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RNA Bletchley & District, 50th Anniversary Service

4 October 201527 October 2015 Karl Webb Dave Corrigan, Dennis Matthews, Garry Potter, Karl Webb, Keith Ridley, Steve Barnes

On Saturday 3rd October 2015, shipmates from Bletchley & District RNA celebrated their 50th anniversary with a service at St Mary’s Church in Bletchley.

St Mary's Church, Bletchley — St Mary’s Church, Bletchley

Joining in on Bletchley RNA’s celebrations were representatives from No 6 Area, including the Area President and members of No 6 Area committee. Escorts for Bletchley’s Standard, and supporting the event, was carried out (smart and seamanlike) by Bletchley’s Naval Cadets.

Naval Cadets and RNA shipmates gather at St Mary's Church — Naval Cadets and RNA shipmates gather at St Mary’s Church

Looking after proceedings was S/M Dave Corrigan, Bletchley & District’s Hon. Secretary & Standard Bearer. Dave ensured that everything was to run like clockwork, and despite delays caused by the World Rugby match taking place in Milton Keynes, gathered the Standard Bearers from No 6 Area and led them to St Mary’s Church to line the route for VIPs and guests for the Service.

S/M Dave Corrigan marches the Standard Bearers to take up their positions

The guest of honour was Lady Patricia King, wife of Bletchley & District’s late President, Vice Admiral Sir Norman King, and the Deputy Mayor of Bletchley, Steve Coventry.

Once all VIPs, guests and shipmates were seated in the church, S/M Dave Corrigan marched in the Branch Standard, followed by the Standards from No 6 Area, and placed on the altar for the start of the service.

The ceremony taking place in St mary's Church — The ceremony taking place in St mary’s Church

The Minister of St Mary’s Church, Dr Robin Rowles, welcomed everyone before giving the opening sentences and led us in the first hymn, Jerusalem. Prayers and readings were given as well as a sermon from Bletchley’s Chaplain, Reverend Steve Barnes.

Standards are lowered during for the National Anthem — Standards are lowered for the National Anthem

After the Blessing, final prayer and the National Anthem, the ceremony concluded with presentations to Lady King and Bletchley RNA.

Lady King is presented a certificate from Bletchley RNA

Shipmate Dennis Matthews presents a crest to S/M Garry Potter.

With the ceremony and presentations complete, it was time for everyone to stand down and have a chance to spin a few dits, but one final ‘tradition’ was to take place, the issue of a tot to all the Standard Bearers, and then sit down to a meal provided by Bletchley Branch.

Bletchley & District Branch have a great history, for further information please contact the Branch Chairman or Hon. Secretary. BZ Bletchley RNA, we hope your next 50 years are just as successful.

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Click on any image below to view more photographs from Bletchley & District’s 50th Anniversary Service: