THE ROYAL NAVAL

ASSOCIATION

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: His Majesty The King

Registered Charity No: 1068408

LISKEARD BRANCH

Commissioned 20th April 1986

Full Recognition by The Royal Navy

The Bilge Rat

February 2026

Issue No 435

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2026/27

Any items for inclusion in the Bilge Rat are to be

sent to: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Branch website www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

Blog https://liskeard-rna.blogspot.com/

President

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Sec

Branch Support

Wellbeing Officer

Area Delegate

Social Secretary

Standard Bearer

Slops Bosun

Rum Bosun

Fundraiser

Auditor(1)

Auditor(2)

Auditor(3)

PR Officer

Branch Chaplain

Bilge Rat Editor

Sports Officer

Vacant

S/M Marie Belfitt

S/M Bill Billing

S/M Lisa Strutt

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Christina Whitty

S/M Terry Whitty

S/M Steve Parkinson

S/M Jerry Fleming

REQUIRED

S/M James Ince

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Adam Strutt

REQUIRED

S/M Chrissie Henwood

S/M Steve Parkinson

REQUIRED

S/M Ian Wheatley

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Terry Whitty

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01579 346606

01579 343605

07855861450

07508785122

01579 346606

01579 345198

07855861450

01208 821272

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01579 343605

DISCLAIMER

Whilst The Bilge Rat is the magazine of the Liskeard branch of the

Royal Naval Association, it should be clearly understood that the

contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Association, the

branch members or the Editor and should not therefore be interpret-

ed as such.

A colour version of the Bilge Rat may be viewed on the RNA website.

Branch website: www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2025/26 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 4

CHAIRMANS REPORT AGM 2026 5

MENTORS 8

DO YOU JUST BELONG? 14

FEBRUARY QUIZ 15

JANUARY QUIZ ANSWERS 16

SOCIAL CALENDAR 2026 17

Contents

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays for February

Members;

Life 3

Full 50

Associates 33

Total 86

1-Mar Tim Briggs

6-Mar Alan Barry

10-Mar Andrew (Andy) Schoeld

13-Mar Gillian O'Neill

13-Mar David March

14-Mar Noreen Bullen

16-Mar Steven Parkinson

22-Mar Leanne Talbot

20-Mar Philomena Syson

CHAIRMANS REPORT AGM 2026

Good Evening and welcome back.

First we will have the AGM, after which we will have a 10 minute com-

fort break and then we will resume with our Branch meeting.

Sadly we lost 3 members during the last year, John Hunt, Len Stroud

shortly after his 101

birthday and Margaret Jolly. This month we lost

Nancy Strudwick and Ray Blakeston as well as Iris Prinn the wife of

our past member Charlie Prinn. They will all be sadly missed by those

members who knew them.

Our membership has increased steadily throughout the year, with ap-

proximately 30 members attending each Branch Meeting. As a Branch

we have a healthy membership, going forward we would welcome any

new members and also remind those who joined in the last few years

to think about joining the committee and help with the running of the

Branch.

We gave strong support for all the RBL Branch activities, the Boconnoc

Steam Fayre, Liskeard Show, Great Trethew Vintage Rally and as usu-

al we had a great turnout for Remembrance Events. We had our usual

Rum table which was well used, and those that volunteered for the

Poppy Collection put in a sterling effort over the fortnight ably support-

ed and organised by Sarah.

The Breakfast Club organised by Chris continues to be well supported.

Once again the Area Reunion weekend was well attended by the

Branch. We had a successful collection at Morrisons in February. In

May we had a skittles match against Torpoint Branch organised by

Terry. Unfortunately the November match against Saltash Branch had

to be cancelled due to illness. Warwick and I were invited to the Mayor

Choosing in May, congratulations to our Membership Secretary Christi-

na on being chosen to lead the town once again. Also in May 17 Rug-

by Fans travelled to Twickenham to watch the two Navy verses Army

games.

Trafalgar Night was a great success again this year with 80 guests at-

tending. Our Guests of Honour were the new Captain of HMS Raleigh

Captain Jeremy Ussher and his wife Sarah. My thanks go to Lisa and

Adam for their organisation. Warwick and I had the pleasure of attend-

ing St. Austell Branch Trafalgar Night the following week where the

Guest of Honour was our National President Vice Admiral Duncan

Potts.

The Happy Hour in November was well attended and hopefully en-

joyed by everyone. Our last event of the year was the Christmas Din-

ner organised by Trevor and Mary which was a great success.

The Bilge Rat is still going strong but still needs more input from mem-

bers. My thanks go to Adam for producing it each month.

