Basingstoke Branch (406) Newsletter April 2017

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Martin Cobb
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It was the first time The highlight of the evening was a that we have organised a Branch special presentation to Maurice Christmas Dinner and because of the Bastable for his outstanding support to

1 Basingstoke Branch (406) Newsletter April 2017 Recent Branch activities enjoyable occasion with a Christmas theme and dancing; unlike the Visits and functions memorable Summer Ball, the lights and the kitchen stoves stayed on. Of course the menu included turkey and Branch Christmas Ball This event Christmas pudding. The raffle made took place on Friday 2nd December at 125. the Red Lion Hotel. It was the first time The highlight of the evening was a that we have organised a Branch special presentation to Maurice Christmas Dinner and because of the Bastable for his outstanding support to positive feedback, it has already been our Wings Appeal collections even incorporated into the 2017 Social though he is not a member of the RAFA. Calendar. Thirty one Branch members The picture below shows Chairman Pip participated and there were 22 people presenting a certificate to Maurice. from other organisations. It was an 1

2 Recent events continued Christmas Drinks For the first time, owing to the closure of the Ex Services Club, our annual Christmas drinks evening on Wednesday 14th December was held in the Red Lion Hotel. In the past we have taken our own food, but the Red Lion provided a tasty finger buffet for a small charge and the evening was judged a great success. The raffle made 84. RAFA/ATC Carol Service Our annual candle-lit carol service took place on Thursday 15th December at St Gabriel s Church in Popley presided over by our Branch Chaplain, Rev Arthur Botham. The carols and tunes (and readings) hardly change and so one of the pleasures is being reminded of Christmases when we were very much younger. This is a joint event with 443 Sqn ATC Cadets and it is wonderful that the old and the new combine together on this happy occasion. Christmas Lunch The 3rd Monday of December, the 19th, was the occasion of our 2016 Christmas lunch at the Beach Arms. For this meal, the menu has 3 courses although the carvery is still a popular choice for the main course. The Beach Arms know us well now and thanks to our organiser, Vikki, reserved tables were ready for us at 12 noon. Over 30 members and friends enjoyed this informal Christmas meal. Thanks to Vikki for organising the event, indeed Vikki organises all the Beach Arms lunches throughout the year. 2 Age Concern I make no apology for repeating this Age Concern section; it really does offer a wide range of valuable services to older members and friends (Editor). Age Concern s Hampshire web site for Basingstoke services is: org.uk/our-services/basingstokewellbeing.html and is well worth a look. Age Concern Hampshire has seven activity centres for older people in various parts of the Basingstoke & Deane area which are great places to meet new people, take part in weekly activities such as quizzes, bingo, chair exercises, New Age Kurling and other activities or simply just to share a cup of tea with friends and chat. There is a wealth of help. Advice and information available. Age Concern Hampshire s Community Café is open every Wednesday from 10.30am to 1pm at Church Cottage behind St Michael s Church in Basingstoke. Last food order is 12.30pm. (The church is opposite the slope beside Marks & Spencer). Please note that there is no parking on the site but plenty available nearby. For more information on all the above call , or to info@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk New Members RAFA HQ has recently updated our Branch membership records. According to the new list, as of January 2017, we now

