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INCORPORATED BY FULL RECOGNITION REGISTERED CHARITY |
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Once Navy Always Navy
Dear Shipmate Secretary, AMENDED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL STANDARD BEARERS COMPETITION 2008 1. Due to circumstances outside our control arrangements for The National Standard Bearers Competition for 2008 have had to be changed. The competition will now take place on Saturday 7th June 2008 in The Royal Engineers Gymnasium, Chatham commencing at 1000. The programme will be: Friday 6 June 2008 PM Competitors arrive King Charles Hotel (KCH). Saturday 7 June 2008 1000 (tbc) RE Gym available for practice. Sunday 8 June 2008 1045 Short parade to Chatham Naval Memorial. Those requiring accommodation should contact King Charles Hotel direct on 01634- 830303 FAX 01634-829430 e-mail enquiries@kingcharleshotel.co.uk. For Competition enquires please contact S/M Alan Robinson on 0791-391-0479. Entrants are to complete the following form: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Competitor...................................................................................... Home Address............................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................ Telephone Number....................................................................................... (Signatures) Competitor.................................................................... Area Secretarey........................................................... SEND THIS FORM BY 10th MAY 2008 TO: S/M A ROBINSON,
The Carrier Debate – An input from the Royal Naval Association National President Yours sincerely,
Advertisement for a Deputy General Secretary for the Royal Naval Association 3. As part of the Association’s strategy for relocation to Portsmouth, the National Council have authorised placement of the following advertisement in various publications and have also notified the Employment Liaison Officer (Naval), the Naval Resettlement Information Officer and the White Ensign Association of the requirement. As well as being placed in this circular, the notice is also being published in the HQ Roll Quarterly Newsletter. Deputy General Secretary – The Royal Naval AssociationThe Royal Naval Association (a long established Membership Association founded by Royal Charter and with Registered Charity Status) is looking for a Deputy to its General Secretary (Chief Executive) to start by early summer 2008 and both to set up a new Headquarters following the Association’s decision to relocate and to help evolve the Association’s links with the Royal Navy and its veterans in the 21st century. A competitive salary with attractive benefits is offered. As a successful applicant you will be have broad based administrative skills (including being IT literate), be motivated to support the charity’s 25,000 members, have experience of the Royal Navy and be in sympathy with the Association. This will be a busy appointment ; enthusiasm for responsibility, a good sense of humour and the ability to manage subordinate members of staff are essential. You will also deputise for the General Secretary. Portman Building Society – Merger with the Nationwide – Cautionary Tale 4. The Portman Building Society, which had a number of RNA Branches as customers, merged with the Nationwide Building Society in 2007 and declared bonus payments to existing customers. On Branches requesting their bonus payments they were informed by Portman/Nationwide that a consolidated corporate bonus payment would be made to RNA Headquarters in respect of all the accounts held by RNA Branches and wrote to HQ informing the General Secretary of this. The General Secretary responded that RNA HQ had never had an account with The Portman Building Society and that individual bonuses were due to those Branches holding individual accounts – this view was supported by recent guidance from the Charity Commission which stated inter alia “Branches of the Royal Naval Association in England and Wales are self governing; each Branch has a trustee body and produces its own accounts. This qualifies them as charities in their own right and separately registerable”. The Portman/Nationwide were notified of this guidance but refused to accept it,, stating that their solicitors took the view that notwithstanding the Association’s Constitution they were treating the many RNA Branch Accounts as one Corporate Account which would be due one bonus. The Portman/Nationwide have said they will send RNA HQ a cheque for £160-00 (£200 less £40 tax) in final settlement to the Association. The General Secretary has instructed HQ Staff not to accept any cheque from Portman/Nationwide in this regard since the HQ is not and never has been an account holder with them, and the Building Society has been so informed. They have indicated that they intend to continue in their interpretation of the facts as they see it – we appear to have a Mexican standoff. The bonuses due to individual account holders (Branches) are considerably more than the Society has offered and The General Secretary considers that the actions of the Portman/Nationwide are perverse and cynical. The costs of taking legal action against the Portman/Nationwide are likely to be such that the Association will be unable to afford to do so, however efforts continue to break the log jam. In the meanwhile, Branches maintaining accounts with Portman/Nationwide may wish to consider whether they wish to continue their relationship with that organization. e-MAIL ADDRESSES Gift Aid 6. Following the change from covenanting to Gift Aid, we have somehow lost momentum. The number of Gift Aid forms, from a membership of 24,590 stands at a modest 3,500. May we remind you that this is free money, which has helped us to maintain our annual subscription at £10.00. A blank Gift Aid form is included with this Newsletter at Annex B. Once completed, a Gift Aid Declaration lasts until it is rescinded. Thank you.
