AREA NOTICES

NORTHERN AREA MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS AS AT1ST JULY2014

1 JUNE
2014 / 1 JULY
2014 / Difference
Annual Members / 4,987 / 5,084 / +97
Life Members / 3,273 / 3,263 / -10
Honorary Life Members / 23 / 23 / 0
Current Total / 8,283 / 8,370 / +87
Associate Members / 1,185 / 1,219 / +34
Grand Total / 9,468 / 9,589 / +101

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 2014 – Many congratulations to the following recipients on being awarded National Presidential Certificates in line with this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr George LambErewash Branch

Mrs Geraldine LambErewash Branch

Mrs Sheona NicollSilloth Branch

Mr Brian GrimshawNorthern Area HQ

Our congratulations also go to Mrs Margaret Duff on being awarded the prestigious BEM for Services to Veterans.

HONOURS AND AWARDS 2015 – We have been advised that the cut-off date for all Honours and Awards applications for consideration in the New Year’s Honours list, 2015 and the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 2015 is the 1st August 2014.

Please note it is essential that all applications are submitted to Area well before the deadline date for approval by the Area President. Nominations that have previously been submitted will also be considered as part of this process.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS 2014/2015 -The new membership subscriptions and branch rebates for 2015/16 based on the average RPI of 5.8% are highlighted below. This increase is in accordance with Resolution No 7/06 (this Resolution enshrined the mandate of Resolution 25/86 which required a review of subscriptions every second year).

Category / 2013/2014 Membership Fee / 2015/16 Membership Fee / 2015/2016 Branch Rebate
Ordinary Member - 1 year / 19.50 / 20.50 / 4.70
Ordinary Member - 4 year / 73.50 / 78.00
Associate Member - 1 year - Air Mail / 13.50 / 14.50
Associate Member - 1 year - No Air Mail / 8.50 / 8.50 / 2.70
Associate Member - 4 year - Air Mail / 52.50 / 55.50
Associate Member - 4 year - No Air Mail / 29.00 / 30.50
Give As You Earn (GAYE) / 24.36 / 25.68
(gross payment before basic tax relief)
RPI Dec 2011 / 239.4
RPI Dec 2013 / 253.4
Increase / 14
% Increase / 5.80%

rafa YOUTH - is the new membership category of the RAF Association created for 13-17 year olds in the air-related uniformed youth organisations: ATC, CCF(RAF), Air Scouts, Air Explorer Scouts & Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets.

A gift of group membership to rafa YOUTH is one way your RAF Association Branch can support, or say thank you to your local cadets/scouts, thus enabling us to inspire and grow the next generation of RAF Association Members and the future Aviation Community.

rafa YOUTH membership cost £10 per person. You can arrange to purchase memberships by either:

•By calling CHQ 0116 266 5224 ask for the Finance Team, paying by credit/debit card.

•By writing to Helen Gibson at CHQ enclosing a cheque.

•Membership codes are emailed (where possible) and can be given to the cadets to use.

•Membership runs from the date the code is used NOT purchased!

If you would like a presentation at one of your branch meetings please contact Helen on 0116 268 8789 or by email:

WELFARE SEMINAR - The Northern Area Welfare Seminar will take place at RAF Linton on Ouse on 8th October 2014. Calling notices will go out to all branches and all welfare volunteers in the near future but please be aware that if you have an interest in welfare but are not necessarily involved with it directly, you are still more than welcome to attend. The venue will again be Cheshire Hall in the Ground School and timings will be similar to previous events starting at around 10.00 am and closing at 4.00 pm.

In the meantime if you have any queries please contact your own Area Welfare Officer.

RETIRED SERVICES CARDS – Can all Branches please check their stocks of Retired Services Cards as it has come to our attention that some obsolete application forms are being used which quote an incorrect price for the Service Card.

The current cost for the Retired Services Card is £20.00

For more information contact

REQUEST FOR E-MAIL ADDRESSES – We are currently in the process of increasing the accuracy of our current data held on our files.

We would invite that all members who have current e-mail addresses and are happy for us to use them, to please forward their details to Could we ask that you also include your membership number, so that we can cross reference your details.

By providing us with your email address we hope to be able communicate in a more effective manner and also reduce costs of postage so we really need your help!

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS – Need to contact the Area Director or the Branch Support Officer, then please use the following numbers.

