The Moorings, Issue #67

THE MOORINGS ISSUE 67

JULY 2018

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

RAYLEIGH TRINITY FAIR

Steadfast! (left to right): Shipmates Ray Fenn, Gary Daisley, Cherry Ablitt, Joan Crick, Alma Walton, Graham Dunnill-Gosling and Terry Barker.

Photo by S/M Ian Ward

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:

Joan Crick

01268 741303

Membership Secretary:

Bill Vernon

01268 772775

Standard Bearer:

Dave Bishop

01268 770521

Welfare Officer:

Dave Mead

01702 307922

Social Secretary:

Mike Sandbrook

01702 801103

Padre:

Rev. David Oxtoby

01268 971814

BRANCH DETAILS Bank Details: HSBC Rayleigh

email: RNArayleigh@outlook.com

Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch Account number & sort code from Hon. Treasurer.

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

Pusser’s Rum Raffle Winner: The lucky winner of RNA Rayleigh’s free Rum Raffle held at this year’s Trinity Fair was Fiona Morgan of Trinity Road, Rayleigh.

The winning ticket was drawn by S/M Terry Barker at the branch meeting held on Wednesday 13 June and the bottle of Pusser’s famous 40% proof Naval Spirit was collected in person and presented by S/M Jim Hammond at the meeting held on 27 June.

When asked if Fiona was intending to drink the spirit herself, she replied that she wouldn’t normally touch the stuff, but on this occasion was prepared to make an exception..!

National Coastwatch Institute: Anthony O’Brien of the NCI asks if any of our members would like to join them as Watch Keepers in their watchstation at Holehaven Creek, Canvey Island? Four hours a week in uniform and you get to train as a Watch Keeper, looking out to sea with a cup of tea!

Please contact Anthony O’Brien on 01268 792502 for further information.

3

Extract from the Semaphore Circular JuLY 2018 Dear Shipmates, Welcome to the July Semaphore Circular. I’m sitting in Semaphore Tower in 28 degree warmth with the sea breeze blowing reflecting on a busy and wonderful few weeks. The Queen Elizabeth has returned from her recent sea trials and is now giving leave before deploying later in the summer to the USA and embarking the F35s for the first time, leading to a full work up offixed wing capability.

We had a terrific Conference in Dublin and I hope you enjoy my report in the Circ. A huge BZ to Dublin Branch for hosting a VG Conference with very high-rank VIP for our keynote speech, even arranging the Irish Navy’s Flagship, the LE Ethne to do a ship’s visit just for our Conference and for the lovely Irish dancers at the Gala Dinner.

It is a time of saying farewell to good friends; Ian Wheatley our wonderful Chaplain of the Fleet and Ray Barraclough our Hon Tres for the last 30 years. Welcoming new friends – S/M Ian Irvin who is taking over as our Hon Tres and new NCM Stewart MacLean (3 Area) and Arthur Gutteridge (4 Area). Delegates and Shipmates were able to meet Captain Bill Oliphant RN who arrives in November to start handover from Paul Quinn, who leaves on Christmas leave and draft on 21 December.

You will see the fantastic Branch news section this month is bulging with what branches have been up to, and I know that next month will see a bumper report from all the Armed Forces Day activities that have been going on, all around the country. Please share your story with the whole RNA. We have some encouraging news too: • The Lamp Light of Peace is being placed into the care of the RNA from 4 August to 29 August in the last 100 days run up to the centenary of the 1WW Armistice (on Sunday 11 November). We would like an honour guard of Shipmates in 4

the Historic Dockyard to welcome the Lamplight on Sunday 5 August.

•

The NC has appointed Shipmate Gareth Booth as the Branch Recruitment and Retention Advisor (BRRA), he lives in 7 Area and is coming in soon for his induction brief.

•

The NC has approved the establishment of the Riders Branch, the first non-territorial branch in the RNA. The Riders Branch will be just as much of a branch with the ability to have a standard, delegate at Conference etc. This opens the way for other Special interest groups to be established either as branches, or not. If you want to learn more, please give the GS a call.

•

The Branch and Club Support Fund is going well with almost £3,000 granted out to branches. There are no forms required, just a simple email or letter (if you are not online, like Fleetwood branch who enjoyed at £250 grant to decorating their meeting room). A nice article in Branch News about a branch using the grant to buy a Gazebo. So, contact the GS with just brief details about what the grant is for. My record is approval in 8 minutes! The Fund’s income is from the excess of Pooled Fares (if any) and decommissioned branches (10 years on), so should go back to branches in the shape of a minor grant of up to £250.

