This document provides updates from Aggie Weston's, a charity that provides support to members of the naval service and their families. It discusses several outreach activities including bacon butty events that provide informal fellowship, cookery classes that teach skills and build community, and celebrations for the Queen's milestone as longest reigning monarch. Naval personnel were also recognized for their service during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa with the presentation of operational service medals.

1. For the Naval Service
Autumn 2015
ASHORE
AFLOAT

2. Thank you for your prayers, interest,
support and love for the work of Aggie
Weston’s. For me, a highlight of the
past few months was the privilege of
representing Aggie’s at the Annual
National Service for Seafarers in St
Paul’s Cathedral in mid-October.
After a moving commemoration,
remembering those who have made
the ultimate sacrifice, we prayed for
God’s blessing on all seafaring people:
“... that by his Holy Spirit they may pass
over the waves of this troublesome
world into his peace, whose throne is
set above the waterfloods.”
At the service the Bishop of Crediton
spoke movingly about the importance
of being not merely ‘good enough’.
Amen! Aggie’s seeks excellence
in everything we do; whether the
Martha-like buzz of over 130 people
at a Messy Church run by Champions
in Rowner, or the Mary like listening
to God in the Bible, and in the lives
of Service men and women, and their
families, practised by Pastoral Workers
from Culdrose to Arbroath. You will
find Yeovilton Pastoral Worker Alan
Richardson’s thoughtful reflection on
Mary and Martha on page 7.
Food has always been a way to Jack’s
heart, so it is hardly surprising to
hear of Pastoral Workers running
bacon butty events across various
establishments. One Royal Marine
officer expressed the impact this way:
“Thank you once again for kindly
inviting and hosting us at your bacon
butty event yesterday. … warmly
received by the men and provided a
great opportunity for them to meet
informally and relax together.”
Meanwhile Gary Alpin’s cookery classes
in Helensburgh have left a lasting
legacy of nourishing meals, deepening
friendships – and lower food bills! You
can find these and other food stories
on our centre pages.
The pressures on the men and women
of the Naval Service are unrelenting:
please pray that we will be equally
steadfast in our work to support them
and their families. Former Aggie’s staff
member Bill Gilvear (see page 7), has
left us a challenging example to follow:
“completely at the disposal of others
and, particularly, of Jesus.”
Finally, I am delighted to pass on Her
Majesty the Queen’s good wishes to
you all! In the summer we sent her a
copy of “Making a Difference”, our
Impact Statement. Surely not every
letter sent to the Palace reaches Her
Majesty in person, but this one did,
and The Queen, as our Patron, was
pleased to be kept informed about our
work, and sent her good wishes to all
involved in Aggie’s. It only remains
for me to thank you all very much
indeed for the interest, love, prayer and
support you give us.
“Let us not become weary in doing
good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
(Galatians 6:9)
PS: Bad behaviour by charities has
been rather in the news over the past
few months. I am very glad to tell
you that Aggie’s does not buy or sell
lists of donors, or call people on the
phone to pester them for donations;
and we always put great thought into
squeezing every last drop of value from
the gifts we are so generously given!
Naval Personnel presented with Ebola
Operational Medals
This September members of the Royal Navy were recognised for their involvement in the responses to the Ebola
outbreak in March of last year.
A ceremonial parade took place in Portsmouth for the presentations of the operations medals to those who
deployed to Sierra Leonne. The medals were presented by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas on
behalf of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.
RFA ARGUS was deployed in October last year for six months as a Government response to the Ebola outbreak.
80 Royal Navy medical personnel were among the 350 people, from all three Services, on board. The deployment
saw the three embarked Merlin helicopters flying nearly 300 missions; 16,000 people receiving enough food each
for a month; and 400 patients treated for a variety of illnesses and conditions.
Sierra Leone has now released its last two known Ebola patients, and has begun the 42 day countdown to
becoming declared officially free of the virus.
With the Rugby World Cup in full swing at the start of this
season, there was much excitement and involvement among
the naval community.
