The Semaphore Circular No 650 The Beating Heart of the RNA June 2015 HMAS Anzac berthed alongside on Victory Jetty during her visit to Portsmouth. Sadly there is a NAAFI buzz that our antipodeans cousins got the dates for the visit wrong as their intention was to arrive in time for the Ashes. A spokesman was heard to say ... “ Look mate ..we always like to see the Pommies hammered, so we’ll cheer on the Kiwis in the first Test at Lords....but after Root’s 98 the only way we’ll see Pommies hammered this Summer is in Pompey Weatherspoons not in the Ashes! RNA members are reminded that hard-copies of the Circular are distributed to each branch via their Secretary, but “silver-surfers” can download their own copy from the RNA website at www.royal-naval-association.co.uk .(See below) 1 Daily Orders 1. HQ Open Day 2. Driving Licence Changes 3. Guess Where? 4. Symphony Joke 5. Finance Corner 6. Donations received 7. Assistance Please HMS Jervis 8. Aussie Farmer Joke 9. RN VC Series – L/S Mantle 10. Good Home required 11. More Phantom Stuff 12. RNRMC News 13. Nigel’s Clothing Extravaganza 14. More Model Ship Building 15. Pussers Rum 16. HMS Invincible Book 17. Rude Joke Alert 18. In Memory - Trincomalee 19. Lasting Power of Attorney 20. Discount Deal Lazy Days 21. Can you Assist 22. Book Sale – Attack at Dawn Longcast “D’ye hear there” (Branch news) Ship’s Office 1. Swinging the Lamp For the Branch Secretary and notice-board Glossary of terms NCM National Council Member NC National Council AMC Association Management Committee FAC Finance Administration Committee NCh National Chairman NVCh National Vice Chairman NP National President DNP Deputy National President GS General Secretary DGS Deputy General Secretary AGS Assistant General Secretary CONA Conference of Naval Associations IMC International Maritime Confederation NSM Naval Service Memorial Throughout indicates a new or substantially changed entry Contacts: 2 Financial Controller 023 9272 3823 [email protected] FAX 023 9272 3371 Assistant General Secretary (Membership & Slops) 023 9272 3747 [email protected] Deputy General Secretary 023 9272 0782 [email protected] Shipmates Administrator 023 9272 0782 [email protected] General Secretary 023 9272 2983 [email protected] Admin 023 92 72 3747 [email protected] Find Semaphore Circular On-line ; http://www.royal-naval-association.co.uk/members/downloads or... RNA Website – Members Area – Downloads – Circulars – Code (Shipmate) RNA HQ Staff continue to attempt to build a library of e-mail addresses within the Association. It would be extremely helpful if those Branch Secretaries able to communicate by e-mail would forward a short e-message to HQ to [email protected] Snail Trail Mail - Postal Address RNA HQ, Room 209, PP70, Semaphore Tower, HM Naval3 Base, Portsmouth Hants PO1 3LT Dear Shipmates, A warm welcome to the June edition of the Semaphore Circular, by the time that you get this Circ we will be a few days off the Conference at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone (CT20 1TX for those with Satnav). I hope that all preparations are complete, don’t forget Michelle’s warning that if you haven’t sent in your annual accounts and are up to date with subs, your delegate cannot vote. Here are the main timings – please note one very important change on the departure time for the trip to France: Fri 19 June 1400 Rooms ready, check in by alphabetical desk. Must register your car for parking. 2 Area reps available to help 1730-2000 Rolling self-service evening meal in the Harbour Restaurant 2000 Welcome reception in the Ballroom 2100 Entertainment starts in Ballroom (note after 2100 Ballroom open to all hotel residents) Sat 20 June 0600 -1000 Breakfast 0630 French trip departs promptly (requires 10 year passport and Euros). This is much earlier than previously, coaches will not wait, ferry to catch at Dover. 0845 Registration opens for delegates in the Ballroom 0945 All delegates to be seated 1000 AGM/Conference starts. Mayor of Folkestone and Vice Admiral Peter Hudson are VIPs. Admiral Peter will take questions after presentation. 1300 Conference breaks for lunch in Victoria Dining Room. Provided FOC for Delegates but not observers or others. 