History – HMS Collingwood Officers' Association

The Committee met at HMS Collingwood on Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Key Points

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.. There were no matters arising.

Financial Position

The OA fund stood at £6,970.55, compared with £7,025.50 reported at the June AGM.

The only expenditure during the period was £55 for the latest name added to the OA Sword Board.

Membership

Membership remains at 273, compared with 298 in 2025:

Active: 180
Country: 79
Full: 6
Honorary: 8

The Committee recorded the death of Lt Cdr Tony Quinn.

Trafalgar Ladies Night – 23 October

Bookings currently stand at 38, with a further 16 expected, giving a provisional total of 54–62 attendees.
The HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band, Fort Cumberland Guard and Hayling Island Shanty Crew have all been booked.
The Chairman will invite the new HMS Collingwood XO to attend the dinner.
Lt Cdr Colin Brooks will oversee the final arrangements while the Social Secretary is overseas.

Other Social Activities

The regular Friday fish-and-chip lunches continue to be well attended. Forthcoming dates are 11 September, 2 October and 27 November.
A two-course Remembrance Lunch is planned for 11 November, following the Remembrance Service, subject to sufficient numbers. If numbers are insufficient, members will use the Wardroom counters at a reserved table.
The Social Secretary will be overseas from 10 October to 4 December. Lt Cdr Brooks, assisted by Cdr Coombes as required, will oversee the Trafalgar Ladies Night, Remembrance Lunch and November fish-and-chip lunch.
The Wardroom Christmas Lunch is provisionally scheduled for 16 December.

Wardroom Relationship

Cdr Derek Coombes has taken responsibility as the OA focal point for Wardroom Mess Committee meetings.
Committee members were asked to provide suggestions for the December Newsletter.

Next Meetings

Wednesday 9 December 2026 – 1100 at The Ropemaker, with lunch at 1200 for 1300.
Wednesday 17 March 2027 – 1230
Friday 18 June 2027 – 1100, followed by the OA AGM at 1130.

HMS Collingwood Officers’ Association

Summary of Committee Meeting – 19 June 2026

The Committee met at HMS Collingwood on Friday 19 June 2026.

Key Points

Minutes and Matters Arising

The minutes of the 18 March 2026 meeting were approved.
The increase in OA membership charges had been communicated to members.
Proposed changes to the OA Rules and Constitution had been drafted.
Refurbishment of the donated sword was reported to be in hand.

Financial Position

The OA fund increased from £6,622.74 to £7,025.50 during the year.
Membership subscriptions increased to £6,381.40, while the Wardroom levy increased to £3,900.
OA membership charges are now £33 for Active members and £19 for Country members.
Total expenditure for the year was £5,978.64.
The financial report was approved.

Membership

Membership at 16 June 2026 stood at 273, compared with 298 in 2025:
- Active: 180
- Country: 79
- Full: 6
- Honorary: 8
The Committee noted six members who had recently crossed the bar.

Social Activities

The previous Trafalgar Night had attracted more than 100 attendees and included entertainment and sea shanties from the Hayling Shanty Crew.
The 2026 OA Trafalgar Night has been moved to Friday 23 October, following a change to the Wardroom’s date. A shanty band is again being considered.
Lt Cdr Brooks will take over preparation for the Trafalgar Night while Lt Cdr Carr is in Australia.
A Remembrance Service Lunch is planned for Wednesday 11 November.
The Wardroom Summer Ball and Christmas Lunch are also being promoted to OA members.
Regular Friday fish-and-chip lunches continue to be well attended.
The possibility of a formal lunch to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the WE Branch was discussed.

Wardroom Relationship

The Committee agreed that the OA should maintain its involvement with the Wardroom Mess Committee and retain its voting rights.
Cdr Coombes offered to attend Wardroom Mess Committee meetings on behalf of the OA, as the OA had not been receiving agendas or minutes.
The Committee stressed the importance of remaining involved where matters affecting the OA might be discussed.

Other Matters

Members renewing passes do not require DVS.
Lt Cdr Daniel Crook was confirmed as the recipient of the 2026 OA Sword.
The Committee noted the Captain’s desire for HMS Collingwood to return to being an RN establishment rather than operating primarily as an “office”.

Next Meetings

Wednesday 9 September 2026 – 1230
Wednesday 9 December 2026 – venue and time to be confirmed
Wednesday 17 March 2027 – 1230
Friday 18 June 2027 – 1100, followed by the OA AGM at 1130

The document outlines the minutes from the HMS OA AGM held on June 19, 2026.

Chairman’s Report

Chairman Capt Jim Palmer thanked the committee for their hard work during the past year, with particular appreciation for Cdr Nick Quine, who has stepped in to support the Association while the Secretary has been unwell.

The Chairman highlighted the success of the Association’s move towards lower-cost social activities, particularly the monthly Fish & Chip lunches and the Remembrance lunch, both of which have proved popular and affordable. Trafalgar Ladies’ Guest Night remains the Association’s flagship event.

Members were advised that two ceremonial swords have recently been donated, ensuring the continuation of the Association’s annual Sword Award.

Following meetings with HMS Collingwood’s new Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, the Chairman reported that the Association continues to enjoy strong support from the establishment, despite ongoing access challenges.

Treasurer’s Report

The Association remains in a healthy financial position.