Navy News Subscriptions - Price Increase and Special Offers for New Subscriber 7. The cover price of The Navy News recently increased to £1-80 per issue which is the first increase for 3 years following a large rise in the cost of printing and distribution. However,. The Navy News is offering a special deal for annual subscribers with a subscription of £18-00 for 12 issues including postage and packing - the Navy News comes though your letterbox at a very reduced rate. The cover price saving is £3-60 before considering postage and packing - for Overseas please phone 02392-734448 for Airmail prices or contact subscriptions@navynews.co.uk. See the offer each month in The Navy News. A Message from the Worthing Branch 8. The Shipmates of the Worthing Branch wish to thank Admiral Sir Derek Reffell KCB, all the Standard Bearers and Shipmates who attended the Worthing 70th Anniversary and Service of Re-dedication in St Michael’s Church, Amberley, West Sussex. This event was a great success. Exodus 1947 9. Tal Mandel is researching the Exodus 1947 Operation which took place some 60 years ago. The Jewish resistance ship “President Warfield” with 4,500 illegal Jewish emigrants onboard, left the French harbour of Sete on 11th July 1947 bound for Palestine and was followed by six RN warships until its arrival at Haifa on 18th July. In Haifa harbour, British soldiers removed the emigrants from the President Warfield, placing them in three ex-Liberty Ships namely “Ocean Vigour”, “Runnymede Park” and “Empire Rival”. These ships then made passage to the French harbour of Port-de-Bouc arriving on 31st July 1947 and were said to have been escorted by up to 11 RN warships. Tal Mandel would be interested in hearing from any RN personnel involved who would be happy to share their story. She can be contacted on mandel_tal@hotmail.com or on 0033617865980 or at 6 bis rue Bernard Mule, Apt 40, Toulouse 31400 France. ARCTIC CONVOY VETERANS - SHORT NOTICE EVENT 10. Eugene Kasevin is organising the celebration of Russian 9 May VE Day onboard HMS BELFAST and wishes to contact British Veterans of the Arctic Convoys who have received the Russian Arctic Medal. He would also like to hear from those who are entitled to the medal but who did not, for any reason, receive it. The celebration on 9th May will also include a number of Russian Veterans. If you wish to go or think you are entitled, please contact Eugene Kasevin on 0207-256-3912 of by e-mail at ekasevin@interfax.co.uk. Normandy RN/RM Memorial - Annual Service of Remembrance 11. A Service of Remembrance will be held in Ouistreham in France at 1145 on Friday 6th June 2008 in honour of the crews of the Landing Vessels (ships, craft and barges) which took part in the D-Day Landings in June 1944 and afterwards, till the end of World War Two in May 1945. The Service will be held opposite the entrance to la gare maritime (Portsmouth-Caen Ferries Service) and will be conducted by the Reverend Martin Evans RN; the parade will be under the operational control of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. All are welcome : groups, individuals, families and friends and especially Standards. Contact Maurice Hillebrandt MBE on 01395-442800 or e-mail: hillebrandt@btopenworld.com
THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION Annual Conference 28th June 2008
THE CAIRD HALL Delegate for the Annual Conference 2008 Name of Delegate…………………………………………………... Branch……………………………………………………………… Area………………………………………………………………… Name of Branch Secretary………………………………………... Expected number of Observers from this Branch……………….
