What is this country coming to?. I will arrange a visit for our members in the near future to The National Sea Training Centre at Gravesend Please let me know if you would be interested in coming along and making a day of it the last time I tried this I only got one reply but I feel sure you would enjoy the trip and the staff are great.Important:- Can I remind you that your membership SUB'S are £5.00. in the U.K. And £8.00. Overseas. They are NOW OVERDUE as we are into April and should be in by Feb 1st each year. We have had to take 45+ members who are outstanding Off our postage list sadly they will no longer receive any News Letters, Reminders in the last News Letter was disappointing only about 10 member's paid up.If you are not sure if you have paid or not please give me a call 01403 753525 and I can check it for you don't want to loose any more members especially now we are going to get More and better News Letters, We need to support Gordon he's doing a great job. Please get your Sub's in A.S.P. Made Payable to "The N. S.T.S/C. Gravesend Association" Post To:- The G/Sec. 15 Springbok Cottages. (-ALFOLD-) Surrey. GU6 8HT.Please Note:- it's "ALFOLD" Not ALFORD.A Big thank you to all the members who have got their subs in on time. And a very big thank you to the members who also included a donation,But we still have a few that are behinde if you are not sure pleas contact me and I will be able to tell you of you are up to date.Please note we do not send conformasion out to each member unless they include a stamped address envelope, as your bank statement will prove you have paid and that we have collected it.
When you have finished reading please go into the photo gallery Look at all the sections and if you see a photo you recognise and the date pleas let my know as Ihave lots of them with no names or dates.
THE ANNUAL DINNER / Luncheon was at Springbok on JULY 26th 2008. The reason for this is so we have the better weather and light nights. Please book early if you intend to stay overnight here at Springbok at any time, as we only have 8 guest rooms or you could be to late.Articles for the Masthead News Letter Could you now Please send all your articles and photos for the News letter.To :- Mr G.Tumber. 61 St Martins Way. Thetford. Norfolk. IP24 3PZ.Or via E/mail to Gordontumber4@aol.com. Gordon is now producing & editing the News Letter for the association Gordon & Moira are both fully paid up members, Gordon attended the G.S.S. in November 1951 just 3 months before me, he even joined the association before me he is No 27. My feed back is that they are doing a great job so a big thank you to them both, From me and I am sure this also goes for all our members. ADVERTISE OUR ASSOCIATION Could all members out there who are able to read this page. Print it and Please drop one off in your Local Pub or Library, it will help pass the news around about our association and maybe a new member or two.Don't forget we can have Associate Members, Wives Girl friends, Husbands, Mates, can become associate members to support our cause.The sub's are the same they are entitled to all the benefits But are not allowed to vote on important association matters. NOTICES:- NEED HELP ASK SEAFARER 08007 3232737 www.seafarerhelp.org. The Seafarers Benefits Advice Line P.O.Box. 35602. London. SE9 1DX.
Lost your Discharge Book.? Contact The Registry of Shipping PO Box
420. Cardiff. S/Wales. CF24 5XR. Phone 029 448800.Or The National Archives. Kew Richmond.Surrey. Phone 020 83925200.
Ex Manchester Liners Staff & Crew members go to my link for more info you will be amazed.The Merchant Seaman's Veteran's Badge including Fishermen is now out and is being issued to all those who have applied but only if you qualify. Gravesend Heritage are doing a prodject on our School If you can give them any stories or info contact
chantyheritagecentre@gravesham.gov.u.k. or The Arts Dept Gravesham B.C. Windmill Street Gravesend DA12 1AU.Please do this as they are great to us. Notice. Special request member member Nick Copeland is looking for Photos from 1977 of the Rememberance service both at the Cenotaph and The Royal Albert Hall can you help? Contact John
Now Go To My Gallery And have a look at the photos More just been added you could be there.The Two M.N. Graves found in France with photos sent in by one of our members about 3 years ago. Billy God bless him has come up with some info.For our members who don't know Billy is an Ex Gravesend S.S/C Lad and I made him an Honoury Member of our association for all the help we get from him, he is a mind of information and does wonderful work in sorting things out for both our members and Seamen in general.Before I go if you fancy a holiday in Weymouth Owen our chairman has up to 8 berth holiday Caravans on the Waterside holiday Park Contact him on 01794 514869 I have been and they are great. Thats it for now be back soon ALL THE Very BEST John
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