Liskeard lights up

Liskeard RNA have received a request for items to help with the production of the Liskeard lights up parade.
The materials required are listed below:
For willow /tissue covered lanterns :
White bleached greaseproof paper
Gaffer/duct tape
Masking tape
Bleed resistant coloured tissue paper
Washable PVA glue
Lantern willow 6 foot lengths
Canes 8foot lengths
Cable ties
Led battery operated lights
AA batteries
Empty 2 litre plastic bottles - labels removed
Paint and glue brushes
Circular paper lampshades

If you can supply any of these materials please take to the Liskerret centre. If you are unable to deliver please contact me and I will arrange collection.

St Matthews Fair

 Marie, Margaret and Wilf manning the stall at St Matthews Fair.

RNA Christmas Dinner

As requested Mary contacted Looe Bay holiday camp on Tuesday 2nd October to confirm the details of the Xmas dinner. Only to be told `sorry you cant have that date. Head office have said that the last function must be held by 30th  Nov.

When asked why they hadn't informed us they said sorry forgot.

Offered us 24th November, which we provisionally took. 

When we phoned back to confirm they said `sorry that date has been booked via head office, and if you do want a function in the future the minimum price will be £49.95`each.

We said `no thankyou, `resisted the urge to lecture them on sex and travel.

So I am afraid the Xmas dinner for this year is cancelled. 

We will be looking for alternative venues for next year, any suggestions welcome.

regards Trevor.

Patrick Vaughan

It is with great sadness that I must report the loss of one of our members. At the age of 82 Pat finally succumbed to cancer.

If anyone has any memories or dits about Pat, that could be used in the Bilge Rat, please could they email them to the

editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Summer BBQ and Social

Anyone interested, numbers required by 12 August

Liskeard RNA at the National Arboretum

Liskeard members in front of the Naval Sevice Memorial

The minibus being put to good use again.

The course was set, the crew aboard, ably piloted by Warwick, we proceeded in a northerly direction. The sun shone, the temperature rose, until finally the air conditioning controls were identified and initiated to the relief of all.

Upon arrival at our accommodation, the berths were very comfortable but stowage space was somewhat lacking, nay, non-existent but this did not detract from an enjoyable stay. Though landlubbers and defaulters insisted on smoking their deadly weeds at the  entrance to said accommodation, befouling the atmosphere. Not to be put off, we ran the gauntlet on more than one occasion.

The local hostelry fell short of victualling expectations, providing lipstick-stained cups and hair-borne carrot cake. However, that evening, it proved to be a suitable muster station for the essential alcoholic lubrication, following close inspection of the glasses. Luckily, we found much better places to eat and were particularly impressed by the Nipa Thai Restaurant at Barton Marina.

The National Memorial Arboretum was arrived at the following forenoon in good time for the daily memorial celebration with the Last Post, Two Minute Silence and Reveille, set in a most interesting chapel resplendent with interesting wood carvings.

Following a short reconnaissance, we boarded the land train for a guided tour, gaining valuable information and an overview of the 150 acre site. We then wandered freely between the memorials, reading moving inscriptions. We were stunned by the starkness of the “Shot at Dawn” memorial, highly recommended and not to be missed and the “Hand of Peace” statue.

We may be biased, but the most artistic and attractive was the Naval Service Memorial. With bright sunlight shining through the glass sails, we posed for group photos, which were taken by a pressganged Canadian.

Returning to base, a mutiny broke out against Capt. TomTom (satnav) who was trying to sail us into the dangerous waters of the M6 Toll. However after a swift tack to starboard, then port, then all points of the compass, the dreaded TomTom was overthrown and we made it safely back to home port.

Thanks to all for a great trip

S/M Jerry Fleming and Lynne

HMS RALEIGH Year of the engineer 2018

 HMS Raleigh – Year of the Engineer 2018
Please see below the e-mail Central Office received from WO1 Pete Simpson who is OIC of Triumph Squadron in HMS Raleigh.

