Many of you will know that our good friend and Shipmate Steve Skerman Crossed the Bar on 2 August 2026.

Being RNA through & through, Steve requested an RNA led cremation with blazers and medals, Standard to be paraded if available.

The Funeral to be held at Weymouth Crematorium at 11:30 on Friday 18 September 2026, will be conducted by Rose (Sam Wilding) and officiated by Michelle.

Confirmation of the Bun fight afterwards is awaited, but is likely to be at the Masonic.

Donations may be made to Portland RNA or Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

The funeral will also be live streamed, a link will be posted as soon as available.

Our thoughts are with his family.

Shipmates, the Semaphore Circular Monthly
Newsletter for Friday 7th August 2026
is available here.

Portland are fairly prominent in this months issue!

RNA Open Day Brings Shipmates Together in Portsmouth

The Royal Naval Association recently welcomed shipmates from the Portland and Torfaen Branches to Central Office for a special RNA Open Day in Portsmouth.

The visit provided a wonderful opportunity for members to meet the Central Office team, hear the latest updates from National Chair Andy Christie, and spend time catching up with fellow shipmates. Throughout the day, old friendships were renewed, new connections were made, and there was no shortage of dits, laughter and good company.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success, including Area 3 President Soapy Watson, and Steve for their support and contributions throughout the day.

The Royal Naval Association remains committed to supporting shipmates, preserving our naval heritage and fostering lifelong friendship across the naval community. We are also grateful to the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, whose grant funding helped make this activity possible.

More images available in the Gallery.

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.