THE MOORINGS ISSUE 48
5 July 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
CASTLE POINT ARMED FORCES DAY
Shipmate Dave Bishop represents RNA Rayleigh at the Castle Point AFD Flag Ceremony on 19 June.
Incorporated by Royal Charter
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
RAYLEIGH BRANCH (No.5 Area)
BRANCH CONTACTS RNArayleigh@outlook.com 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
01268 772775
Standard Bearer:
Dave Bishop
01268 770521
Welfare Officer:
Dave Mead
01702 307922
Social Secretary:
Audrey Blomfield
01268 781116
Gangway:
Mike Sandbrook
01702 801103
Padre:
Revd. Canon Mike Lodge
01268 742151
PR Officer:
Vacant
BRANCH DETAILS Bank Details: HSBC Rayleigh Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch. A/C: 81065955 Sort Code: 40-38-24. Meeting Venue: Royal British Legion 2 London Hill, Rayleigh SS6 7HP Tel: 01268 776503 Meeting Dates: Fortnightly (see back cover). Registered Charity: Registration Number 1069148 2
From the front page Members of the community turned out in their droves as Castle Point Council raised the Armed Forces commemorative flag. The flag was hoisted outside the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley on 19 June, witnessed by former servicemen and women. As the sun shone down on one of the hottest days of the year, the Royal Artillery Association provided the traditional gun salute. Following the event, Castle Point mayor Brian Wood hosted a reception for veterans and other guests in the council atrium after the flag raising ceremony. Many veterans and serving officers joined the Mayor along with councillors and council staff to mark the special occasion. Local residents and children from nearby schools were also present at the event. After the reception in the Mayor’s parlour, there was a chance to view an exhibition provided by the Bay Museum. story by Echo Newspapers
Shipmates Ray Fenn, Mike Sandbrook, Dave Bishop, Phil Edwards and Jim Hammond flying the flag at the Castle Point Armed Forces Day Flag ceremony on Monday 19 June. (photo by S/M Tony Belford)
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Operation Sweet Pea - 8 August 2017 RN & RNA Memorial Re-dedication Dear Shipmates, Rayleigh RNA is pleased to invite Rayleigh Branch members, RNA Area Officials, RNA No.5 Area Branches, Veteran Associations and their Standard Bearers to the re-dedication of the Royal Navy & Royal Naval Association Memorials at Rettendon (Nr. Chelmsford), Essex on Tuesday 8 August 2017 at 12:00. The re-dedication service is to follow the same basic format as the inauguration ceremony in 2015, with the inclusion of recent additions to the memorial site. We would invite you to arrive as early as possible on the day, but by no later than 11:00 when you will have an opportunity to meet and chat with other guests. Standard Bearers are to be in place to receive a briefing at 11:30. Guests to be seated by 11:45. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available before the event and a buffet lunch will be provided after. Toilets and disabled facilities are available onsite. For logistic and catering reasons, admission will be by ticket only and are limited to yourself plus one guest.
Deadline: Please hand your ticket applications to S/M Gary Daisley (Hon.Secretary - RNA Rayleigh) without delay. The deadline for ticket applications has already passed, so please email me with your details if you’ve not already done so. 5
A Night at the Museum
Ever eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things ‘Rayleigh’, Mike Davies (Curator and Chairman) of the Rayleigh Town Museum held a special evening for us on Wednesday 21 June. Mike stayed open late into the night especially for Rayleigh Branch members to sample the delights of the museum and to walk down Memory Lane as we were taken back to the days of Eddie Kirby of Kirby Coaches and his coach excursions to parts of Europe that many of us had only read about back in the 1950’s and 60’s. Something more closer to home was the building of Rayleigh’s one and only Cinema. ‘The Regal’ as I remember it had always been managed by Ron Stewart, a tall dapper young man with a pencil moustache who always reminded me of Walt Disney in appearance. Thank you Mike. I can’t wait for our next visit. 6
No.5 Area’s new National Council Member S/M Dave Ambrose from Brentwood Branch has now stood down as National Council Member for No.5 Area and in his place, S/M Jim Hammond (Rayleigh Branch Chairman) has moved up from Deputy to occupy the National Council Member seat. Jim now has a place at one of the most exclusive tables in the RNA hierarchy, as one of just thirteen Area representatives across the UK. Constitutionally, Jim now has to stand down from his other official positions within No.5 Area Standing down. S/M Dave Ambrose. (including as Committee Member A good friend to Rayleigh Branch. and Branch Delegate), which is just as well because now that Jim has taken up his new role his phone seldom stops ringing from HQ. Rayleigh Branch would like to take this opportunity to thank Shipmate Dave Ambrose for the contribution he has made in his time as National Council Member for No.5 Area, both locally and nationally. Dave has always been a good friend to our Branch and has supported us at many events and functions. Most recently, Dave presented Rayleigh Branch with our 30th Anniversary Certificate earlier this year. We all wish him well.
