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RNA General & Local Facts
General
The
National Royal Naval Association was formed in 1950. In 1954 the
Association was granted a Royal Charter and H. M. The Queen reserved
herself the right to be its first Patron and still remains so. The
Associations adopted motto is
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism
and
Comradeship,
and the two main aims of the Association are:
A. To
further the efficiency of the service in which the membership of the
Association have served or are serving, by preserving the full
traditions of the service. Thus achieving those ideals for which our
naval forces have fought, and perpetuating the memory of those members
who have died in the service of their country.
B. To
relieve members of the Association who are in conditions of need,
hardship or distress.
On a
national basis the Royal Naval Association is split into a number of
Areas throughout the U.K. There are
12
numbered areas, and one named “Scottish
Area”.
Each area encompasses a number of local Branches, ranging from
10
to
57
in an area.. There are also
39
overseas branches, scattered over almost all the continents. The Newton
Abbot Branch of the Association is one of
46
branches comprising
No.4 Area.
Geographically this covers an area from south Bristol down to
Christchurch and all points south-west.
Local
Since
celebrating its 50th
anniversary in the spring of 2007, the Newton Abbot Branch of the Royal
Naval Association has had a moderately quiet year. Members continue to
enjoy their monthly 'get together' at the Royal British Legion Club on
the 2nd
Monday evening of each month, and as usual we have managed to fit in
several social events during the summer months of 2007. We work closely
with the Newton Abbot Branch of the Royal British Legion, helping them
with the various formal annual events, e.g. Decoration Day and the
Armistice Day parade, and we support them socially. We also maintain
contact with the Teignbridge adopted warship HMS/M Triumph which
is currently refitting at Devonport. Triumph has now become very
much a part of Newton Abbot, and we continue to make this so. They will
be again invited to take part in both social and civic events during the
coming year. We also maintain a high profile liaison with the many other
local ex-service associations, both for the benefit of ourselves and the
town.
Throughout
the past year we have continued with our usual fundraising activities,
raising money for various marine oriented charities. Our branch in
itself being a registered charity. The majority of profit from these
events has again been directed toward the Teignmouth Sea Cadet Unit. The
only Sea Cadet Unit within Teignbridge, and we are the only R.N.A.
branch within Teignbridge. In the recent past we have provided the Sea
Cadets with funding for sail training trips, the purchase of a new boat,
repairs to their H.Q. and assistance in the provision of other diverse
needs as they arise. It should perhaps be pointed out that unlike the
Army or the Air Cadets, the Sea cadets receive no official support from
the M.O.D. The R.N.A. on a national basis is one of their main
benefactors. Now under completely new management, the Unit
re-commissions on the 20th of April this year as the T.S.
Canonteign. (Based on connections with Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, one of
Lord Nelson's 'band of brothers') This promises to be a big day in the
Teignbridge calendar and the Newton Abbot branch of the R.N.A will be
playing a prominent role. We have provided the funding for their new
Standard, and our Chairman and Secretary now sit on their board of
Trustees.
Sadly over
recent months several of our stalwarts have 'Crossed the bar', and they
are of course sorely missed. One might expect that an association such
as ours would by definition be self perpetuating. However, this is not
so, we currently have a membership of some 20 full members and 19
associates, the majority of these being over the age of 70 and we are
always on the lookout for new members, either full or associate. In
common with most ex-service associations we badly need an injection of
newer and preferably younger blood. Although we have had a degree of
success in recruitment during the past year we desperately need to raise
our membership in order to ensure the continuance of our branch.
On a
brighter note we have just recruited a new Branch Chaplain, the Rev.
Michael Thayer of Highweek. Michael, as an ex-naval Chaplain is a very
welcome addition to our crew. We have not had the benefit of our own
Chaplain since 1982.
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