NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009 31
Yotties
Busy schedule for
Bristol claim
back in
is challenged
SORRY Bristol – your claim to be
harness
the oldest association of its kind
has been challenged by another
West Country group.
AROUND 50 former Royal Bristol R
Yachtsmen – Yotties – stepped
back on board Britannia for a
special reunion week, coinciding
with the 56th anniversary of the Hermes shipmates
oyal Navy and
Royal Marines Old Comrades’
Association celebrated its 90th
anniversary earlier this year, as
noted in our April edition.
Yacht’s launch at Clydebank. But S/M Bill Craven has been in
The Yotties once again donned touch to tell the Bristolians: “You
their overalls and picked up their
MEMBERS of the HMS
mine works, port and estate from more than 300 men who died After lunch the annual fund-
are adrift of the Sidmouth Royal
tools to help with the ship’s
Hermes Association had a busy
the 19th century. off Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in April raising quiz was staged, won this
Naval Old Comrades by seven
maintenance, and give visitors
schedule when they held their
Then it was off to nearby 1942 when the wartime Hermes year by the Stokers (also known as
years, along with it (I believe) two
the chance to hear first-hand other Naval Old Comrades that
experiences of what life was like
23rd reunion in Plymouth.
Tavistock to call in at the RBL – the first purpose-built aircraft the Hairy Bar Stars).
still exist.
for the 240 crew when Britannia
Lamp-swinging was the order of
and stroll around the town. carrier in the world – was sunk by Their prize – a weekend at the
“Sidmouth RNOCA can muster
was in service.
the day on Thursday as new and
The evening started with a Japanese aircraft. Invicta for two, donated by owners
over 50 members at our annual
The Yacht served Queen and
existing members were greeted
buffet dinner and raffle, which Almost 600 sailors survived and Ray and Betty Martin – was
Trafalgar stag dinner, and we also
country for over 40 years and
at the Invicta Hotel, but it was
was followed by a cabaret. were picked up by the hospital immediately auctioned off to raise
meet each month for regular get-
continues to set high standards in
back to business on Friday as the
Church parade on Sunday ship Vita. more funds for the association.
together sessions.
‘retirement’ – she has been named
AGM looked at ways forward for
morning took members to the Also in their thoughts were For more details on the
“We sincerely hope you enjoyed
Scotland’s best visitor attraction
the group.
Chapel of St Katherine upon the those who died in the Falklands in association and future reunions
your 90th annual dinner dance on
by VisitScotland, as well as ‘Most
The meeting finished in time
Hoe, in the Citadel. 1982, when Centaur-class carrier and events, see the website at
HMS Hermes was flagship of the
www.hmshermes.org.uk or call
board the Flying Fox.”
Excellent Dedicated Venue UK’
for the veterans to cheer on Royal
After the service a wreath was
task group. 01752 787697.
Any advance on Sidmouth?
for corporate events by Condé
Marines who had just returned
laid at the Cenotaph to remember
Nast Johansens.
from Afghanistan.
Since the Yacht opened her
Friday night brought a
doors to the public on October
formal mess dinner at the Royal
Cyprus backs Sea Scout group
19 1998, Britannia has welcomed
Corinthian Yacht Club, with Rear
almost three million visitors.
Admiral Euan McLean as guest
She is now cared for by The
of honour. AMONG the attendees at the recovery from severe illness, and
Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a self-
A coach tour got the ball Cyprus branch monthly meeting they hope to see him again soon.
funding, not-for-profit, charitable
rolling on Saturday morning, in April were some younger faces The resignation of S/M Alison
organisation that does not
with members and guests visiting – as young as six and seven. Kennedy as social secretary was
receive any public sector revenue
Morwellham Quay, a museum and Beaver Cub Scouts Daniel and received with much appreciation
support.
heritage centre on the River Tamar Logan Roberts were accompanied for her tremendous contribution
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
which recreates a thriving copper by Brian Nicolle, leader of the over the last six years.
marina
Episkopi Sea Scout Group, and The speaker for the meeting,
assistant deputy leader Nicola was Rory O’Connor, the General
Jones to receive a donation from Manager of SSAFA Forces Help
the branch, which makes an annual in Cyprus, who told of the history
contribution to running costs. of the organisation, its current
Daniel told members how he state and the roles which it carries
loved the games they play at Scouts, out.
while Logan’s favourite time was
singing round the camp fire.
● Daniel (left) and Logan
Some of the boys regard a
Roberts receive a donation from
camping expedition to Dhekelia,
chairman S/M Andrew Noyes,
around 100km away, as a foreign
watched by group leader Brian
trip...
Nicolle, assistant deputy leader
The branch’s donation goes
Nicola Jones and branch vice
toward the purchase of new flags,
chairman Ian Gould (right)
flagpoles and training gear.
Members were heartened to
hear that vice president S/M Fred
Cooper has made a spectacular
Museum● Shipmates from the City of Glasgow branch spent a pleasant
and entertaining afternoon meeting residents and staff at the Sir
Gabriel Woods Home for Mariners in Greenock. The home was
founded by Sir Gabriel Woods more than 150 years ago and, except
for the duration of World War 2, has always been a home for retired
is the stuff
mariners. The home is one of the City of Glasgow’s chosen charities
£50 PRIZE PUZZLE
of dreams
‘SMALL but perfectly formed –
and stuffed full of old memorabilia’
was how the City of Ely branch
described the Marshland Maritime
Museum near King’s Lynn.
The museum, the brainchild
of Mike Smith, is situated at
Clenchwharton, just west of King’s
Lynn, and consists of a large
timber room full to the gunwales
with former RN items.
Shipmates spent some two hours
with Mike, reliving escapades from
their various service times and
they were almost spot on with the
THE mystery ship in our April
date of their visit; a much-needed
edition (right) was HMS
timber expansion room was due
Hampshire, built at the John
to open the day after the City of
Brown shipyard.
Ely visit.
Jan Beer of Plymouth answered
Amongst the exhibits
both questions correctly, and
were uniforms, thousands of
photographs, ships’ crests, toys,
wins our £50 prize.
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.
newspaper cuttings, as well as a
This month’s vessel (above) was
Coupons giving the correct answer
large collection of different caps.
launched 50 years ago at Govan
will go into a prize draw to establish
a winner. Some of the Ely crew tried on
and named after a cathedral city
Closing date for entries is July
some of the headgear (even those
in the East of England. 10. More than one entry can be
with delusions of grandeur, our
What is her name, and what is
submitted, but photocopies cannot
correspondent tells us).
her numerical link with a current
be accepted. Do not include
One member found a crest
RN ship with a West Country
anything else in your envelope: no
of wartime minesweeper HMS
connection?
correspondence can be entered into
and no entry returned. Gleaner – the warship in which
We have removed her pennant
The winner will be announced in her father had served as a sick
number from the picture. our August edition. The competition
bay tiffy.
Complete the coupon and send is not open to Navy News employees
Members decided it had been
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, or their families.
well worth the effort to visit.
Mike can be contacted at
MYSTERY PICTURE 172
d.boats@tiscali.co.uk or on
01553 765530.
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Early bookings
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MANSFIELD branch has booked
Shep Woolley to entertain
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
shipmates and guests at their a
Trafalgar Night dinner at The
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Towers on Saturday October 17.
Enquiries over remaining
My answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tickets, at £25 each, should be
made to Julie Savage as soon as
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . possible by email: jules75jas@
hotmail.com
030-031_NN_may.indd 2 20/5/09 22:03:02
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