The weekend will consist of a series of social events and members can attend all, or as many as they wish,
We are planning two events for the Friday; the first a visit to the Fleet Photographic Unit (East) based in HMS Excellent where hopefully you will be able to meet some of today’s Phots, see examples of their work, the equipment they use, receive to a couple of presentations explaining how the twenty-first century photographers are recruited, their selection process, their training, the type of work they do, where they serve etc. all over a cup of tea and maybe a sticky bun.
Afterwards we will adjourn to the WO’s & Snr. Rates Mess for a Social evening, a few drinks and buffet meal and an opportunity to see and stroll down memory lane with an up-dated exhibition of photographs and equipment of how it was done in the “olden-days”...Danny is looking into arranging entertainment and a display or two.
Three events are being planned for Saturday...the first a specially arranged visit to the refurbished a greatly improved Mary Rose Museum. We will enjoy refreshments on arrival and this will be followed by a private presentation about the working of the museum, the latest improvements to the ship and the thousands of artefacts recovered from the wreck. We will then be free to explore the museum and I am that hopeful we will have access onto the centre’s balcony (not normally available to visitors) which offers some great views of the Victory, the recently restored Monitor and visiting warships.
Late afternoon we will have the AGM in the Royal Maritime Club which will include afternoon tea and this will be followed by the RNPA Annual Reception and Dinner, Up-Spirits, entertainment and hopefully an after dinner speaker.
The Sunday programme at the moment consists of a farewell lunch which will be held in The Customs House Restaurant at Gun Wharf Quays (it used to be the Captain’s Office of HMS Vernon). Pam and I will that morning will also be arranging a visit to Portsmouth Cathedral for the morning service, coffee and a tour...we will be happy to include anyone who may wish to join us.
Further Details and Booking contact
Ray Chilston [email protected]