Royal Naval Association - Rayleigh

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Royal Naval Association - Rayleigh The Royal Naval Association (Rayleigh Branch). Meeting Venue: The Royal British Legion Social Club,
2 London Hill, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7HP.

Happy Trafalgar Day everyone. Today we honour a true naval hero and all his men that defeated the combined French & Span...
21/10/2026

Happy Trafalgar Day everyone. Today we honour a true naval hero and all his men that defeated the combined French & Spanish fleet in 1805 ensuring Britain continued to rule the waves.

⚓ Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch visits White Ensign FC ⚽On Saturday 17th October, Branch Chairman Mike Sandbro...
18/10/2026

⚓ Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch visits White Ensign FC ⚽

On Saturday 17th October, Branch Chairman Mike Sandbrook, Vice-Chairman and Standard Bearer Brian Dobinson, and PRO Eddie Hardiman visited White Ensign FC at their home ground, Burroughs Park in Great Wakering.

A big thank you to Committee Member Bradley Medhurst for his warm welcome, tour of the ground and introductions to Club Chairman Josh Ferris, his partner and Club Secretary Kara, and fellow committee members Alan Day, Alan Cornelius, Brian Shorter and John Anstead.

We also met the Royal British Legion Great Wakering branch Chairman John Woodcock, Secretary Sandra Cooper, Marilyn Pond and Standard Bearer Dave Mead.

We enjoyed an entertaining Essex Senior League match against SOUL Tower Hamlets, with evenly matched sides and plenty of end-to-end action. White Ensign’s determination paid off in the second half, securing a well-earned 2–0 victory, with another goal ruled out for offside. 👏

Our visit also gave us the opportunity to prepare for the club’s final home game before Remembrance:

📅 Saturday 31st October
⚽ FA Vase: White Ensign FC v Wormley Rovers
📍 Burroughs Park, Great Wakering
🕒 Kick-off: 3pm

RNA Rayleigh Branch and the Royal British Legion Great Wakering Branch will lay poppy wreaths on the pitch, accompanied by our Standard Bearers, as we come together to remember those who served and sacrificed.

ALL Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans can attend for the discounted price of £6 on production of proof of service. Please come along, support the team and join us for this special occasion.

Our relationship with White Ensign FC has continued to grow since Bradley approached us to re-establish the club’s links with the Royal Navy. A heritage dating back to its founding by Royal Navy veterans in 1951.

Thank you to everyone at White Ensign FC for your hospitality. We look forward to seeing you again on 31st October!

⚓ Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism, Comradeship.

⚓ A lovely evening of fundraising at RNA Rayleigh! ⚓Our branch meeting on Wednesday 14th October featured a Bring and Bu...
16/10/2026

⚓ A lovely evening of fundraising at RNA Rayleigh! ⚓

Our branch meeting on Wednesday 14th October featured a Bring and Buy Night, raising funds towards our Christmas Social on Wednesday 9th December.

Back by popular demand, Mrs Eileen McCabe led the evening, ably supported by her daughter, SM Marianne Vernon, and SM Alison Halpin.

Members and guests generously donated a wide variety of items, with plenty of browsing, buying and friendly conversation along the way.

A heartfelt thank you to Eileen, Marianne and Alison for their hard work, and to everyone who donated or bought items. Your generosity will help make our Christmas Social a special occasion. 🎄

Once Navy, Always Navy. ⚓

06/10/2026

Here's to the next 125 years.

On Tuesday 6th Oct 26 members of RNA Rayleigh branch visited the Fire Service Museum in Grays, Essex.We were met by the ...
06/10/2026

On Tuesday 6th Oct 26 members of RNA Rayleigh branch visited the Fire Service Museum in Grays, Essex.

We were met by the Fire Service Museum volunteers Dan, Mick & Murray who gave us a very warm welcome including teas/coffees & biscuits before Mick gave us a very interesting presentation on the history of the Fire Service.

He went through how insurance companies, and businesses would have their own private Fire Crews.

He talked about the Fire Service changes through World War 1 & 2 and how Royal Navy sailors were brought back from the trenches to man the Fire Stations during the Zeplin air attacks.

He then went through how the Fire Service has developed over the years to where we are today.

We were then treated to tours of the museum including all of the equipment and engines of the past.

It was a great day thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

Our thanks to Dan, Mick & Murray for looking after us so well.

If anyone is looking for a day out for their groups or organisations I would definitely recommend a visit to the Fire Service Museum in Grays.

https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/essex-fire-museum

On Sunday 4th Oct 26 RNA Rayleigh branch had a working party at the Living Memorial, Rettendon giving Jim's Cabin a clea...
04/10/2026

On Sunday 4th Oct 26 RNA Rayleigh branch had a working party at the Living Memorial, Rettendon giving Jim's Cabin a clean and preserve ready for winter.

Thank you to Shipmates Brian & Lesley Dobinson, Keith & Dawn Roberts & Donna Howard for joining me today and for all your hard work. It was very much appreciated.

