The past two months have seen a variety of activities for the Hereford Royal Naval Association. The Area 7 AGM and first quarterly meeting was held in Cheltenham, and a representative from Hereford attended and reported back to the branch that the chairman, Shipmate Mervin Hodges, was re-elected and due to the secretary retiring, Shipmate Chris Whitehouse, from Llanelli Branch, was nominated and elected to take over the duties as area secretary. Some of the issues discussed were the courses available for welfare officers to attend organised by Tidworth College and the progress made by branches to set themselves up with web sites. The next Area 7 meeting is to be held at Llanelli on Saturday, June 28. April was a busy month for skittles with members playing against Royal British Legion, Fownhope at the beginning of the month at the GWRSA club and against Royal British Legion North, at the Golden Lion on 26th of the month. As usual both nights were greatly enjoyed by all who attended. Prior to the end of the gulf war the chairman, Shipmate Nigel Trigg, was contacted by BBC Hereford and Worcester. He was subsequently interviewed on air and gave an overall picture of how life on board ship is affected whilst in a war zone. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the formation of the branch a mess dinner was arranged at Hedley Lodge. The guest speaker was Lt Cdr Steve Taylor BEng (Hons), CEng MIEE RN, currently weapons engineer officer on board HMS Monmouth, who was accompanied by his wife Sheila. Members and guests were 'piped hands to dinner' by one of the Hereford Sea Cadets. After an excellent three-course meal and coffee, the port was passed and the vice chairman, Shipmate Bill Sabel proposed the loyal toast which was followed by the chairman, Shipmate Nigel Trigg, toasting absent friends. He then introduced Lt Cdr Taylor who spoke entertainingly about the year the branch was founded, his life in the service and finished by toasting the branch. The president, Shipmate Roy Wood concluded by thanking everyone involved in the success of the evening. A further celebration of the founding of the branch a group photograph of members is to be taken on July 9 at the branch meeting. All members are invited to come along, dress code to be as per parade blazers and grey trousers. The meeting starts at 1930 hours. The next monthly meeting, which will include a 'penny auction' will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 1930 hours at the Hereford GWRSA club.