Stepping up. S/M Jim Hammond. Ready for the challenge.
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Dagenham RNA Branch Meeting I had a very pleasant time as a guest visiting the Dagenham Branch Meeting on Sunday 25 June prior to the Project Semaphore iPad training session. The Branch is both boisterous and raucous, which helps to boost branch funds as barely a minute goes by without someone having to make a contribution to their swear-box. This was a proper lower-deck gathering and definitely not for the feint hearted. There was also an appearance of the golden-rivet at one point. Even the Branch Padre was joining in as we enjoyed a tot to remember shipmate Del-Boy who crossed the bar last year. Thanks to all at Dagenham Branch for making me feel at home and reminding me what the RNA is all about – a lifetime of comradeship!
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Project Semaphore continues Shipmates Dave Pocock, Graham Dunnill-Gosling & Les Rudd of Dagenham Branch RNA undergoing Part-1 iPad training for Project Semaphore under the instruction of Rayleigh Branch's project coordinator and trainer shipmate Gary Daisley at Dagenham & Redbridge FC club.
Rayleigh Branch are planning another group training session to be held at the RBL in Rayleigh soon. It is likely to be a Saturday afternoon this time, so the other half can go shopping in the High Street without it spoiling your Sunday routine. Watch this space for the training date confirmation.
Anyone for Uckers? I am hoping to be able to run another Uckers night at our Branch meeting on Wednesday 16 August (the first meeting after the Mess Dinner). Brace yourselves shippers. It’s gonna be another mad one! 9
Guess Who? Can anyone put a name to this handsome chap with the non-regulation facial hair? There aren’t any prizes for guessing correctly, it’s just for fun! As a clue, our mystery junior rating has been a regular attendee at Rayleigh Branch meetings since joining and recently joined us on our visit to HMS Belfast. The answer will be published in the next issue of The Moorings. Last issue’s Guess Who was Shipmate Jim Hammond.
Situations Vacant: Rayleigh Branch currently have the following voluntary vacancies . Public Relations Officer. Responsible for all press releases, branch advertising and production of promotional publications and materials. A sound knowledge of digital marketing and social media tools would be an advantage. Would suit someone from a Marketing or PR background. The ideal candidate would already be a member of the Rayleigh Branch RNA, or a close relative of someone who is. Please apply in the first instance to the Hon.Secretary. Deputy Standard Bearer. A replacement for S/M Terry Barker who officially became the Standard Bearer for No.5 Area earlier this year and stood down as branch DSB to prevent any conflict of interest between Branch and Area. The ideal candidate would be physically fit, mobile (car owner) and be able to substitute for S/M Dave Bishop (Branch Standard Bearer) as and when required. 10
Diary Date:
Chatham Historic Dockyard Thursday 6 July 2017 £31 tickets from Mike Sandbrook. Diary Date:
Mess Deck Supper Friday 14 July 2017 (8pm) Tickets on sale from Audrey Blomfield at £11 each. Diary Date:
Rettendon ‘Living Memorial’ Re-dedication Service Tuesday 8 August 2017 Service starts at 12 noon. Diary Date:
Rayleigh Branch RNA Formal Mess Dinner Saturday 19 August 2017 The Saxon Hall, Aviation Way Rochford, SS2 6UN. Tickets £40. Diary Date:
RACE NIGHT!!! Friday 8 September 2017 (8pm) £TBA tickets from Mike Sandbrook. Diary Date:
2017 Biennial Parade Sunday 10 September 2017 The Cenotaph, Horse Guards Parade, London SW1A 2AX 11
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