Can You Help Make a Difference? – Support Needed for Upcoming RNA Activities

As your National and Area Welfare & Wellbeing Support Co-ordinator, I am reaching out to ask for your help with several upcoming events and activities over the summer. These opportunities not only allow us to promote the Royal Naval Association but also provide meaningful support to serving personnel who may benefit from a friendly face, a listening ear, and the camaraderie that makes our Association so special.

Every bit of help, whether it’s a few hours or a full day, really does make a difference.

HMS Raleigh H Unit Health Fayre
15 July | 1300–1600

We will be attending the H Unit Health Fayre at HMS Raleigh to promote the RNA, raise awareness of the support we provide, and engage with recruits and staff.

This is a great opportunity to showcase the Association and encourage future membership. If you enjoy meeting people and talking about the work we do, your support would be greatly appreciated.

HMS Raleigh Leave Period Support
7 August – 6 September

During the summer leave period, a number of recruits remain at HMS Raleigh, many of whom are Commonwealth recruits unable to travel home.

Thanks to previous support, we’ve been able to provide opportunities for them to get away from camp, socialise, and experience a little of what Cornwall and Devon have to offer. During the Easter leave period, activities included:

• Go-karting
• Visits to the China Fleet Club
• Transport to the Torpoint Ferry and local attractions

As I will be on leave for part of this period, I am looking for people who may be able to help with:

• Driving a minibus
• Assisting with transport arrangements
• Supporting or supervising activities
• Suggesting and helping organise new outings and events

If you have ideas for activities that would appeal to young recruits, I’d love to hear them. Sometimes the simplest outings can have the biggest impact on morale and wellbeing.

RNSA Yeovilton Families Day
23 July | Time TBC

We will be running an RNA stall/gazebo at the RNSA Yeovilton Families Day and are looking for volunteers to help set up, welcome visitors, and share information about the Association.

This is always a fantastic opportunity to engage with serving personnel, veterans, families and supporters, while raising the profile of the RNA within the wider Naval community.

How You Can Help

If you can support any of these events, please get in touch. Whether you can offer a few hours, a full day, transport support, or simply some fresh ideas, your contribution will be valued and appreciated.

Together we can continue to demonstrate the very best of the RNA, friendship, support, and shipmate helping shipmate.

Thank you in advance for anything you can do.

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.

Since the dedication of the memorial on 4th July 2021, the Portland RNA has proudly taken on the duty of remembrance, ensuring the sacrifice of those lost is never forgotten.

Shipmate Bob Featherstone piped the ‘Still’, marking a one‑minute silence, followed by the ‘Carry On’. Branch Chairman, Shipmate Dusty Miller, then delivered a short heartfelt reading, after which Shipmates raised a small libation in honour of Fallen Comrades.

The Portland RNA remains committed to preserving naval heritage and supporting veterans and their families through unity, loyalty, and comradeship.

Shipmates, the Semaphore Circular Monthly
Newsletter for Friday 3^rd July 2026
is available here.

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

On Tuesday 16 June 2026, 7 members of Portland Branch RNA gathered with members of the local Submariners Association to remember those that perished in 1955 on HMS Sidon.

Launched in 1944 and built by Cammell Laird, HMS Sidon served with the Royal Navy in the post‑war years. On 16 June 1955, while alongside in Portland Harbour, an experimental torpedo exploded on board, sinking the submarine and taking the lives of 13 submariners.  The boat was later raised but too badly damaged to return to service, and she was finally laid to rest as a target in 1957.

Today, the Portland community, the Royal Naval Association and the Dorset Submariners Association continue to honour the men of Sidon and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

We will remember them.

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, the Semaphore Circular Monthly
Newsletter for Friday 5^th June 2026
is available here.

On the evening of 3 June 2026, 43 Shipmates attended the Portland Branch General Meeting to hear Lt (SCC) Rachel Harris RNR Commanding Officer of the local Sea Cadets Unit, speak about the activities and achievements of the TS Penn Cadets and staff over the past year.

