Huntingdon & District Branch: Charity Stall, St Ives

On Saturday 15th March 2014, shipmates from Huntingdon & District Branch setup their stall in St Ives for the first charity collection of the year, and to promote the Royal Naval Association. An early, and windy, start saw shipmates Pete Aston (Branch Treasurer) and Karl Webb (Branch Secretary) attaching the gazebo to any secure point outside of Barclay’s bank in the high street, and although the day started a little cloudy, it turned out to be a good day to chat with the local community in St Ives.

Once the stall was secured, Pete and Karl put on blazers and began this year’s campaign to spread the word of the RNA, hopefully look to recruiting some new members, and of course, to raise some funds for RN-related and local charities.

After a few hours, Pete and Karl were joined by the Social Secretary, shipmate Hilary Meers.

The trio from Huntingdon found the community in St Ives very supporting of our cause, most were very interested in learning about the RN, and what the branch gets up to.

Of course, 2014 is an important year as we celebrate, and reflect upon, the beginning of the First World War, a century ago. Meeting locals and visitors to St Ives directly ensures that the Armed Forces are remembered whether Navy, Army, or Air Force.

Shipmate Hilary Meers, an Associate member of the RNA, may not have served in the Armed Forces, but is dedicated in supporting the Association in any way that she can; this is what the RNA is about, promoting our core values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship.

So, in the shadow of St Ives’ War Memorial, shipmates from Huntingdon & District Branch continued where they left off last year, getting out and about in the community, meeting new people, some may join us, but plenty more now have an awareness of who we are.