Larger grants are possible through your NCM.

Also, some important business: • The NC is looking to co-opt a fourth member of the Standing Orders Committee. If you are interested, please contact GS. The SOC are responsible for the Governance issues of Conference and are vital to protect and defend the democratic systems we have.

•

We do not, currently, have DNCM for 1, 4 or 5 Areas. The NC is seeking nominations from those Areas by 3 September 18. The form is at the back of the Circ please.

Otherwise an email to the GS who can explain the duties and send the form on to you.

•

Please note that the Conference minutes have been produced and can be found at https://www.royal-naval5

association.co.uk/members/downloads/the-annualrnaconferenece/ •

The Main Conference Motions have been passed and have now been sent to the Privy Council for approval.

•

We are hoping to write a history of the RNA and would be grateful for any info that you have, particularly for the early days and the transition from the Old Comrades Association.

Finally, following a review of our digital presence, we have appointed Mike Gray (ex-editor of Navy News) as our Digital Communications Manager. Suzanne has now finished her contract, so Mike will be your contact for the website, FaceBook, etc.

We are now entering the summer leave period with Nigel off on Cadet leadership training courses all over the country and routine summer leave for the rest of Central Office staff. Please be patient if we are a little slower in answering the phones or getting back to you on your other questions. Michelle should be back from her leave by 9 July.

Best wishes from the Central Office staff Paul Quinn General Secretary

Veteran ID cards: Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Tobias Ellwood, has announced that all armed forces personnel will now be able to keep their military ID on leaving.

A decision is still to be reached concerning those who are already outside. The RNA General Secretary will be pressing the case with ‘Vets UK’ this month.

6

Carrying the flag: A donation of Standard Bearer parophnalia has been gratefully received from S/M Tony Reekie (pictured left in 2012) for use by RNA Rayleigh. S/M Tony Reekie was not only the Standard Bearer for the Southend Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, but also their Chairman.

Meanwhile, S/M Dave Mead has already made use of these items at his first outing as Deptuy Branch Standard Bearer during the funeral of Babs Hayward in Basildon at the end of June.

Alan Walker (Basildon Branch President) wrote “Please pass on my sincere thanks to the shipmates from Rayleigh who attended Babs Hayward’s funeral. I know that the family appreciated the turnout.

May I also ask for a mention in despatches for the superb job that Dave Mead did on his first outing as Standard Bearer. He conducted himself with great dignity and professionalism throughout the entire service. The man not only did himself proud but he did your branch proud at the same time. A credit to you all.”

A keen badge collector, S/M Mead was chuffed to bits when he received his RNA Ensign and Branch Standard Bearer’s lapel badges at last Wednesday’s Branch Committee Meeting.

Well done Dave and thank you Tony.

7

Rayleigh Trinity Fair: 10 June 2018 Rayleigh Town Council welcomed hundreds of residents to its second Trinity Fair.

The fair, which was held in the High Street on Sunday 10 June gave residents the opportunity to look at a host of craft, gift and food stalls, while also taking in some live entertainment, fun fair rides and fancy dress parade.

Speaking about the event, Rayleigh Town Council's vicechairman, June Lumley said: "This has been a marvellous day and it was so good to see everyone having a lovely time.

"It was a great family day out with something for all age groups to enjoy and I would like to thank our councillors and staff, Haddon Events, the numerous volunteers and our sponsors who all helped with the success of the day".

Meanwhile, special thanks goes to Shipmates Bill Vernon, Cherry Ablitt (thanks for Greggs breakfast), Terry Barker, Joan Crick, Gary Daisley, Graham Dunnill-Gosling (who made the trip from Dagenham to be with us), Ray Fenn (a real ladies man and absolute natural at public relations), Iain Hendry, Harry & Lily Irons and Alma Walton for manning the recently acquired and 8

decorated gazebo and spreading the word to hundreds of Rayleigh residents and vistors alike. There was plenty for them to see and find out about, with visual presentations and displays including naval models, a bronzed bust of Lord Nelson and a display board advertising the wonderful things that we get up to at RNA Rayleigh.

We were treated to a visit from the S/M Mark Francois MP, the leader of Rochford District Council, Cllr David Merrick, Cllr S/M Ian Ward, Cllr S/M Christine Callis, Mike Davies from Rayleigh Town Museum and many other friends of the branch. There were also 150 entrants for the free rum raffle (winner’s details on page 3).

The whole event was heralded a great success for Rayleigh and RNA Public Relations. We’re are making plans for next year already! It remains to be seen how many new membership applications will be received as a result, but the signs are pretty good so far.