Our thanks go to Neil Walsh for his sterling effort tidying and restoring

the Commonwealth War Graves around the town as well as the many

other graves of service personnel.

Eight members have had major surgery this year, Warwick, Trevor,

Chris and Linda Harwood, Mike and Jan Riddiough, Ann Mallard and

Jean Lennon – on a good note all are progressing well. One other

member who has not been well for most of the year is Arthur Craze,

Maureen has kept in regular contact with him, and he is feeling better

and battling on.

Parky has worked hard following up on Service Veterans referrals and

signposting them for further assistance. He has completed the monthly

returns to the Area WWO which are needed for our grant support re-

ports.

It has been another busy year for the Secretary, she has continued to

keep us all updated with minutes of meetings, Branch information,

events and correspondence. Hard copies or electronic versions are

available on request. She has also continued to help Adam with pro-

ducing the Bilge Rat.

It has been a hectic year in HMS Raleigh for the Mentors with the new

Max plus class starting, there are six of them planned for the coming

year. Lee and Terry have completed their coaching courses and are

now both qualified level three coaches. This has now become manda-

tory for all Mentors. Terry has continued to provide regular updates on

the RNA website and various Facebook pages as well as publishing

reports on the passing out parades. The Fireside Chats on Friday of

week 5 are always popular with the recruits as it is their chance to in-

teract with the Mentors and ask questions about their future training

and career paths. The dedication and commitment shown by the Men-

toring team is very much appreciated by the recruits and their families

as well as the Training staff.

Thankyou to Bill our Vice-Chairman for standing in for me when I was

unavailable. Our thanks must go to Trevor and Sarah for running the

bar, as without their unpaid service we would not be able to afford this

facility. Thanks go to the Ladies who provide the sandwiches each

month and the Happy Hour food, and to Ann and Nick for the meat slic-

es. Thankyou to Chrissie for running the raffle each month and to all

the members for generously providing so many prizes, I am most

grateful.

I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work organising

and running all the Branch affairs.

S/M Marie Belfitt

Chair

Mentors

Greetings from HMS Raleigh.

Hi Shipmates, Welcome from all the RNA Veteran mentors in HMS

Raleigh. Last Friday we had the pleasure to have General Sir Gwyn

Jenkins KCB OBE ADC Royal Marines. First Sea Lord and Chief of the

Navy.

Myself and Mick Howe had the absolute honour to be asked to attend

dinner with the first sea lord in the wardroom, we had a nice chat with

him and his WO1. I posted my last "Greetings from HMS Raleigh," I

have been told to send the dit and pictures to central office so they can

upload, (not happy but will do as I'm told.) Its been a great privilege for

me, as lead mentor to send updates from the mentors in HMS Raleigh,

every Friday, to show how hard we all work with the recruits and staff.

It was always my intention to showcase the mentors to fellow Royal

Naval Association shipmates, and branches, which I think I achieved

over the past three years. Just to show the commitment and dedication

the mentors have in representing our Association in HMS Raleigh. I

hope to see more veteran's in Raleigh over the coming months, as the

mentors have been asked to help host future veterans visits on a Fri-

day for a passing out Parade.

Good Evening shipmates, I would like to take this opportunity to give

an insight into the role of the Veteran Mentors who support recruits

during Phase One training at HMS Raleigh. But first I would like us all

to remember who started the Mentoring programme in HMS Raleigh S/

M Roger Grace, S/M Gordon Strudwick, S/M John Bartlett, S/M Pat

Vaughan, not forgetting our long-serving S/M Lee Hayward, without

these amazing Liskeard branch members, the mentoring programme

wouldn't be having its 18th anniversary on the 5th of May.

As you all know all of our Veteran Mentors have served in the Royal

Navy and bring with them a wealth of experience of naval life, both

ashore and at sea. Collectively, we cover all ranks and rates, from Able

Seaman through to Lieutenant Commander, giving recruits access to a

broad range of lived experience and perspectives. Personally, I served

for 27 years in the Royal Navy and left as a Chief Petty Officer. With

my time as a mentor included, I have now spent over 41 years working

alongside the Royal Navy — proof, if ever it were needed, that once

Navy, always Navy.

The Royal Naval Association Mentoring Programme

The Royal Naval Association (RNA) Mentoring Programme began at

HMS Raleigh in 2008, having already been run successfully at Royal

Marine Commando Training Centre Lympstone. The model was adopt-

ed by the RNA and developed in partnership with Royal Naval staff at

HMS Raleigh to support naval recruits during their initial training.

Although the programme has evolved over the years, it continues to

run successfully and provides recruits with a different perspective dur-

ing their ten-week Phase One training.