The Royal Navy were praised for welcoming the United States
rugby team to their top rate facilities in Portsmouth this
September. The American squad were treated to an official
welcome ceremony at HMS NELSON’s wardroom, with an
exciting display by the Corps of Drums of the Portsmouth
Royal Marines’ Band. Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the
Rugby Football Union, spoke at the ceremony: “We extend
our grateful thanks to the Royal Navy for not only providing
this fantastic venue for the welcome ceremony, but also
providing their first-rate facilities for the US team to train in.”
The team enjoyed the sights Portsmouth had to offer, with
some members of the squad spotted taking selfies outside
HMS VICTORY.
As well as the competitive action of the World Cup, the
Royal Navy took part in the International Defence Rugby
Competition, the inter-Armed Forces version of the World
Cup. Twelve military teams competed in the competition,
with representatives from nine nations including New
Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The UK were
represented by the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air
Force. “For the men and women of the Navy, rugby is one of
many vital outlets that enable them to further our core values
of courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and
loyalty”, said Rear Admiral Keith Beckett; Vice President of
the RN Rugby Union.
A warm welcome
from Simon
Dame Aggie Weston’s
Royal Sailors Rests
(Generally known as Aggie’s)
Registered Charity No 238748
Scottish Charity No SCO39718
PATRONS
Her Majesty the Queen
Ministry of Defence
CHAIRMAN OF TRUSTEES
Lt/Cdr Paul Nelson RN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Revd Simon Springett RNR
Contact Us
Aggie Weston’s
Castaway House
311 Twyford Avenue
Portsmouth PO2 8RN
T 023 9265 0505
E office@aggies.org.uk
www.aggies.org.uk
Editorial Team
Temitope Manning
Cover Photo
©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT.
The Rugby Season
©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT
©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT
©UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT
Congratulations to our patron,
the UK’s longest reigning
monarch
Aggie’s sent loyal greetings to
Her Majesty the Queen, who
in September became the UK’s
longest reigning monarch.
Historic vessels sailed the Thames
to commemorate the day;
HMS BELFAST sounded a four-
gun salute; and Her Majesty,
accompanied by the Duke of
Edinburgh, and Nicola Sturgeon,
Scotland’s First Minister, marked
the occasion by travelling the 36-
mile route from Waverley station
in Edinburgh to Tweedbank. Her
Majesty sent her thanks to those
at home and overseas, for their
many “touching messages of
great kindness”.
aggies.org.uk aggies.org.uk

3. Braeholm: Cooper’s Kitchen and the Café
Up in Helensburgh the team running Braeholm, our family
accommodation centre, report glorious sunshine this
summer; but on the domestic front they have been cooking
up a storm. The popularity of Cooper’s Kitchen and the
Braeholm Café is evident by the amount of positive feedback
and the number of regular visitors.
Sharing a meal involves conversation, ideas and community.
The Braeholm team told Ashore & Afloat that: “We can’t be
totally certain about entertaining angels but we know we
have recently entertained sailors from HMS SHOREHAM and
HM Submarines AMBUSH, VIGILANT and VICTORIOUS. We
hosted ‘Meet and Greet’ days offering bacon rolls alongside
a cup of tea or coffee; enabling wives to get to know each
other whilst their husbands were on patrol. ‘Banner Nights’
were timed to the last few days of a patrol so that families
could meet over pizza whilst creating welcome home banners
for the returning boat. We also invite sailors and their wives
or partners for a Welcome Home breakfast when the boat
finally ties up alongside after the patrol.”
Also at Braeholm, Men’s Christian Fellowship curry nights
have been a great success. The dinners have involved
Service and civilian guests and there is always a speaker to
give a talk. During the summer months the team took their
barbecue on the road and held outdoor events for various
naval groups including the Neptune Special Needs group,
Family and Friends of Deployed Units, and Forces Family
Friday. The furthest afield they travelled was to Aviemore in
the Highlands where they hosted an Aggie’s Breakaway at
the Royal Navy’s Pine Cottage.
