NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010
Absolutely cabulous
RED, White and Blue is the new black.
Or camoufl age if you prefer the Royal Marines. Rolling around the streets of the nation’s capital for the next 12 months are two specially-liveried black cabs. One features the White Ensign and Royal Navy logo, the other has
two commandos stalking their foe… and the Royal Navy logo. And just in case the livery doesn’t immerse you in the world of the Senior Service, there’s more about the role of the modern RN/RM inside.
So the big question: why? Well, for a start they’re not static – unlike a billboard poster at one of London’s major railway stations. Indeed, each of these cabs – unveiled, fi ttingly in the shadow of Admiralty Arch – will be seen 75 million times and carry 12,000 passengers apiece before they’re re-sprayed. The RN isn’t alone in using London’s famous taxis as an advertising
tool: Gordon Ramsay, British Airways, the Football Association, supermarket chain Waitrose and computer fi rm Dell have all paid for special taxis. “The drivers were really impressed and rated the design as one of the best they’d seen – with over 100 years’ experience between them, that was quite an endorsement,” said Cdr Steve Pearson of the RN’s PR team in Whitehall. “Advertising is a challenge, trying to place your message for maximum effect. Using the taxi where the passenger is arguably a captive is a proven success. “Next time you’re in London, try hailing a cab with an ‘ahoy there!’
It may be bit cheesy, but will certainly catch the attention.” You can see more pictures of the RN-liveried cabs on the capital’s streets at taxiadvertisinguk.blogspot.com
Picture: PO(Phot) Mez Merrill DPR(N)
37
THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES
1970198019902000
We fl ick back through the pages of Navy News to see which stories were drawing attention in past decades...
Reunions
HMS Raleigh: Having joined HMS Raleigh on November 1, 1960, this is the 50th anniversary of our joining. Is anyone else who joined at that time interested in some sort of gathering? I am in touch with ‘Cowboy’ Hunt and also knew Bob Bonas and Mike Baggot. There are others too. If you remember us and would like a reunion contact me, Peter Louch, at pandmlouch@ btinternet.com or tel: 01604 831350.
HMS Illustrious Association, Southern
Branch Reunion takes place from May 14 to 17 at the Bay View Court Hotel in Bournemouth. Contact Mrs Frances Garton at
frances346@btinternet.com or tel: 01392 879582.
reunion from May 21 to 23 at the Cathedral Lodge Hotel, Litchfi eld. All commissions welcome. More details from the Secretary on 01925 824504 or see the website at www.
hmshermione.com.
HMS Coventry (Type 42 Destroyer):
HMS Hermione Association: Annual MAY 2010
du Feu at
danny@ddf-photography.co.uk or tel: mob: 07966 258103 or 0116 2898725.
reunion is to be held at the Britannia Hotel, Coventry from September 24 to 27. Enquiries to W Entwistle, Chairman at bilneldrak@ talktalk.net or tel: 01282 433910.
HMS Ocean Association: 23rd annual SEPTEMBER 2010
There will be a reunion in Portsmouth at the Maritime Club for all the ship’s company of the Type 42 destroyer HMS Coventry from May 21 to 23. The reunion will follow the format of previous years – friendly informal gatherings with family and friends welcome over the weekend. Sunday at 1100 at the Falklands Memorial in Old Portsmouth we lay a wreath and hold a two-minute silence for our shipmates still on patrol. If you served in the ship, and would like to attend, please do come and join us. For more information, please contact Jim ‘Rocky’ Hudson at
jimahudson@sky.com or tel: 0191 5126420.
● Submarine HMS Otus pictured in 1970
May 1970
CROWDS of Londoners queued at Surrey Docks to visit five submarines on a visit to the capital. The five – Olympus, Otus, Andrew, Acheron and the Australian boat HMAS Onslow - were in London for six days. More than 24,000 visitors toured the boats and at one stage the queues were so long that the gates to Surrey Docks had to be shut early. Sea Cadets were given special tours of the boats and the Commander of the First Submarine Squadron paid visits to the Governor of the Tower of London and the Lord Mayor. As a change from welcoming male reporters and defence correspondents from newspapers, it was decided that women journalists too should have the opportunity to visit the conventionally- powered submarines.
May 1980
HMS Peterel nearly broke the Channel Islands’ fishing record when MEM1 Stephen Rendell hooked a 5ft 7in conger eel during a visit to Guernsey.
HMS Peterel, a navigational training ship at the Britannia Royal Naval College, was storm- bound in St Peter Port when MEM Rendell made the catch that almost broke the record for conger.
May 1990
DEBATE was still raging in the letters pages of Navy News about the policy of sending Wrens to sea. A story on the back page entitled ‘The gentle touch of the Dutch’ reassured sceptics that HMS Cornwall had shown the way ahead when a woman naval officer stood watch on the bridge and also conned the ship during a replenishment-at-sea operation. Lt Maja Trommelen, one of two women
officers of the watch in the Dutch ship HNLMS Callenburgh, was seconded to Cornwall when the ship was part of STANAVFORLANT. During her time onboard she took part in the close manoeuvring for the RAS. The ship reported: “For many on board the idea of Wrens at sea is viewed even more favourably because of this successful trial.”
May 2000
He landed the 30lb eel after a 20-minute battle in darkness from the jetty where the ships were berthed. It was just 8lbs short of the record and won him a fishing reel from the Angling
Times.
As for the conger, it ended up on a fishmonger’s slab, priced at 50p/lb.
HMS Invincible was in the vanguard of home comforts as she opened her £150,000 new walk-round canteen, billed by the NAAFI as ‘the biggest development in convenience service for sailors since the Second World War.’ The new canteen offered vending machines serving hot and cold food, including soup and pot noodles, chilled drinks and ice-cream. A Food to Go counter served fresh hot dogs and popcorn and there was a counter and barstool area where sailors could relax and pit their wits against each other on an array of touch-screen video quiz games. There was also an electronic bulletin board, keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and information.
HMS Bronington: Calling all ex crew members of HMS Bronington in 1976. We are hoping to have a reunion of the crew members serving on board at the time of Prince Charles, in the summer of 2010, this is yet to have a proper date or venue at the moment. However is likely to be either London or Gloucester. Anyone interested that would like to get in touch with me Mike Sinker (ex Leading Cook) at either m.sinker@ hotmail.co.uk or telephone me on 01395 516997.
JUNE 2010
HM Ships Glorious, Ardent & Acasta: A
memorial service to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their sinking will be held on June 6 at St Nicholas Church, HMS Drake, Devonport, Plymouth. All former crew, aircrew, relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend. Anyone wishing to attend must inform George Lowdon at george.
databug@btinternet.com or tel: 0191 262 7878 to ensure security clearance. Further details from Vincent Marcroft at clarionst@ yahoo.co.uk or tel: 0161 654 7638. HMS Kale 1943-46: The 11th reunion will take place at South Dene Hotel, Bridlington, on June 22-24. Enquiries to: E Drummond, 5 Green Way, Scarcroft, Leeds LS14 3BJ, tel: 0113 289 2222.
HMS Londonderry 1981-84 Stokehold
Association: The Annual reunion will be held on July 3 in Emsworth. Details from Peter Hill on 07971 498607 or Peter Ritchie on 01647 24271.
Royal Naval Photographer’s Association:
90th anniversary reunion party and AGM is to be held in Bournemouth from August 27 to 29 (30). After the last very successful weekend reunion package a few years ago, very favourable rates have been negotiated at the impressive three-star Wessex Hotel on Bournemouth’s West Cliff. The itinerary to celebrate 90 years since the Branch was formed, includes Meet and Greet after dinner on Friday evening, Saturday AGM late morning followed by ‘up spirits’ and drinks reception and gala dinner in the evening with live entertainment. All details of prices can be found on the RNPA website at http://www.rnpa.info or in the spring 2010 newsletter, which most would have just received. Please send your cheque for £25 per person deposit, made out to the RNPA, asap to: Ray Whitehouse, RNPA Social Secretary, Chilston Cottage, Ham Manor Way, Angmering, West Sussex, BN16 4JQ, tel: 01903 770906 or email: ray@chilston. com. There will be a fi ve per cent discount to all fully paid up members. For membership and other enquiries please contact Danny
AUGUST 2010 JULY 2010
reunion will be held at the Coventry Hill Hotel, Coventry from October 1 to 4. Contact Tony Palmer on 01889 575172.
HMS Vanguard (Battleship) Reunion
takes place at the White House Hotel, Worcester from October 1 to 3. Please do your best to attend. Twin bedded room with dinner b&b is £110 per night. More details from D R Scrivener on 01253 873807.
HMS Daring, fi rst commission 1952-54:
Reunion to be held at Nidd Hall, Harrogate from October 1 to 4. Details from Owen Simpson at
owen553@btinternet.com or tel: 01453 860564.
HMS Cardigan Bay Association: Annual OCTOBER 2010
com or tel: 01408 414152 or visit our website at www.hmsstvincentassoc.org. Type 21 Club Reunion: The fi rst offi cial
RNH Stonehouse Reunion takes place
on October 1 and 2 at the Holiday Inn, Plymouth. Contact Sinbad Edwards at
badsin178edwar@aol.com or tel: 01752 790296.
HMS St Brides Bay 1944-61: Reunion
October 8 and 9 at the Best Western Leyland Hotel, Preston, Lancs. £45pppn for BBEM. This is the 50th anniversary of the last commission. All commissions, friends and families are welcome. For details contact Jeff and Margaret Vardy, 13 Meadow Grove, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 5TW or tel: 01773 875950.
Eastbourne from October 8 to 11. All ex- Llandaffs are welcome. Please contact ‘Slinger’ Wood at kevin.wood@blueyonder. co.uk or tel: 07961 124459 or visit the website at http://www.hmsllandaff.co.uk
The Ton Class Association (coastal
minesweepers) hold their 2010 annual reunion and AGM at the Toorak Hotel, Torquay from October 8 to 11. Want to attend? Contact our reunions secretary:
HMS Llandaff Reunion takes place in
Foxhollow, Sheviock, Torpoint, PL11 3EL, tel: (01503) 230216 or email: peterharrison@ eclipse.co.uk Not a member? Contact our membership secretary: Dennis Cook, 5 Manvers Street, Worksop, Notts, S80 1SD, tel: (01909) 481745 or email: denniscook@ fsmail.net. Welcome aboard.
Catering Service Reunion Dinner (formerly Caterers Reunion
Pembroke 84 Club) taking place on October 8 at the WO & SR Mess, HMS Collingwood. Open to all retired and serving catering offi cers and warrant offi cers and senior rating caterers, cooks and stewards. Applications to attend should be sent to WO1 Paul Dungey at
pauldungey876@mod.uk or tel: 023 9262 5234 or write to Third Sector, Deputy Command Secretary, Mail Point 1-3, Leach Building, Whale Island, Portsmouth, PO2 8BY
Dinner &
HMS St Vincent Association: The 14th
AGM will be held on October 9 at St Vincent College, Gosport, starting at 1100. Followed by a fi sh and chip lunch. Members will be able to visit the St Vincent Museum before and after the AGM. For membership enquiries, contact Joe Cornish at joecornish@gmail.
Peter Harrison,
Type 21 Club reunion will take place in Devonport from October 8 to 10. Meet on October 8 at 1900 in St Levan’s Inn, Inaugural T21 Association meeting at 1100 on October 9 with main reunion starting at 1930 at the Royal Fleet Club. The weekend is open to anyone who served on a Type 21 at anytime in their illustrious careers. Contact Mark Brocklehurst at
mark@sharplesgroup.com or see the website at http://type21club.ning. com or tel: weekdays on 01925 839592.
HMS Ajax and RPVA: Annual reunion will
be held at the King Charles Hotel, Gillingham, Kent from October 13 to 14. Members who served in the Leander frigate will be most welcome to meet up with old shipmates. For further details please contact Malcolm Collis, 11 Edmonds Close, Buckingham, Bucks, MK18 1YR or email Malcolm.collis@ googlemail.com or tel 07917 888039.
HMS Dainty Association Reunion 2010:
Will be held from October 15 to 17 at the Menzies Carlton Hotel, Bournemouth. Contact Chris Bolton at
chrsbol@aol.com with further details on the website: http:// www.hmsdainty.co.uk/ or tel: 0161 773 1304.
reunion will be held at the Weston Hotel, Scarborough from November 5 to 8. For further details please contact: Neville Saunders at
nevillesaunders@hotmail.co.uk or tel: 01582 619379.
HMS Mohawk Association: Annual NOVEMBER 2010
847 NAS (1969-71) Reunion: This will
take place at the Bosworth Hall Hotel, Market Bosworth from September 23 to 25, 2011. For more details contact Cliff Jones at
cliff.jones48@googlemail.com or tel: 01772 723944.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Competition
Monthly. The engineering fi rm that produces the Harrier’s Pegasus engine is: Rolls- Royce.
Winners receive a copy of Air Forces
Dewhurst, Blackpool; Kyle Bateson, Kirkby
Lonsdale, Carnforth; R Weatherall, Huish Episcopi, Nr Langport, Somerset and Lt Cdr
David Scopes, NCHQ.
Dave Kirby, Gosport, Hampshire; J
Speak to John Lister
01395 568028
www.burialatsea.co.uk
email@burialatsea.co.uk
Please call 023 9272 6284 for details or email:
subscriptions@navynews.co.uk
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