1400 Conference resumes O/C Conference ends – tidy up starts 1930 for 2000 Gala Dinner in Maritime Restaurant (Bookings closed as the restaurant’s full) 2130- late Entertainment in the Ballroom (Michelle is bringing her dancing shoes) Sunday 21 June 0700-0900 Breakfast 1000 Standard bearers and RNA muster in Harbour Car Park. Sep Wet weather routine 1020 Step off and eyes left (Mayor + NP + VIP) 1030-1100 Service taken by Chaplain of the Fleet 1101 NP harangues the troops, dismiss in position, bar open. Please note that through our time Happy Hour prices will be charged from 1100 to 2000. Please make your own way from the Railway Station (Folkestone Central) to the hotel, it has not been possible to arrange coaches or minibuses due to the turning circle at the station. Fare is £5 to £6. There should be plenty of taxis if not here are some numbers Premier Taxis 01303 270000 http://www.premiertaxisfolkestone.co.uk/ways-to-book.php Folkestone Taxi 01303 252000 JJ Taxi 01303 244442 I hope that is all clear. Michelle and Chrissie will be running Slops during the Conference Day. Ansvar insurance will be there to help explain our branch and individual insurance deals also CONA Holiday Service will be there to give hints and ideas on branch days out and reunions . 4 The HQ staff are really looking forward to meeting with our many friends, please come up and introduce yourself during the weekend. One of us will be duty first aider and will be carrying the RNA’s defibrillator and first aid kit until 2330 each night. Andy is duty Friday and Nigel duty Saturday. Other matters this month: • Don’t forget planning for the Biennial March at the Cenotaph on 6 September. We hope to see loads of you, we have the Irish, Belgian and Dutch naval associations coming as well as loads of CONA friends. We need the help to win the drinking and singing completion which the Irish edged last time. I shall be up at the Arboretum on 27 June, Armed Forces Day (AFD) to give chats about the memorial from 0900 to 1300 with the National Chair taking over to 1700. I would be grateful if anyone would like to join me during the day to help out, again please give me a call or e-mail, or just come along for a selfie and a tot (RNA members only) The National Standard will be at Guildford for the AFD, with the National President as a VIP in the Cathedral and other services. The best of luck for the many events that the RNA are covering that weekend, and grateful thanks. A big thank you to the 65 RNA shipmates who marched in the Gallipoli march, who were privileged to march off with the RN regulars. I have been asked by Shipmate Maurice Sheldrake (Wisbech branch) to remind all branches of the protocol regarding coffin drapes. The correct coffin drape for a retired member of the naval service is the Union Flag, with the White Ensign reserved for those members of the Naval Service who die in service. I well appreciate that this is obeyed more in the breach and I have been reassured by the Royal Navy that their Flag Police Unit was dismantled as a savings measure some years ago. But it does no harm for us to be reminded of the right drill. I suspect that when I cross the bar it will be the house flag of Pussers Rum!! Kindest regards Paul General Secretary May Open Day. Shipmates were joined by the General Secretary’s new grandson Shipmate Archie, with Shipmate Julia (Mum) taking the picture! 5 1. HQ Open Day - 15 May 2015 HQ staff hosted 32 Shipmates from a variety of branches and HQ role members including Sheffield, Birmingham, Exeter and Selsey. They enjoyed a sandwich lunch in the Semaphore Arms, (which overlooks Portsmouth Harbour entrance), a brief on the RNA and its current initiatives and issues, a Harbour tour after successfully passing their Naval swimming test!! on the SD Norton and finally cake and a cuppa. The photo above shows Paul briefing the Shipmates. The ‘on watch’ HQ hosting team of Paul, Andy, Nigel and Michelle were joined by Shipmates Bob and Sharon Jones. Bob acted as the ‘ASDA’ welcomer and Sharon teamed with Michelle as the local acting NAFFI tea ladies!! Just to prove what a successful day it was please read the e-mail we received from S/m Layton Pope. Good morning, To all the RNA HQ staff who made our recent visit, such a pleasant, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable experience, our heartfelt thanks for your hospitality and generosity. May I take this opportunity, to thank you for all the hard work you do, on behalf of the membership. Once again many thanks, Kind regards, Layton and Marie Pope. Ps, It would normally take wild horses to drag my wife onboard a boat, [ so much for ex wrens] so Friday shows how much she was enjoying herself. STOP PRESS, STOP PRESS, STOP PRESS; Due to a cancellation there are now 10 spaces available on the Friday 3rd July 15 Open Day. This will be on a First Come First Served basis however preference will be given to any Branch/HQ Role member who has not visited HQ on a previous Open Day.