Foreword from the President
Fellow Scribes, here we are at the end of August already, I don’t know where the time goes. I had a very enjoyable belated birthday present on the 7th of August when my children and grandchildren, partners & wives, and friends descended on me and took me out for a nostalgic trip to Paulton’s Park, and no I didn’t visit Peppa Pig. The last time I visited was about 12 years ago, so it was nice to see how the Park has expanded, with new rides more frightening than ever and how the grandchildren have grown up. The object of this story is that on the Sunday we all went to Gunwharf Quays and more importantly a walk along Southsea front. It was the second day of the Kite fest, but the wind was so strong that only the largest kites were flying.
Ever mindful of the Association I took the opportunity to check on the Association’s benches. The RNWA Centenary Memorial bench (the Association is responsible for its upkeep) situated to the left of the War Memorial on the Common needs a coat of preservative and the attached brass plaque is illegible due to corrosion. The dedicated Brian Emmence bench purchased inclusive of maintenance situated on the seaward side of Clarence Esplanade, nearer Clarence Pier is also in need of some maintenance as the slatted wooden seat needs paint/preservative and the metal name plate is missing. Since then, I have been trying to find out which dept. is responsible for maintenance of the benches. Having been given a telephone number by the Council helpdesk who they believed was responsible I have tried calling several times and have got no response. I tried the Council switchboard and was put through to someone who gave me 3 email addresses which proved incorrect and failed, trying the switchboard again I was eventually put through to the Highways department which seems to be the correct one as I now have an enquiry number and a promise of contact by telephone or email so that a quote can be obtained for the refurbishment of the RNWA Centenary Memorial bench and a timescale for the repair of the Brian Emmence memorial bench.
If you would like to contribute with a donation towards the cost of repair and maintenance, then please contact me or the Secretary and donate via Lloyds Bank (Oldham) 30-96-26 A/C 34521468.
The Reunion Dinner is on the horizon, and I hope that many of you will endeavour to attend and feel safe to do so; I am looking forward to it and meeting many of you again.
Colin Hughes RNWA President
T: 01489 573101
colin_hughes1@sky.com
Reunion Dinner 8/10
Rear Admiral Phillip Hally CB MBE & wife Joanna
A last and final reminder that the 134th Reunion Dinner is being held on Friday 8th October 2021 at the Best Western Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea. Cost Members £35 & Non-members £45
If you have lost or mislaid your application form, then it is available together with a choice of menu from the website, together with a list of current attendees. Check it out to ensure your name is there if going, if not then contact Les.
No exceptions, closing date Fri. 17th Sept. ‘21
“Crossed The Bar”
Non known or reported since March 2021 so ‘hang in there and keep healthy and safe!’.
Committee Meetings
16th September 8th October (AGM) 18th November
Membership
Due to a website glitch, unfortunately some new member’s applications were ‘missed’ but this has now been corrected. Therefore, welcome the following new members
February
Robert Hoyland of Worsbrough Dale Yorks.
March
Carole Shields of Callander Stirlingshire
Jeremy Feakins of Lancaster Pennsylvania USA Pictured below – Jeremy already having made a generous donation for the benches – read more about Jeremy via the website.
April
John Glover of Great Boughton Cheshire
Ian McGinn of Whallasey Merseyside
David Ireson of Malvern Worcestershire
June
David Bailey of Ipswich Suffolk
Wtr. LucieAptedof HMS DRAKE Devon
July
David Browne of Torksey Lincolnshire Anne Carr (nee collier) of Locks Heath Hampshire
Brian Coulthard of Locks Heath Hampshire
Julie Jones of Newton Abbot Devon
Paul Lister of Leatherhead Surrey
Grahame Long of Taunton Somerset
POWtr Samantha Smith Portsmouth Hampshire
June Brogan of Chesham Buckinghamshire
Cdr. Helen Wright of Southsea Hampshire
Membership comprises of:-
3 Honourary Members
32 Life Members
226 Members
261 Total Membership
Note: Outstanding membership contributions are:-
2 2019
9 2020
22 2021
Treasurer’s Report
Pat Prior BEM QVRM Treasurer & RNWA VP reported as at 22.08.21:-
£8,731.36 includes …
(£1,506.50) NMA
(£2.045.00) Dinner
(£40.00) GN Pay-out
Les Heyhoe BCAv
Newsletter Editor & Producer RNWA Secretary/Membership
112 St Vincent Road Gosport Hampshire PO12 4RF
Email: les@heyhoe.com
T: 023 9235 7181
M: 07494 150563
FIRST PRIZE !
5 LITRE BARREL OF PUSSERS RUM Special 50th Anniversary Edition 1970 – 2020
SECOND PRIZE
Rare 15-Year-Old Btle. of Pussers Rum
THIRD PRIZE
Personalised UCKERS BOARD
COST £1 PER TICKET Book of 5 = £5.00“Be In It To Win It” – see below
To be drawn on FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER 2021 – tickets will also be made available at the RNWA Reunion Dinner on Friday 8th October at Southsea.
ALL Proceeds in support of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
If you would like to purchase tickets for a chance to win one of these 3 splendid prizes, then simply follow these instructions:-
- Decide how many tickets you wish to purchase – £1 each & 5 to a book = £5
- Pay via online banking to Lloyds 30-96-26 a/c 34521468 RNWA Ref: TOT
- Email les@heyhoe.com with the amount and an address / contact details.
- Les will complete the raffle stubs on your behalf and scan / advise you of your raffle ticket number(s) submitting them for inclusion for the draw.
- If you have no email and wish to obtain tickets, then forward a cheque payable to the RNWA and enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope to Les.
World Uckers Championship – Saturday 23rd October at HMNB Portsmouth
Were you aware that such an event existed? ….. when did you last play uckers, let’s hear your ‘Dits’; better still share some photographs for website publication?
32 pairs will be contesting the Grand Final which will comprise of 1 Navy Board pair, Royal Naval Service of 9 pairs, Royal Naval Association members 13 pairs and *Veterans non-Royal Navy & RNA 9 pairs. The RNWA will be represented by *The Secretary whose made it through to the final with his partner (ex-Stoker), who are the “HMS PICKLE PUSSERS PIRATES”