Much laughter and fun was had on Gary’s cookery class. This
was the second course Gary has organised and he was asked
by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines’ Welfare team to cook
some healthy, cost effective meals at their Family Centre in
Churchill Square, on the nearby Married Quarters estate. The
ladies learned how to cook scones, bread, pizza dough and
soup. On the final session they learned how to cook a full
three course meal - and naturally a taste test was carried out
at the end!
To congratulate our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, on
becoming the longest reigning British monarch, the team
at Braeholm put on a themed lunch with such favourites as
Coronation Chicken, fish and chips, and scones with cream
and fresh strawberries; all of which to nobody’s surprise
sold out rapidly on the day. It was a fantastic success! Huge
thanks to all who served and took part.
To keep up-to-date with events, lunches and offers at
Braeholm, visit the Facebook page ‘Braeholm Helensburgh’
so that you don’t miss out!
Bacon Butties
All you need is a bit of bacon in the morning, and the troops
come pouring in!
Monday mornings are becoming ever more popular thanks to
Bacon-Butties-in-the-Haven. Chris Phillips, tells us: “We have
had very successful bacon butty mornings; very well received
by the troops, many of whom have since then started to use
our lounge on a regular basis”.
The team at HMS SULTAN are kept busy Monday mornings
serving out up to 150 bacon butties, in exchange for
donations, which go to charity. “It’s about the bigger
Clockwise from top left:
Gary at Braeholm cooking classes
Arial View of Braeholm - Tim Berrall Photography
Men’s Christian fellowship curry nights
Lunch @ Braeholm café
picture”, says Bobby Tait, pastoral worker at HMS SULTAN,
“we provide a location, the Haven, which is welcoming,
and open to everyone. Bacon rolls help to get numbers
through the door and get people used to the Chaplaincy
and coming in.”
Some of the Marines at 45 Commando in Arbroath shared
their experience too. “Our bacon butty events are proving
popular among the lads and we are fortunate enough
that we have a great team of wives who are happy to
come along to bake cakes and make tea and coffee. The
Marines were especially pleased to be able to spend time
here in St. Christopher’s together as it is a time of change,
with some of the ‘old hands’ moving away on draft,
and a number of newly qualified Marines straight out of
Commando Training joining their first Unit.” said Lesley
Balaj, RM Condor’s Pastoral Worker. It is always good to
invest in success, and Aggie’s was recently delighted to
be able to respond positively to the Chaplain’s request for
some extra hours for Lesley’s important and valuable work.
Champions Community Lunch
Every Thursday, the team at Champions in Gosport host a
community lunchtime meal for the families and residents
in the local area. Members of the Champions community
are served a cooked meal followed by cake and a cuppa. It
gives people the opportunity to make new connections and
good friendships. The mealtime is followed by an optional
short talk and discussion, allowing people to explore
their faith and what they believe, or simply to hear about
the Christian faith. There are few wilting wallflowers in
Rowner so the speakers need to be on their toes: people in
the group really engage, and ask any questions they feel;
without ever being judged. Champions provides a safe,
warm and welcoming environment in a community where
there can be real need. One member told us: “Before
coming to the Community Meal at Champions, I rarely
went out, unless I absolutely had to. It’s so good to meet
new people, and I now feel I have friends to talk with,
especially when I’m feeling low.”
Macmillan Coffee Mornings
Aggie’s has raised a huge £1,768 for Macmillan Cancer
Support! Cake, cake, more cake and a mahoosive (as the
Royal Marines would say) sum raised for Macmillan’s! This
September the Aggie’s team hosted several Macmillan
coffee mornings across the country; raising an outstanding
amount for the cancer support organisation. From
Braeholm in Helensburgh to HMS SEAHAWK at Culdrose
on the Lizard Peninsula, the teams had fun, ate cake,
and drank coffee for a good cause; even the office team
joined in with an event at Castaway House. Macmillan
believes no one should face cancer alone, and provides
support and advice to those living with cancer, or who love
someone who does. Aggie’s is proud to have taken part in
the nation’s biggest coffee morning, and give to a worthy
cause. A huge thank you to all those who took part and
dedicated many hours, whether you were a star baker, a
committed coffee drinker, or a dedicated cake eater!
