The Moorings, Issue #60

THE MOORINGS ISSUE 60

10 January 2018

Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is illuminated by fireworks during celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation whilst moored on the River Thames in London in 2009. Photo: LA(Phot) Alex Knott/MOD

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION 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

Crossed the Bar It is our sad duty to report that Shipmate Alan Illes crossed the bar on 22 December 2017.

Alan Iles joined the Royal Navy in January 1943 at the age of 18.

He was originally sent to America to help bring a US ship back to Europe but while there, he was seconded to take a frigate from Montreal to Halifax. When he got there, he was seconded for a second time to join the minesweeper HMS Clinton and escort a convoy back to Europe.

Alan stayed with the Clinton for the rest of the war, going out the night before D-Day to lay marker buoys for the flotilla. The next day as they returned they were cheered by the Invasion force on its way to Europe.

S/M Alan’s funeral will take place at Pitsea Crematorium on Wednesday the 24 January at 14:00. The wake will be held at the British Legion in London Hill, Rayleigh.

Shipmate Alan Iles, a Rayleigh Branch member since the branch formed in 1986 seen here receiving the Legion d’Honneur medal from Mark Francois MP in February 2017.

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Cutty Sark & National Maritime Museum visit Thursday 22 February 2018.

Last year we had some very enjoyable and interesting visits to HMS Belfast, the Historical Dockyard Chatham and IWM Duxford. Although to be honest they have often reminded me of the ‘Carry On’ films with the amount of banter and laughing that goes on. This year our first visit will be to the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum.

On arrival at the Cutty Sark S/M Mike Sandbrook will obtain tickets and then we will have tea or coffee in the café (the cost of this is not included in the ticket) before starting our tour which will be unguided and at your own pace. The Cutty Sark has wooden decks so high heeled shoes are not permitted due to the damage they may cause. It is intended to spend the rest of the morning there and meet in the Café to have lunch before moving on. Feel free to bring your own lunch and drinks if you prefer.

At 13:00 (1pm) we will be picked up by our coach and taken to the National Maritime Museum and spend the rest of the afternoon looking at the many exhibits on display. The coach will pick us up for our return journey at 16:30 (4.30pm).

Wheelchairs are provided at both sites free of charge but must be booked. Therefore, please let S/M Mike Sandbrook know if you require one.

The first pick up will be 08:30 at Rayleigh Weir, 08:40 at the Royal British Legion and then if required Trafford house (Basildon).

The cost of the visit including entry to the Cutty Sark (National Maritime Museum is free) and coach will be approximately £27 each. As always, the more members that go on the visit the cheaper the coach will be, so feel free to invite family members or friends. 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.

Yours Aye, Mike Sandbrook

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RNA Rayleigh 2017 Open Uckers Tournament Saturday 16 December 2017.

Although the turnout was somewhat less than was planned, the RBL club put on a tremendous show for us, with catering supplied by the RBL ladies.

Southend Branch turned out in force for the day, equalling the number of players from Rayleigh branch.

With registration and breakfast rolls and coffees out of the way, serious game-play began in earnest with the first rounds being played as a best of three games.

The winning team from Group-A (S/Ms Mike Sandbrook & Brian Cox) went on meet the Group-B winners (S/Ms Gary Daisley & Mick Horner) in a ‘winner takes all’ sudden death final.

With S/Ms Bill Vernon (Rayleigh) and John Hawes (Southend) acting as invigilators (and S/M Dave Harding arriving just in time to witness the final battle), you could cut the atmosphere with a knife! Advantages swayed back and forth, with S/M Brian Cox’s counters all remaining at his home for most of the first half and all four of S/M Mike Sandbrook’s pieces being returned to base 6

just before the half-time whistle and break for lunch.

Shortly after the break, S/M Sandbrook was threatening to upturn the board before falling on what can only be described as the luckiest winning streak in the world! Throwing a staggering 18 sixes in just 6 turns, bringing all of his pieces into play and smashing the opposition back to base in the process. Meanwhile, S/M Horner had all counters home and was set to come to the aid of S/M Daisley who had succumbed to S/M Sandbrook’s run of luck.

