Newport Navy Club History - Serving Veterans and the Community since 1978
The Newport Branch of the Royal Naval Association was founded on Wednesday, August 2nd, 1978.
A Committee was established on October 4th, 1978, and has been in existence ever since. Initially, the Committee was comprised solely of former Royal Navy and Royal Marine volunteers, with the aim of providing support to ex-RN and RM members and their families.
Today, the Committee remains staffed by volunteers, including ex-publicans, retired RAF and civilian personnel, as well as two Royal Navy representatives. Our Branch Chairman is a serving member of the RN, a Submariner, and our Club Chairman is an ex-RN Photographer.
The Association has had several host venues throughout the town until it settled in its current location in Bellmans Yard in 1985, where it has thrived for the past 38 years. Although we experienced a blip when we almost lost the Club, we managed to avoid that situation and have recently negotiated a new lease that will expire in 2035. So, we are good to go for a few more years.
Our primary policy is to always support our Members first and our Charity second. One of the most dedicated groups that frequent our Club is Open Mic, who have been operating here for the past 20 years. They have expanded their repertoire to include a monthly session of Soul in the Yard.
Other groups that have recently joined us include the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Service, Food Bank, Bridge Club, USA and Model Makers, and a regular Folk Night, to name just a few.
Over the years, our focus has shifted, and we realised that the Club wouldn't survive if only ex-RN members were permitted to join. Two years ago, the RNA changed the way we operate, and we no longer require our membership to pay an annual subscription.
As a result, we are now a free membership Club that welcomes individuals from all walks of life. However, we still operate as a Navy Club and remain committed to supporting the values of our Association, with a particular emphasis on Veterans of all Services. We have established a Veterans Breakfast Club that meets on the second Saturday of every month and welcome Blue Light Services to these events.
Live entertainment is offered every Saturday night, and Open Mic is held every Tuesday. The best way to stay up-to-date with the happenings at Newport Navy Club is to visit our website regularly.