HomeRNA 10 Area. Welcome Aboard.
Welcome to the Royal Naval Association Number 10 Area web site. Number 10 area is the largest of the RNA areas, and stretches from Whitehaven to Crewe, across the sea to the Isle of Man and across the border into North Wales.
This web site will be a place to check out the latest news from around the area and beyond, to link to other sites and to find out information about the committee and branches. There is also a photo gallery where you can share all your pictures. Comrades and shipmates who have crossed the bar will also be remembered. The minutes of the area committee will be available on the site. We also have a comprehensive collection of official papers from the National Archives and other sources released under the Freedom of Information Act.
RNA 10 Area News.
24.01 2012
National Standard Bearers competition --change of Venue.
The National Standard Bearers competition will be run on Saturday 12 May in HMS Temeraire Portsmouth
starting at 1000. Competitors and officials will have to be clear of the establishment by 1400.
Please ensure that you book your accommodation in time. For information the Maritime club telephone number is 023 92 824231
Competition entry and further details will appear in the February Circular.
24. 01. 2012
Fears for future of Portsmouth Dockyard
The future for Portsmouth Dockyard has once more emerged amongst rumours that BAE sysems who employ 1,500 workers there are condidering its future due to the drying up of orders for new warships and the recent scrapping or disposal of those currently affected by the earlier Strategic Defence Review.
With current shipbuliding confined mainly to the Clydeside and Rosyth areas of Scotland, and even the construction of the two new aircraft carriers the bulk of which, will be assembled in Scotland; it is difficult to see any future large scale ship building once these vessels are completed.
It emerged last week that BAE has appointed LEK Consulting, the management consultant, to examine the future of its shipbuilding unit.
12. 01 2012
North Reddish Branch bows out
The North Reddish Branch has announced it is decommissioning with immediate effect due to falling membership. The branch which first commissioned in May 1978 has been hit by falling numbers of members and the 8 remaining shipmates of this proud branch decided at their last meeting to bow out gracefully.
31. 12. 2011
Hazel Grove Branch Annual Commemeration Service
The Hazel Grove Branch will be holding their annual Parade and Memorial Service on Sunday February 19th 2012 Those attending, are asked to muster at Norbury Parish church Hazel Grove at 1230 prior to the service there at 1245. Following the service, there will be refreshments provided at the nearby Conservative club .
22.. 12 2011
Shipmate Bill Murray
It is with deep regret we announce the sudden death of Bill Murray (Chatham Branch) and National Council Member for No.2 Area.. He died suddenly at home in Chatham on Tuesday evening. Bill was a good friend to our Area, and frequently visited his daughter who lives on the Wirrall, taking the opporunity to attend our Area conferences and reunions whenever he visited..
His funeral is expected to take place on Thursday January 5th 2012 at Walderslade Crematorium Chatham at 1500
14. 12. 2011
Hazel Grove Branch New contact Address
S/m Gary Winn (Branch Treasurer) has agreed to be the point of contact for the branch until a Branch Secretary is appointed. His contact details are as follows:
G Wenn (Acting Secretary) 21 Barnaby Road Poynton STOCKPORT Cheshire SK12 1LR 01625 878 5474 gary.wenn@ntlworld.com
13.12. 2011
Congleton Branch to decommission
The Congleton branch are to decommission in the New Year. The branch which first commissioned in September 1980 has been struggling recently to form a committee to continue its activities within the Area.
10. 12. 2011
70th Anniversary of the sinking of HM ships Prince of Wales & Repulse.
Today sees the 70th anniversary the Navy's greatest single defeat in the second world war. On this day,in 1941 HM Battleships Prince of Wales ((41,000 tons) and Repluse (33,000 tons) were sunk with the loss of over 840 lives. after an attack by over 80 aircraft of the Japanese Air force.
09 12 2011
Females to serve in Submarines
Women are to be allowed to serve in Royal Navy submarines for the first time, the defence secretary has announced.
In his first major speech, Philip Hammond said that the armed forces shouldn't be "slaves to tradition" and had accepted proposals for change.
"In that spirit I can announce today that I have accepted the recommendation of the first sea lord that women should be allowed to serve in submarines in the future," Hammond told an audience at the Royal United Services Institute thinktank.
"Female officers will serve on the Vanguard submarines from late in 2013, followed by ratings in 2015.
"Women, officers and ratings, will also be able to serve on the Astute class submarines from about 2016."
05. 12 2011
National Council Meeting in Portsmouth
The National Council met in the Semaphore Tower in Portsmouth on Saturday December 3rd The Association budget for 2012 was approved and protracted discussions took place on subjects including the reports on the Conference Study Group and also IMC matters.Other subjects included future meetings of the National Council in various Areas of the country. This has been moved to a later date for discussion. Welfare and Club seminars are planned for 2012. It was reccommended that the Welfare seminar planned for the Liverpool branch in March be re-located due to circumstances beyond the branch's control. at present.
29. 11. 2011
New Secretary takes over at Liverpool Branch
S/m Joe Ince has been appointed as the Liverpool Branch Secretary until the branch AGM in March 2012 S/m Ince can be contacted on 0151 254 1914 or by email: joecassandra@hotmail.co.uk
For further information refer to Branch List on this site.
28. 11. 2011.
Ships Company's of Libya campaign face Job Cuts
Dozens of personnel from the ships involved in the Libya campaign could be amongst the 400 further redundancies to be announced by the MOD later this week. HMS Cumberland the first ship to be involved in Libya, was decommissioned at Plymouth in late June. Personnel from this ship not on,or preparing for re-deployment will be affected.
28 11 2011
India misses launch date of new Carrier.
The Aircraft Carrier known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) was due to be launched in early December has now been re-sheduled for a first quarter launch in the New Year. The keel laid in 2009 in Cochin shpyard is India's first attempt to build its own Aircraft Carrier: it is expected in service by 2015.. The 37,000 ton vessel, powered by 4 GE LM 2500 gas turbines would give the ship a speed of about 28 knots. It would also be capable of operating at least 30 Mig 29 aircraft and Russian Kamov31 Helicopters.
19.11 2011
US Navy & Marine Corps to buy redundant Harriers.
The US Navy are reported to be in negotiations with the MOD to purchase 74 Harrier jump jets at what is rported to be a bargain price A large quantity of spares estimated to be worth £32million would also be included in the sale. US defence cheifs are quoted as saying they were getting a bargain as many of the 74 aircraft had recently been modified and refitted to the highest standards. The aircraft would be an ideal replacement for the ageing US F18D Hornet strike fighter
17. 11 2011
Liverpool Branch Secretary
For the present, all communications with the Liverpool Branch should be addressed to their Treasurer: S/m J Anderson 10a Rudyard Close LIVERPOOL L14 5PP Tele: 0151 475 0999
17. 11, 2011.
S/m W Rutter
We regret to announce the death of S/m Bill Rutter who crossed the bar over the weekend.
Bill has been for a number of years the Secretary of the Liverpool RNA branch. We extend our sympathy to his wife and family.
His funeral will take place at the Springwood Crematorium, Springwood Ave Woolton LIVERPOOL L25 7UN on Tuesday November 22nd at 1130
11. 11. 2011
Change of meeting venue for Salford Branch
The Salford Branch has changed its meeting place to the Royal British Legion club, 221 Langworthy Road Pendleton Salford M6 5PQ
Meeting dates and times remain unchanged; I e, Second Wednesday of each month.
09 11. 2011
VETERANS TO WEAR MALAYSIA MEDAL OFFICIALLY FOR FIRST TIME
British veterans awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal have been given permission by Her Majesty The Queen to wear it for the first time during Remembrance events next Sunday.
The Government of Malaysia introduced the medal in 2005 and awarded it to British and Commonwealth veterans who served in the conflict in Malaya in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Approval is not normally given for foreign medals to be accepted if British recognition for a campaign has already been presented. Previously, veterans had been able to accept but not wear the medal. It has now been agreed they can both accept and wear the PJM.
This was done to recognise the generous gesture by the King and Government of Malaysia, and their wish to award the PJM in recognition of service given by many veterans in the difficult years leading up to and following Malaysian independence.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:
“I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given approval for veterans to formally wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal in recognition of service given in the difficult years leading up to and following Malaysian independence. This timely decision is particularly welcome for veterans who will, for the first time, be able to wear this medal with pride on Remembrance Sunday.”
03. 11. 2011
Blaze on board new Carrier
Up to 40 firemen fought a blaze in stair well in the 8,000 ton mid hull section of the new arcraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth currently in build at Rosyth in Scotland. The blaze was so severe the site had to be evacuated. No one was reported injured in the fire,
Work commenced in September on the constuction of the vessel, which is expected to enter service sometime in 2014.
01 11 2011
Cut backs start to bite
Cutbacks have left the UK without a single warship specifically tasked with protecting the country's shores for the past month, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The Royal Navy normally provides a minimum coverage of a frigate or destroyer fulfilling the role of Fleet Ready Escort (FRE).
This task is for the ship to be at high readiness for an emergency, including a terrorist attack, in UK waters or abroad.
However pressures on the navy caused by cuts to its fleet in last year's strategic defence and strategy review (SDSR) as well as its commitments to the Nato mission to Libya, has left it unable to fill the role.
In the SDSR, the Government cut the number of frigates or destroyers in the navy's surface fleet from 24 to 19.
31. 10. 2011
First RN Beefeater at the Tower of London
Former WO1 Rob Fuller has become the first ex-RN person to become a Yeoman Warder [Beefeater] at the Tower of London.
Since the time of Henry VIII, ex-soldiers, ex-RMs and more recently ex-RAF personnel have become Yeoman Warders.
All have completed at least 22 years' service and reached the rank of warrant officer. Ex-RN personnel were exempt as,
unlike members of the Army, RAF and RM, they swear no oath of allegiance to the monarch. Recently HM The Queen
assented to a change in the rules, so permitting them to become Yeoman Warders.
28. 10 2011
Llandudno RNA- Website
We have a new website at Llandudno RNA, if you enter www.llandudnorna.co.uk in your search engine address bar you should find us.
Feedback to:
C R Thomas 91 Maes Clyd Llandudno Conwy LL30 1YA
Tel. 01492-879961
28. 10. 2011
Branch Secretaries
Will branch secretaries please advise HQ if they believe they are affiliated to any RN Ships or establishments, then a central overview can be assessed, please phone on,Andy 02392 20782 or email; andy@royalnavalassoc.com
28. 10 2011
Virtual Branch. It’s Free!!
Have you heard of the Virtual Branch? Well it is FREE!.
Virtual Branch is a telephone system, with the help of CommunityLink, which enables members to "link" up by telephone anywhere in the United Kingdom and ROI. All you need is a landline and one hour every fortnight with the time and day sorted to suit all who would like to join in. The only criteria is that you must be a paid up Full or Associate member of the Royal Naval Association.
At the pre-arranged agreed time an operator from Community Link calls you on your landline and then proceeds to call the others in your group. There is usually 6 to 8 in a group and one co-ordinator. Then it's all systems go and you can ‘Dit On’ and chat away about any subject for a whole hour. The co-ordinator is there to help fill any gaps or to move on from any possible friction. But of course, I would not expect any of that between any of our members!.
So come on Shipmates you must have lots of dits to swop! Many of our Associates, who are a vital part of our Association, must have stories to tell of their life in the other Services or their jobs in ‘civvy street’ so let’s hear 'em.
If you would like to be a part of the Virtual Branch just contact Rita or Andy contact details below. We need your name, postal address and landline number. These details will only be made available to the co-ordinator of your group and the phone operator at Community Link.
HQ 02392 720782 andy@royalnavalassoc.com
Rita Lock 02392 642 234 ritalock@sky.com
National Welfare Adviser
15 10 2011
Runcorn Branch to host winter conference and AGM
The Runcorn branch will host the winter Area conference and AGM at the Runcorn RBL club Castle Road Halton Runcorn WA7 2BE on Saturday January 28th 2012 commencing at 1200. It is possible that the General Secretary, S/m Paul Quinn will attend this conference.
15.10.2011
The National Council made the following decisions at their meeting on 10 Sept 2011 at the UJC club, London.
• Members who have crossed the bar were remembered in silence
• The Council approved the wording of By Law 7 to enact the Conference 2010 motion regarding the election of DNCM. The General Secretary was directed to publish the By Law in the Circular in time for next years elections.
• The Council elected Shipmate Chris Dovey as the National Chairman.
• The Council elected Shipmate Keith Crawford as the National Vice Chairman.
• The elected members of the AMC are NVCh, NCh, NCMI, NCM12, NCM7, NCM5, NCM Scotland.
• The elected members of the FAC are NCh, NVCh, NCM3, NCM4, NCM6, NCMIO, NCMII.
• NCM2 remains as overseas branch representative.
• The Council noted a successful JMC Sailing Camp.
• The Council approved the division of the Rule Review to main rules and club rules.
• The Council invited the Chair of SOC to review the suggested route to approval of the Rules by Conference 2013, with a brief to Conference 2012.
• The Council directed a revised wording to the collection tin label.
• The Council approved in principle the Way Ahead for Welfare in the RNA and directed NCMI12 and GS to propose an implementation schedule.
• Area NCM were invited to forward requirements for Member Get Member pull up banners to the GS
• The Council noted the AMC response to the Conference Study Group and the proposed guidelines to branches bidding to host Conference. They directed the AMC to work up the agreed way ahead into formal Guidelines, to be presented to Conference 2012, as promised.
• The Council approved the wording of a new reserves Policy, to appear in the Annual Trustees report, the wording to be
“The Association’s Reserves Policy is reviewed annually and aims at holding sufficient Unrestricted Realisable Funds to provide funding for the following:
• To generate income to subsidise current activities.
• To provide future income
• A reserve in case of a major business continuity issue.
• A contingency for wind-up costs to cover legal requirements for redundancy payments, incomplete periods of contracts etc, which the trustees will be legally obliged to meet.
• A contingency for other unexpected events.
• Future projects not yet mature in development”
• The Council agreed with the proposal by NCM12 to establish a Branch Support Fund from the Alex Madden fund, provided the Charity Commission agree the de restriction. The FAC were directed to produce appropriate bR.
• The Council agreed to a mid year budget review in future.
• The Council agreed an amendment to the Dec NC minutes to show the transfer of £10,000 to the Welfare Fund was from the Accumulated Fund and not the Investment Fund,
•. The Council agreed to establish a Staff Salaries Review Panel.
• The Council agreed to establish an investigating panel to look into a matter raised concerning an overseas branch.
• The Council noted the results of Conference 2011 motions.
• The Council noted the excellent progress on the Shipmates Campaign.
13.10.2011
S/m Joseph Sharples
Trafford Branch regret to announce that S/m Joseph Sharples, President of Trafford Branch Crossed the Bar on Tuesday 11th October 2011, after a long illness. A full obituary can be found here.
25.08.2011
Autumn Area Conference
The Area Autumn conference hosted by the Chester Branch will take place at the Upton-by -Chester Royal British Legion club, Upton Chester CH2 1HT on Saturday October 29th commencing at 1200 It is expected, that the Lord Mayor of Chester and her consort will formally open the conference..
25. 08. 2011
National Conference 2012 in Newcastle.
The conference will take place in the Assembly Rooms (nearby Rail Station) Newcastle during the weekend of June 8 -10th More detailed information can be found in the August edition of the Circular Letter to Branches from HQ.