Closing balance increased from £6,622.74 to £7,025.50.
Annual income increased to just over £13,000.
Expenditure rose primarily because of increased Wardroom levies and higher subsidies for social events.

Following an increase in Wardroom charges, annual subscriptions are now:

Active Members: £33
Country Members: £19

Members discussed the proportion of subscriptions passed directly to the Wardroom and the future of Country Membership.

Membership Report

Current membership stands at:

Active: 180
Country: 79
Full: 6
Honorary: 8

Total Membership: 273

This represents a reduction from 298 members last year.

Members also remembered seven colleagues who had “Crossed the Bar” during the year

Social Event Report

The Association reported another successful year of social activities.

Highlights included:

A well-attended Trafalgar Night with over 100 guests.
Continued popularity of the monthly Fish & Chip lunches.
Greater participation in Wardroom social events.

Upcoming events include:

Wardroom Summer Ball – 25 July 2026
OA Trafalgar Ladies’ Guest Night – 23 October 2026 (date changed)
Remembrance Lunch – 11 November 2026
Wardroom Christmas Lunch – 16 December 2026 (provisional)

Members also discussed marking the 80th Anniversary of the Weapons Engineering Branch with a commemorative lunch in September.

Committee Elections

All existing committee members were re-elected.

Cdr Nick Quine was elected to the committee and, subject to approval of the revised Constitution, will become Amenity Passes and ID Secretary, overseeing the increasingly complex access and pass procedures.

Constitution Changes

Members unanimously approved a revised Rules and Constitution. The principal changes were:

Removal of references to vehicle passes.
Recognition that Wardroom payments are now card only.
Creation of the new Amenity Passes and ID Secretary role.
Increase in the permitted size of the committee.
Closure of Country Membership to new applicants (existing Country Members are unaffected).

Looking Ahead

The Association remains financially secure and continues to adapt to changing circumstances by providing affordable social opportunities while maintaining close links with HMS Collingwood. Membership has fallen slightly, largely reflecting changing Wardroom arrangements, but the committee remains committed to offering value to members and preserving the traditions of the Association.

Next AGM: Friday 18 June 2027 (provisional), 11:30.

Administrative and Membership Updates

CommitteeAttendance: Most committee members were present; one apology was noted.
PreviousMinutes: The minutes from the last meeting were accepted without issue.
MembershipNumbers: As of 27 March 2026, there were 281 members (186 Active, 81 Country, 6 Full, 8 Honorary). Membership numbers had decreased slightly since the previous report.
DeceasedandResignedMembers: The passing of Lt Cdr Tony Crump was noted. Several resignations were recorded, including senior officers.

Financial and Policy Decisions

FinancialReport: The OA fund decreased from £5,804.45 to £4,874.09, mainly due to a £930 subsidy for Trafalgar Night. Wardroom charges increased by £5 per membership category, plus VAT.
MembershipFees: To offset increased costs, membership charges will rise by £6 (Country members: £19, Active members: £33 for 2026). Members will be notified by email.
MembershipCategories: The committee proposed merging Active and Country categories for new joiners, with existing Country members retaining their status. A constitutional change will be drafted.
TrafalgarNightSubsidy: Difficulty in predicting the required subsidy was discussed; efforts will be made to improve forecasting with the Mess Manager.
OASwordBoard: Gold lettering was purchased (£168), and a sword was donated for refurbishment.

Social and Operational Matters

Events: Fish and Chip Fridays continue. Trafalgar Night Dinner is scheduled for 30 October 2026, with the Hayling Shanty Crew to be re-engaged. The Christmas Committee lunch will likely be at the Ropemaker, with dates to be confirmed.
RemembranceParade: Lunch will follow the parade, with booking forms available online.
CommitteeAbsences: Lt Cdr Carr will be away from 10 Oct to 2 Dec 2026 and will need volunteers for event administration during this period.

Administrative Actions and Other Business

Passes: Individual car passes for HMS Collingwood are being discontinued; pass renewal is ongoing.
OAJoiningForm: Needs updating.
NameBadges: A member suggested introducing name badges.
NextMeeting: Scheduled for Friday 19 June 2026 at 1100, followed by the AGM at 1130, due to availability conflicts.

These points reflect the committee’s focus on financial sustainability, membership management, and ongoing social engagement.

The document outlines the minutes from the HMS Collingwood Officers’ Association committee meeting held on December 3, 2025.

Apologies and Previous Minutes

Cdr D. Coombes sent apologies.
Minutes from the September 17, 2025 meeting were accepted.

Matters Arising and Financial Report

Increased attendance at the 2025 Remembrance Day was noted, followed by an informal lunch.
Lt Cdr Rook reported a decrease in the OA account balance to £5804.45, with significant transactions including a £368.25 payment for a sword.
Ten membership Direct Debits were canceled, and an increase in WR Mess charges is anticipated.

Membership and Social Report

Membership totals 298, with 202 active members. Recent losses included three members who crossed the bar and two resignations.
Social events, including Fish and Chip Lunches and the successful Trafalgar Night, were discussed, with future events planned.

OA Sec’s Corner

New car pass requirements include a BPSS application and DBS check, with costs discussed. Capt Palmer will address membership pass issues with the XO.

Other Business and Next Meeting Dates

The wooden Wardroom Name Board will be repurposed for OA Sword award winners.
Next meetings are scheduled for March 18, 2026, and June 5, 2026.