Rachel thanked the Branch for inviting her and for electing Portland Sea Cadets as the branch charity. She then went on to give a brief history of the Sea Cadets which was established in 1856 and the establishment of Portland Sea Cadets in 1956 in the old Boscawen area in Castletown. In 1995 in preparation for the closure of the Royal Navy in Portland the Unit moved to the old NAAFI shop in what was then the Westcliff Married Quarters Estate.

Rachel then spoke about the activities that the Cadets have access to in the Unit which included Catering, Engineering, Seamanship, Navigation and the core activity Boating; one of the Cadets had qualified as an RYA Dinghy Instructor recently and also one of the Cadets who had just turned 18 had spent a week on TS Royalist and had returned saying it was the best week of her Cadet career ever.

The Unit was also active within the local community supporting local civic events which in the last 12 months had included the 85th anniversary of the Foylebank tragedy, VJ Day 80 commemoration service, HMS Illustrious memorial service, November Ceremonies with parade and service at Portland Cenotaph, Weymouth Armed Forces Veterans Parade, Mayors Civic Carol Service and performing Ceremonial Sunset for the Royal Navy Sailing Association Annual CTP!

The Unit also undertook a three day visit to Ypres in Belgium where 14 Cadets and 5 staff joined with Weymouth and Yeovil Sea Cadet Units and proudly represented Sea Cadets at one of the daily Remembrance Services held at the Menin Gate where one Able Cadet said the Exhortation and another said the Kohima Epitaph, both Cadets being from Portland Unit, an experience never to be forgotten.

Competitions were also a strong point for the Unit with Cadets wining through to Area and National level Sailing, Windsurfing and Powerboat Handling competitions, indeed had the National Powerboat Handling Competition not been cancelled due to high winds last year the Unit stood a very good chance of lifting the trophy.

Duke of Edinburgh is also a strong point with 3 Bronze awards, 5 Silver Awards and 3 Gold Awards being achieved in the last 12 months. Cadets can also be awarded a BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Teamwork, Personal Skills and Citizenship when they reach the rate of Ordinary Cadet. Additionally, six Cadets had achieved the BTEC Level 2 Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community award in the last 12 months.

Also working in the background is the Unit Management Team without whom the Unit would not be able to operate. They ensure the Unit has the right facilities, equipment and undertake the fundraising activities to keep the ship afloat. The Units now has a new Galley, new Heads and Shower facilities which include disabled access which enables the Unit to conduct residential training activities. Planned later for this year is the roofing over of the yard and building of three new training rooms which will more than double the availability of training spaces.

Following her presentation, Branch Chairman S/m Dusty Miller thanked Lt Harris for her engaging talk.

Treasurer and Area Deputy National Council Member, S/m Pete Shoesmith, then said that in March 2026, Area 4 of the Royal Naval Association had held its annual reunion in Bideford and 18 members of the branch had attended. Throughout the weekend, Shipmates took part in a range of fundraising activities and raffles, all contributing to the reunion charity fund.

Branches were invited to nominate charities for the 2026 donations, and the following organisations were selected:

•  National Coastwatch Institute, Portland Bill — £1,000, proposed by Dorchester Branch
•  Combat Stress – Mental Health Services for Veterans — £1,000, proposed by Frome Branch
•  Devon Air Ambulance — £1,000, proposed by Helston Branch
•  TS Penn (Portland Sea Cadet Unit) — £500, requested and to be matched by Portland Branch

S/m Pete then invited Branch President and Area Deputy Chairman, S/m Ben Cartwright, to present a cheque for £500 to Lt Harris. Rachel expressed her surprise and delight at the donation, noting that the funds would be put to excellent use in supporting the Unit’s forthcoming classroom building development project.

We have received a thank you letter from our hosts at Portland Masonic Lodge thanking us for our donation for continued use of their facilities.  You can see a copy of the letter HERE