3 have 198 members. However, a December 2016 End-of-Year update of new members listed 35 new members. We think this includes former floating members that have now been allocated to our Branch. So we may never see them all, but we will include their addresses in our list and post News Letters to those without (if they are in the UK), i.e. we will treat everyone as full members and we welcome them all. Interesting Snippets from recent meetings December meeting - 1. A superb presentation on his recent tour in the Falklands was given by Flt Lt Simon Arnett. It showed both operational and personal aspects of life there including the adverse weather conditions and the terrain. It was well received by those members present. 2. Ilene gave her report on a Hampshire Region meeting held on 19th November. There were 5 Officers, 5 Delegates and 7 visitors present. Area is organising a ceremony at Runneymede Memorial on 17th June 2018 to commemorate RAF100. The Region also plans to hold something, possibly at Southwick Park, but no details have been finalised yet. (Post meeting note - Southwick Park is not available for this.) 3. Sainsbury at Tadley has offered us a day for Wings Appeal collecting on Saturday 10th December (they did not offer us anything during September). January meeting - 1. The Area Conference will be held at Potter s 3 Resort, Norfolk from 17th to 19th March. The total cost for the weekend is 170 per person. 2. The Annual Conference is at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre, Staffordshire from 12th to 14th May. Cost is 55 per night for a single room or 75 for double or twin. 3. RAFALO s report - Paul said planning for the branch visit to RAF Odiham on Thursday 23rd March is coming together. A RAF coach will collect us at Alencon Link (between Festival Place and the Railway Station) at 9.0am returning sometime in the afternoon. It is hoped to visit Air Traffic Control, the Fire Section, the Gliding Club, Safety Equipment Section and one of the hangers. 4. John (Thornton) said that we hear so much these days that the Armed Forces personnel are not looked after very well, but he could report a very different side. John s son was on detachment in the Falklands recently when his mother died. The RAF laid on an aircraft to fly him to Brazil where a BA aircraft was held up to wait for him and he arrived back in the UK the next morning. February meeting - 1. Annual Dinner - The menu was circulated. The cost is 21 per person. It was proposed by Maureen, seconded by Jim and carried that the cost for branch members is subsidised by 3 from the Social Fund. 2. Wings Appeal. Two dates for this year s collection have already been agreed: Chineham Shopping Centre 21st to 26th August, and - Sainsbury Hatch Warren 9 t h September. Owing to adjustments made at CHQ as a result of a donation of 512:50 from RAF Odiham and a

4 street collection in Reading of 243:03 our final total for 2016 is 6,548: Steve Oakley thanked those who had donated calculators. They have now been delivered to the school on Gan. He then reported that to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the RAF next year, the Gan Veteran s Association will be holding a reunion on Gan. Contact Steve for more details. March meeting - 1. Our Area Director, Ken Clarke, is retiring at the end of March. Branches have been asked to donate towards a farewell present which will be presented at Area Conference. It was proposed by Brendan, seconded by Lynn and carried that we donate 25 from the General Fund. 2. Donations were made by Hampshire Region as follows: 100 to Worthies Sports & Social Club; 80 to the Friends of Sussexdown; 250 to the Welfare Holiday Home; 100 to the Not Forgotten Association. 3. A new Trophy will be presented at Area Conference called the Presidents Cup. It will be awarded to an individual or branch who is seen to have given outstanding service to the Association. 4. ATC Report - Graeme Lee gave the report: Flt Lt Rob Phillips has now returned to the Squadron and has once more taken over the role of CO. There are currently 32 cadets on the books. 5. Lynn said she was a volunteer with the Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln and she has been tasked with carrying out interviews with those who experienced life during the 2nd World War, not only serving personnel but also civilians. She is also looking for photographs and memorabilia of any relevant war-time activities. Please contact Lynn if you can help. South East & Eastern Area - February Newsletter (Extracts) 1. Membership Renewal - Branches and members are reminded that membership renewals were due on 1 January. With the new system in place, if any member has not yet renewed, their membership lapsed on 31st January 2017 and should be renewed as soon as possible. Membership renewal can be done via post, by phone ( ) or online via the Association's website. If you haven't already done so, why not arrange to renew your membership via Direct Debit. 2. Membership Subscriptions 2017/2018 (Prices held from 2015/2016) Ordinary Member - 1 Year Ordinary Member - 4 Year (Existing 4 Year members only) Associate Member - 1 Year - Air Mail Associate Member - 1 Year - No Air Mail 8.50 Associate Member - 4 Year -- Air Mail (Existing 4 Year members only) Associate Member - 4 Year - No Air Mail (Existing 4 Year members only) Give As You Earn (GAYE) Serving RAF : (Gross payment before basic tax relief)