Area Director, Darrell Slater-Smith - 07796 716259

Branch Support Officer, Pete Hudson – 07455 415651

AREA DISPLAY EQUIPMENT - Please be aware that in order to facilitate our Branches having access to display equipment without the need to travel long distances to collect such equipment, we have positioned Marquees at the following places:-

1 x Marquee Skipton Branch

1 x MarqueeDoncaster Branch – (also has 2 new style RAFA pop-up displays)

1 x Marquee RAF Leeming

2 x Marquees Leyland

Please note that this equipment will still need to be requested through the area office on 01772426930 or via e-mail

LINTON TUCANO DISPLAY TEAM 2014

The Royal Air Force Tucano Display team received Public Display Authority on 8 April 2014. The RAF Tucano T1 is scheduled to carry out over 60 displays at 40 different venues in the UK and overseas this summer. The Tucano display is a solo aerobatic display, one of only 4 RAF solo displays this year..

Even with all the WWI events and the news coverage it’s getting the Linton Tucano Display team 2014 are still supporting the RAFA. This year the team are flying the Poppy to remember the start of the Great War on the Primary aircraft but will also be taking the RAFA logo aircraft to the displays. The team will be sharing any monies raised between the RAFA, RBL and the 72 Sqn’s chosen local charities.

ADMIN STAFF TAKE TO THE SKIES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WINGS APPEAL-Sam Loughlin (admin) and Kirsten Morrissey (welfare) from the Northern Area HQ, Leyland, will be making the jump out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft, to raise funds for the RAF Associations Wings Appeal. Sam and Kirsten have worked for us for nearly a year-and-a half and have decided to take the plunge and throw themselves out at a height of 10,000 feet.

The event takes place on the 3rd September and is with our friends the RAF Falcons Display team. Good luck to the Ladies.

If you would like to sponsor them, please visit the link below. Alternatively please complete the attached sponsor form and return to the Northern Area Office.

DONATIONS – Thanks go to the following for their donations:-

Darlington Branch£40,000Northern Area Welfare Fund

80 (Bolton) Sqn ATC &

1832 (North Manchester) Sqn ATC£95.40Wings Appeal

JAMIE BLAGG MEMORIAL FUND, CRICKET DAY - On Saturday 12th March 2014, four of the fundraising team from the Jamie Blagg Memorial Fund from Middlesbrough arrived at Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse, to make an official handover of over £3600.00, to be added to the Northern Area Welfare Fund. The team held a very successful Cricket Day, in a sportsfield that had a ‘home made’ Cricket Pitch, and some very enthusiastic people, many of whom had not really seen a cricket ball before, never mind all the paraphernalia you have to add to your body for protection, oh and not forgetting the consumption of a great deal of cans of various ales at £1.00 a can.

The team, also carried out a 3 or 4 day cycle challenge, through some very tough roads in the NorthEast.

Whilst the Association gave them T Shirts, and one or two other supporting items, along with Banners, the riders spent many hours ‘in the saddle’, but ended up adding a great amount of money to the kitty.

The RAF Association Northern Area Council, would like to thank everyone in the Group who helped to raise such a fantastic figure, and wish them every success for the future.

BOMBER COMMAND MEDAL CLASP EVENT – John Allison BEM, Northern Area Chairman and Station (Civil) RAFA Liaison Officer at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, along with Warrant Officer Dougie Lee are proposing to hold a further Bomber Command Medal Clasp event on the Station. We are also looking at the inclusion of the Arctic Star Medal Clasp.

We would welcome those ex RAF Personnel who have not yet received their Medal Clasp to contact John on or 01904 761077. John can also be contacted on Wednesday’s at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on 01347 847106 after 1000 hours.

With regards to the Arctic Star Medal Clasp if anyone is aware of ex Royal Navy Personnel in their area who have yet to receive the Clasp, please use the same contact information as above.

We are hoping to hold the event in the Officer’s Mess sometime during August, but await confirmation from ACAS as to his availability. Once we have sufficient numbers interested, further details will be released.

CAN YOU HELP – James Hazelton is currently writing a book on the Airfields of Kent that were used during World War Two. The aim of the book is to look at how the airfields were used during the conflict and how they look today.

Should any members be able to help James either with pictures or stories please telephone 01233 463261 or alternatively e-mail .

EVENTS

TEESDALE AVIATION DAY- Teesdale Aviation Day will be held on Wednesday 2nd July 2014 at Deerbolt YOI, Barnard Castle, County Durham. The service starts at 1230 hours. All RAFA Members and Standard Bearers are welcome.

For further information please contact Tony Galley on 01833 627424 or alternatively please e-mail

BATLEY & BIRSTALL COMMEMORATION SERVICE & PARADE – There is a Commemoration Service & Parade in recognition of all those who lost their lives in World War I from Batley & Birstall.

