THE MOORINGS ISSUE 55
11 October 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
VICTORY!
Shipmate and team captain Dave Harding celebrates RNA Rayleigh’s win over the RBL at their biannual darts match on Friday 6 October 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
Cover story: It’s taken three and a half years, but the RNA-Rayleigh’s darts team finally beat the RBL with a decisive 6 -4 whopping. The victory was especially sweet as the RNA were presented with the newly purchased replacement trophy (the previous shield had been completely filled with the eight previous wins by the RBL) dating back to November 2013. The special trophy was presented by Garry (Pod) Woodruff, the newly appointed captain of the RBL team. Garry replaced S/M Dave Harding who stood down from the role after he joined the Royal Naval Association and was threatened with all sorts of physical violence from his old team should he become a turncoat. True to form, Dave stood his ground and stepped up as stand-in captain when S/M Dave Bishop was unable to attend.
Shipmates Gary Daisley, Terry Barker, Ricky Buck, Scott Thomson, Dave Harding (team captain), Harry Irons and Arthur Haslam celebrate victory!
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Battle of Britain Parade: 17 September 2017 This year's Battle of Britain Parade was supported by Shipmates Dave Bishop, Dave Mead, Phil Edwards, Gary Daisley, Tony Reekie, Arthur Haslam and Alma Walton. Shipmate Tony Reekie continues to use his influence as ex-Royal Air Force Association branch Chairman and as a member of Southend’s Naval and Military club to ensure that we are able to provide ongoing support for this celebrated annual event. As always, the parade was headed by the excellent marching band of the Air Training Corps and the Standard Bearers of the Veteran’s Associations marching along Royal Terrace, past the Royals shopping centre and along Church Road to St. John the Baptist Church.
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As expected, our friends from Southend RNA were there together with the Submariners and Merchant Navy shipmates. However, it was our very own S/M Alma Walton who was spotted and singled out for a special chat by Mayor Cllr Fay Evans as she stepped into the ranks at the end of her public address. Well done Alma, it was great that you were able to march with the rest of us in support and memory of the few who gave so much during the Battle of Britain.
Race Night: 8 September 2017 Shipmate Dave Smith reported that the cine horse racing night held in September had been a success, with over £300 being raised for branch funds. The support from our friends at Rayleigh Town Council put to shame that from our own branch members. However, it was agreed at last week’s committee meeting that we would run a similar event during a normal branch meeting in 2018 to show off how it works and to promote greater interest for future events. 5
RNA Biennial Parade: 10 September 2017 Shipmates Jim Hammond, Terry Barker, Gary Daisley, Dave Mead and Alan Walker were joined by Guests of Honour the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Jonathon Woodcock OBE for the well attended parade. Also marching were representatives from the many naval associations including from Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, trainees from HMS Sultan, HMS Collingwood and members of the Sea Cadet Corps. Music was provided by the Portsmouth Volunteer Band Association (80 musicians strong!).
Rayleigh Branch Chairman & No.5 Area National Council Member Shipmate Jim Hammond front and centre in the ranks of the good and the great!
Sharing Southend RNA’s minibus was an excellent idea. It safely delivered us to Horse Guards Parade, from where we were able to make the short walk to the Civil Servant’s Club for a quick brew and informal natter with the others as they assembled. What I hadn’t realised was that the top brass was also gathering there and the two FCPOs I was swapping dits with turned out to be the Command Warrant Officer RN (Nick Sharland and WO1 Jan Cox (Command WO RNR). It was only when Commodore 6
Mark Slawson joined us that I realised I was probably digging a hole for myself that I wouldn’t be able to climb out of..!
Due to security concerns, the march route was much shorter than in previous years. The police did an excellent job looking after us (and seemed very grateful for the overtime). The parade also saw the police’s first deployment of a piece of kit called the ‘Talon’, which is designed to combat vehicle threats to pedestrians.
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(Above) Top Brass including: the Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock OBE, RNA National President Vice Admiral John McAnally CB LVO. after taking the salute at the Cenotaph and waiting to give their address to the assembled parade.
The RNA’s new Libor mini-busses. Kitted out and ready for action! 8
We also benefitted greatly from having our very own tour guide S/M Ray Fenn who is a volunteer guide at IWM Duxford. He gave a very informative talk on the history of IWM Duxford and then went on to impart his vast knowledge of the various exhibits on display throughout the site. There were 18 shipmates in our group and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. For many of us it was a trip down memory lane as S/M Cliff Severn worked on the guns of some of the Fleet Air Arm aircraft. S/M Les Holyome had flown in a Sunderland like the one on display and S/M Mike Sandbrook was reunited with a Mk6 Sea King helicopter from his time served on 814 NAS. This was the third visit organised by S/M Mike Sandbrook this year. The location of the next visit is yet to be decided, so if you think of a place that our members would like to visit, let S/M Mike Sandbrook know.
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Guess Who? Can anyone put a name to this young Matelot? As a clue, our mystery man recently received his well earned WWII Légion d'Honneur medal from S/M Mark Francois MP. 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 Bib Hill.
The ladies winning ways continue Fighting off stiff opposition from the Combined Ops team and a sound effort by Rayleigh Town Council, the RNA ladies again beat off all opponents to win the in-house Quiz Night on 13 September. A special set of questions for the ‘special event’ were researched and prepared by S/M Cherry Ablitt. Question Master S/M Bill Vernon had to face the usual barrage of abuse from the less than charitable members who were more than critical of his Midlands accent! 10
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 10:00-10:15 start
Diary Date:
TURKEY & TINSEL 27 November - 1 December 2017 A festive Christmas break to the Isle of Wight. Details from S/M Margaret Day.
Diary Date:
RNA Rayleigh Christmas Social Wednesday 6 December 2017 Enjoy letting your hair down and spending the evening with StarStruck Disco.
Diary Date:
UCKERS TOURNAMENT Saturday 16 December 2017 (10:30 - 16:30) £5.00 entry.
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