Good Afternoon,
By way of introduction I am Pete Simpson and am currently serving as the OiC of Triumph Squadron at HMS Raleigh which you may well remember as the “Fire School”. I joined the RN as an Artificer Apprentice in 1986 and whilst I didn’t serve in HMS Fisgard or HMS Caledonia I am very proud of my Artificer training.
As you may know, the Government has marked 2018 as the Year of Engineering and the RN is playing it’s part in this in many ways. As the majority of Naval Engineering ratings since WW2 commenced their careers in Torpoint either in Fisgard or Raleigh then it is only right that we here play our part. To that end on 28 September we will be holding an open day for RN Engineers past and present who joined up in Torpoint. The day will involve a tour of the present Phase 1 training site, a buffet lunch in the WO & SR mess followed by witnessing the ‘Passing Out’ of a large number of
Engineering Technicians. It is also hoped that we will be able to mark the day with the refurbishment and return to Torpoint of the Fisgard Clock which is currently in storage in the dockyard.
Would you be able to help me publicise this event amongst your members. If possible, can I humbly ask if your association Branches / Individual Shipmates would be able to make a donation towards the refurbishment of the clock? We have already secured some funding for this but still have some way to go in order to be able to achieve our aim.
The programme for the day will be as follows:
0915 – 0945 Guests arrive and directed to WO & SR Mess.
1000 Welcome Brief.
1015 – 1230 Establishment Tours (Phase 1 Accom, SM School. Gym, Fire School)
1230 Buffet Lunch in WO & SR Mess.
1330 – 1530 Witness POP.
1530 – 1730 Debrief in WO & SR Mess.
1800 All guests to be clear of the establishment
If you can assist or would like any other information please e-mail –
peter.simpson474@mod.gov.uk or call me on 01752 811307
You can visit our website on www.hmca.co.uk for further details or simply click
www.hmca.co.uk/rna or call us in person on 01423 799949 whereby we will be happy to speak to you and answer your queries.

Minibus SM17 RNA

Area 4's Minibus at the SWEB Club Bodmin for Skittles 

An update on where the minibus has been in the last few weeks;

Tuesday 22/5 Visit to HMS Courageous Devonport Dockyard.

Thursday 24/5 collected by St. Austell

Friday 25/5 St. Austell visit to St. Mawes.

Saturday 26/5 St. Austell visit to Trebah Military Day. (Embarkation point for US 29^th Div Omagh Beach D Day)

Sunday 27/5 Returned to base. Then to Heathrow with 2 Amputees and equipment flying to Virginia for Warrior Week

Sunday 3/6 Pencarrow House for Cornwall RNA branches Annual Croquet Tournament.

Tuesday 5/6 Heathrow Airport to collect returning Warriors

Among the bookings coming up are 16/6 Bodmin & Liskeard River Dart trip from Totnes.

Week comm. 9/7 National Arboretum visit.

The minibus is available for the use of all Area 4 branches, if anyone would like to use it please contact Warwick Belfitt or any member of Liskeard Branch committee.

Pencarrow Croquet

Once again the RNA minibus was put to good use by taking the croquet players to the match at Pencarrow House and Gardens. Although the minibus has a very good satnav, it is only as good as the programmer. Pencarrow House and Gardens is about 10 miles from Pencarrow Camelford. After a brief detour we arrived in plenty of time for the start of play.
As defending champions, John Hunt and John Lennon were first on the lawn and confidently won their first match against Delabole B.
Myself and Warwick Belfitt played Bodmin B and we won in one of the fastest times of the day. Considering I had never played before, I can only put it down to the excellent coaching from Warwick.
Then it was the turn of the girls with Lisa and Marie reluctantly taking to the lawn. Unfortunately they were beaten by  Delabole A team.
The two Johns faced Bodmin A in their semi final, a re-run of last years final. This time the result was reversed, with Bodmin coming out on top.
Myself and Warwick soon found ourselves in the final against the Bodmin A team. After a strong start from Bodmin, we were able to fight back and take the win. Thus keeping the trophy in Liskeard.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the beautiful surroundings of Pencarrow House on a very hot sunny day.

Receiving the trophy from Helen

Courageous Visit

Liskeard RNA members in the Senior Rates Mess

The South West’s RNA minibus was put to good use again yesterday,as it took a group of the Liskeard branch for a visit to HMS Courageous in Devonport dockyard.
Many thanks to Mike for a very detailed and informative tour.

Trago collecting

The members of Liskeard RNA collecting outside Trago Mills Liskeard today. Unfortunately the weather was too good and not a Trago day. Back tomorrow for more collecting.

Collecting at Trago

To try and raise funds for the branch, to enable us to help more of the community, Trago Mills Liskeard have very kindly permitted us to collect money outside their store this Saturday and Sunday.
We will have our minibus there and a stall providing information on the RNA and our branch in particular. If anyone would like to help or has any questions we will be only too pleased to provide you with information.
Hope to see you there.

Skittles at Bodmin

Liskeard branch were invited to join Bodmin and StAustell branches for an evening of skittles. The RNA minibus was used to transport our team to the venue, the SWEB social club. A very pleasant evening with each branch winning one leg. Pasties at half time were very welcome.

