THE MOORINGS ISSUE 23
6 July 2016
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
30th Anniversary for Rayleigh Branch
CROSSED THE BAR It is with deep regret that Rayleigh Branch announces that shipmate George Lowe crossed the bar on Monday 20th June 2016. George served 7 years in the Royal Navy, and a further 9 years with the SAS.
Incorporated by Royal Charter
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
RAYLEIGH BRANCH (AREA 5)
Cover story‌ Rayleigh Branch celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a Black Tie Ball. The immensely successful Dinner/Dance was held on Saturday 2, July at the Saxon Hall, Rochford with Guest of Honour, the Right Honourable Mark Francois (MP for Rayleigh and Wickford). The guest list included RNA Rayleigh Branch members, committee members, spouses and family members, Rayleigh Town Council officials and representation from RNA Area 5. Special thanks to Iain Hendry and his team for successfully pulling off a shining example of naval organisation, which was both well planned, and brilliantly executed. BZ. More photos can be viewed and downloaded from our Facebook page (address on page 7 of this newsletter).
Extract from the Semaphore Circular July 2016.
Dear Shipmate, Welcome to the July Circular – I write this introduction as the country goes to the poll to decide our future in Europe, so by the time you read this we will know the result and our future. I am delighted to say that the comradely tone of our debates at Conference was much better than the REMAIN and LEAVE parties managed in the lead in to the referendum! It has been an exceptionally busy month for the RNA, with the NP, National Standard and me attending the moving and brilliantly managed Jutland commemorative service at Lyness cemetery on the island of Hoy in Orkney. Bob Coburn (our National Standard bearer (NSB) was in the position of honour and right by HRH The Princess Royal, the Prime Minister and the German President for the wreath laying. You may have seen him on the TV managing his standard in very breezy conditions – but what was not shown was the freezing breeze going up his kilt (OK trousers) for an hour and a half before that! Our Hon Chaplain Ian Wheatley did a marvellous job on the drumhead service and needed the couple of tots I provided afterwards. Scapa Flow is indeed a cold and bleak place (all the trees blew away) – and gave a moving pause for thought at what the Grand Fleet sailors had to manage in WW1 for 4 years; and what large parts of the RN during WW2 had to do for 6 years. You will be pleased to hear that I managed to get a tot to retired First Sea Lords and the killick that rang the CALLIOPE bell and stood for 2 hours in the freezing cold holding his clapper!
I represented the RNA at the unveiling of a commemorative stone to Boy Seaman Cornwell in Leyton (reported later), where the lad came from. There were big RNA turn-outs at the major commemorative services on 31 May in Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. A huge thank you to the many Shipmates who attended the many Jutland services to remember and commemorate their sacrifice and duty well done. I have an apology to make - last month I told you that the Conference dates for Perth had changed, then provided the old dates! The dates next year are: Friday 2 to Sunday 4 June 2017. Booking Forms are attached at the back of the Circ. I hope you enjoy the Conference brief and the great photographs taken by Nigel. We had a good Conference at Reading, but you will see that some elements did not go so well, particularly the Gala Dinner on the Saturday night. Our travel partner, CONA Travel, have been like Rottweilers with De Vere hotels and have negotiated a substantial refund and compensation package which will mean a £70 refund for all who booked through them (this will go out directly from CONA Travel). The De Vere letter is at the back of the Circular. This goes to prove the great value that CONA travel brings and the wisdom of using them – BZ Harold Burke and his team. I am off to Cleethorpes on Friday 24th for the main Armed Forces Day event with the NSB, again representing the National President. I know that many of our branches have been planning and getting gizzits from Nigel and Steve Caulfield. I want to say a big thank you for representing the Royal Navy and the RNA on the regional and local scene and keeping our beloved RN at the front of people’s minds. This is very important work and will become harder as the memory of Afghan and Iraq fades. We are progressing Project Semaphore and should have the application process nailed down shortly, I’ll probably write hard copy and electronically to all branches and Areas about how this will work within the next 4 weeks or so.
Andy, Nigel and I presented our Ship’s Wheel to the National Memorial Arboretum this week, for placing onto a purposed-built information shelter in the naval memorial area and overlooking our Naval Service Memorial. The wheel has been refurbished in the Dockyard (yes a real rabbit job) and looks marvellous. We had a chance to look round the new visitors centre which is going to be AMAZING. Sadly we can’t show you pictures from inside yet, but this is going to be a most impressive centre and our NSM information totem will be on the main route into the arboretum in the permanent exhibition area. I took the chance to look over the NSM, which is in very good nick and being kept in good order. The arboretum has put some hard standing by the info panel which really helps and the new info panel is really easy to read. The RNA bench is comfortable and in a great position as you can see from Andy and I lounging on it!
The National Council has agreed to kick off the RNA’s campaign for getting the Jutland Wood established with sponsorship of 2 specimen oak trees on the avenue of 14 oaks commemorating the 14 RN ships sunk at Jutland. Can I ask you to encourage sponsorship of a commemorative tree for £20 – for which you get a very nice certificate. Mind you, any exHarrier pilots can sponsor an acre of woodland for £15,000! This is not just RNA, but other associations and members of the public with a naval connection. If you want sign-on forms let me know. Finally, a reminder that we are coming into the main leave season for Central Office staff during July, August and September; taking just one of the four of us out means a lot of extra burden on the others – this is no problem but I would ask for your patience and understanding if our service for queries, slops, claims or membership isn’t as slick as normal. Off to check my European health card (just in case). All the best from me and the Central Office (HQ) team. Paul Quinn General Secretary
www.facebook.com/RoyalNavalAssociationRayleigh
LETTERS I would like to say a big thank you to your Standard Bearer and members who came to support our Battle of Jutland service in Ipswich. You have probably heard what a dreadful day it was weather wise, but we were pleased with the way it all went, and once again thanks for the support. Regards Roy Brockman (Ipswich Branch Chairman)
BRANCH CONTACTS President:
Bob Hill
01268 780449
Chairman:
Jim Hammond
01268 414616
Vice Chairman:
Terry Barker
01268 456165
Hon. Secretary
Gary Daisley
01268 555570
Hon. Treasurer:
Margaret Day
01702 524561
Membership Secretary:
Bill Vernon
Contact details 01268 772775
Standard Bearer:
Dave Bishop
available 01268 770521on request.
Welfare Officer:
Dave Mead
01702 307922
Social Secretary:
Iain Hendry
01268 655800
Gangway:
Jack Harrison
01268 743100
Padre:
Revd. Canon Mike Lodge
01268 742151
PR Officer:
Vacant