The Moorings, Issue #73

THE MOORINGS ISSUE 73

JANUARY 2019

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

HAPPY NEW GEAR

The RNA’s new bi-metal beret badges are now available from Central Office (RNA-HQ) Slops and will be present in abundance at the Biennial Parade at the Cenotaph in London later this year.

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 email: RNArayleigh@outlook.com Bank Details: tweet: @RNArayleigh HSBC Rayleigh 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

RNA Rayleigh Branch Christmas Social Wednesday 12 December 2018 Our Christmas Social is one of my favourite events of the year. It is always well attended by Shipmates and their guests with 2018 being no exception as we had seventy people attend. For me the day started with a fast ball, as our programmed entertainment cancelled due to ill health. Luckily, I managed to get ‘Starstruck’ DJ Steve Burns to stand-in at very short notice and he did a fantastic job keeping us all entertained.

As always the buffet was very well prepared and it was good to see that there was very little waste at the end. This may have been due to the fact that our shipmates hate to see anything go to waste, so forced themselves to go round the buoy again (I personally didn’t see any forcing).

The raffle this year was great, with over forty prizes of alcohol, sweets, biscuits and wrapped presents. S/M Alan White was very lucky with his numbers being drawn numerous times, but having won his first prize he discounted his other winning tickets so that others could have a chance at winning, thanks for your generosity Alan.

The evening itself was a great opportunity for us all to socialise with as many of our shipmates and friends as possible and this was evident throughout the night. The dance floor was also put to full use which was great to see.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all shipmates a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

S/M Mike Sandbrook

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Extract from the Semaphore Circular December 2018 Dear Shipmates, Welcome to the December Circular and our last of the year and my last one ever!

We are expecting the HMS Queen Elizabeth to be returning to Pompey in mid-December following very successful F35 trials in the Western Atlantic. HMS Diamond has returned following a very successful deployment that included operations in the Med. Also, this week the HMS Prince of Wales has started her main diesel engines for the first time, up in Rosyth where she is fitting out.

We have welcomed the IMC Executive Council to Semaphore Tower for their annual meeting. We had a very moving service on Spitbank Shoal (about two miles out of the harbour), taken by the Chaplain of the Fleet. We scattered paper petals in remembrance of shipmates, poppy petals for the RN and dark and light blue for forget-me-nots and cornflowers for French, Belgians and Germans.

A huge thanks to branches and shipmates who contacted us for crosses in our Field of Remembrance, we had a great display for the NP to show HRH Prince Harry. It was great to see so many shipmates there. I had the great privilege of marching with the RNA platoon this year, under the capable direction of S/M Bob Coburn. We were at the head of the march this year which made it even more special. The new GS Captain Bill Oliphant marched with us and enjoyed a brew or three in the Civil Service Club afterwards.

Don’t forget to keep an eye and ear out for those who might be feeling lonely over Christmas and why not give them a ring, or better still share a tot!

I am delighted to report the appointment of S/M Nick Purkis as your new Chair of the Standing Orders Committee and adviser on Rules to the National Council. He will continue to be advised and 4

supported by our NCBA-emeritus and Life Vice President), S/M Ivan Hunter. His CV is in the Circ and you will see he is a very well qualified person for the job.

A reminder that the Open Days are in the Longcast and to book up with Nigel. It’s a real highlight to see the new carrier from the water, but of course, no guarantee that she’ll be in!

Don’t forget the Jutland Wood Planting event on 16 March at Langley Vale, where we aim to plant Jutland Wood. I’ve asked Collingwood and Sultan for Part-2 sailors to come and the Sea Cadets have asked how many minibuses they can park! More details in the New Year, but plan for an 11:00 start and to wear warm clothes and wellies.

Some important matters of business: • There are important forms on the attached file for Branch motions with a deadline of 15 February. This will be the last warning before the deadline.

•

NCM and DNCM election forms for Areas 2,6,7,8,9,11 and Scotland, deadline 15 February.

•

Nomination forms for Standing Orders Committee. Members still urgently required for the Feb meeting.

•

Diaries are selling well please contact Nigel. We have sold all this year’s Christmas cards, but still have a few of last years at a reduced price.

•

Michelle has covered the annual returns in her section, they are attached for you to complete, also downloadable from the website.

•

We have run out of the subsidised beret badges, full price now available.

•

Due to the Central Office closed period 21 Dec to 2 Jan, there won’t be a January Circular.

Captain Bill takes over on 8 December as the new GS. His email is bill@royalnavalassoc.com. I will be around until the CO closed period on 21 Dec, drafting the annual trustees report. So please use his email for GS business after the 8th.