5 (Net payment after basic tax relief) Following the decisions of Annual Conference 2016, from 1 January 2017 a number of changes will occur to the membership criteria. Cessation of Membership The grace period for the lapsing of a membership has changed from 90 days to 30 days. Membership will cease if a renewal subscription is not paid within 30 days of the end of the membership period. For all members to date, the end of the 30 day period is 30 January if a member renews after that time, their membership will run to the end of the 2017 calendar year, even if they renew in December If a member does not renew until 2018, they will transfer from calendar membership to anniversary membership (see below). They will retain their original membership number. Anniversary Memberships - Anniversary Memberships will apply to all new members who join the Association from 1 January For example, if a member joins the RAF Association on 31 August 17, their membership will be valid until 30 August 18. Royal Air Force Centenary Celebrations - RAF100 On 1 April 2018 the RAF will mark the centenary of its formation as the world's first independent air force. This will be an important opportunity for those in the RAF and the RAF family to commemorate their past, celebrate their success and also inspire the public as 5 to their contribution to the UK's national security and prosperity. The RAF 100 programme of events will start in October 2017 and end in September 2018 and a number of flagship events will take place across the UK between March and September 2018 including a service in Westminster Abbey and a parade along the Mall, followed by a Royal Salute and flypast. The four main RAF charities (RAF Association, RAF Benevolent Fund, RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises and RAF Museum) have taken the unprecedented step of creating a joint venture charitable company, the RAF 100 Appeal Ltd. Its purpose is to deliver a coherent and collaborative campaign raising both income and profile. Pip has spoken to the Mayor's Office who are in favour of holding a ceremony similar to the 75th Anniversary of the B of B, possibly in April The date will be dependent on what is happening nationally. More information about RAF 100 can be found here: There is also an opportunity to put forward any ideas that will help COMMEMORATE the achievements of the RAF and all who served, CELEBRATE the RAF of today, or INSPIRE people in your local community and beyond: Obituaries It is with great sadness that we have to report the deaths of Erwin Loska on 22 Sep and Derek Brownett on 5 th Feb. Pip attended Derek s funeral with the Branch Standard. Continued on page 8

6 Pictures of recent Members & guests enjo Ilene and Maurice collecting in Festival Place Area Conference - lunchtime with the RAF Wyton Band 6

7 visits and events ying the Christmas Ball Area Conference - Standard Bearers at Church Parade 7

8 Branch Standard Paraded Since the last Newsletter the Branch Standard has been paraded by Pip at 2 funerals including Derek Brownett on 17 Feb, Birthdays & Anniversaries Our congratulations go to the following on their birthdays since the last News Letter: Sheila Willett in Jan, Ilene Iles in Feb, Sue Smith s birthday was in February, Bill Hauxwell on 7 Dec 2016, Jim Joyce was 85 on 14th Dec, Derek Ager was 86 on 19th Feb, Charles Lewis was 65 on 4th March, Bob Shepherd was 80 on 21st March and Doug Bennison was 83 on 20 th March. We also congratulate Bill and Janet Hauxwell on their Silver wedding anniversary in Dec 2016 and Alan and Margaret Turvey who celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary in Feb We do not keep formal records of members dates of birth and so we apologise if we have missed anyone. Future Events Visit to RAF Odiham This visit organised for us by RAFALO Paul Davies took place on Thursday 23rd March. Unfortunately, this was too late for the Newsletter; it will be covered in the next edition. However, we are grateful to Paul and the Stn Cdr for making the visit possible. Hampshire Region Spring Social This annual event for the Branches in Hampshire will take place on Wednesday 19th April starting at pm. The venue is, as usual, the Worthies Sports and Social Club at Kings Worthy nr Winchester. A hot meal of fish & chips or sausages will be available at a cost of 5. Annual Dinner This year s Annual Dinner takes place on Friday 5th May at the Red Lion. The price for members is 18, the event starts at 7 for 7.30 pm. Please give your name and menu choices to Pip if you would like to go. Hampshire Region Garden Party This annual event for the Branches in Hampshire will take place on Saturday 1st July starting at 12 noon. It is a bring your own picnic event. TAG Tour of Farnborough Airport We have booked a guided tour of Farnborough Airport (formerly the RAE and DRA) on Tuesday 18th July This will take place in the morning, so we could plan to take lunch at the Monkey Puzzle afterwards. This is a very popular tour of the T.A.G. Operated airfield with a waiting list of 9 months! More details later. Runnymede Memorial We are planning a visit to the RAF Memorial at Runnymede. Details later. Branch BBQ Our annual Branch BBQ will take place in Vikki & John s garden on Saturday 29th July starting at noon. An event not to be missed and a big thank you to Vikki and John for putting up with this annual intrusion.

