President Keith welcomed guests AG Terry Bate
(Ilminster) and Tony Tucker from Rotary Club of Kloof, South Africa to the
meeting along with 37 members.
He then expressed his sincere thanks to all those who had organised and
assisted with a successful Moonraker Challenge at Taunton Racecourse on
Saturday night. After three days of wind and rain, the weather did clear as the
evening went on making the conditions more bearable for the contestants.
Under Clubs Visited, he informed members that he himself had recently visited
Wrington Vale at the invitation of Roger Vincent (formerly a member of RCTV).
During the meeting his brother was inducted as a new member to the Club.
Michael Cooper then introduced the Speaker for the evening – John Binns one of
our own members.
Captain John Binns RN Rtd started his talk by giving his views on the future
for the military and some of the threats that now exist such as autonomous
vehicles, Artificial intelligence and hacking. He then went on to give us a
very illuminating talk based on his own career as an engineering submariner in
the Royal Navy. These included his time at Dartmouth Training College, his
early years experiences, meeting Edward Heath and Richard Nixon and the training necessary to obtain his
Engineering Officer of the Watch Qualifications. One part of his training as a
submariner, “the tank” at HMS Dolphin, was particularly edifying and obviously
not for the faint hearted. Michael King proposed the Vote of Thanks, and this
was supported by hearty applause.
Next Meeting:
22 October SCCC – Talk by CHARIS on Refugees in Somerset. DR Bill Tregillus SF
Will Coles.
29 October Social – Venue and details to be announced. DR Steve Smith SF Rob
Clasby
Meal apologies to R Austin
Ball Draw won by Mike Hill but no Joker.