There were cries of “Ludo playing b*stards” and accusations of ‘timber shifting’ together with various other insults and banter across the table, but in the end it came down to a race to the finish line, with S/Ms Sandbrook and Cox taking the honours and beating S/Ms Daisley and Horner into second place.

After the award ceremony and a tot of Pusser’s (courtesy of S/M John Hawes), all competitors agreed that it had been an excellent (if nerve shattering) event. S/M Daisley thanked everyone for attending and in response, Southend RNA offered to host next year’s tournament.

Worthy winners: S/Ms Mike Sandbrook (Rayleigh) and Brian Cox (Southend)

Bring it on..!

Runners-up: S/Ms Mick Horner (Southend) and Gary Daisley (Rayleigh)

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Shipmate of the year 2017.

Notice: Previous winners of the Shipmate of the year award, please note that the closing date for your 2017’s nominations has now passed.

All submissions will be handed to Shipmate Chairman Jim Hammond for consideration. The name of the winning shipmate for 2017 will be announced at the AGM in February. The winner will have their name added to the list of winners and receive the much coveted trophy (which they will hold for a year) and a special medallion which they will be entitled to wear in perpetuity.

Most recent S.O.T.Y. winners:

George Lowe 2011

Bill Vernon 2012

Cherry Ablitt 2013

Jim Hammond 2014

Lily Irons 2015

Iain Hendry 2016

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2018 - RNA Diaries Official 2018 RNA diaries are still available from S/M Gary Daisley, priced at £9 for the complete diary, cover and address book set, £8 for the diary and cover only or just £5 for the diary insert if purchased on its own.

A small number of 2012 Diamond Jubilee lapel pins and 2017 RNA Poppy Pins are also available, priced at £2 each.

The Official 2018 Royal Navy Calendar 12 AMAZING IMAGES OF THE FLEET. The official calendar for 2018 celebrates the awesome sea power of our Royal Navy featuring images that show its role sailing the world’s seas protecting and helping in areas in much need of aid and assistance.

STILL ONLY

£8.99 Incl. p&p

To order, telephone 01213 331553 (quoting the discount code SEAPOWER18), or go to www.onlinecalendarshop.com.

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Quiz Night.

Quizmaster and Shipmate Bill Vernon again hosted a very successful ‘Christmas themed’ Quiz on 22 November, with the honours this time being shared by the Ladies Team and S/M Gary Daisley. S/M Bill had arranged festive based food prizes for the winners, which the ladies generously re-donated as spot-prizes for the branch Christmas Social which was scheduled for 6 December. Thank you ladies. S/M Daisley received the Quiz Trophy which the ladies had won no fewer than five times during 2017.

RBL Club Membership Renewal.

Anyone caught in the endless triangle of RBL Club/HQ/Branch membership renewals will doubtless be happy to hear that if you have now received your membership card through the post and wish to make Club payment for the year-sticker, you simply need to put your card and cheque for £13 (payable to RBL Club (Rayleigh) Ltd) or cash in an envelope over the bar. The RBL Club team will do the rest and return your card and 2018 sticker.

Please remember to write your name and membership number on the front of the envelope and the back of the cheque. Thank you.

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Diary Dates

Cutty Sark & Maritime Museum Thursday 22 February 2018 Greenwich, London.

HMS MTB667 Memorial Service Monday 5 March 2018 All Saints Church, Brightlingsea.

Mess Deck Supper Friday 16 March 2018 (8pm) S/M Audrey Blomfield.

St.George’s Day Parade Sunday 21 April 2018 Naval & Military Club, Southend-on-Sea.

St.George’s Day Dance Sunday 21 April 2018 Basildon RNA - S/M Audrey Blomfield

RNA v RBL Darts Match Friday (TBA) May 2018 S/Ms Dave Bishop & Dave Harding

Rayleigh Trinity Fair Sunday 10th June 2018 High Street, Rayleigh 11

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