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10 Solent Aviation Museum We are planning a visit to this interesting aviation-themed museum in Southampton; details later. Summer Ball Our Annual Summer Ball will take place on Friday 18th August at the Red Lion, Details later. RAF Odiham Families Day This is planned for Thursday 24 th August. Details later. Annual Battle of Britain Service Our annual commemoration service at St Gabriel s Church with the cadets of 443 Sqn is planned for Sunday 17th September. RAF Central Band Concert This annual event will take place in October at The Anvil. Details later. Christmas events - The dates of our Christmas events are: Christmas Ball - Friday 1st December, Christmas Drinks - Wednesday 13th December, Carol Service - Thursday 14th December, Christmas Lunch - Monday 18th December. Late news from the Area Conference The Branch was represented at this year s Area Conference by your Chairman, Pip, and Ilene and your President, Bryan. The conference was held at Potters Resort located near Lowestoft over the weekend 17 th to 19 th March. The formal business of the conference took place on Saturday where the main presentation was by the new Chairman of the Central Council, Air Vice-Marshal John Cliffe. He gave a realistic and objective view of the status of the Association with the conclusion that if things didn t change, the Association would wither and die. However, things have changed and are changing so that 25% of the current members have joined in the last 3 years and membership numbers are now rising. He explained the initiatives that have been put in place and debunked a number of widespread myths such as the complete waste of money spent on a new headquarters building (in fact this has made us money), the huge permanent staff numbers at headquarters (in fact over 80% of the permanent staff are out in the field undertaking welfare, case work and raising funds). His presentation was stimulating and there was a plea for a DVD of it to made available to branches (this is being done). On Sunday we were treated to another excellent (albeit 2 hours long) presentation by Rachel Huxford, Dir of Fund Raising and Marketing at HQ. This, too, explained the initiatives in place to raise the public awareness of the Association (we are 3rd, behind RBL and Help for Heroes) and for improving our fund raising. The conference concluded with a Church Parade - see photo of our Standard Bearer, Pip, marching on. Next year s Area Conference will be in the Marriott Hotel, Peterborough. 10

11 Have you heard these? Why are robots never afraid? Because they have nerves of steel. I play all my Country and Western music backwards your lover returns, your dog comes back and you cease to be an alcoholic. I love flying. I ve been to almost as many places as my luggage. - Bob Hope We had gay burglars last night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture. - Robin Williams I tell you what makes my blood boil crematoriums. - Tim Vine What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians? A drummer. There was a fire at the main Inland Revenue office in London today, but it was put out before any serious good was done. - Ronnie Corbett I call my lawyer and say, Can I ask you two questions? He says, What s the second question? I asked my date what she wanted to drink. She said, Oh, I guess I ll have Champagne. I said, Guess again. I phoned the local ramblers club today, and this bloke just went on and on. I took the wife s family out for tea biscuits. They weren t too happy about having to give blood though. - Les Dawson I ve just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I ll tell you what, never again. - Tim Vine My grandfather started walking five miles a day when he was sixty. Now he s eighty-five and we don t know where he is. - Ellen DeGeneres Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was brilliant. So I rang up a local building firm, I said 'I want a skip outside my house.' He said 'I'm not stopping you.' 11

A man goes to the doctor and says: 'Doctor, there's a piece of lettuce sticking out of my bottom.' The doctor asks him to drop his trousers and examines him. The man asks: 'Is it serious, doctor?

12 A man goes to the doctor and says: 'Doctor, there's a piece of lettuce sticking out of my bottom.' The doctor asks him to drop his trousers and examines him. The man asks: 'Is it serious, doctor?' and the doctor replies: 'I'm sorry to tell you, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.' A group of chess enthusiasts were kicked out of a hotel reception for discussing their winning games. The manager can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer. Did you hear about the man in Paris who almost got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre?... After planning the crime, getting in and out through all the security at the Louvre, he was caught only a mile away when his van ran out of petrol... When asked how he could mastermind such a spectacular crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied: Monsieur, I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh. Q: What's the difference between a 16'' pizza and a jazz musician? A: A 16" pizza can feed a family of four. We have a new Branch web site! The next edition is planned for August 2017 Please let me have any contributions by early mid July. Thanks. Bryan Jenkins (Editor) Phone bryan@jenkins.eclipse.co.uk 12

Basingstoke Branch (406) Newsletter December 2016

Basingstoke Branch (406) Newsletter December 2016 Recent Branch activities Visits and functions Region Garden Party Saturday 9th July heralded this year s Garden Party for the Hampshire Region at the Worthies