Mentoring is delivered by RNA volunteer veterans who have served

across a wide range of branches and bring with them experience, un-

derstanding, and empathy that sits outside the formal chain of com-

mand. The role of the mentor can range from being a listening ear, to

offering encouragement and reassurance at challenging moments. By

attending various training evolutions, mentors build strong relation-

ships with the divisions they are attached to. Over the course of ten

weeks, we see recruits grow in confidence and self-belief — a journey

that culminates on the parade ground at the Passing Out Parade,

where those same recruits stand a little taller in front of their proud

families and friends.

Mentors Take on the Coaching Challenge

Since 2012, Raleigh has supported a Royal Navy Association (RNA)

initiative to deliver a Mentor Programme, where veterans support INT

instructors and staff in training young civilians to become valued mem-

bers of His Majesty’s Royal Navy. To further enhance our capability,

mentors have been encouraged to undertake the Level 3 Coaching &

Mentoring Coach Practitioner course. On successful completion, men-

tors are given the opportunity to join the CAST team, providing support

to recruits and ship’s company with personal issues and concerns.

This qualification is a valuable asset for our mentors and will help

strengthen our presence and effectiveness in HMS Raleigh

Our Mentors at HMS Raleigh

At HMS Raleigh we currently have 14 Veteran Mentors, with two men-

tors allocated to each division. All give their time freely to support, en-

courage, and guide recruits throughout their training. I am immensely

proud of the team and always thank them for their commitment and

dedication to the mentoring programme.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the programme at HMS Ra-

leigh, on 5 May. I have personally had the honour and privilege of

working with the next generation of sailors for almost 14 years, and

my fellow mentor, Lee Hayward, has been part of the programme for

over 16 years. We both agree that it is a privilege not only to support

the recruits, but also to help their families navigate what many de-

scribe as the “Raleigh rollercoaster.” Tomorrow I will be picking up my

112th class — a moment that is always exciting for all the mentors.

This Friday, I will attend my 216th Passing Out Parade, and I very

much look forward to meeting the families of Cornwell 25/24.

Yours aye,

Terry Whitty

Lead Liaison Mentor

HMS Raleigh

Last year, the Raleigh Veteran

Mentors were nominated for

the prestigious "English Veter-

ans Awards". Although we did

not win, being nominated alone

is a tremendous achievement

and a testament to the hard

work, professionalism, and

commitment of everyone in-

volved. I would like to congrat-

ulate all of our mentors for their

continued dedication to the

Mentoring Programme and for

representing the Royal Naval

Association at HMS Raleigh

Seventy Years On – A Life Well Sailed

Reaching the age of 70 is a milestone

that invites reflection, and for Terry

Whitty, it is difficult to believe just how

quickly the years have passed. Looking

back, it feels as though it all began with

that very first photograph, the first step

on a journey that would go on to shape

a full and meaningful life.

Like so many others, Terry’s life has

been shaped by both highs and lows.

Each experience, whether challenging

or uplifting, has contributed to the per-

son he is today. Throughout it all, he

has been fortunate to build a fulfilling

personal life alongside a deeply reward-

ing voluntary one.

Terry shares his life in East Cornwall with an amazing wife, a wonder-

ful daughter, and a close circle of friends and former shipmates. Their

constant support, encouragement, and friendship have played a signifi-

cant role throughout his journey and remain a source of strength and

gratitude.

For nearly 14 years, Terry has had

the honour and privilege of working

alongside exceptional staff at HMS

Raleigh, where he is treated with the

utmost respect. During this time, he

has served as a Royal Naval Associ-

ation Volunteer Mentor in Phase One

Training, a role that allows him to

support recruits and their families at

the very start of their naval careers.

In total, he has supported almost 9,000 recruits and their families, a

remarkable contribution that reflects both commitment and compas-

sion.

Supporting families while their loved ones

were undertaking Phase One training is

always something Terry takes great pride

in. He understands how daunting those

early weeks can be, and his guidance,

reassurance, and presence, alongside

Divisional Training Staff, has helped

many families navigate what can be an

uncertain time. His belief remains that

this support makes a real and lasting dif-

ference during a critical period in the lives

of recruits and their loved ones.

Working with the next generation of sail-

ors and the other Volunteer Mentors, has

been one of the most rewarding experi-

ences of Terry’s life. With over 41 years

connected to the Royal Navy, he has wit-

nessed firsthand the resilience, dedica-

tion, and values that continue to define naval service.

