SAC at the WOS Branch Meeting
By Iain Mackenzie MBE, SA Chairman
On Friday 14 July members of the SAC attended the WOS Branch meeting in the Submarine Centre Helensburgh. Of all the branch venue’s who could beat sitting under an X-Craft Submarine (X51, Stickleback). Amazing!
At that meeting their President Bob Seaward passed over the reigns to Jim McMaster, some may remember Jim, he held some minor administrative post on the old NMC 😱.
As WOS is my branch I would like to say “Thank you to Bob” like all the members on the WOS committee Bob was an inspiration to us and the members, best known for his ‘Wordmanship’ a word Bob would never use! Jim I wish you the best of luck, but being an old friend you have a SAC at the WOS Branch Meeting of experience and will fill those shoes no problem. Jim I wish you the best of luck, but being an old friend you have a ‘veritable cornucopia’ of experience and will fill those shoes no problem.
Saturday the SAC met at the Helensburgh Parish Church a modern building with everything to hand. Shelter from the rain, Cover from the wind, Tea, Coffee, Biscuits, large screen TV, WIFI to hand but alas no connectivity. However with 28 items on the agenda we got down to business.
Several hours later we dispersed and went our ways, some had to return their home port and some to prepare for an Indian at Masala Twist. The curry was good, the beer fine, the wine flowing and the company excellent.
I would like to thank Ian and Jacki Leach for putting up with me for two nights. Even if Ian did try to kill me with a gin called Navy Gin, 67.2% proof. It was the 0.2% that got me in the end!
The effort Andy Knox put into organising the SAC meeting was enormous. Booking service accommodation in the Base, Organising Base passes, arranging a conference room. All in vain as the base security issues proved a bridge to far. Hell mend anyone who questions our largest nuclear submarine base security. It’s the best in the world. So back to the drawing board for Andy.
At the drop of a hat organised short term MQ’s, alternative meeting room and supplied the biscuits mentioned earlier, demonstrating the true skills of a Warrant Officer Coxswain.
The cost of the conference room in the Parish Church was paid for by an veteran submariner (anonymous) who works there. What a nice gesture. Thank you.
After thought: don’t get inebriated* in Spoons and give Knox your credit card to get the round in! Just saying, demonstrating the true skills of a Warrant Officer…….Tango Whisky Alpha Tango*.
* Edited by Webmaster😅