To All Second World War Veterans

Not sure how many people are aware of this. Please share to notify as many as possible.
Copied from the Cornish Times.

RNA Stand all set up ready for visitors at the Liskeard Community Fair. Doors open at 1000.

Liskeard Community Fair

This weekend we will be manning a stall at the Liskeard Community Fair to promote ourselves and raise money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Twickenham 100.
Liskeard Community Fair, this Saturday 24th March at the Public Hall 10:00 to 12:30.


Everyone welcome, see what Liskeard has to offer.

Reunion Part 2

Sunday evening commenced with a sociable cabin party before proceeding to the dining hall for the evenings entertainment. Food was laid out in the form of a delicious hot and cold buffet with copious amounts of both. Hot consisted of a homemade lasagna, chicken curry and a vegetable curry. The cold option was a large selection of cooked meats, quiche and salad. The deserts consisted of a large range of puddings, including summer pudding, profiteroles, chocolate and caramel tart, lemon meringue pie and many others as well as the traditional cheese and biscuits.
Once everyone was fully sated the entertainment commenced. This was provided by Jason Toft who sang and played keyboard from his repertoire. Asking for requests, he was soon inundated and played for over two hours with songs from Kenny Rodgers to the Troggs and more modern songs from The Beautiful South and The Black Eyed Peas. This was followed by dancing to music provided by Johnny Morgan.

This was my first experience of the Area 4 Reunion and I can highly recommend it as a very sociable and entertaining weekend. I was glad to hear that the hotel is booked for the first weekend in March for the next two years. Looking forward to next year when hopefully we won't have the disruption of the weather and there will be a few more there.

Area 4 Reunion

This years reunion, held at the Durrant house hotel Bideford, didn’t escape the ravages of the ‘Beast from the East’ with a large number of the contingent unable to travel due to the snow.
More people managed to arrive on the Saturday and the schedule was rearranged to allow the traditional activities to take place with maximum participants.
Saturdays formal dinner was a great success with Commodore Peter Tribe as the guest of honour. The food and service was excellent and music for dancing was provided by Johnny Morgan.
Sunday mornings church service was followed by the sods opera. Portland provided entertainment in the form of songs and costumes from the 1970s. As the only act, they were awarded the Tremblett cup.
The sods opera was followed by the quiz, which was set and presented by the Helston branch. Despite our best efforts, Liskeard were the winners and will be setting the questions for next year.
After a very pleasant Sunday lunch the draw for the bottle of pussers rum took place as well as the bottle draw. Liskeard were fortunate to win two bottles with the other 28 evenly distributed around the room.
Now looking forward to this evenings entertainment.

Earlier this year Area 4 were given the use of one of three specially adapted minibuses. These were paid for by fines paid by Banks for the Libor infringements. The bus is available for any RNA branch in Area 4 to use and is located in Liskeard. Anyone wishing to use the bus please contact Warwick Belfitt or any member of the committee. The buses are named after personnel who have received Gallantry Awards.
Warrant Officer 1(RSM) Matthew Tomlinson CGC,
CPO Kate Middleton MC
Lt Cdr Ian Molyneux GM.

Matthew Tomlinson at the Cenotaph with the Minibus named after him.

Two of the Minibuses in Portsmouth with HMS Queen Elisabeth in the Background.

Anybody using the minibus is asked to provide details and photos to maintain a blog of its use.

Skittles

Following our committee meeting, we are considering starting a skittles league between ourselves and other RNA Branches. Anybody who would be interested in playing please give details to Warrick Belfitt.

2018 AGM

Liskeard Branch of the RNA held their Annual general Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 25 January prior to their monthly meeting. It was attended by 25 members.

The meeting was opened by the Chair (Marie Belfitt) who presented her report of 2017. This included events that had taken place and donations and collections that had taken place.

The Treasurer (Warrick Belfitt) presented his report ending with a statement that the branch was approximately £500 worse off than we were at the start of 2017.

Existing members of the committee were voted in and new positions were filled as follows;
Auditor 2                                Adam Strutt
Welfare Rep 2                       Terry Whitty
Bilge Rat Editor                     Adam Strutt
Assistant Standard Bearer   Jerry Fleming
Committee Member             Jerry Fleming

We are still looking for a fundraiser.

Our Area Representative Gordon Strudwick reported that the Branch had been represented at all Area Meetings last year and thanked John Lennon and Roger Grace for standing in when he was not available. He reported that a number of branches within Area 4 had closed, mainly due to falling numbers and advancing years.

The Dunn Trophy was presented to Warwick Bellfitt for all his hard work in keeping the Branch running smoothly.

A full set of minutes is available by request to editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk