24 March 2025

March 2025

TON CLASS ASSOCIATION - BRISTOL CHANNEL GROUP

NOTES OF INAUGURAL MEETING 20th March 2025

At the UNITED SERVICES MESS, CARDIFF

Organised by TCA Secretary Matthew Salisbury

PRESENT

Brian THORN, Robin BOND, Mike BRYANT, Mike PREECE, Jeff POOLE, PETER GITTINGS, Julian SALISBURY, Bob REID, Bob THOMAS, Charlie WILLIAMS, Ray SUMMERS, Digby WALL, Will EVANS, Gordon CEATON, Matthew SALISBURY

N.B. I had only a sketchy idea of who of those attending were already TCA members but I think it will amount to about 5 new members and one rejoining

APOLOGIES

Captain Sir Norman LLOYD EDWARDS, Peter JAMES, Jonathon ROLLINGS, Mike FEENEY, Martin HOOKER, Stuart McKAY,

By unanimous agreement the title of the area will be the BRISTOL CHANNEL GROUP in memory of the Extra Deep Team Sweeping operations conducted between HM Ships St DAVID, VENTURER and then CARRON and WAVENEY.

The Area Representative will be Matthew Salisbury

It was agreed that the group shall meet quarterly. The next meeting will be a buffet lunch at the United Services Mess, Cardiff on Friday 20th June 2025.

The group was informed that the Maplehaul Lunch will take place on Friday 15th August 2025. The members were reminded that this will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the second Exercise Maplehaul when HM Ships WAVERNEY, CARRON and DOVEY, sailed from their base ports to Canada and back. The six week deployment was divided into three, so ship's companies changed twice; an outgoing, middle and returning. These lunches commenced soon after the first Exercise Maplehaul when four Tons accompanied by RFA Brown Ranger crossed the Atlantic both ways.

N.B. I was privileged to be on both deployments.

The members were briefed about the Ton Class AGM to be held in the Holiday Inn Cardiff, on Saturday 11th October this year. The Secretary said that it will be an extremely enjoyable occasion and all were encouraged to attend.

The United Services Mess has a tradition of welcoming visiting warships to Cardiff and plans are being made to welcome Association members to the Mess after the AGM on 11th October. There is a significant collection of paintings, memorabilia, phots all linked to the Royal Navy which will be of interest.

Matthew Salisbury is considering getting some sea time in on TS WAVERLEY. The passage to Lundy on 3rd June is favourite and others were invited to join him.

While the content of meetings will be social, members were encouraged to keep an eye open for oppos having difficulties. It is a collective responsibility and as age creeps up on us all. We should be aware of problems arising such as dementia, falls, cancer etc.

Thanks were offered to Gordon Seaton, Secretary of the Mess and ex Bootneck, for providing an excellent lunch.

CENOTAPH PARADE  2025

The Royal British Legion has requested bids for the Remembrance Sunday Parade in London on 9th November.

The deadlines for the various stages are :

Submission of bids for number of ticket requests   20th April

Confirmation of bids from Royal British Legion      10th June

Completion of individual participants information   29th September

E-Tickets and joining instructions sent to participants  30-31 October.

TCA has put in a bid for 30 places based on the 16 from last year and four new requests this year. This number cannot be guaranteed. Those who attended last year are requested to email the Secretary on to confirm that they wish to be considered again this year.

While RBL gives 29th September for completion of submission of participants’ information, the Secretary requests that this information be provided to him by Friday 19th September. This is because RBL surprised him last year by asking for substantial additional information.

Applicants are asked to respond as soon as possible.

The Secretary will inform applicants about the information required as soon as this is known from RBL.