HMS Jupiter Association Invited to Her Majesty The Queen’s Garden Party.

Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, 19th May 2020.

The Association has been invited to send a Representative + 1 by our Patron HRH Prince Charles to attend the above. Only those who have not attended a Garden Party before and only paid up Members of the Association can apply.

·         All nominated guests must be British, Commonwealth or European Union citizens, although their husbands, wives or companions may be of other nationalities.  All guests, nominated or accompanying, must be resident in the United Kingdom.

Those wishing to be considered are to email the Secretary with both names and reason for attending by February 10th 2020.

Email received today 01/04/2020, in line with Government guidelines regarding the Covid 19 virus pandemic, all the Queens Birthday parties for this year are now cancelled, our nominees Brian and Christine Holland will again be nominated for next year.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT NO 1 - PATRONAGE

In line with trying to promote the Association for future projects a letter was sent to the powers that be to invite ex-Jupiter crew Member and SCO HRH The Prince of Wales to be our Patron. There were many hoops to jump through, including a ‘Mission Statement’, financial and charity statements and of course recommendations from influential people. After a nail biting few months, we finally received a letter confirming that HRH had accepted our invitation, this was duly proclaimed to the Association Members and guests at the recent Reunion in Lichfield. We are very privileged for this as very few new Patronages are taken on by the POW each year, we must of course use this accolade wisely and to further the good name of the Association.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT No 2 - SHIPS BELL

As some of you are aware the Ships Bell we borrow from Middlesbrough Council for some of our Reunions is not the original Bell that the Ship was commissioned with but a replacement. The HMS JUPITER Association has been trying to track down the original for many years. We found out that it had been sold via DCI’s in 1992 to an ex Jupiter whose child had been Christened using the Bell as a font, the child’s name was engraved on the side of the Bell. A conversation at this year’s Reunion between the Association Secretary and our new Vice President Commodore Richard Bridges regarding the whereabouts of the 1969 Bell resulted in an email from Will Hacking, the owner of the Bell, with pictures proving its existence and that it was safe in the custody of his son in London.

It is hoped that Mr Hacking, one time Jupiter Wasp Helicopter Pilot and the Bell will join us Plymouth at next years Reunion, watch this space!!

2017 REUNION & AGMA

The 2017 Reunion will be held at the Fownes Hotel Worcester, www.fowneshotelworcester.co.uk on the weekend of October 13-15th.

As usual the AGM will be held in the Hotel on the 14th at 0930hrs. and the Reunion Dinner the same day at 2000hrs.

The cost is £52/per person per night sharing a double or twin room, this includes B&B for 2 nights plus the Gala Dinner on the Saturday night. We have also secured 3 single rooms for the same price, first come first served.

Parking and WI-FI will be FREE.

We have block booked 20 Rooms so when contacting the Hotel mention you are part of the HMS Jupiter Reunion Weekend, they do have Superior Rooms if you so require at a different price, contact the Manager to discuss.

Bookings are by EMAIL only, reservations@fowneshotel.co.uk.

2019 ANNIVERSARY REUNION AND AGM

The weekend did not start well as the weather for traveling was atrocious, the roads were jam packed and as usual full of road works. But by 1800hrs Jupiter had taken over most of the Hotel Lounge, Dutchy had slops open selling the new Association Shirts,Ties,Hoodies, Mugs, Lapel Badges, Blazer Badges, and Jumpers. Loads of old faces from Australia and France, some much older!! it is not always easy to recognise your old shipmates with white or missing hair. The Hotel was close to all the local Pubs and eating houses, some ventured out whilst others stayed within the dry and warmth of the Bar area.

Saturday morning came around too quick, after a hurried breakfast it was time for the AGM at 0900hrs. Due to the lack of a quorum last year we had first to ratify the existence of the two Vice Presidents which was duly done and VP Commodore Barry Bryant took the hot seat as our President was unable to join us due to ill health. After a brief introduction the VP handed over to the Chairman to conduct the rest of the AGM. If anyone would like a copy of the minutes please contact the Secretary but the main points were that Accounts were accepted, a donation was continued to the NMA and a new one off donation was made to Parkinsons UK. The Committee Members were appointed with Mick O’Neil being promoted to Vice Chairman ready to take over the Chairmanship in 2020.

An amended Constitution was distributed and agreed on, again copies can be obtained by contacting the Secretary.

It was unanimously agreed to the proposal that our President be granted an Honorary Life Presidency and Lady Jane be granted an Honorary Life Membership.

The date and venue of the 2020 Reunion and AGM was discussed and a date of October 9-11 was agreed and the Venue being Plymouth, the Secretary to arrange.

The AGM closed at 0950hrs.

The Anniversary continued at the NMA starting at 1100hrs with many Members attending the Chapel for the Daily Service of Remembrance. The Jupiter Service took place at our Remembrance Tree soon after 1200hrs with the local Sea Cadets in attendance with their Standard, the local RNA and Jupiters own Standard also paraded. Our Padre took the Service with three wreaths being laid by our Chairman on behalf of the Association, Councillor Smith for Wychavon Council and our Vice Chairman for Middlesbrough Council. On completion there was Tea and Biscuits provided in the main restaurant, thereafter some stayed to look around the NMA others travelled back to the Hotel for other types of refreshment and lamp swinging.

The Anniversary Dinner started with Tot Time at 1900hrs announced by the Sea Cadets by Bosun’s Call quickly followed by Hands to Dinner, Grace and nose bag time. Later on Loyal Toasts, Port was passed, VP and Wychavon Councillors speeches were made and then Shep Wooley entertained us royally until late when the Raffle was made at about midnight.

Bleary eyed people attended breakfast with the usual farewells made looking forward to the next Reunion in Guzz.