NB: A Delegate will not be confirmed as such unless or until the Branch Balance Sheet for 2007 and Annual Subscriptions for Branch Members for 2008 have been received in RNA Headquarters (Rule 12©). Should either not have been received in HQ, the Delegate's Status will be deemed to be that of an Observer.
Dorchester Branch of the Royal Naval Association – Veterans Day 13. Dorchester’s Veterans Day - on Sunday 29 June 2008 - will start at 1100 with a parade of Veterans – WWII to Iraq/Afghanistan, including the TA - in the town centre. In the afternoon a concert will take place in the Borough Gardens with performances by the Wessex Military Band, the Weymouth Accordion Band and The Thomas Hardye School Orchestra. There will be stalls in the Gardens demonstrating how veterans contribute to the community and showing the support available to veterans. The Keep Military Museum will be open, free to children, and veterans will be available to discuss their experiences. Maidstone Branch of The Royal Naval Association – Annual Sea Service14 The Maidstone Branch of the Royal Naval Association will be holding its Annual Sea Service on Sunday 20th July 2008, celebrating 20 years of this event and also the 60th Anniversary of its Commissioning. Additionally, the Branch will be laying up its Standard. Details of this event are available from the Honorary Secretary, S/M David Fiander on 01622-202995. Selsey Branch of the Royal Naval Association – Re-dedication of Standards 15. Selsey Branch of the Royal Naval Association in conjunction with the Selsey Lifeboat, Branches wishing to participate please supply the following information to the Hon. Sec. Branch.....................................................We will be attending........................... Name of Standard Bearer................................................................................... Numbers from the Branch attending................................................................. Contact telephone number..................................................................................
The Association of Wrens16. The Association of Wrens is still having FUN! It was formed in 1920 by a group of ex-Wrens who felt that both the friendships they had made and the spirit of the Service should be kept alive. Now many years later that same ideal is upheld by approximately 7000 women in an Association where no distinction is made between ranks, just a determination to enjoy something unique and worthwhile. All our members receive ‘The Wren’ magazine, posted to their home, three times a year. This features a variety of news, comments and photos contributed from women across the decades, and also from those women who are currently serving in the RN today. It’s a good resource for finding out about special events, such as the next National Reunion which will be held in York in August 2008 where we hope at least 1200 members will gather together for a wonderful weekend. We are very pleased that many RN and ex-RN women have shown an interest in the We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to appear in RNA publications, believing wrensassoc@aol.com or visit www.wrens.org.uk
17. ASSOCIATION OF WRENSNational Reunion at York22-24 August 2008 Saturday RM Assn. Band Concert & Re-dedication Socialising - goods stalls - photo displayYork visitor trips optional
Good accommodation on campus Expecting over 1,000 members, why not join us? REUNION HOTLINE 01489 505226 Not a member? Not a problem, contact 0207 9320111 wrensassoc@aol.com www.wrens.org.uk Serving RN Women especially welcome!