9

Quiz Night: 30 May 2018 With Shipmate Joan Crick preoccupied with branch business, the (usually) victorious ladies team were seriously handicapped, but were determined to show their worth by knuckelling down to some serious brain racking.

As always, S/M Bill Vernon’s topical and lighthearted aproach to question writing was matched only by his targetted topics for the evening and had everyone scratching their heads for inspiration about all things royal (in the wake of the recent Royal Wedding).

The final victors of the evening were Shipmates Terry Barker, Ken Benson and Dave Harding (seen here with the trophy presented by S/M Questionmaster Bill Vernon).

Uckers Nights: New dates have been set in the branch calendar for Uckers training nights.

Running along side our usual branch evenings, the Uckers Nights are to be held on Wednesday 19 September and Wednesday 14 November.

It is also hoped that we can run another open tournament on the run up to Christmas. Keep an eye out for details.

10

Canvey Armed Forces Day: Saturday 30 June 2018

The march-past began at Castle View School, in Foksville Road, at 10.30am on Saturday. Representatives of the Royal British Legion, as well as veterans’ groups (including the Royal Naval Association), current serving members of the armed forces, cadets and the Sutherland Pipes and Drums were among those who took part as people lined the streets to watch and cheer.

The event took place as part of the Armed Forces Day commemorations across the country to celebrate the contribution of our armed forces. On Canvey, the parade passed along Furtherwick Road and Long Road before ending at the Paddocks Community Centre. A service was held at 11am at the Paddocks War Memorial, supported by Canvey Community Choir and the usual light hearted address from Rev. David Tudor reminding us that the day was a celebration of the armed forces the assembly was also treated to a poignant speech from Rebecca Harris MP. 11

12

RNA Rayleigh Photo Competition Update Entries for our first photo competition have now started to come in a quite a rate (especially since the branch visit to Portsmouth). So I thought I should remind potential entrants of the rules as previously published.

Rules: • All Rayleigh branch members are eligible to enter.

•

Photographs can be submitted in a either digital (1MB or larger) or printed (5”x7” minimum) format.

•

Entries must be taken by a paid-up member of Rayleigh Branch.

•

Photos to be of a subject matter relating to the RN, RNA, of a general naval theme or RNA activity (including branch visits and formal events).

•

Photos must be taken between February’18 and January’19.

•

All entries must be received by the Branch Secretary no later than 1 February 2019.

•

If sending a printed photograph, the name of the entrant is to be written on the back of the print and sent to RNA Photo Competition, 10 Arundel Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 4EF.

•

Digital entries are to be emailed to RNArayleigh@outlook.com and may include pictures taken on portable devices including mobile phones and tablets provided they are of sufficient resolution.

•

Each photograph (or print) is to be sent with the details of the event or subject matter that the image relates to.

•

Printed submissions will be returned at the AGM, or by post if a stamped addressed envelope is supplied with the print.

•

Ensure that you have the permission of anyone in the photo to use their image for this competition and that they understand that it may be used for promotional or advertising purposes as stated below.

•

Rayleigh Branch reserves the right to use any submission for promotional and advertising purposes in print, on our Facebook page and other publications.

13

WRNS in action:

RNAS Yeovilleton during WW2.

Photos courtesy of the IWM

Did you know..?

The odd design of the Rodney and Nelson battleships with three forward turrets and none aft, was due to their tonnage being reduced by the Washington Naval Conference of 1922. Because Washington cut them down, they were nicknamed the ‘Cherry Trees’ after the famous George Washington story.

Navy News 2013.

14

Diary Dates

Mess Deck Supper Friday 13 July 2018 (8pm) Fish/Chicken & Chips S/M Mike Sandbrook.

Annual Sea Service Sunday 15 July 2018 (2:30pm) RNA Maidstone (No.2 Area) Kent.

S/M Mike Sandbrook for details

Annual Mess Dinner Saturday 28 July 2018 The Saxon Hall, Aviation Way Rochford, SS2 6UN. Tickets £40.

Merchant Navy Day Flag Raising Ceremony Monday 3 September 2018 (10am) Rayleigh Town Pavilion.

Paradise Wildlife Park Thursday 13 September 2018 Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

S/M Mike Sandbrook for details

Battle of Britain Parade Sunday 16 September 2018 St. John’s Church, Southen on Sea Muster at Naval & Military Club 10:45am

RNA vs RBL Darts Match Friday 5 October 2018 First arrows at 8pm - free admission Royal British Legion, London Hill, Rayleigh.

15

16