The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month is approaching and we are all thinking of Remembrance Day

 

I am sure we all know of poems connected with the First World War, in particular, `In Flanders Fields` by John McCrae and `For The Fallen` by Laurence Binyon, the fourth verse of which is “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old”

 

However I give you this poem, one that I learnt as a youngster and which I feel still has a relevance today.

 

THE SOLDIER by Rupert Brooke

 

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there’s some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

 In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

 

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware

Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England’s, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.

 

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

 

 

 

S/m Roger Grace

 

 

 

Fifty Years On

 

Fifty years ago on the 14^th September 1959 I signed on the dotted line to serve as an Artificer. Initially we had to sign for twelve years but many of us did the full 22 plus extra.

 

Anyway. Last month on the 12^th September nearly two hundred of my entry assembled on HMS Belfast to celebrate our survival and renew our friendships. We had a lot of catching up to do.

 

It was a fabulous evening, far too short of course. Fifty years is a long time and although as apprentices we had lived cheek by jowl for over three years, initial visual recognition was sometimes difficult. I only left the Navy twenty-five years ago but it was still a challenge to recognise Pompey rates. However, surprisingly, our voices hadn’t changed, neither had our mannerisms and once you heard someone talking it was as if all those years just didn’t exist. The only sad note was the news of those who had crossed the bar but most of us are still 16 year olds going on 66.

 

Many were a bit concerned that London would be expensive but in the event it wasn’t. By planning early we from the West Country had flown up and back for £58.00. We stayed in the Tower Hill area in a brand new Travel Lodge which cost just over £143 for three nights in the heart of the city.

 

I, like many of the others had heard that beer was expensive but by drinking local beer, London Pride or Spitfire and not lager, prices were cheaper than down here. Mind it was dear on the ‘Belfast’; £4 a bottle but that didn’t stop them nearly running out.

 

All in all, a wonderful weekend, just proving once again that the RN is the best club in the world.

 

Roll on the 60^th or perhaps even the 55^th!!

 

S/m John Bartlett

            St Matthew’s Fair

 

After a long spell of fine dry weather Saturday 3^rd October dawned cold wet and windy, right on cue for a St. Matthew’s Fair, coupled with fact that there was no Continental Market to bolster the attraction there were not many people about. In spite of that we raised about £43 which was very commendable. Most of the money raised was from the Treasure Trove Map and the plants Margaret wanted to get off her windowsill!

 

It was kind of Nick to allow himself to be coerced int6o buying another knitted cuddly toy to go with the one he gallantly beat off other bids for at the Hog Roast auction. We all hope the two toys are compatible enough to produce some small knitted cuddly toys in the future, if so can I be godmother?

 

Many thanks to Margaret and Wilf for their work before and after the fair, also John Hunt for towing the caravan and manning the van. Due to their efforts Liskeard RNA showed the flag and raised a respectable amount for the branch funds.

 

S/m Nancy Strudwick

 

Christmas Dinner/Dance

 

Saturday the 12^th December 2009 in the Royal British Legion top room. Menu choice forms available at the October meeting.

 

Please return all forms with monies, (cheques or cash for £16 per person) at the November meeting. If you are not at the October meeting nplease contact us on Liskeard 346484.

 

It was a good evening last yeaqr, should be a good evening this year. Please support the Branch’s Christmas bash!

 

S/m Nancy Strudwick

 

 

Who is this young Sailor then?

 

 

 

Help for Heroes

 

The following is an extract from a letter received from the Help for Heroes Charity.

 

The charity’s first task was to help towards the costs of providing a new swimming pool and gym complex at the wonderful tri service rehabilitation centre at Headley Court. Headley Court is a world-class facility, owned by the Headley Court Trust and run by the MOD. Work has commenced on the swimming pool/gym complex and is due to be completed in 2010.

 

The charity will be helping to fund the Pathfinder project for an Army Convalescent Centre in Edinburgh. Working with the Army and Service Charity Erskine, we will be creating a house for 12 Soldiers to live while they begin to launch back into their lives after sustaining injuries. The intention is that once the concept has been proven successful, there will be up to 7 other such houses established with Help for Heroes funding around the country.

...check our website www.helpforheroes.org.uk ....for latest news.

 

Incidentally, I have received an article about a recipient of care from Headley House which I will put in next month’s Bilge Rat. Ed

 

 

 

 

NWS

REFURBISHMENT QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

SMALL BUILD

PLUMBING/CENTRAL HEATING

PLASTERING CARPENTRY

LOCKSMITH

DECORATING TILING

ALL ASPECTS OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

CONTACT NEIL ON 01579 320678

MOBILE 07966 381615

NO JOB TOO SMALL

 

 

 

 

Shipmate Gordon Strudwick has kindly obtained the following definitions from the Falmouth branch to help us all with our computers. Gordon says it is a great help to him in understanding his computer. Thanks to both Gordon and the Falmouth Branch

 

WEB                           What spider make

WEBSITE                  Usually the shed

SEARCH ENGINE    What to do when the car don’t go

YAHOO                     What you say when the car does start

UPGRADE                 A steep hill

MAIL SERVER         The bloke at the pub who brings out the grub

USER                         The neighbour who keeps borrowing things

NETWORK                What you do when you repair the fishing net

INTERNET                Where the fish go

NETSCAPE               What the fish do when they find the hole in the net

ONLINE                     Where you hang the washing

OFFLINE                   Where the washing goes when the wind blows.

Also from Falmouth

1.         A hole has been found in the nudist camp fence. Police are looking into it.

2.         The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

3.         A backward poet writes inverse.

4.         In democracy, it’s your vote that counts. In feudalism, it’s your count that votes.

5.         When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

6.         Don’t join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects.

 .Social Calendar 2009

 

 

 

 

            

            Sun 1^st Nov                Dedication of Field of Remembrance. Webbs 1400

            Sun 8 Nov                   Remembrance Day Parade. 1030 Cattle Market Car park

            Sat 21^st Nov               Christmas Fair and Bazaar RBL

            Sat 28^th Nov               Quiz Night

            Sat 5^th Dec                  Liskeard Lights

            Sat 12^th Dec                Christmas Dinner (RBL)

 

 

 

            

Suggestions for additional or proposed changes to events are welcome.

Bilge Rat Hon Editor.

Cae Gwer, St. Ive Cross, Liskeard, Cornwall. PL14 3LZ.

Open from 1930 meeting starts at 2000. You do not have to be ex Royal Navy to join. All are welcome.- Bar Open

 

Meeting Notes:-