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Russ, you went to Pres Kennedy in Coventry with my sister Helen. Last seen you in the Craftsmen Pub many years ago.

'Shipmates' even....or maybe Sip was correct...

Sipmates et al, greetings

Most of you will remember that it was agreed at the AGM back in May that we would fund and commemorate a tree and plaque at the NMA in order to remember our ship and shipmates. As your Chairman I took an action (with great assistance from Mick Daniels) to make it so and report back in due course.

I am now in a position to confirm that the design of the plaque has been accepted by the NMA and that a draft is being drawn up for approval, so progress. However, the tree that will be planted for Coventry will not be available until early 2013, and will be in the Naval garden in line with other ships past. This situation we have to accept as it is in accordance with an agreed planting scheme. This means we will not have the tree adjacent to the FI memorial as we had hoped originally.

I have no issues with this personally as the main aim is to get our Coventry D118 tree planted and the plaque in place.

Once I get a firm way ahead I will come back to you all, it is likely we will go for a dedication ceremony at the NMA around March 2013.

I trust you are enjoying 'the summer' and will talk again soon. Plans are well underway for 2013 in Coventry, watch this space.

Yours Aye - Chairman

I was working in Gibraltar Dockyard at the time HMS Coventry was sent to the South Atlantic, it was hush hush at the time but the ship was painted and all markings removed so we all know it's posting. I worked as a Leading Draghtman and had lots of contact with a Chief Mechanical from the Navy "Gibraltar Refit Group". He was good to work with and a friend. He was transferred to the Coventry just before departure to the Falklands and distinctly remember wishing him well a in town at the Piazza when I found out of his transfer to the Coventry, not that he would let know where the ship was heading, although we all knew. I have often wondered how he went and always hoped the best for him. It would be great to make contat again. I eventually emigrated later that year in September 1982 to Australia. I never forgive myself for forgetting his name.

All.

I have been asked By Martin Slater to post this here....


As you may be aware, HMS PLYMOUTH is to be sent to Turkey for scrapping this year.

I am the Secretary of HMS Plymouth Association and am posting this on all my friend’s and group pages who I think may wish to help.

HMS PLYMOUTH is the last frigate to have taken part in the Falklands War of 1982 where she served with such distinction (the surrender of Argentine troops on South Georgia was signed in her wardroom), as well as being the last of her type, the Rothesay Class Type 12m, still afloat in the UK.

HMS Plymouth Trust has been formed to try and get her a last minute reprieve and take her to a port in the North East of England where a berth has been offered. To do this they must raise £400,000, which is the figure it is believed is required to buy out the contract with the Turkish ship breaker. However, there is very little time as this figure must be achieved by the end of September.

£400,000 is a lot of money in any language, be it English or Turkish. I am therefore posting this here to ask if you would be able to help by making a pledge towards the fund.

Legal documentation and Terms & Conditions will need to be drawn up before you hand over any money, so all that is asked of you now is to make a one-off pledge of however much you will be able to comfortably afford at the end-date of 30th September.

At this stage NO MONEY NEED CHANGE HANDS and making a pledge puts you under no obligation as you may withdraw your offer at any time. Once the deadline is reached, the money will be ‘called in’ and added to the Trust’s bank account.

To make a pledge just visit the SAVE HMS PLYMOUTH group, find the topic titled *** MAKE YOUR PLEDGE HERE *** and in the comments add the amount you wish to pledge. It couldn’t be easier. Please do not make any other comments.

Before making your pledge, please read the file entitled PLEDGES in the ‘Files’ folder.

I do hope you will be able to help save this historic vessel by making a pledge and posting this message on all your friend’s pages.