Our Branch

Welcome to Bolton RNA 

The Chairman and committee would like to welcome you to the Bolton RNA website. We are one of the biggest branches within area 10 of the Royal Naval Association. We meet on the 1st Saturday of the month (details at the bottom of the page).

Our members consist of both serving and retired matelots (sailors) as well as associate members. The associate members are family and friends, who are very hands on and support the RNA. Our veterans come from a variety of different branches within the Royal Navy, and cover a wide age range from WWII up until recently retired from the fleet.

Our main objective is to continue the comradeship we experienced and enjoyed whilst we served within the fleet. And at the forefront of this is our naval humour and banter between the various departmental branches we were in. We have a great social calendar, and our social events are legendry.

We do however have a serious side to the branch. Where we look after one another in times of need.

As well as the local events we organise throughout the year. We also have annual events. Some of these are in conjunction with the Royal Society of St George and the Bolton Guild of Veterans. These events include St Georges Day dinner, Nelsons birthday dinner, and a Trafalgar day Luncheon held in the wardroom of HMS Nelson. There is also the annual trip to the National Memorial Arboretum, and the legendary weekend pilgrimage to Twickenham for the annual Army v Navy rugby, which is a fantastic weekend that is getting more popular every year.

If you would like to come and see what it's all about, why not come along to one of our meetings. Have a few drinks and spin a few dits. Our members will make you feel more than welcome.

Whether we are catching up with friends at our regular social events, fundraising, advising on welfare and employment matters, or just providing an arm around the shoulder, our natural willingness to help others stems from the tradition and camaraderie that only Naval Service life can instil. Everything we do is inextricably linked to the core values of the Royal Naval Association which are:

Unity

Shared backgrounds and equality in rank. We share the same bonds, the same mindset, and even the same language (Jackspeak!). RNA members are all equal. Members are the heart and soul of the RNA.

Loyalty

To each other and our dependants. We will always support and look out for each other. Our loyalty is to all our shipmates, our local communities, the personnel and dependants of the Naval Service, along with other charities or organisations with naval connections.

Patriotism

We are proud to serve and proud to represent our country and the Naval Service. Our pride in serving our country never leaves us. Nor do we forget those who have fallen for our country or who fight now. Clearly, we are deeply honoured to represent them on both a national and international level.

Comradeship

Friends in fun, fellowship and need. Your shipmates will always be here for you, whether it’s about a job, ideas for a fun day out or just an arm around the shoulder.

The RNA will never leave you or your dependents in despair.

Branch Officials and Committee

Many of our members are also members of The Royal Society of St George of which S/M Chris Houghton is the global deputy chairman.

Branch Membership
Anyone can join Bolton Royal Naval Association

As a member of the RNA, you will find a network of help, contacts and friendly advice from your shipmates is not too far away.

Type of Membership
Full membership is open to all serving and ex serving members of the Naval Forces
including the Royal Navy, Royal Navy reserves, Royal Marines, Royal Marines reserves, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, QRNNS and WRNS of all ranks and specialities. There are no ranks within the RNA. All ranks are left within the Naval Services and not transferred into the RNA.
Associate membership is available to anyone over the age of 18. Who have an interest or connection with the Royal Navy and abide with the aims and objectives of the RNA.

Join Us
So, who is it for? Like yourselves, we are proud of our service in the Royal Navy, and the friends who have become extended family. This is for naval personnel past and present. It is also for your friends and family. We know that once naval service has been experienced, life is never the same again. However in the RNA, it can be shared and enjoyed for the rest of your life.

If you would like a taster of what we're about we would be delighted to host, you as a guest at one of our branch meetings. Where you can drop in for a chat with a shipmate over a wet or three. At Bolton RNA you will always encounter a friendly face.

Once you have joined you will then be able to use any of the RNA branches worldwide.

We have a brilliant welfare officer, who can listen and advise you in a variety of things under the strictive confidentiality.

Membership
Membership is free to everyone as the RNA changed its subscription to donation. Though we do ask for a £10 donation per year. This donation is split between RNA HQ and the Bolton Sea Cadets.

Branch News

First and foremost, Our Shipmates. Without our Shipmates, and the support we have enjoyed from family and friends, the Branch would not have achieved what it has during the year. And the committee cannot thank them enough.

Branch Watch and Station Bill

At present we have 54 shipmates on our watch and station bill, of which 4 are still serving, 18 are full, 31 are associate members and we have 1 life member.
Sadly, over the last 12 months two of our members crossed the bar. SM/ Jim Black and S/M Kay Turner. Both of whom will be sadly missed.

Social Events
We run an attractive yearly programme which includes trips away, annual dinner/dance events and social evenings. You will meet lots of like-minded veterans at our social events, and Jackspeak is a must. Check out our events page.

Social Media
Over the last 12 months our Facebook page and WhatsApp groups have gone from strength to strength, and our shipmates are highly active on all our social media.

Club House
Although we don't have a home of our own. We have moved our meetings from Weatherspoons to The Northern Monkey. However, S/M Chris is in negotiations with Bolton Council and Bolton School to try and secure a venue we can use and call HQ. Watch this space for further announcements.

Welfare and Well-being
We have an excellent welfare officer in S/M Michael, who is able to offer support, advice, and comfort to every member of Bolton RNA. His visits and conversations are strictly confidential unless requested to share with our members by the individual themselves. He is extensively DBS cleared and holds many formal qualifications in counselling and is a recognised designated safeguarding practitioner.