The saying “once Navy, always Navy” resonates deeply with Terry. As

he reflects on reaching 70 years of age, he does so with pride, grati-

tude, and a deep appreciation for the people, experiences, and service

that have shaped his journey. It is a life well sailed, marked by commit-

ment, community, and an enduring connection to the Royal Navy.

Well totally humbled.

This is why mentoring is such an

amazing role.

Having the interaction with recruits

and families is so rewarding.

Having the interaction with recruits

and families is so rewarding.

Some of the posts the families have

posted

Yours aye,

Terry Whitty

Lead Liaison Mentor

HMS Raleigh

To see more of the kind and gener-

ous comments made by families of

the recruits, visit Terry’s or the HMS

Raleigh Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/

p/1EFxumfMto/

Do you just belong?

Are you an active member?

The kind that would be missed

Or are you just content

That your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings

And mingle with the crowd,

Or do you stay at home

And crab both long and loud?

Do you ever go to visit

A member who is sick,

Or leave the work to just a few,

And talk about the clique?

There is quite a program scheduled

That means success, if done,

And it can be accomplished

With the help of everyone.

So attend the meetings regularly

And help with hand and heart

Don’t be just a member ,

But take an active part,

Think this over carefully,

Are we right or are we wrong?

Are you an active member

or do you just belong?

S/M Trevor Newbury

February Quiz

For this month’s quiz I’ve made up a word game, in the left-hand

column a list of unusual words, in the right-hand column their

meanings although, as the great Eric Morecambe famously said

“Not necessarily in the right order”. Match up the Words and

meanings.

a. Pulchritude 1) A person who attacks or criticizes

cherished beliefs or institutions

b. Iconoclast 2) Aggressively hostile, belligerent

c. Mendacity 3) Composure in the face of difficulty or

danger

d. Truculent 4) Very different

e. Egregious 5) Act of deeming worthless

f. Anachronism 6) an ever-changing, unpredictable,

unstable economic system

g. Abrogate 7) Harsh language or treatment arising

from haughtiness and contempt.

h. Disparate 8) Something that is chronologically out

of place

i. Kaleidic 9) A tendency to lie

j. Sangfroid 10) Physical beauty, attractiveness

k. Contumely 11) Outstandingly bad, shocking

l. floccinaucinihilipilification 12) To cancel officially

S/M Tim Briggs

January Quiz Answers

1. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand to how many teams for the

first time?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams. Up from

the previous 32 teams

2. Which three countries will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

United States, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 FIFA

world cup.

3. Which major country celebrates its 250th anniversary of independ-

ence in 2026?

The USA celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence in

2026

4. Which iconic British band, formed in 1966, marks its 60th anniver-

sary in 2026?

Cream.

5. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of which animal?

2026 is the Year of the Horse

6. What is the Roman numeral for 2026?

MMXXVI

7. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in which City?

Glasgow

8. Someone born in 2026 belongs to which named generation?

Generation Beta. Sometimes shortened to Gen Beta. It is just at

the end of the Gen Alpha Cohort.

9. Which famous album by The Beatles turns 60 years old in 2026: Re-

volver, Abbey Road, or Sgt. Pepper’s?

Revolver

10. Which classic British TV show, first aired in 1966, celebrates its

60th anniversary in 2026?

Top of the Pops celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026

Social Calendar 2026

Date Event

29th January AGM

6-8th March Area 4 Reunion

21st March Community Fair

2nd May Army/Navy Rugby.

10th May VE Day Wreath Laying

27th June Armed Forces Day/Liskeard Carnival

11th July Liskeard Show

19th July Trebenver Big Lunch

7-9th August Boconnoc

16th August VJ Day

29th—31st August Great Trethew

TBC St Mathews Fair

10th October Trafalgar Night

24th October Poppy Concert

1st November Field of Remembrance

8th November Remembrance Parade

11th November 2 min Silence

26th November Final Meeting of the Year (Free Drinks)

5th December RNA Christmas Dinner

Liskeard RNA usually meets on the last Thursday of the month, in

the room above the Royal British Legion. The room and bar are open

from 1930 and the meeting starts at 2000. You do not have to be ex

Royal Navy to join. All are welcome.

ONLY DRINKS PURCHASED IN THE RBL CLUB

ARE TO BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES

Anybody who has content for the Bilge Rat, please send to

the Bilge Rat Hon Editor.

Email: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Breakfast Club· Market Cafe Liskeard

Now meeting every Wednesday 0930

and 2nd Saturday of the Month 0930

The Liskeard Branch of the RNA will

be celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary in

April this year.

If anyone has any suggestions as to

how it should be celebrated, please

let a member of the committee know.