Maritime charity, The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, celebrated its 156th Annual General Meeting in-person for the first time since 2019 following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
The chair was taken by the president of the Society, The Viscount Cobham, who welcomed the newly appointed Mayor of Reigate & Barnstead Cllr Frank Kelly on his first engagement as Mayor and to the AGM after being appointed the previous evening. Acknowledgement of the Society’s loyal greetings to Her Majesty the Queen was read out by the CEO, Cdr Brian P Boxall-Hunt OBE FNI RN.
Trustees, heads of department, and the senior management team along with The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead Cllr Frank Kelly, relatives, residents, tenants, and friends of the Society, were invited to attend the annual event held at Trinity House in London. Discussions included the Society’s current modernisation project that will enhance the facilities and support the continued dedicated care for residents.
Staff at the Society were praised for their continuous hard work during a turbulent few years and for maintaining such high care standards and high staff levels.
This year’s guest speaker Commodore Duncan Lamb MA RFA, talked about his time as a seafarer and the significant changes he has seen since his time in the Faulklands War, commending the professionalism and courage of individuals who have made it what it is today.
The Surrey-based care home operator and charity has provided housing, residential and nursing care to former seafarers, their widows and dependants since 1865 and is incorporated under Royal Charter with HRH The Princess Royal as its patron.
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “Our Annual General Meeting is a very important date in our calendar so it was a great pleasure to be able to welcome everyone back to the Trinity House, which is an important institution in the maritime community. I am pleased to report that the Society is shipshape and in good heart despite yet another unusually challenging year. It is our people and their dedicated efforts that make it so and for which I am extremely proud and grateful. The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is emerging stronger and better placed than ever to tackle the needs of seafarers of the future.”
To find out more about the work of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society visit the charity’s website.To keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Society, follow and like the official Society Facebook pages.