Coffee Morning at HMS COLLINGWOOD
@UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT 2015 Keith Woodland
Nothing brings people together like food! “Do not
forget to offer hospitality to strangers, for by doing so
you may have entertained angels without knowing it”
says the letter to the Hebrews. Aggie’s workers from
Cornwall to Scotland know how true this is, and over
the summer they have hosted various food-powered
events, to bring together different members of the
community, and to bring a blessing to significant
numbers of our beneficiaries.
Food Glorious Food!
The Patron’s Lunch 2016
On the occasion of the 90th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen, The Mall in St James’s Park
will hold the largest ever street party, in order to celebrate Her Majesty’s patronage of over 600
charities and organisations. On Sunday the 12th of June, the Patron’s Lunch will be the final
event of a weekend of celebrations, and Aggie’s will be there!
You’re invited!
Would you like to join us? We would love to say thank you to our supporters by inviting you to
join the Aggie’s table at this once in a lifetime event! We do have a handful of tickets available,
which we would like to give to our loyal supporters. Please contact Margaret in the office if you
would like to be considered for a ticket. The office number is 02392 650 505.
aggies.org.uk aggies.org.uk

4. Impact at Stonehouse,
HMS RALEIGH
Stonehouse is the division within HMS RALEIGH that
rehabilitates injured recruits. It can be a very difficult
place as an injured recruit, as you watch your close
friends going through training unscathed and eventually
passing out of Raleigh as trained ranks. Not only that
but you continue to see new faces come and go whilst
you are stuck in the boiling pot. Sam Logan, one of
our Pastoral Workers, runs weekly sessions with these
trainees.
The sessions aim to be mentally and spiritually
stimulating, as recruits are often not being challenged
in these areas. One of the most important aspects of
the work with the recruits is giving them a voice. Week
after week discussions and debates are held, that not
only captivate the recruits, but also bring them a sense of
unity and achievement. There is also a weekly quiz with
prizes for the winner, and sweets for everyone. It isn’t
exactly the same as naval training, but it gives the recruits
a sense of competition which they do not have when
they are in rehabilitation.
“As a former Royal Marine I’ve been able to share
insights into the military, and having been injured myself
I understand how they are feeling. We have had great
discussions about faith, and different world views. The
most rewarding aspect for me is how thankful the
recruits are for the time they spend in the sessions each
week. It gives them something to look forward to”.
Sam Logan
Reflection – Alan Richardson
Martha and Mary
Recently I was talking to a woman whose husband had left
her. She was sharing how lost she feels if she doesn’t spend
time with Jesus. I could empathise, albeit on a different level.
A big change in my life came last year when I stopped living
in a religious community. After six years living with others,
and experiencing myself and Jesus in quite an intense way,
I too can still feel lost in my new world, even working for
Aggie’s as a pastoral worker!
The songwriter Joanne Hogg puts it this way: “In a moment
everything can change, and life gets rearranged”.
So how do we move on? Take a moment to read the story of
Martha and Mary. Martha’s response to Jesus is to get busy,
while Mary’s response to Jesus is simply to be with Him.
Peter Knott SJ, puts it this way when talking about Martha
and Mary: “Spiritual health depends on keeping a careful
balance … It’s not a question of choosing between Martha
and Mary but of choosing both – Martha and Mary, prayer
and action, living and doing, private morality and social
concern.”
