No 6 Area Shipmates St Neots & District Branch

St Neots & District RNA Launches New Stall at Eaton Socon May Day Celebration

2 May 201615 May 2016 Karl Webb Bernie Gold, Jayne Miller, John Gibbs, Keith Ridley, Maureen Ridley, Mike Milne, Tony Webley

Shipmates Mike Milne, Tony Webley, Keith & Maureen Ridley, Jayne Miller, John Gibbs and Bernie Gold attended Eaton Socon May Day Celebration on 2^nd May and took the opportunity to launch the branch’s new stall with their recently acquired marquee.

Looking very smart & professional - just needs customers........... — Looking very smart & professional – just needs customers………..

Question for shipmates: why is the Jolly Roger flying below the White Ensign?

Clue: the answer’s in the date, 2^nd May.

The sun’s over the yardarm, so .............. “Up Spirits!!” — The sun’s over the yardarm, so ………….. “Up Spirits!!”

Note the bottles of Pusser’s in the background and S/M Keith Ridley as Chief Taster.

The tombola was a great hit with the public – we ran out of prizes three times and S/M Maureen Ridley had to go to Tesco’s across the road to buy more.

As ever, RNA caps were very popular with our younger visitors

Next time out, we’ll have a kid’s tombola, with prizes appropriate to their age and a sweet for the losers.

S/M Mike Milne’s grandson, Finlay, 6 months old

The new marquee went up and down without any major problems and the stall looked very smart and professional, as befits the Senior Service. Despite a worrying forecast, the weather was kind to us and most of the day was warm and dry, with only very light rain at the end. Shipmates had an enjoyable day, working as a team that really gelled and raised £255 for local good causes. As a bonus, some potential new recruits to the RNA were identified, including what must be our youngest recruit (see above). A good start to our collection year and a really great first outing for the new ‘Big Top’.

Mike Milne
Branch Chairman