THIS NEWSLETTER SHOULD BE DISPLAYED FOR THE USE OF ALL MEMBERS. Mar 23 Northern Region Meeting & Welfare Seminar. Apr 1-3 Area Conference, Portrush

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1 Scotland & Northern Ireland Area Newsletter January 2016 THIS NEWSLETTER SHOULD BE DISPLAYED FOR THE USE OF ALL MEMBERS I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : The Year in Photos The Year in Photos The Year in Photos The Year in Photos A Vulcan Tale 6 A Vulcan Tale 7 Area Conference Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Wings Wings Appeal Returns Befriending 10 New Year Greetings The past year has been an important one for the RAF Association in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In terms of growth we now have over 61,000 members from all over the world comprising serving and exserving RAF personnel, their families, friends and supporters. In addition, this year we held another successful Area Conference in Perth. The Association was also in attendance at the National Armed Forces Day in Livingston, Scotland s National Airshow in East Fortune, the Newcastle Festival of Flight in County Down and the Scottish Airshow in Ayr & Prestwick. Of particular importance this year, was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Association held a service on the 24th of September at St. Giles Cathedral, with His Royal Highness the Duke of York in attendance. Our branches have been working hard to organise commemorative events, social functions and of course, to support their members in every way possible. Many branches have also raised funds and represented the Association at numerous events and functions. Also Volunteers have greatly contributed to the work of the RAF Association in many ways, from befriending to helping them to secure financial support when required. The work of both volunteers and branch members is vital to the pro- gression and success of the Association. Plans are well underway for our 2016 Area Conference in Portrush (see page 8) and our events schedule for 2016 generally is quickly filling up. All over Scotland and in Northern Ireland, plans for events to thank our members are being put into place. Of course Branch Support Officer Dave Mowatt will be continuing his visits to branches and hard work within the exhibition trailer. From all of the Scotland and Northern Ireland Area staff, we would like to wish you a prosperous and happy new year. We hope to see you all soon throughout the exciting year ahead! Membership 11 Contact Details 12 Diary Dates Mar 23 Northern Region Meeting & Welfare Seminar Apr 1-3 Area Conference, Portrush Area Supporters 12 Apr 19 Jun 25 Southern Region Meeting & Welfare Seminar Armed Forces Day Sep 3-4 Scottish Airshow, Ayr/Prestwick Sep 3-4 Northern Ireland International Airshow, Portrush

2 P a g e 2 The Year in Photos 2015 Aldergrove Parade, Belfast The Area MET Scottish Airshow Brew for the Few! Feb 28-Mar 1 Northern Ireland Reunion, Portrush Provost and Branch Area BBQ Chloe tucking into a burger at the Area BBQ Northern Ireland Wings Week Launch

3 P a g e 3 Peter Peace at the Brew for the Few Marquee Area Model Typhoon David Prowse presenting at the Area Conference, March Mar Scotland and Northern Ireland Area Conference, Perth RAF Cadets

4 P a g e 4 The RAF Red Arrows completing The Twister, The Scottish Airshow, September Leuchars Cheque Presentation Area Standard Bearer s Competition Unveiling of the Northern Ireland Memorial

5 Page 5 The RAF Family, Festival of Remembrance Our Area Standard Bearer winner: John Sloan, East Kilbride Branch. Area Models of the Spitfire and the Typhoon Area Model Chinook, Festival of Remembrance His Royal Highness the Duke of York, attending the Battle of Britain Memorial Service 75th anniversary. St. Giles Cathedral,

6 P a g e 6 A Vulcan Tale The Portrush Air Show, September 5th & 6th an event Geoff Bainbridge was looking forward to seeing! Geoff, President of the Causeway Coast Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association for many years has participated in many air displays and annual September Air Shows. This one was especially important however, partly because the Vulcan bomber was to give one of its last displays at Portrush. Sixty years ago, Geoff was detached from RAF Waddington to spend several weeks at AVRO, Woodford, Manchester, learning all about the Vulcan. Even spending time each day on the aircraft assembly line. He had, just prior to his posting to Waddington, bought his first new car an Austin A 30. His new CO, Wing Commander Frank Dodd, did not possess a car at that time and travelled to, and from Manchester as Geoff s passenger. Geoff said: It was no surprise, then, that he chose me to be part of his crew and on completion of the Vulcan course at AVRO, Geoff became a main crew member. However, Geoff also had over 1000 hours flying experience, a requirement for the post. December Geoff pictured with his squadron, second row from the front, third from the right.

7 P a g e 7 The unique and unmistakable Vulcan at the Scottish Airshow in September This led to them delivering Vulcan 895 to No. 230 OCU for instructional flights. However before long, Geoff flew with Squadron Leader Jock Calder to RAe Boscombe Down to start operational acceptance trials with resident test pilots. Many tests were carried out there including testing aircraft behaviour up to and including Mach 1 (the sound barrier) naturally, done over the sea, south west of the Scilly Islands. Returning to the OCU as an air instructor, Geoff was part of the crew selected to perform all the forthcoming air displays. After two and a half years as a Vulcan air instructor Geoff was posted, via RAe Farnborough, to Bomber Command Development Unit (BCDU) at Wittering. His task there was to assess the trials and development of the five ECM units destined to be fitted to all V bombers. Now at Wittering as AEO leader on No. 7 Squadron, in 1962 we were faced with the Cuba crisis, which brought us close to World War 3, as the Americans, with B29 aircraft, were already on airborne alert! The RAF bomber squadrons on Quick Reaction Alert were moved to Alert Condition 3, an increased state of readiness. Vulcans were prepared to be airborne quickly, As Geoff describes: "There were just four minutes to go and I had the plane on the runway with an atomic bomb on board ready to go! Thankfully Soviet weapons were withdrawn from Cuba and the atomic deterrent was never deployed to the region. Geoff Bainbridge, now of 92 years of age, settled down in Portrush with his wife Peggy-May and four daughters, Carol, Valerie, Lorna-May and Donna - Myrel. He is rightfully proud of his service and the integral part that he played in preserving peace.