Friends of HMS VIDAL18. The 2008 reunion of The Friends of HMS VIDAL will be held at The Burlington Palm Hotel, North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG on 6th September 2008. Please contact David Parker, 28 The Sanctuary, Green Lane, Morden, Surrey CM4 5NX (Tel : 0208-648-0160) for full details.HMS MATCHLESS Association 1942-46 (including other “M” Class Destroyers of the Flotilla)19. Shipmates from the first and second commission of the above are welcome to attend the 22nd Annual Reunion of the Association which will take place on 20th September 2008 in The Union Jack Club, London. Contact J Horton at 10 Finch Court, Coles Close, Ongar, Essex CM5 OAY (Tel : 01277-366617). HMS ULSTER 1958-60 Commission – 50th and Final Re-union 20. The 50th Anniversary and Final Re-union will take place between 24-27 October Mast for Sale – Lichfield Branch21. Regrettably The Lichfield Branch Club closed at the end of March 2008. About two An RNA Contact in Florida 22. S/M Margaret Tedrick is well known to many in the Royal Naval Association since 226 N Nova Road Tel : 386-323-9043 e-mail : travellingwren@yahoo.com A Proposed RNA Trip to New Zealand - February/March 2009 23. Attached to this Circular at Annex B are details of the proposed RNA tour to New The co-organiser is Mrs Christina Edwards, who again organises tours throughout the Additional copies of the itinerary and booking form should be produced locally and It should be noted that very few single hotel accommodation rooms are available – Falklands War – Commemorative Covers 24. An enthusiastic philatelist has manufactured a set of commemorative covers, each one date cancelled 25 years on from the actual date of the event. The series was originally to number 25 but the addition of the Fox Bay surrender made the actual number 26. These covers are available at a cost of £65-00 for the set (including the cost of airmail despatch) from : Phil Middleton The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust – Pembroke House – A High Quality Care and Nursing Home 25. Pembroke House is a care home situated in Gillingham, Kent and is run by the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT). The home caters for residential and nursing care needs of those who have served as ratings in the Royal Navy or as other ranks in the Royal Marines and their spouses. The Commission for Social Care Inspectorate has awarded its highest accolade to Pembroke House in recognition of the home setting and maintaining the highest standards of care. The home provides care for the elderly frail but is not registered for the mentally infirm, particular those suffering from dementia. Pembroke House has 49 beds with 19 allocated for nursing care on a dedicated floor. It stands in fine landscaped grounds with a panoramic view overlooking the River Medway. The home is tastefully decorated on a nautical theme and all rooms are single and have en-suite facilities. The home has an excellent relationship within the local community and Chatham Historic Dockyard. It also maintains strong ties with the Royal Naval Association, several branches of which regularly visit the home and in turn invite the residents to their meetings and social events that include BBQs in the home’s lovely walled garden. Fees for FY ‘07/’08 range from £368.00 to £399.00 for residential care and £557.00 to £652.00 for nursing to reflect the level of care required; packages are tailored to each individual and are subject to regular review as needs change. Pembroke House is most definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ care home! Both self-funding and Social Services funded residents are accommodated provided the fees are topped up where there is a shortfall in local authority funding. The Trust’s policy is not to match any shortfalls in The Trust only employs staff with the right combination of skills and caring attitude. The home is equipped to the highest standards and prides itself on its bright and airy environment with a dedicated staff who assist residents in enjoying a full, independent and active life. For more details contact the Home Manager on 01634 852431 or e-mail to enquiry@pembrokehouse-rnbt.org.uk ; further details may also be found on the RNBT’s web site www.rnbt.org.uk DON’T MISS OUT ON GOVERNMENT CASH – ADVICE FROM THE NATIONAL WELFARE ADVISER – S/M RITA LOCK 26. Too many pensioners are missing out on money which is rightfully theirs so we urge all members or their family members who may be over 60 to check their entitlements. Pension Credit Most of these, except Housing Benefit, cannot be back-dated so if you delay claiming you have lost that portion of your entitlement for good. Pension Credit. Eligibility How to apply; Council Tax Benefit Financial help towards your council tax bills. Eligibility. How to apply If you claim pension credit, income support or job seekers allowance, you should automatically receive a council tax benefit claim form, otherwise contact your local council. Housing Benefit This is Benefit paid by councils to help towards rent payment. Also called rent rebate or rent allowance. Eligibility How to Apply: Winter Fuel Allowance People over 60 who have not had a winter fuel payment should check their entitlement. Most pensioners automatically receive the £200 payment or £300 for those over 80, but some must make a claim, notably men aged between 60 and 65 who are still working. Extra payments for those with a disability or an illness. Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are Benefits aimed at helping disabled people with the cost of care. People over 65 can claim AA if they need physical help with personal care because they physically or mentally disabled. The under 65’s should claim DLA instead. Neither payment is means tested and will not affect your entitlement to other benefits. AA is paid at two rates depending on your disability, £43.15 or £64.50 a week. DLA is split into two parts, the care component and the mobility component. You might be able to claim both. To apply for any of these payments, phone the Benefit Enquiry line on 0800 88 22 00 8.30am to 6.30pm on Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Savings and Tax If you do have savings try to ensure that they are in an ISA (tax free) or a higher savings account. If you do not pay tax then speak to an adviser at your bank or building society to avoid paying tax on the interest. If you have been paying tax unnecessarily you can claim some of this back by calling your tax office and asking for a tax rebate form. Understandably, most people assume the Revenue know your age. If you are over 65, contact your Tax Office to check you are benefiting from the age-related allowance. Gift Aid As outlined above, you can get help completing many of the necessary forms. The only form you need to complete yourself if you are a tax payer, is the Gift Aid form to the RNA. This means that your Association can claim the tax back on your subscriptions, thus helping to keep them at the current level. Rest assured that there is NO invasion of your privacy or inspection of your financial affairs by the Revenue (HMRC) so please do help by completing the Gift Aid form available from your Branch Secretary. Branch and Miscellaneous Announcements 27. History Notes 28 1 May 1891 Gunnery School on Whale Island commissioned as EXCELLENT.
James McClurg
ANNEX A GIFT AID DECLARATIONROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATIONTitle ..... Forename(s) ................................. Surname ................……………. I want the charity to treat all donations I have made from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid Donations Signature:- .................................................. Date:- ................................................……… Notes1. If your declaration covers donations you may make in the future: 2. You must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on your donations in the tax year (currently 25p for each £1 you give). 3. If in the future your circumstances change and you no longer pay tax on your income and capital gains equal to the tax that the charity reclaims, you can cancel your declaration (see note 1). 4. If you pay tax at the higher rate you can claim further tax relief in your Self Assessment tax return. If you are unsure whether your donations qualify for Gift Aid tax relief, ask the charity. Or you can ask you local tax office for leaflet IR113 Gift Aid.
ANNEX B ITINERARY FOR TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION 27 FEBRUARY - 15 MARCH 2009 Days 1 and 2 - Friday 27 February and Saturday 28 February 2009 Day 4 - Monday 2 March 2009 - Auckland Day 5 - Tuesday 3 March 2009 - Auckland - Omapere Day 6 - Wednesday 4 March 2009 - Omapere – Waitangi, Bay of Islands Day 7 - Thursday 5 March 2009 - Waitangi - Rotorua Day 8 - Friday 6 March 2009 - Rotorua – Tauranga - Rotorua Day 9 - Saturday 7 March 2009 - Rotorua - Queenstown Day 10 - Sunday 8 March 2009 - Queenstown – Milford Sound – Te Anau Day 11 - Monday 9 March 2009 - Te Anau – Doubtful Sound – Te Anau Day 12 - Tuesday 10 March 2009 - Te Anau - Dunedin Day 13 - Wednesday 11 March 2009 - Dunedin Day 14 - Thursday 12 March 2009 - Dunedin - Christchurch Day 15 - Friday 13 March 2009 - Christchurch - Nelson Day 16 - Saturday 14 March - Nelson – Auckland Day 17 – Sunday 15 March – Heathrow IncludedTransport in air conditioned coach Not IncludedTravel/Medical insurance.Departure taxes UK, NZ International (NZ$25), Rotorua Domestic (NZ$5) COST: £2999-00 (excluding airport taxes) per person sharing a twin/double room. RNA NEW ZEALAND TOUR NAME…………………………………………………………… Address:……………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………… ….. Post Code: ……………………………………………………. Telephone Number: …………………………………………………. ……………. E-Mail Address: ……………………………………………………………………..
Important: Name Must be Exactly as per Passport
Group Member Emergency Contact: Please provide a contact name & phone number of a relative/friend In case of emergency, Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Delete as appropriate) Forename………………………………………… ……………. Surname……………………………………………. …………. Phone Number (Day)……………………………………… Phone Number (Night)…………………………………………. Relationship………………………………………………. …….
