TWENTY members of the Chard Royal Naval Association recently spent a day out at the historic dockyard at Portsmouth.

The Chard RNA group went to the Royal Naval Association’s headquarters at Semaphore Tower where they able to enjoy an hour-long trip at sea touring the dockyard.

After testing out their sea legs the group enjoyed tea and cake before going on to visit the dockyard by taking a guided tour of HMS Warrior, visiting HMS Victory and seeing the Mary Rose, not to mention the Minitor which was in dry dock and is the last surviving Royal Naval ship from the Gallipoli Campaign.

The following week the branch also celebrated its annual tribute to Admiral Lord Nelson at its Trafalgar Dinner held at the Lordleaze Hotel.

This was an excellent evening with an interesting after-dinner speech given by former First Officer WRNS, Rita Hoddinott. Mrs Hoddinott had been invited to attend the evening by the Chard RNA chairman Paula Moon, herself ex-Petty Officer Wren, as the guest speaker had been the chairman’s very first divisional officer on joining the service at HMS Dauntless in July 1970.

Members have also held street collections in Chard and the branch would like to thank all those who made donations helping to raise nearly £335.