Time with Jesus does not accrue like flexitime. We cannot
live on the past or indeed on the future, we have to live in
the present. Neither can we stand still - we have to respond
to God’s love and believe that he is a God who orders and
directs our lives.
www.jesuit.org.uk/blog/godtalk-balancing-values post by
Peter Knott SJ
The Life of Bill Gilvear
On August 21 2015 former Aggie’s missioner Bill Gilvear
finally lost his battle with Parkinson’s, Vascular Dementia and
Paget’s disease. Bill’s extraordinary life story speaks of faith,
humility, obedience and courage.
Born in Glasgow in 1930, Bill was one of a large family.
He lost his father at a young age, and consequently had
responsibilities towards his family that meant his school
attendance and education suffered. Through the grace
of God he came to know Christ at the age of 15, and this
transformation led him to live a life dedicated to missionary
work, and to spreading the love of God through the Gospel.
Before his days on mission, Bill served in the Medical Branch
of the Royal Navy, gaining his SRN nursing qualification
by the time he left for civilian life. In 1955 he trained as
a counsellor for the Billy Graham Crusade at Kelvin Hall,
Glasgow: he heard the challenge to overseas missionary
work and felt God calling him to go. The following year he
joined the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow to complete
the training necessary for him to travel to Congo with
the Unevangelised Fields Mission. Not only did he spend
two years in this training, but despite the shortfalls of his
education he went on to achieve - in French! - his Tropical
Medicine Diploma.
His time in Congo saw him captured and imprisoned on
numerous occasions, and many of his fellow missionaries
murdered; a fate which he narrowly missed. One evening
as Bill was settling for the night, a compelling voice inside
him told him to move his bed. He had just done this when
shots rang out and three bullets thudded into the wall where
the head of his bed had been. Next morning, he prised the
bullets out of the wall and kept them as a reminder of God’s
faithfulness.
As Bill’s time in Congo was forced to an end due to injuries
sustained from a car accident, he was contacted by Aggie’s,
to run our former centre at Gullybridge House, near the
Faslane Submarine Base in Helensburgh.
At his memorial service, his daughter recalled that he had
shared his testimony at the Billy Graham Crusade in Celtic
Park, Glasgow, and that he had been invited to Buckingham
Palace in recognition of his work with sailors who had served
in the Falklands War. In all this she described him as a man
who only “boasted in the things of the Lord”, and not in his
own achievements.
Bill was an exemplar of a Godly man and missionary; living
in the service of Jesus and hence putting himself completely
at the disposal of others. Those who attended his memorial
service described it as a privilege to be there to give thanks to
God for Bill’s life. Aggie’s was blessed to have had him as a
part of our team; and we extend our deepest sympathies to
his widow, Margaret.
Remembrance - Edith Cavell
As the time of Remembrance arrives this year, we
are taking this opportunity to remember the 100th
anniversary of the death of Edith Cavell. Edith Cavell,
much like our Dame Agnes, spent much of her time
serving the men of the forces, with their welfare in
mind. Her motivation was also to demonstrate the
love of God through her actions.
Edith was born in Norfolk in 1865. She completed
her nursing training at the Royal London Hospital in
1907, and became matron of the Berkendael Institute
in Brussels, where she trained many multi-national
students. She was executed on the 12th of October
1915, by a German firing squad, for helping to smuggle
over 200 allied troops out of German-occupied Belgium.
She had worked as a nurse caring for injured soldiers
from both sides of the conflict.
“Any wounded soldier must be treated whether friend
or foe. Each man is a father, husband or son. As a
nurse, you should take no part in the quarrel”.
Edith Cavell, 1914
Earlier this year a ceremony was held on the
anniversary of her death; the congregation gathering
around her memorial in London to commemorate the
heroine. A contemporary bust, designed by Belgian
sculptor Natalie Lambert, was unveiled near the
hospital named after her in Brussels, in recognition
of her life achievements. Princess Anne attended the
ceremony alongside Belgium’s Princess Astrid, and they
were responsible for unveiling the memorial.