Payment Details: ………….deposits @ £150 per person (non-refundable) = £………..
Final Balance is due by Wednesday 10 December 2008.
Travel and Medical Insurance is NOT INCLUDED in the price. Please make Bookings accepted on a first come first served basis Please enclose SAE for booking confirmation
Signed………………………………………….. Date……………………
SEND COMPLETED FORM TO: RNA HEADQUARTERS (NEW ZEALAND TOUR), 82 CHELSEA MANOR STREET, LONDON SW3 5QJ Further information can be obtained by contacting Jill Stellingworth – Tel: 01932 840208/Mobile – 07742 921910 or e-mail – jill.stellingworth@virgin.net
History of the League Founded in the early 1930s by Captain Bob Moyse MC DCM BEM with branches up and down the country, their magazine was called “The Ribbon”. The league’s president was always a distinguished soldier, eg Brigadier Sir Jackie Smythe VC MC MP. It was he in the early 1960s who left the DCM league to start the VC and GC Association. The league and the Association kept close links as a result. To this day Christmas Cards are exchanged and invitations are sent from the VC a\nd GC Association for league members to attend their annual service of thanksgiving, remembrance and re-dedication at the St. Martin in the Fields Church in London. Initially the league was run by chairman and members who had served in the 1914-18 war. Its purpose was to find work for those DCM holders who were seeking such help. There was a muster in London every year with the royal patron in attendance. Patrons have ranged from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, King George V’s daughter HRH The Princess Royal and currently His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. The various branches with their standards paraded on Horse Guards Parade, held a service al fresco and marched to the Cenotaph to lay wreaths. An employee of the Daily Express with the DCM called Arthur Caiger conducted the singing. (he always did so at the Cup Final at Wembley so the DCM was “advertised” on the song sheet every year). Each branch was made responsible for its own fund-raising. Some branches had a simple draw, others had dinner dances and some held dug-out suppers. The London branch preferred the last type where the participants wore tin hats and ate by candlelight. The annual subscription was 3s.6d. which meant the branch treasurers were busy checking that their respective members had paid their dues each year. A card was issued for that purpose which the branch treasurer initialled as proof of the subscriptions being paid. The boost to the membership came at the end of the Second World War when DCM holders were recruited into the league by personal letters passed through the incumbent’s regimental headquarters. This fillip was felt most in 1950 but the 1914-18 chairmen clung to office, which meant by the 1970s became moribund because of the chairmen’s advanced ages. The one DCM holder who joined the league in 1950 was James Charles Cowley DCM who was serving in the Coldstream Guards as a Warrant Officer Class 1 (RSM). With the demise of so many DCMs during those years it was decided to use two establishments in London - the Victory Services Club and the Royal Chelsea Hospital Chelsea as permanent locations. In the meantime holders of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (Flying) were invited to join forces. The title changed to the DCM & CGM Association. In 1993 the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was instituted which superseded the DCM and the CGM. All ranks of the three services are now eligible for this new Cross. The President and executive committee decided to extend the league membership by inviting all level II gallantry award holders to come under the fresh title “The Gallantry Medallists’ League”, still with world-wide membership. Membership includes Commonwealth awards within level II; Australians holding the Star of Gallantry and the Star of Courage, Canadians holding the Star for Military Valour and Star of Courage and New Zealanders holding the Gallantry Star and Bravery Star. Whilst many ex-service organisations are closing down the league keeps going which is an encouraging fact. After 27 years as President, Major Jim Cowley OBE DCM resigned at the 2000 AGM. He was succeeded by Lt. Colonel John Williams MBE DCM who, unfortunately, after nine months in post died in January 2001. His death sent shock waves through the league ranks. The President is now Lt. Colonel John Gaff GM, who was appointed at the 2002 AGM. As members grew older and few new level II awards were being made, a new class of membership was opened, Friend of the League, for those wishing to support the aims of the league. ANNEX D . Map of Selsey
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism, and Comrades |
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