8 P a g e 8 Area Conference We are very much looking forward to our 2016 Scotland & Northern Ireland Area Conference which will take place over the weekend of 1st to the 3rd of April. The location of the Magherabuoy House Hotel in Portrush, Co. Antrim is the perfect setting for our conference. The conference begins with an informal meet and greet in the hotel bar. On Saturday at 9am, the Standard Bearer s Competition will take place and then the conference itself officially begins! Saturday will conclude with a beautiful dinner and a varied range of local entertainment will be provided. On Sunday there will be a church service followed by a parade and wreathlaying ceremony. After the subsequent parade back to the Royal British Legion we have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments together. The local area of Portush has a wealth of interesting shops, exhibitions and museums., and also many places to eat and drink. The views are phenomenal for those who enjoy being outdoors, Portrush has a beautiful beach and harbour. The legendary Giant s Causeway is situated not far away and a round of golf can be had at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, where the 2012 Irish Open took place. As the first Scotland & Northern Ire-land Area Conference to take place outside of Perth in over a decade. This event is sure to be an exciting change of scene for our members, a chance to enjoy Portrush while celebrating the work of the Association. Please note that places at the Magherabuoy House Hotel are now fully booked. However places may become available closer to the event.

9 Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Wings Badge P a g e 9 Throughout 2015, the RAF Association has been commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain through a variety of events and initiatives. One addition to the Wings Appeal this year was the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary Wings badge which has been well received by Branches and indeed the general public who have been most generous in their donations for the badge. The Wings team have a residual supply of these badges and wish to offer the final ones to any Branches who have any further fundraising events this year. If your branch would like some of these then your Wings Appeal Organiser can order them through the usual channel of RA- FATRAD either online at or call on The badges come in packs of either 20 or 100. Wings Appeal Returns 2015 All Branches are reminded that their Wings monies for 2015 should now have been returned to the Wings Appeal team at the Leicester office. If there any outstanding please contact the Wings team on Tel or Alternatively you can them at wings@rafa.org.uk. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Branches for their support of the Wings Appeal this year.

10 P a g e 10 Befriending Befriending aims at combating loneliness and is suitable for all age groups to take part in, either as a befriender, or as a recipient of the service. Befrienders can be people of any age group (provided they are over 18) and any background. Loneliness and isolation do affect people of all ages and in a variety of ways. There are lots of reasons to take part either as a befriender or as a beneficiary. Adjusting to civilian life after serving in the military can be a massive task. There is a wealth of training to adapt to becoming a part of the military, but no training to join civilian life. But this adjustment can be eased along by talking to and spending time with a befriender, who can assist with some company, or practical matters also. Loneliness also affects young age groups. Despite employment, family or being a part of other aspects of the community, people may find they are isolated and have no one to in person. Befriending is mutually beneficial and is a great opportunity to make a new friend. The first stage has launched in Licolnshire already, with the UK-wide launch to follow in March At the moment more information can be found on the RAF website here: what-we-do/news/rafassociation-wants-to-take -the-lonely-under-its-wing or by calling our welfare team on:

11 P a g e 11 Membership Page 11 All members should by now have been invited to renew their membership for Please remember that all membership processing is now carried out from Leicester, so it would be very much appreciated if you could return any forms and cheques there. Don t forget that any branch achieving an 80% renewal by the 1st of April will be given 100 points towards the Branch Membership Competition; furthermore, any branch achieving a 95% renewal any time up to the 1st of August receives an additional 25 points. The membership sub- scriptions presented below were agreed by the Central Council and are published for your information. The increases are aligned to the RPI average of 5.8% for the two years from the Central Council and are published for your information. The membership form is available from RAFATRAD and it can also be downloaded from the Members Resources area on the website. It is also possible to renew your membership on the RAF Association website. Category 2015/16 Membership Fee Ordinary Member 1 Year /16 Branch Rebate Ordinary Member 4 Year Associate Member 1 Year Air Mail Associate Member No Air Mail Associate Member 4 Year Air Mail Associate Member 4 Year No Air Mail Give As You Earn (GAYE) (gross payment before tax relief)

12 HELP US TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOU By far, the quickest and easiest way for us to get in contact with our members is through . This method of communication also saves money on postage money that we can instead spend on providing welfare support to members of the RAF Family. Please update us on your current address by sending a quick note to Sophie using the details on the right. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Let Anna know what your Branch is up to, so that it can be included in next month s newsletter. You can contact Anna by calling the office, or you can your updates and photographs to her using the details to the right Follow us on: AREA STAFF CONTACT DETAILS Edinburgh Office Sophie Bruce, Acting Assistant Area Welfare Officer sophie.bruce@rafa.org.uk Anna Lawton, Acting Area Administrative Assistant anna.lawton@rafa.org.uk Mike McCourt, Area Welfare Officer: mike.mccourt@rafa.org.uk Leuchars Office Dave Mowatt, Branch Support Officer: dave.mowatt@rafa.org.uk Joe Stanfield, Area Director: joe.stanfield@rafa.org.uk Belfast Office Carol Titterington, NI Regional Support Officer carol.titterington@rafa.org.uk Sarah Waugh, NI Regional Manager sarah.waugh@rafa.org.uk Area Supporters We would like to express our thanks to Rangers Charity Foundation, Tunnock s, Hibernian FC and POSH Original Art for their generous donations to the Scotland & Northern Ireland Area Conference raffle. These companies have donated some fantastic prizes. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Area Conference and will be drawn on the day.