THE MOORINGS ISSUE 50
02 August 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
MIKE’S BIG BLACK BOTTOM BOUNCING BATTLE BOAT
Shipmate Mike Sandbrook led RNA Rayleigh on another adventure, this time to Chatham Historic Dockyard (full report pages 6-8).
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: email: RNArayleigh@outlook.com 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
Our Terry grabs another top job Congratulations to Shipmate Terry Barker who was voted in as the Rayleigh Branch Delegate to No.5 Area and National Conference at the Rayleigh Branch meeting on Wednesday 5 July. Terry replaces Shipmate Jim Hammond who now sits on the National Council representing No.5 Area. Terry can now add his new roles to his current CV which includes No.5 Area Standard Bearer and Rayleigh Branch Vice-Chairman. I foresee a busy time ahead for our Terry. Well done shippers!
Liberation recognition Shipmate Les Holyome is to be formally presented with his Legion d’honneur medal from Rt Hon Mark Francois MP at a ceremony to be held at the Royal British Legion in Rayleigh on Friday 1 September 2017. The 10am presentation will be followed by a buffet. All Rayleigh Branch members welcome. 3
PRESENTS
OUR NAVAL RACE NIGHT Where the horses represent some of the Navy’s greatest warships and Jockeys represent Ships Captains
Join in the excitement of owning and racing your own racehorse! Bet on the winner! Horse purchase (favourite warship) ÂŁ2. Prize for winning horse owner. 50p per bet. Have as many goes as you wish. The more you bet the greater your chance of winning. Pay-out is 50% of race betting total split between race winners. Enclosure opens 7.30pm. First race 8.00pm 4
Formal Mess Dinner: 19 August 2017 With our Mess Dinner fast approaching I thought I would give everyone a heads up on the timings and routine for the evening. The venue is the Jubilee Suite at Saxon Hall. The Jubilee Suite has its own entrance at the side of the building which leads straight into the bar/reception area so please use this entrance. I would remind everyone to be at the venue between 18:00 and 18:30. In order for the night to run smoothly I would like to ask that everyone be on time as dinner cannot be delayed for late arrivals. Anyone that is going to be delayed or are unable to attend on the night contact S/M Mike Sandbrook on 07447 092661 and he will inform the waiting staff. There will be a professional photographer taking pictures in the bar area between 18:00-18:50, so if you would like a photo taken do it during this time as he will be leaving at 21.00. S/M Mike Sandbrook will be given a digital copy of all photos taken. The photographer will be hosting all of the photos on a secure website so that orders can be made directly from him if you require hard copies (details to follow). Raffle tickets will be on sale from S/M’s in the bar area from 18:0018:55 and again after dinner. At 18:50-18:55 guests will be called by the Toastmaster to take their seats for dinner followed by our Chairman and his guests. A welcome speech will then be given by our Chairman followed by Grace from S/M Mike Sandbrook. On completion of dinner at approximately 21:00 a speech will be given followed by toasts from our Chairman and ViceChairman (no other toasts are to be given). The band will start on completion of the toasts and the raffle will take place when they stop for a break (approximately 22:00). The bar will close at 23:30 and the band will finish with God Save the Queen at 23:45 in order for everyone to leave the venue by midnight. If anyone has any questions please direct them to Jim Hammond, RNA Rayleigh Branch Chairman or S/M’s Mike Sandbrook, Cherry Ablitt and Joan Crick.
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Chatham Dockyard visit: 6 July 2017 The Chatham Dockyard visit organised by S/M Mike Sandbrook was a great success. Everyone was on time for the allocated pick -ups, which allowed us to reach the Dockyard shortly after it opened at 10am, giving us a full day to explore. 6
The RNA Rayleigh boarding party prior to boarding; (left to right) shipmates Mike Sandbrook, Harry & Lily Irons, Alma Walton, Alan White, Lynne Edwards, Barry Williams, Phil Edwards, Eileen Barker, Eileen Peeling, Linda Wilson, Terry Barker, Les Holyome, Pat & Jim Hammond. Photo by Heidi Nevin. 7
There was so much to see, but the highlight was definitely the Ropery tour as the lady giving the talk and the demonstration was dressed in period clothing and acted the part of a Ropery worker of the day. She had our whole group laughing but she was also very informative. The other main highlight was the tour of the submarine HMS Ocelot. A few eyes were opened on the conditions that submariners live in for months on end without seeing the light of day. Many of our group had served or visited HMS Pembroke (Chatham Naval Base) during their time in the Royal Navy and it brought back many memories for them. Everyone said that they enjoyed the day and were looking forward to our next visit planned for 12 September 2017 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. 8
IWM Duxford visit: 12 September 2017 Following on from the very informative and enjoyable visits to HMS Belfast and the Historic Dockyard Chatham our next visit is to IWM Duxford. The first pick up will be at 09:00 at Rayleigh Weir, 09:10 at the Royal British Legion and then if required Trafford house (Basildon). This will be an all-day visit scheduled to return at 17:00. If anyone requires a wheelchair then let S/M Mike Sandbrook know so he can book them free of charge from Duxford.
IWM Duxford covers a large area so comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended therefore, civilian clothing is to be worn. Duxford do provide minibus transport between exhibits if required. The cost of the visit including entry and coach will be ÂŁ32 each. Names and payment for those wanting to attend are to be given to S/M Mike Sandbrook as soon as possible so that the right size coach can be booked. 9
Guess Who? Can anyone put a name to this handsome Airman? We thought we would make it a bit easier this time, as he’s shown in his regular service uniform. There aren’t any prizes for guessing correctly, it’s just for fun! As a clue, our mystery veteran has become a regular attendee at Rayleigh Branch since joining in 2015. The answer will be published in the next issue of The Moorings. Last issue’s Guess Who was Shipmate Dave Mead.
Appeal from No.5 Area We have received a communiqué from S/M Paulette Rose (No.5 Area Hon.Secretary) requesting maximum attendance at the forthcoming Quarterly Area Meeting in Stowmarket on Saturday 5 August. Paulette says; “The Area urgently needs the following vacancies filled: ViceChairman, Treasurer and two Committee Members (preferably). Do give this some thought and please advise ALL your members, stressing the importance of this request. As many S/M's as possible can attend from each Branch, one of which should be the Delegate. I cannot stress enough how much we need these vacancies filled and I trust I can hopefully rely on your support in this matter.” Paulette Rose.
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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 S/M Dave Smith. Diary Date:
IWM DUXFORD Tuesday 12 September 2017 £32 tickets from S/M 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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