There is an old jazz standard called ‘There’ll be some changes made’ which my friend , fellow jazz aficionado drummer, Irwyn Thomas, has traced a 1^st recording to 1927 with Red Mackenzie and his Mound City Blue Blowers, a more recent one is by Acker Bilk. There were certainly some changes made at the Branch Annual General Meeting on November 5^th. We said “Goodbye” to Stewart Henderson as his 2 year term as Chairman was over, although he stays on the committee. His place as Chairman was taken by Theo Coliandris. Ben Jones decided that pressure of work was preventing him from taking on the role of Vice- Chairman and that role was filled by Graham Robertson,(pictured) but with Ben staying on the committee.

Other changes were resignations from Nigel Pollard and Noel Challenger. Noel was the first Chairman of the amalgamated South Wales and the West Branch in 2000 and was largely responsible for guiding it through its first year. We welcomed back Bill Davies from Newport, elected Sean Kerslake from Bristol and co-opted two registered students, Nick Owens from Graig Shipping in Cardiff and Dagmara Calzynsky from Graypen, Barry. We hope that when they finally qualify for Institute membership they will both become regular committee members. That left one vacancy on the South Wales section. Honorary Treasurer, Secretary and Education officer remain unchanged at Coliandris, Moore and Challacombe.

Following the meeting at the Dewstow Golf Club, Caerwent those present enjoyed a buffet lunch.

UK AND IRELAND ZONE Whilst on the subject of committees you will doubtless be interested to know that at the last meeting of the executive council on 29.10.09, it was decided the UKIZ committee is to be dissolved . To continue the Institute’s regeneration in the UK and Ireland, Graeme Nimmo will remain as General Manager and the strategies, aims and objectives agreed by Executive Council will continue to be implemented.

EDUCATION

IN the last issue I mentioned how it was the intention of your committee to introduce a series of tutorials for registered students within the Branch area. We have a total of seven, one of whom lives in Fowey and will be catered for via our Education officer, Jonathan Challacombe. The other six are within the Cardiff/Barry area and for them we intend to hold lunchtime sessions in Graig’s offices in Cardiff BayNick Owens has approached all of them to find out which subjects they would like covered and where we need to concentrate your expertise.

Since my appeal in the last issue of the ‘LOG’ I have had one additional volunteer join us. That is a help, but not enough. We want to start these discussions/debates, don’t be put off by the word “tutorial”, – the students need somewhere and someone where they can bring their course work problems and be able to discuss them and, hopefully, find a solution. Surely there are enough qualified members around who are willing to give an hour or two of their time, once or twice a week from say mid-January to early April to assist.. I feel sure there are and I look forward to hearing from you. You can email me, ‘phone, or write. Details at the top of the page. All the students will be extremely grateful.

The modules they are sitting in the April 2010 examinations are as follows:-

                               

Shipping Business	3 candidates
Ship Operations & Management	2 candidates
Legal Principles of Shipping Business	2 candidates
Marine Insurance	2 candidates
Ship sale & purchase	2 candidates
Port agency	1 candidate

  

If you can assist in any one of these subjects, please get in touch. Thank you.

MEMBERSHIP

Since the last issue there has been no change in Ken Brown’s situation and Alan Morris is now fully recovered from his hip operation..

A new name to appear on the sick list is George Phillips, FICS from Plymouth. I had a card from his wife Margaret a couple of weeks back to say that George has had a number of health problems during the year, amounting to the stage where she was unable to look after him the way she wished.. George (pictured) is now in a Home and I am sure would be delighted to hear from any of his old friends or colleagues in the West Country, or anyone who knows him and reads this. His current address is ‘Torr’ Home, The Drive, Hartley, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 55Y. My last memory of George and Margaret was, I think, June 2005 at a Branch meeting in Fowey, we were all sat on the balcony of an hotel overlooking the river, enjoying lunch. Happy days!

SURFING CHAMPION JOINS THE LIFEGUARDS Welsh Women’s Surfing Champion, Beth Mason has joined the team of RNLI lifeguards patrolling four of Swansea’s beaches this summer. Beth, aged 19, will be one of 23 lifeguards covering Bracelet Bay, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay & Port Eynon beaches The lifeguards will provide safety information and first aid as well as carrying out rescues throughout the peak season.

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

I’M A GREAT BELIEVER IN DISPENSING BONHOMIE & GOODWILL AT CHRISTMASTIME. IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR FOR FEELING HAPPY AND MAKING OTHERS FEEL HAPPY ALSO. MY APOLOGIES FOR ‘SHORTCHANGING’ YOU AS IT WERE  BUT IT SEEMS THAT GOOD COPY IS IN SHORT SUPPLY. A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL, AND A HEALTHY 2010

BEST WISHES.

David Moore.

(Hon. Secretary)