Gospel CardsIt’s that time of year again, when Aggie’s benefitsfrom the sale of beautiful Christmas cards andcalendars produced by Gospel Cards. Please see theenclosed flyer for details and please remember tocircle Aggie’s name on the order form or if orderingonline to write “Aggie Weston’s” in the box marked“Please let us know which of the societies we supportput you in contact with us”. Thank you.Full details of the cards, calendars and other products areavailable on their website at www.gospelcardsetc.com,or call on 01656 647551 to request a catalogue.
Sculpture of Edith Cavell
Photograph by Virginia Mayo (AP)
from www.catholicherald.co.uk
Bill and his wife Margaret
aggies.org.uk aggies.org.uk

5. Anna Wright is the newly appointed Director of the Naval Families Federation. Ashore & Afloat had the
opportunity to interview Anna and find out what is happening in the NFF, and how she has settled into the role in
the past two months.
What do the NFF do, and who do you support?
The NFF is the voice of Royal Navy and Royal Marines families
and we also represent Reservists and the RFA. We gather
feedback from families and present it to the Royal Navy, and
to the Government. We also help people when they have
reached the end of their tether. If having knocked on many
doors they are still unable to get an answer, we signpost
them, or get stuck in ourselves.
What is your naval background, and how did you come
to work for the organisation?
I served for twelve years, mostly as a regular and then briefly
as a reservist. In my final job as a reservist I was part of a
team setting up the NFF in 2003. I’ve also been married to
a sailor for nineteen years, so I do feel that I have a good
understanding of both service and family life.
What would you say have been
the NFF’s biggest achievements
in the past two months?
I sat in a meeting with the
Department for Work and
Pensions, and this was at the
end of what I understand
were some very lengthy
discussions. In that
meeting we saw them
change policy in favour
of naval families. I can tell
you it was thrilling to see
that evidence the NFF had
provided was changing
policy for Naval Families.
I am part of a great team
who are excellent; and all
challenges and successes
are a team effort.
What do you find most challenging about your role?
At the moment really learning the role, and finding my way
around London! There are so many different meetings to
attend, and so many parts to the role. Whilst it’s a challenge,
it’s really stimulating and enjoyable. I’ve had the opportunity
to meet lots of brilliant people, and lots of Naval Families.
It’s a humbling experience because they are so inspiring. It’s
amazing how they can support each other.
Given the organisation you work for, family and family
welfare are very important to you. What advice would
you give for a healthy family life? I hear you host
“family conferences” in your household?
(Anna laughs) We would have family meetings once a week.
The children would sit on the end of our bed on a Saturday,
and talk about our week. It was a good way for us to see
how everybody was doing, over coffee and biscuits. My
parents said they felt honoured that when the children went
to stay with them they insisted they continue the tradition!
What are you most looking forward to in the next year
for the NFF?
I’ve been tasked with carrying out a strategic review of
the organisation, which is incredibly exciting. This is an
opportunity to see if we could do more, and to make sure we
are using our resources to the very best we can to serve Naval
Families.
What would you most like to see the NFF able to
achieve in the future, and what support do you think
you would need to be able to do this?
I would like us to have very effective mechanisms for
reaching families across the country. Because our families
are very widespread, it is challenging to gather feedback
from everybody. The support we need is access really. 80%
of our families don’t live in the base port area, so it’s quite a
challenge to reach them all, and to let them feel as if they are
heard. This is what our aim is.
Spotlight on.... Anna Wright
Aggie’s is now active on Social Media!
Aggie’s is proud to announce you can now find us on Facebookand Twitter. Like our page on Facebook for regular updates of newsand events from our various community teams and projects. Followus on twitter for general Navy news and updates, and informationabout Aggies, and how you can continue to support us.
Aggie Weston’s @Aggie_Westons
Anna Wright, Director of NFF
At Aggies, we aim for
excellence in all we do,
including our communication.
We are delighted to report that
Temitope Manning has joined
us as our Communications
Officer.
Temi has very quickly picked up
existing communication tasks –
notably Ashore & Afloat – and
has begun getting us into the
worlds of Twitter and Facebook.
aggies.org.uk