N. S. T. School/College. 'Gravesend' News Page
Important Notice
I have just recieved an invitation to attend an event at Chatham to celebtate ARMED FORCES DAY on the 27th JUNE.I made contact with then to check if they had got the name wrong as June 27th is officialy "The Veterans Day" but was told that it had been changed to ARMED Forces Day. ""WHY""? and who by. Still awaiting a reply
This means once again that the Men & Women of the Merchant Navy are as usual once again eliminated. Not only the M.N but all our Civilian Forces. The Firemen & Police Bevin Boy's the Womens Land Army just to name a few. I am going to fight to get this restored on behalf of our Veteran Members and all other Civilian vet's out the. So please help if you can by just passing the word on or dropping a line to you MP and ask them why? and For what reason. If they want to have a special day for the ARMED FORCES I will also fight for that the Lad's & Lasses deserve it. And lets hope the government at the time make it a holiday as the eould in the U.S.A.
I have contacted Westminster and a few top New's Papers including This England so come on lad's give us a hand and lets keep June 27th as Vets day as it was set out to be For All The Veterans Both Armed and Civilian,Thanking you all in antisipation John.
The AGM wae a great succes Gordon Tumber our Masthead Editor being made a life member for all his good work. Norman Brice has offered his Services as Assistant G/Sec & David Svensen has offered to help gordon with the Masthead. The next event will be our Luncheon combined with a Camping/Caraven Rally hear at Springbok on July 25th. If you are going to camp you must ring the office to book ASAP
The cost of the luncheon will be £17.50 pp
Latest New's from Gravesham Council. They don't own the Land thet the davits are standing on nither do the PLA so we have a problem but they are going to try and find out who does for us we could have a problem getting them back as the owners could ask for payment.If this happens we could go down the health and Safety road and then it could be possible they would be glad to get rid of them we will just have to wait and see.
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
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.
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 many new members since Jan 1st 2008.
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 in one of their "Gravesend Re-Generation projects"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 we 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. 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 She is giving us her support by joining our membership.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.
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 £10.00. Overseas.We would prefer overseas members to send Cash a GBS £10.00 note from your bank if possible if you send your cash Please make sure that the exchange rate is covered to rhe value of £10 sterling as we have been loosing out on the NZ & Australian $we finish up with less than our postage cost for just two N.Letters So please if you can get hold of a £10 note. They are NOW OVERDUE as we are into April and should be in by Feb 1st each year 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.I would also Like to thank all our members who have paid their sub and the many who have included generous donationd.A Big Thank You.For those who owing 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. If you are not sure please 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.
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.The Arts Dept Gravesham B.C. Windmill Street Gravesend DA12 1AU.Please do this as they are great to us.E/Mailchantyheritagecentre@gravesham.gov.uk 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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