THE MOORINGS ISSUE 49
19 July 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
CANVEY ISLAND ARMED FORCES DAY
Shipmate Dave Bishop represents RNA Rayleigh at the Canvey Island AFD Parade and Ceremony on 24 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 Hundreds of people lined the streets to mark Canvey’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. Veterans took part in the poignant occasion by joining in with the parade. In attendance was Alex Bull, 89, who is pictured with the Chelsea Pensioners. Mr Bull served in the Merchant Navy and also in the Royal Air Force during and after the Second World War. The event started with military precision at 10.30am outside the Castleview School in Foksville Road, Canvey. The Sutherland Pipes and Drums led the march as it wound its way through the town centre, along Furtherwick Road, down to Long Road and on to the Paddocks Community Centre. Representatives from the Royal British Legion, veteran groups and individuals, serving members of the Armed Forces, Scouts, Girl Guides, Army Cadets, youth groups and the emergency services all took part in the march. A thanksgiving service was held at 11am outside at the Paddocks War Memorial. story by Echo Newspapers
Shipmates Terry Barker, Dave Bishop, Gary Daisley and Arthur Haslam standing in line with visiting Chelsea Pensioners at the Canvey Island AFD Parade & Ceremony on Sunday 24 June. (photo by S/M Tony Belford)
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Operation Sweet Pea - 8 August 2017 Taking shape. Shipmate Cherry Ablitt and Elaina Sumpter together with S/M Iain Hendry (not shown) have made an impressive start to the gardening activities in preparation for next month’s re-dedication of the RN & RNA Memorials in Rettendon.
Volunteer working parties and weed pulling, will continue right up until the event. Other plans before the day include; the siting of new memorial benches in commemoration of shipmate Alan Booth who crossed the bar early last year and the Centenary of the Battle of Jutland. Invitations have been sent to the top brass in the Royal Navy and RNA HQ and we will see at least 14 Standard from across No.5 Area (East Anglia) and beyond. Local MPs and Town Councillors are also on the VIP list, with dozens of branch members from far and wide planning to make the trip to Essex for what is expected to be the biggest RNA event in Essex so far this year. 4
Thank you to Shipmates Harry Irons, Phil Edwards, Bill Vernon, Mike Sandbrook and Gary Daisley for volunteering as car park and patrolling marshals during the rededication day. Look out for them! They’ll be the ones wearing ‘hi-vis’ vests meeting & greeting guests. 5
Extract from the Semaphore Circular July 2017. It was a red letter day for the Royal Navy this week, with the sailing of HMS Queen Elizabeth from Rosyth for Sea Trials. Our National President sent a note of congratulations to the First Sea Lord. In his response Admiral Jones said that despite millimetric laser technology, Captain Jerry Kyd the CO had confirmed the clearance under the Forth Rail Bridge with his 1830 sextant! The date of the Ship’s entry into Portsmouth is not yet public knowledge for a range of good reasons. Wind and tide being two and sea trials being another. I have met with the QE entry team and they have promised plenty of places for veterans to witness at the old HMS DOLPHIN or South Railway Jetty. I will have a last minute call for standard bearers to play a prominent part in the welcome. If you are interested please let Nigel or Andy know and we will be in contact when the date firms up – (notice might be quite short). A big Bravo Zulu to the Scottish Area and Perth branch for a superb conference. Full details in the Circular, but a great day for all. There are some important events coming up and I would draw your attention to: • The Biennial Parade on 10 September 2017 at the Cenotaph. • The Welfare Seminar 20-22 April 2018, Stoke on Trent. • The next Standard Bearers competition will be in HMS Collingwood on 12 May 2018. The good news is that the LIBOR buses are now nearing completion and I have arranged insurance. They will be delivered to Portsmouth and it is planned that all three will take part in the Biennial Parade, with the hosts taking the buses off to their new homes afterwards. The arrangements will be published next 6
month and directly to branch secretaries by email. The key points are drivers age 30 to 70, but insurance for older drivers may be arranged directly with the insurer. UK only, but trips to Eire and Northern Europe are subject to individually arranged and paid for insurance. The buses have a capacity for driver plus eight passengers and can also be configured to take luggage/goods if seats are removed. The wheelchair lift has a 300kg capacity which should be good enough for any chef or someone on a scooter. We have decided to dedicate the buses to modern Naval heroes and holders of gallantry medals. I have to do a final check with the RN and will let you know the names next month. Thanks to demand we have two new items for you. The RNA poppy pin and a wonderful figure of the Naval Service Memorial Sailor produced by the sculptor, Graeme Mitcheson. The