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.