25 08 2011
National Conference Newcastle 2012 Hotel Accommodation
HQ have now established a link with the Conference group in Newcastle to help with accommodation in the city next June. The details are as follows:
We have developed our own webpage for booking accommodation in Newcastle with the Newcastle Conference Bureau. Hotels will be progressively added as the Bureau negotiates a rate for us. The Holiday Inn express is already less than the public are paying.
Please pass to your branches and mention at Area meetings please
The link is:
www.NewcastleGateshead.com/NAVAL2012
18 08 2011
Record of Decisions taken by National Council at their meeting on June 10th 2011
The Council made the following decisions at their meeting on June 10th 2011
Members who have crossed the bar were remembered in silence.
The Council agreed that the changes to By-Law7 should be finalised at the 30 July rule review and approved by the Sept NC meeting for use in the 2012 round of elections.
The Council noted that First Sea Lord had approved the presentation of operational medals at the Biennial parade.
The Council noted that there were no motions of urgency for the Conference by the deadline
The Council decided the following regarding motions at Conference 2011:
To confirm the NC amendment to Standing Order to enact the Conference motion regarding attendance and votes for Ship and Establishments at Conference. The Council agreed that the invitation goes to ships and establishments and not sub-units.
The National Chair to speak against Branch motion 1 (2 yr term for NCh and NVCh) and the difficulties of practical implementation.
To change its view on Branch motion 2 and support it. (Some officers re-appointed each 2 years).
To change it position on Branch motion 3, to inform conference that it was unable to reach an agreed view. (Branches nominate certain officers).
To propose an amendment to Branch motion 4 to report with a NC recommendation on membership at Conference 2012. (Withdraw from the IMC).
To continue to support Branch motion 5 (Renegotiate MOU-RN).
To continue to speak against Branch motion 6 (Identify and expedite new HQ).
To support Branch motion 7 (Hold Conference in Liverpool)
The Council directed that the AMC to consider the Conference Study Group in detail at its July meeting and come with recommendations to NC in September 11.
The Council directed that NCM encourage Areas to find shipmates for the Virtual branch scheme.
The Council decided that the new branded stationery should be mandated to be used by Areas and Branches.
The Council noted the FAC decision that since the management accounts were so reliable, to dispense with quarterly audit and move to six-monthly audit.
The Council directed the General Secretary to meet with the RN to finalise the details of the Shipmates campaign.
The Council voted their appreciation to the General Secretary for his work in securing an MCFG grant of £39,500 for the Shipmates campaign.
The Council decided to hold the next National Council meeting at 1100 on 10 September in the UJC, London.
03.08.2011
RNA and RN publish "The Shipmates' Programme".
The Royal Naval Association, in conjunction with the Royal Navy have recently published the a document entitled "The Shipmates' Programme" which sets forth the vision for the future of the RNA and a strategy for future cooperation. The codument can be downloaded directly from here. I would encourage all shipmates to read this.
27.06.2011
S/m John Kelly (Hazel Grove Branch)
We regret to announce the death of S/m John Kelly, Secretary of the Hazel Grove Branch who crossed the bar yesterday after a short illness. John was well known for his organising ability especially the annual commemoration service each February for the SS Stockport the convoy rescue vessel lost with all hands during WW2.
26.06.2011
Preston Armed Forces Day success
The Area Publicity stand was in attendance at the Preston Armed Forces day on Saturday June 18th. Also in attendance was S/m Caulfield (Nat Comms & PR Advisor) who had brought the new RNA publicity material for several branches within the Area. The 'Rum tub' did a brisk trade among the crowds who attended at Fulwood Barracks. Interest in the RNA took on a positive note with over a dozen enquiries from would be new members from nearby towns and further afield. The afternoon ended with a beating of the retreat and a sunset ceremony led by the No.10 Area Standard and and two further branch Standards.
26.06.2011
New Area PRO appointed
The Area Committee at its last meeting appointed S/m Dave Wright of the Runcorn branch as Area PRO until the election of officers at the Annual General Meeting in January 2012. Shipmate Wright replaces S/m John Arnold (Crosby) who had to stand down due to work re-location matters.