We have an invitation from Dorchester Branch to attend a talk being given at Dorchester Branch RNA on 14 October 2026.

“Members are invited to a talk by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at our branch meeting on 14 October 2026 at the Trinity Club, Trinity Street, Dorchester.

Our branch meeting will start at 1900 and it is expected that the talk will commence at 1930.

Regards,
Roy Dean
Secretary, Royal Naval Association Dorchester”

Shipmates,

Away Weekend Thursday 8th to Monday 12th October to Daish’s Hotel, Shanklin. We’ll be there in 7 days time.

Pickup approximate times:

• • • • • Bridport bus station 0900 – Vaughan, Carole & Sue.
        • Portland, Victoria Square, bus stop near chippie at 0945 for the other 31.
        • We are booked on the 1400 ferry from Pompey.

As we are sharing the coach, we have no say in a possible lunch stop. The driver may decide to go directly to the ferry terminal, although I would expect a comfort stop at Rownhams Services. You may want to take a packed lunch.

I issued luggage labels to most of you at the September meeting. I’ll have labels for the rest at the October meeting. Please make sure you use the Daish’s labels marked DT for luggage being stowed in the hold of the coach and porters will take it to your hotel room. Most important to use these labels for the return journey so that your luggage is stowed on the correct coach.

The weekend is completely informal. Hope that everyone has an enjoyable time.

Regards
Dave
Social Sec

Original post here

Reserve this weekend in your diaries.

The next No 4 Area Reunion will be held at Durrant House Hotel, Northam, Bideford EX39 3QB on:

Friday 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th March 2027 – Booking details with costs below:

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION No.4 AREA REUNION
FRIDAY 5 MARCH TO MONDAY 8 MARCH 2027

BOOKING INFORMATION

2 nights package Fri buffet to Sun Lunch or Sat Gala Dinner to Mon b/fast. Cost: £180.00 pp

Those that request 2 nights only, please let me know if it’s Fri & Sat or Sat & Sun that’s required.

A number of single rooms are available with no supplement; all rooms have baths with shower over or walk in shower on request.

A £20 deposit per person is required by Sat 21 November 2026. Please note that the £20 deposit is non refundable as we will already have incurred expenses at that point.

The account name for payment is: No 4 Area Reunion Fund

Bank transfer to:          Sort Code 30-95-08           A/C Number 01009530

The Reunion Treasurer would prefer one bank transfer per branch where possible.

Those of you who haven’t been before, it’s a fun weekend with a full entertainment programme.

All branches have their own table for the whole weekend, but tables seat 10 so smaller branches might have to share.

Travel is self drive.

Please contact your Reunion Rep, S/m Pete Shoesmith to make a booking, with £20 deposit pp, at the Oct & Nov branch meetings.

On 7 September S/m’s Dusty & Karen mustered at the Corner House Inn to present Amy and Dorian with an RNA Portland Branch Plaque as further thanks for the generouse donation to the Branch as a result of the fundraising on 1 August for Death of the Tot Day.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the patrons and organisers, both the Portland RNA and the Portland Sea Cadets were presented with a whopping £578.88 each to support their ongoing work in the community.

Speaking after the presentation, RNA Branch Chairman S/m Dusty expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Amy and Dorian for their hard work in hosting the event.

There was a short journey after to the parking area in Utilita Bowl before Shipmates found their seats in the popular West side of the stadium which offered a magnificent view of the days matches.

The first match was Hampshire Hawks ladies vs Lancashire Thunder ladies which Hawkes won in emphatic style, with Hawkes scoring 135-1 (14.3) after putting Lancashire Ladies in to bat first and restricting them to 131 all out (19.4 overs). Hampshire Hawks ladies won by 9 wickets, a result that took them to the top of the Vitality Blast Women’s Table.

A break was taken for further replenishment of fluids and lunch after which the men’s game commenced with Hampshire Hawkes vs Kent Spitfires, who had previously beaten Hawkes by 7 wickets. Batting first, Hawkes manages a respectable
190-3 (20 overs). Kent Spitfires returned with a blistering run rate which was curtailed by some excellent bowling with several wickets being taken in quick succession to restrict Spitfires to 171 all out (19.2 overs), Hawkes won by 19 runs!

Shipmate Nigel then had to endure the parking exit ‘rush’ with 3 lanes converging to exit onto the main road and head West. Shipmates eventual reached home having had an excellent day out.

Many thanks to S/m Dave for organising the trip but who sadly could not come with us, to S/m Nige for driving the minibus without whom the trip would not have happened and to S/m’s Dusty, Dodger, Roger, Doc, Lynne, Vaughan, Steve and Bob for the excellent company.

The next VB will be held at the Masonic Hall, Victoria Square on Sunday 5^th July.  Details in the poster below.

Link to Booking Form  payment details as follows:

Account Name – Dorset Freemasonry Veterans Breakfast Club
Sort code – 04-14-50
Account Number – 65240335

Reserve this weekend in your diaries.

The next No 4 Area Reunion will be held at Durrant House Hotel, Northam, Bideford EX39 3QB on:

Friday 5th, 6th, 7th, March 2027

This is planned to be with the more formal style of Gala Dinner with Guest of Honour and top table on the Saturday evening, preceded by a wine reception.

More details will be published when available.

Shipmates

An email received from Portland Town Council which may be of interest to Members.

Portland Town Council will be holding an event on Thursday 18^th June 2026 to commemorate the life of Councillor Sandy West.

Sandy was loved and well respected across Portland, which she represented as a Councillor for nearly 25 years, including serving as Mayor on more than one occasion. We hope that you will take this opportunity to share your memories with others that knew her.

Thursday 18th June
18:00 – 20:00
Islanders Youth and Community Centre, 53 East Weares Road, Portland DT5 1ES

RSVP:
Kindly reply if you will be coming along as we do need to confirm numbers.

With kindest regards,

Hilary Brown
Deputy Clerk
Portland Town Council
Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close
Portland, Dorset DT5 1JN

Office: 01305 821638
Mobile: 07422 688 859
Email: deputyclerk@portlandtowncouncil.gov.uk
Website: www.portlandtowncouncil.gov.uk

The next VB will be held at the Masonic Hall, Victoria Square on 7 June.  Details in the poster below.

Link to Booking Form  payment details as follows:

Account Name – Dorset Freemasonry Veterans Breakfast Club
Sort code – 04-14-50
Account Number – 65240335

Shipmates,

On Saturday 18^th April, fifty‑two Shipmates, partners, and friends gathered for the 2026 Annual Dinner; a particularly special occasion as it marked the 70^th anniversary of the Branch’s inauguration on 8^th March 1956.

Guests enjoyed a three‑course dinner followed by tea, coffee, and a series of traditional toasts. Toasts were accompanied by a glass of port served in a specially commissioned 70th anniversary glass, which Shipmates were invited to take home as a keepsake of the milestone year.

The Branch was honoured to welcome the National Council Chairman and N^o 3 Area NCM, Shipmate Andy Christie, as Guest of Honour. In his address, he reflected on the history of the Branch, the wider work of the Royal Naval Association, and the enduring values that continue to bind its members. He concluded by presenting the Branch with a framed certificate commemorating its 70 years of service and camaraderie. In return, Branch Chairman Shipmate Dusty Miller presented Shipmate Andy with a set of Rum Tankards as a token of appreciation.

The Branch continues to thrive, with a current muster of 97 members: 6 Life Members, 57 Full Members, 31 Associate Members, 2 Serving Members, and 1 Honorary Member. In addition, the Branch is regularly joined by 3 Affiliate Members from Bridport Branch, who remain valued friends and supporters of Branch activities.