I would also like to thank RNA Rayleigh branch Honorary members Jackie Hammond & her partner Mike Jones for getting Jim's Cabin ready and the equipment needed to carry out the work.

https://www.rnarayleigh.org.uk/

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/195064

Mike Sandbrook
Chairman & Secretary.

🌺 DID YOU KNOW? that the very first Poppy Appeal took place in 1921, just three years after the end of the First World W...
02/10/2026

🌺 DID YOU KNOW? that the very first Poppy Appeal took place in 1921, just three years after the end of the First World War.

Nine million poppies were ordered for people across Britain to wear in remembrance. They sold out almost immediately and the first appeal raised more than £106,000 to support veterans.

Have you considered helping the Poppy appeal yourself by hosting a collection box in your workplace or even collecting in the High Street, Train Station or your local supermarket? Just ask if you would like the contact email for one of the organisers.

This year’s Poppy Appeal begins on 22 October. Every poppy worn is a small act of remembrance, but together they create something incredibly powerful.

So whether you wear one, donate, knit or crochet one for a display, every poppy has meaning. 🌺 105 years later, we still remember.

RNA Rayleigh branch members will be out helping with the Poppy Appeal in Rayleigh High Street on Wednesday 28th Oct & 4th Nov. They will also be helping out at the local Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons & Aldi.

Come and say hi and get your Poppy's.

At our RNA Rayleigh branch meeting on Wednesday 30th Sep 26 we had a Musical Bingo night.We started off the night with o...
01/10/2026

At our RNA Rayleigh branch meeting on Wednesday 30th Sep 26 we had a Musical Bingo night.

We started off the night with our Chairman/Secretary SM Mike Sandbrook giving the opening prayer before moving on to giving a summary of the recent Members Feedback Survey.

It was great to receive very positive feedback on how the branch is being run and the format of our meetings.

We received some great ideas for future visits and constructive views on our entertainment which have been taken onboard.

We then went through the rest of the Agenda with all committee members giving a short dit on their respective positions.

It was great to hear that with our latest 2 branch members, one being a WW2 RN Veteran that we now have 90 members.

After Stand Easy our Social Secretary for Events SM Dawn Roberts and her husband Treasurer SM Keith Roberts ably assisted by their daughter SM Donna Howard provided the evenings entertainment Musical Bingo.

This was the first time we had tried Musical Bingo and it proved to be very popular and enjoyed by all.

Dawn & Donna then called the raffle before our Vice- Chairman/Welfare & Wellbeing Officer SM Brian Dobinson ended the meeting with the closing prayer.

On Friday 25 September, members of the Submariners Association Essex Branch including their Chairman John Havis visited ...
25/09/2026

On Friday 25 September, members of the Submariners Association Essex Branch including their Chairman John Havis visited the Living Memorial in Rettendon.

We mustered at 1000 and were warmly welcomed with brews and cakes by Fran Theobald, who owns the Living Memorial with her husband, Peter.

Mike Sandbrook, Chairman of the Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch and a fellow Submariners Association member, spoke about the branch’s connection with the site. He paid tribute to its late Chairman, Jim Hammond, who acquired the flagpoles, anchors and slabs. After Jim crossed the bar, a cabin was erected in his memory (Jim's Cabin at Hammond's Quay) and became a museum.

Fran then told us how the Living Memorial began, how it has grown and what is planned for its future. She and Peter have made it a welcoming place for local veterans’ associations and continue to support the memorial services held there each year.

Mike led a tour of the site and its memorials before we returned for another brew and a chat. It was an informative and enjoyable visit for everyone. Thank you to Fran and Peter for their hospitality. ⚓

The Living Memorial is free to visit and open seven days a week.

📍 White House Farm, Main Road, Rettendon, Essex, CM3 8DL

⚓ Do You Miss the Camaraderie, Banter and Friendship of the Naval Family? ⚓The Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch i...
20/09/2026

⚓ Do You Miss the Camaraderie, Banter and Friendship of the Naval Family? ⚓

The Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch is looking for serving and former members of the:

🔹 Royal Navy
🔹 Royal Fleet Auxiliary
🔹 Women’s Royal Naval Service
🔹 Royal Marines

If you live in Rayleigh or the surrounding area, come along and meet us. Whether you served for a day or an entire career, you will receive a warm welcome from people who understand the friendships, traditions and sense of belonging that come with being part of the Naval family.

We are a friendly and active branch, offering comradeship, social events, visits and continued support for one another and our local community.

📅 Next meeting: Wednesday 30 September 2026
🕢 Come along from 7.30pm
📍 Royal British Legion Club, London Hill, Rayleigh

There is no obligation to join just come in, have a drink and meet the Shipmates. You may walk through the door as a stranger, but you will leave as part of the Naval family.

Please share this post with anyone who has served in the Naval Services.

Contact: [email protected]

⚓ Once Navy, Always Navy ⚓
Unity • Loyalty • Patriotism • Comradeship

Address

The Royal British Legion, 2 London Hill
Rayleigh
SS67HP

Opening Hours

8pm - 10pm

Telephone

+447447092661

Website

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