As shipmates gather in their hundreds in Portsmouth for the Royal Naval Association Annual Conference tomorrow, one of the Association’s magazine editors has delivered some home truths to branches who failed to send a delegate to Chatham last year.

Charles Hutton, editor of No 10 Area’s Vanguard magazine, wrote in reply to those at the area’s autumn conference who questioned why RNA headquarters had asked for an increase in RNA subscription levels, and why it had not planned for a Trafalgar 2005 celebration in Portsmouth.

Shipmate Hutton said: “Headquarters has nothing whatsoever to do with the increase in subscription levels.

“The decision was arrived at by a democratic vote at last year’s National Conference, attended by only 11 area delegates, 49 branches failing to send a delegate.

“Had they done so and made their feelings known, their members may have been better off by £2 this year. Perhaps, when they have to find a further £1 in 2005 and again, in 2006, the message might sink in.”

Referring to HQ’s inaction in not organising a celebration to mark Trafalgar 200, he said had they decided to ‘push out the boat’, the cry from Crewe to Carlisle would be: ‘Why has everything to be held in the South?’

Is it likely, he asked, in view of the small turnout of area delegates at the 2003 National Conference, many pleading poverty, that they would be in a position to participate in Trafalgar celebrations in Portsmouth?

In answer to those who questioned why National Conference is held in June – a peak holiday time in some resorts – he reminded them that June was decided on by a majority vote at the Weymouth conference in 2000 – a motion by No 11 Area to have the date changed to spring or autumn being defeated.

S/M Hutton does not beat about the bush when it comes to stressing the importance of Conference, which, he stated, is the forum for affecting change if the RNA is to remain a democratic organisation.

“Before we take Headquarters to task, when things are not to our liking, let us remember, if we do not send a delegate to National Conference, we do not have a vote and therefore, have no say in the decisions made on our behalf.”

Delegates and observers to the Conference, hosted by Gosport branch, will be arriving from all over the country today, gathering at the RNA Reception and Information Point at the Victory Club in HMS Nelson this evening.

The Victory Club is also the venue for a pre-Conference get-together with entertainment.

The real business starts tomorrow, with registration desks opening at the Guildhall at 9am, and the VIP guests – including the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent – arriving at 10.15am.

Conference itself starts at 10.30am, and is followed in the evening by a gala evening in the Guildhall.

On Sunday a parade will be held, followed by a service in St Ann’s Church in Portsmouth Naval Base.