THE MOORINGS ISSUE 30
12 October 2016
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
RNA SUPPORTS BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY
Shipmates and members of the Royal Naval Association at the Naval & Military Club (Southend-on-Sea), 18 September 2016.
Incorporated by Royal Charter
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
RAYLEIGH BRANCH (AREA 5)
BRANCH CONTACTS RNArayleigh@outlook.com 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
01268 772775
Standard Bearer:
Dave Bishop
01268 770521
Welfare Officer:
Dave Mead
01702 307922
Social Secretary:
Audrey Blomfield
01268 781116
Gangway:
Jack Harrison
01268 743100
Padre:
Revd. Canon Mike Lodge
01268 742151
PR Officer:
Vacant
Contact details available on request.
President:
www.facebook.com/RoyalNavalAssociationRayleigh/
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Cover Story... Shipmates and members of the Royal Naval Association (Rayleigh Branch), enjoying the hospitality of the Naval & Military Club (Southend-on-Sea), at Sunday’s Parade and Church Service in commemoration of those who gave their lives in The Battle of Britain. In the presence of Her Worship Mayor Councillor Judith McMahon on Sunday 18th September 2016 at St. John’s Town Centre Church (The Lifeboat Church) in Southend.
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Turkey & Tinsel S/M Margaret Day reported that all 40 places for this year’s trip to Weymouth in Dorset are now fully booked. The visit (organised by Isle of Wight Tours) is scheduled for late
Belated Award Shipmate Cherie Ablitt finally received her engraved Shipmate of the Year trophy nearly 2 years after it was awarded in 2014 (remember the terrible misprint in the local paper?). The 2016 honours went to S/M Lillian Irons with S/M Jim Hammond receiving his award in 2015 for services as new Branch Chairman. We look forward to finding out who the lucky 2017 winner will be next year’s AGM.
A Case of Mistaken Identity The subject of the “Captain’s Retirement Party” at Rayleigh’s RBL turned out to be one Chief Petty Officer Mike (Sandy) Sandbrook. Recently retired from the RN after 33 years service, CPO Sandbrook’s trade Branch was ET(WESM)(CIS). A confusing array of initials which represents the closest thing the RN has to an IT techchie as a Communications Engineer on Submarines. S/M Jim Hammond has his recruiting hat on, and is on the chase! ET(WESM)(CIS) in the RN stands for Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering Sub Marines) Communications Information Systems. I just thought you should know! 4
Area Standard Bearer Receives his Marching Orders...
Area-5 Standard Bearer, Rayleigh Branch Vice-Chairman, Entrepreneur and all round good egg, Shipmate Terry Barker has received his Joining Instructions and will be carrying the Area Standard at this year’s “Nelson Service” at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk on 2 October and at the Remembrance Parade in Rayleigh on 13 November. Terry has also been busy organising next year’s Speakers for our Branch meetings, and now has a very full calendar. - Well done Terry (even if he doesn’t know how to wear a beret properly).
RNA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Please remember to contact your bank to update your Standing Order details with the new membership fee (£14 for 2017). Alternatively, cash & cheques can be paid directly to Bill Vernon. Membership renewals are due 1st January. 5
2017 BRANCH AGM The date for the Branch AGM is now set for Wednesday 1st February 2017, with the positions of Honorary Secretary and Welfare Officer up for formal election, Honorary Treasurer up for re-election, and the positions of Social Secretary and PR Officer up for grabs. The formal nomination procedure for the above positions will be posted in January 2017, but please approach the Branch Secretary if you would like to put your (or someone else's) name forward for the committee election.
All Change! - An archive photo from the 2013 Branch AGM, showing (L to R) Shipmates Margaret Day (Treasurer), Bob Hill (Chairman), Alan Booth (Secretary) and Dave Bishop (Minutes).
Added incentive... We have invited a photographer to the 2017 Branch AGM in order to take a group photo of the entire Ships Company (no excuses for turning up out of rig this time). The photographer will also be briefed to update our committee mugshots, and will be available for individual portrait (or group) photos for anyone who may want them. 6
TRAFALGAR NIGHT MESS DECK SUPPER. Friday 21st October (starts 8pm) Tickets £11 from Audrey Blomfield Ticket price includes live music and Fish & Chip or Chicken & Chip supper. This year’s event will feature a live Jazz Band — the Tin Pan Alley Cats. One believes his Lordship would definitely have approved..!
2017 MESS DINNER The successful “first attempt” to rejuvenate the annual Branch dinner/dance came as a breath of fresh air in the guise of the 30th Anniversary Ball at the Saxon Hall, Rochford earlier this year (see The Moorings #23). Next year’s Ball and showcase event for Rayleigh Branch will follow a similar format, and is to be known as our Annual Mess Dinner. Plans are already underway for 2017, with a provisional date in July pencilled in at the same venue. So please start gathering support from family and friends to help make this VIP gala function the success it deserves to be. 7
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