13/08/2026
Food, Fun & Friendships
Banyan Rig (relaxed clothing) - ‘Rig of the Day’ as the Cambrian community got together to celebrate the busy training period, prior to going on Summer Leave.
A Banyan is a Royal Navy tradition and provides an opportunity for the Ship’s Company to get together and enjoy a downtime. It is usually celebrated with a barbecue and fun sporting activities.
However, the tradition dates back to the 18th century, where rather than an act of celebration involving food and parties, it instead had its roots in rationing.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, meat was not in plentiful supply to Royal Navy ships, so to conserve food supplies, sailors were denied meat on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. These days were known as Banyan or Banian days. With the word believed to have derived from a garment worn by an East Indian merchant sect that obstained from eating meat.
Over the time the meaning has completely changed, and a Banyan is a celebration that involves food (usually centred around meat), such as a Flight Deck barbecue.
Clear winner of the loudest shirt went to Ops, Lt Cdr Graham B - sunset very on trend with the solar eclipse. 🌒⚓️
Royal Naval Reserve RFCA for Wales