figure would make a perfect thank you gift for a retiring branch official, or someone with good taste! If you pick up the figure from Central Office you can save £5 postage. A saving of £25 on Arboretum or Naval museum prices! The booking form for the Dublin 2018 Conference is available in the Circular. This Conference is going to be a highlight, with a great hotel right by the sea, Irish hospitality and a tour of the Guinness factory at some stage. I would like to say a huge thank you to Aldershot branch who have donated £10,000 to the Central Charity Fund as part of their management of a large legacy by S/M Tom Watson. The presentation photo is with S/M Ray Pullen from the Branch. Also a big thank you to Riyadh branch who have donated £5,000 this month. On an admin note, I draw your attention to the note regarding claim forms for delegates for Conference. Forms must be with us by 31 July at the latest, no exceptions I’m afraid. We are now moving into the summer leave period, when we may have fewer staff members in Central Office than you are used to. Remember that we only have four full time staff (plus Chrissie as 7
our S&O administrator), so answering the phone or sorting slops or membership issues may take longer than usual. I’d ask for your patience and forbearance please. I have a few remaining RNA leather bound new testaments from the Church service at Perth. If any Shipmate is interested in having one, please let me know. Finally, a unique picture of your GS in a kilt for the first time! A big thank you to Bob Coburn for organising it. Very comfortable item of clothing I have to say, especially when the sea breeze is coming in! (Note: Andy is pressing me to say if I was a true Scot, or not. Suffice it to say I maintained standards as a senior naval officer!) . Kindest regards from the Central Office team, Paul Quinn General Secretary
Letters from RNAHQ: 30 June 2017:
Good Afternoon all. I am now able to build a list of applicants for the St Paul’s Seafarers service on 11 October 2017. Names and addresses please to Nigel [via your Branch Secretary], before the 1 September. Thanks, Nigel Huxtable Assistant General Secretary
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The Annual National Service for Seafarers Organised by Seafarers UK, the 2016 Annual National Service for Seafarers (ANSS) took place at St Paul’s Cathedral on 12 October to commemorate and celebrate seafarers and the work they have done to protect our shores and sea lines of communication and to enable the movement of goods. Britain as an island nation, remains hugely reliant on seafarers for security, commerce and prosperity and since 1905, hundreds of past and present seafarers, veterans and members of the maritime community have been coming together for the ANSS to recognise and give thanks for those who go in harm’s way on the nation’s behalf. Attended by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman The Lord Mountevans, a Trustee of Seafarers UK, the Annual Service for Seafarers also included choir performances by pupils from Reddam House Berkshire, The Royal School, Pangbourne College, The London Nautical School, and The Royal Hospital School, led by the Music Director of The Royal Hospital School, William Saunders. If you’re interested in attending the Service on 11 October 2017, please contact your Branch Secretary to enquire about tickets.
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Guess Who? Can anyone put a name to this handsome chap? We thought we would make it a bit harder this time, as he’s not shown in his regular uniform. There aren’t any prizes for guessing correctly, it’s just for fun! As a clue, our mystery soldier has only recently become a regular attendee at Rayleigh Branch meetings, but joined the RNA in 2007. The answer will be published in the next issue of The Moorings. Last issue’s Guess Who was Shipmate Cliff Severn.
Department of corrections S/M Paulette Rose (Hon.Secretary for No.5 Area) has asked that I advise readers that S/M Terry Barker took up the position of Area Standard Bearer in 2015, with his first engagement in that position being in September of the same year.
Situations Vacant: Deputy Branch Standard Bearer Shipmate Bill Vernon has agreed to stand in as Deputy Standard Bearer for S/M Dave Bishop at Operation Sweet Pea should the need arise. However, we are still looking for a permanent replacement for the vacancy. Remember, we are only looking for a Deputy as a stand-in for the Branch Standard Bearer when (and if) the situation arises. The ideal candidate will already have experience as a Standard Bearer, but full training will be given to a prospective new candidate if required. 10
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:
2017 Biennial Parade Sunday 10 September 2017 The Cenotaph, Horse Guards Parade, London SW1A 2AX Diary Date:
RACE NIGHT!!! Friday 8 September 2017 (7:30pm) £5.00 tickets from Mike Sandbrook. Diary Date:
IWM DUXFORD Tuesday 12 September 2017 £TBA tickets from Mike Sandbrook. Diary Date:
RNA vs RBL Darts Match Friday 6 October 2017 First arrows at 8pm - free admission Royal British Legion, London Hill, Rayleigh. 11
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