THE MOORINGS ISSUE 52
30 August 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE MEN
National, Area and Branch Standards at Operation Sweet Pea in Rettendon on 8 August 2017.
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
No.5 Area legend crosses the bar Maldon Branch of the Royal Naval Association are sad to announce that our Shipmate and Treasurer Dick Ascott crossed the bar on 23 July 2017. Dick was Treasurer of Maldon Branch for many years, the NCM for No.5 Area for six years and elected Vice Chairman of No.5 Area in February of this year. During his time with us, Dick has been a good friend to Rayleigh Branch and attended many of our events and mess functions, he will be deeply missed. His funeral took place at Chelmsford Crematorium on Tuesday 22 August. Fair winds & calm seas, stand easy shipmate. Your watch is done. R.I.P. Richard Ascott 1935-2017.
All aboard the Skylark! Biennial Parade: Our friends at Southend RNA have advised us that there are five places left on their minibus for the trip up to London on 10 September. With pick-up/drop-off points from Southend and along the A13, seats are available at £10 each, so it will be a lot cheaper than a train ticket. 01702 710461.
IWM Duxford: S/M Mike Sandbrook advises us he has arranged a larger coach for the trip to the historic airfield and museum in Cambridgeshire on 12 September. Consequently, there are an additional five places available for anyone who hasn’t yet booked. Tickets (including transport and admission) are £32 each. First come, first served. 01702 801103. 3
PRESENTS
A NAVAL RACE NIGHT
Friday, 8 September 2017 where horses and jockeys represent some of the Royal Navy’s greatest Warships and Captains
Join in the excitement of owning and racing your own racehorse! Bet on the winner! Horse purchase (favourite warship) £2. 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. £5 Entry Fee Enclosure opens 7.30pm. First race 8.00pm 4
Operation Sweet Pea: 8 August 2017 The Memorial event at White House Farm in Rettendon was to dedicate the new memorial benches for shipmate Alan Booth who crossed the bar in 2016 and to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The weather stayed fine for the ceremony and the Standard Bearers from No.5 Area and beyond and marching party looked splendid.
The venerable Mike Lodge gave a very poignant reading and both ViceAdmiral McAnally and Commander Pethybridge added their combined professional weight and years of experience to the proceedings. All of which had been inspired, overseen and proceeded by an address from S/M Chairman Jim Hammond. VIPs and special guests included the Chairman of Rayleigh Town Council, Rayleigh Town Councillors, No.5 Area officers and shipmates from RNA branches from all over East Anglia. 5
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Operation Sweet Pea: 8 August 2017
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The months of planning before the event proved to be both necessary and worth while. The advanced work-parties making good the ‘ravages of winter’ and Peter and Francis Theobald's small army of volunteers making sure we had everything necessary to make the event a success (even without a bugler).
Traffic management, crowd control and car park supervision was taken care of by our stalwart team of Marshals. In their highvis vests they were running around like crazy for three hours before the event setting out traffic cones, organising access roads and making sure that everything was in order (including the repair of halliards on one of the flagpoles). They also had to make sure that everyone knew where to go and what to do plus hand out programmes and hawk RNA Poppy badges. 8
Following the service V.Adm McAnally, Cdr Pethybridge and Rayleigh Branch Chairman S/M Jim Hammond mingled with VIPs and guests before heading to the pavilion for lunch. Once assembled outside the marquees and pavilion, the call went out for Standard Bearers to fall in. “Splice the mainbrace” was celebrated with Pusser’s Rum (naturally) and the toast by the Parade Commander (S/M Steve Susans) to ‘absent friends’. As for the missing bugler? Defaulters will be at 09:00 - bring your cap!
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Guess Who? Can anyone put a name to this fresh faced matelot? As a clue, our mystery sailor has been a regular attendee at Rayleigh Branch meetings since joining in 1991 and took part in our last meeting’s uckers night. There aren’t any prizes for guessing correctly, it’s just for fun! The answer will be published in the next issue of The Moorings. Last issue’s Guess Who was Shipmate Gary Daisley.
Get smart Official RNA crested long and short sleeve men’s white shirts with two breast pockets are available in most sizes from RNA Central Office for £22.50 (ladies sizes £24.48). If you really want to look ‘Pusser’, RNA epaulette slides are also available at £10.63 for a pair (prices include P&P). Nigel Huxtable is ready to take your order at RNA-HQ on 02392 723747. Payment can now be made over the phone with your debit or credit card. Alternatively, Slops orders can be made through S/M Margaret Day. Get smart! 10
Diary Date:
RACE NIGHT!!! Friday 8 September 2017 (7:30pm) £5.00 tickets from S/M Dave Smith. Diary Date:
2017 Biennial Parade Sunday 10 September 2017 The Cenotaph, Horse Guards Parade, London SW1A 2AX 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. Diary Date:
Mess Deck Supper Friday 13 October 2017 (8pm) Tickets on sale from Audrey Blomfield. Diary Date:
Remembrance Parade & Service Sunday 12 November 2017 Muster: Websters Way car park 09:30 Service: Holy Trinity Church 10:00 11
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