The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is delighted to highlight a recent grant awarded to the Royal Naval Association (RNA) Motorhome Caravan & Camping Group, which supported their 2nd Annual Armed Forces Day event. This year’s event, held over five days at St Neots, Cambridgeshire, was a resounding success, bringing together veterans, serving personnel, and their families in a celebration of camaraderie and community.
This year’s gathering saw an impressive turnout, with 43 units attending and 84 personnel present. Among the attendees were veterans from the Royal Navy (RN), as well as Wrens, WRAF QAs, and other members of the Armed Forces community. The event kicked off on Friday night with a lively Pirate-themed cocktail party, which served as an ice-breaker and set the tone for a weekend filled with friendship and fun.
Saturday was marked by the group’s participation in the opening ceremony of St Neots’ Armed Forces Day. Members of the RNA, RNA Bikers, and even two serving members of the United States Air Force (USAF) joined in this significant moment, honouring the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces.
The highlight of the weekend was the Saturday evening BBQ, funded by the RNRMC grant. This gathering brought together not only the group members but also the RNA Bikers and other veterans who were staying on site. The BBQ provided a relaxed atmosphere for everyone to come together, share stories, and enjoy a delicious meal.
On Sunday, a short church parade was held by RN Padre Bernard Clark. A special moment during this service was the blessing of a rum barrel, made by the late Eric Holmwood, which was recorded and sent to the Wrexham Branch. The day also included a WRENS social, where 11 Wrens gathered to share their experiences from their time in the Royal Navy. The feedback from this gathering was overwhelmingly positive, with many of the Wrens expressing their joy at meeting others for the first time.
Sunday’s activities continued with a giant quiz, a traditional “Tot Time,” sing-alongs, and games. The day concluded with the remaining food being shared among the campsite, fostering a sense of community and inclusion. The event wrapped up with a humorous “Defaulters” session, overseen by two Master-at-Arms and a Leading Regulator, ensuring that everyone left with a smile on their face.
Reflecting on the event, Ron Shilton remarked,
It was amazing to see that most of the people attending had never met each other, but so many friendships were once again made.
The RNRMC is proud to have supported this event, which perfectly embodies our mission to strengthen the bonds within our Naval family. The success of this gathering is a testament to the importance of community and the enduring spirit of camaraderie among our veterans and serving personnel. We look forward to supporting future initiatives that bring our Naval family together.