This is my 87th and last Circular. I have enjoyed writing this 5

Circular introduction over the years and feel it is the closest I get to communicating with the RNA across the Board. It has been a great privilege and honour to be the GS of the RNA and ten times more fun than I thought possible. A huge thank you to all those who have hosted me, chatted to me and supported the various projects that we have worked on together over the last eight years and seven months. Thanks also to the many NCMs I have worked with and our inspirational National President, Adm John.

As General Secretary I work particularly closely with the National Chairs and I have been so lucky to have had Chris Dovey and Keith Ridley in those positions, two hard-working individuals, tireless in their advocacy for the RNA. I am so proud of the RNA and what it does, evident every month in our ever-growing branch news section. We don’t own the RNA either at Central Office, National Council or Branch level, we keep it in trust for the young sailors that Andy and I see every week, who deserve to have a vibrant RNA, along with RFA and Reserves, so I echo and support the National Chair’s comments about recruiting and welcoming all to our wonderful Association.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Central Office team and goodbye from me.

Paul Quinn General Secretary

Rayleigh RNA Branch AGM: At this year’s AGM, scheduled for 6 February, the following Branch Committee positions are up for up for election/re-election: • Vice Chairman • Hon. Secretary • Welfare Officer • Social Secretary • Public Relations Officer (PRO) If you fancy having a two-year stint in any of the above positions, please contact your Branch Secretary for further information.

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Pickle Night: 9 November 2018 Trafalgar Night is typically celebrated on 21 October by the RN’s Officer Corps. Warrant Officers and Senior Ratings have their own celebration around 4 November. Pickle Night, marked the arrival of HMS Pickle in Falmouth with news of the victory and of Nelson’s death.

In November, RNA Southend hosted another of their Pickle Night’s at their club premises in Prittlewell, which was down on attendance from previous years, but well made up for by the presence and participation of RNA Rayleigh’s very own Sods Opera virtuoso performance in the shape of S/M Gary Daisley.

For those of you not familiar with the term, a Sods Opera is a show put on by soldiers or sailors to entertain themselves. It can take on many forms from spinning a dit and telling a few jokes, to playing music, singing songs, playing musical instruments and pantomimes (including the ubiquitous dames).

The ship’s company at Southend put on a fine show, with a Ukuleleband, singers and joke tellers. Meanwhile, S/M Daisley struggled to squeeze a note out of his tin whistle, but had the audience in stitches with his own versions of the Wild Rover and Rowan Atkinsons ‘Welcome to Hell’ sketch. I’m not sure that we’ll be invited back again, but it was fun while it lasted!

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Poppy Parade: 11 December 2018 The publicity surrounding the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, together with dry weather brought out 2,500 plus good people of Rayleigh in support of this year’s Remembrance Parade and Service. The procession of service veterans, cadets, youth and

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volunteer organisations was led through the town by the Essex Marching Corps, who maintained a very steady beat for those marching. Cdr Pethybridge RN (Chief of Staff to the Naval Regional Commander for Eastern England) took the salute.

L-to-R: S/M’s Gary Daisley, Jim Hammond, Dave Monk (Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex), Cdr Richard Pethybridge RN, Mark Francois MP, Lt Will Barker RN, Rev. David Oxtoby, Cllr Jack Lawmon, Mike Burnham, Mike Sandbrook & Arthur Haslam.

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Uckers Tournament: 8 December 2018 With a last minute change of venue, teams from Rayleigh and Southend Branches made their way to Rayleigh RBL on London Hill for the second annual battle of the giants.

Last year’s victors were a joint team which included our very own S/M Mike Sandbrook and with Mike’s current form on the board, he was a hot favourite to defend his crown this year.

The tournament got off to a great start, with mugs of tea and bacon rolls all round!

L-to-R: S/M’s Brian Cox, Mike Burnham, Bill Vernon, Margaret Nunn, Gary Daisley, Mike Sandbrook, John Hawes & Mick Vanner.

S/M’s Margaret Nunn joined with John Hawes from Southend and beat Gary Daisley & Bill Vernon from Rayleigh in the first game of the first round. A lucky roll of the dice (snake-eyes) from Gary Daisley got the pair from Rayleigh off to a great start, from which Margaret and John from Southend never recovered and the game resulted in an Eight-Piece-Dicking for the visitors! The final game of the first-leg was neck and neck right down to the wire, 10

but Rayleigh managed to hold out and win.

S/M’s Mick Vanner & Brian Cox from Southend took on the two Mikes (Burnham and Sandbrook) for the second first-leg match. So commanding was their gameplay, that the two Mikes smashed their way to a 2-0 white wash.

With Southend RNA kicked out of the park, Rayleigh was assured of a victory, with the final round being played in a sudden -death single game match. Mike Sandbrook was slow to make a start and with Bill Vernon consistently rolling sixes it looked like it was going to be a very short game. However, once Mike Sandbrook got going, he became an unstoppable force and sent Gary Daisley’s counters back ‘home’ again and again. Mike Burnham’s slow but steady pace meant that their team was on track to win, but inspired tactical play (helped by Bill’s constant run of sixes) meant that the final game was won by S/M Gary Daisley & Bill Vernon.

It’s now who wins that matters, it’s how you play (provided you beat Southend RNA in the process!

The trophy will be proudly displayed on the top-table at Rayleigh Branch meetings until the 2019 re-match in December. A great competition and a great trophy. Thank you Southend RNA, good luck next time!

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Conserving the London Shipwreck: Southend Central Museum - 31 January 2019 A talk by Angela Middleton.

Angela Middleton, Archaeological Conservator, was the lead on caring for all the London’s artefacts after their recovery.

She works for Historic England at their maritime HQ. In this talk she shares her experiences working on the finds and with the specialists who carried out the analysis so that we could tell the London’s story.

Beecroft Art Gallery - Lecture Theatre Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EX 19:00 - 20:30 £10 Entrance fee.

The London Shipwreck: A Sunken Story 22 September 2018 - 20 July 2019 Southend Central Museum Exhibition.

The London Shipwreck: A Sunken Story exhibits finds from the London shipwreck, a 17th Century Cromwellian warship that mysteriously exploded in the Thames Estuary in 1665. Immerse yourself in the Age of Sail, learning about life on board, warfare and the events that led to the loss of over 300 lives.

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Branch Raffle: SM’s Harry and Lilly Irons will be standing down shortly from providing the raffle prizes for our meetings. Therefore, a volunteer is needed to buy the raffle prizes and give the receipts to Treasurer S/M Joan Crick for reimbursement. Prizes will then be given to Social Secretary SM Mike Sandbrook at our meetings and he will carry out the raffle as usual.

On behalf of all our Branch members, I would like to thank S/M’s Harry and Lilly for providing us with raffle prizes for a number of years, your efforts have been greatly appreciated.

Finally, I would like to ask anyone who has received unwanted Christmas presents (perfume sets, aftershaves, sweets, biscuits and alcohol etc), to think about donating them to our RNA Branch for raffle prizes. See Social Secretary S/M Mike Sandbrook for more details.

Branch Auction: 6 March 2019 S/M’s Terry Barker & Dave Bishop will again be hosting the Branch Auction this year, with all profits going to help support the Mess Dinner in August.

This year, we are opening the event so that friends and family can attend in order to boost the fund raising effort. So if you’ve anything of naval or general interest which you think may attract a bid, please bring it along. The good news this year is that there will not be a forfeit for any items that remain unsold by the end of the evening!

Photo Competition: A total of sixteen images have been submitted for this year’s Branch Photo Competition. All of which will be available to view at our AGM before the winner is announced. The winning photo is also to be featured on the cover of the March edition of The Moorings.

Department of Corrections: In the December issue of The Moorings, it was incorrectly reported that S/M Terry Barker carried the No.5 Area Standard at the Operation Sweet Pea Remembrance Service in November. We should point out that the only Standard present at the service was that of the Prince of Wales Sea Training School Society, carried by Michael Westhead.

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2019 Membership Fee: Payment now due!

If you’re not already paying the £14 RNA Annual Membership Fee by Standing Order, please use the form below to ensure that future payments are taken care of automatically. Simply complete the form and post it (or hand it) to your Bank for processing.

Investigations are afoot to see if future payments can be administrated through Central Office (RNA-HQ). In the meantime, it falls to S/M Bill Vernon (Membership Secretary) to make sure that everyone is up to date with their payments.

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Diary Dates

First Branch Meeting of 2019 Wednesday 9 January 2019 RBL, London Hill, Rayleigh - 8-10pm

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RNA No.5 Area Meeting & AGM Hosted by Harwich RNA Saturday 2 February 2019 United Service Club, Harwich - 2pm

RNA Rayleigh BRANCH AGM Wednesday 6 February 2019 RBL, London Hill, Rayleigh - 8-10pm

Auction Night Wednesday 6 March 2019 Proceeds to Annual Mess Dinner - All welcome!

RNA v RBL Darts Match Friday 3 May 2019 (TBC) S/Ms Dave Bishop & Dave Harding

Rayleigh Trinity Fair Rayleigh High Street Sunday 9 June 2019 (11am-5pm)

Castle Point Show Waterside Farm, Canvey Island Sunday 21 July 2018 (timing TBA) 15

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