The Parade will commence at 1830 hours followed by the Service at 1900 hours in the Memorial Gardens, Batley & Birstall.

WINGS APPEAL CONCERT – On Saturday 30th August Morecambe Brass Band featuring Louise Geatch will be performing at a concert to raise funds for the RAF Association Wings Appeal at the United Reformed Church, Sefton Road, Morecambe at 1930. Tickets are priced at £6.00 and are available from the Morecambe & Lancaster Branch Secretary, please telephone 01524 412987.

NORTHERN AREA TRAILER

Hopefully you are all aware that the Northern Area received enough donations from our generous Branches to enable us to purchase a Trailer that will be used throughout the area to support the Branches in their membership recruitment and Wings Appeal collections, the trailer has already had its first outings and is a great attraction for new and existing members, its recently visited, Sale, Penwortham, Wakefield and Stockton on Tees. Where we recruited over 10 members and have raised in excess of £2500 for Branches Wings Appeal totals. If you have an event that could be considered for attendance, we are more than happy to accommodate as many as we can, just let us know. Email or call 01772426930.

ALLIED AIR FORCES MEMORIAL DAY, SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2014 – The Annual Allied Air Forces Memorial Day will take place on Sunday 7th September 2014. This year in addition to marking the Battle of Britain, the event will have special significance as it will also commemorate the 100th Anniversary of WW1, the 75th Anniversary of the outbreak of WWII, the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and also the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the French Squadrons of RAF Elvington. The event will feature a Service followed by the March past and Salute and Sunset Ceremony. The Parade will be led by the Royal British Legion Yorkshire Marching Band and Corps of Drums.

There will be no admission charge for Standard Bearers and Parade Participants and all other supporting guests you may wish to bring will be offered the reduced pre-paid admission rate of £5.00 per adult and £3.00 for children.

For further details or to book tickets, please contact Ian Richardson on 01904 608595.

CENOTAPH CEREMONY - LONDON - 9TH NOVEMBER 2014 - The Royal British Legion, on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, will be organizing the exservice contingents attending the Parade and Service at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, on Remembrance Day, 9th November 2014. Civilians are not permitted to parade in the Ex-Service columns.

A representative of the South East & Eastern Area will lay this year the Association’s wreath; Stewards will also be positioned at the Cenotaph to lay wreaths on behalf of the detachments as they march past.

Contingents will assemble and disperse at Horse Guards Parade

Due to the number of personnel on parade the overall length of the march past has increased and I would ask you to ensure that your members are aware of the physical demands of standing in Whitehall for at least 1 hour and then marching for a distance of 1.5 miles, possibly in inclement weather.

We have been asked to remind all on parade to help to ensure that behaviour and dress standards match the dignity of the occasion. There have been a few rather regrettable lapses that have offended the majority of those marching and the general public.

In view of the current security arrangements, only holders of admission tickets will be allowed to join the parade. All participants are liable to a security search on the day.

The South East Office will be administering the ticket allocation for the event this year. Naz Angha would therefore be grateful to receive applications for tickets at your earliest convenience. Contact details: Naz Angha, RAFA South East Office, 3-5 Old Bridge Street, Hampton Wick, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 4BU Tel: 020 8286 6667 E-mail:

The closing date for receipt of applications for tickets at the South East Office is Tuesday 26th August

DATES FOR THE DIARY 2014

2nd JulyTeesdale Aviation Show, Deerbolt YOI, Barnard Castle

5th JulyPreston Military Show, Fulwood Barracks

7th JulyTynwald Show, Isle of Man

11th-13th JulyFairford International Air Tattoo

12th JulyRAF Leeming, Lee Fest

12th JulyHaxby Show, Haxby

19th-20th JulySkelmersdale Green Fayre, Skelmersdale

25th-27th JulySunderland Air Show

31st JulyRAF Fylingdales Open Day, Fylingdales

2nd AugustDragon Boat, Preston Docks

9th-10th AugustWhitby Regatta, Whitby

10th-11th AugustBlackpool Air Show

13th AugustArea Council Meeting, RAF Linton-on-Ouse

16th-17th AugustLytham 1940’s Weekend

27th AugustATC Wing Training Day, Halton Training Ground, Morecambe

30th AugustConcert with Morecambe Brass Band, United Reformed Church,

Sefton Road, Morecambe 1930

30th-31st AugustRhyl Air Show

3rd SeptemberNorthern Area HQ Ladies, RAF Falcons Display Team, Tandem

Parachute Jump, Sibson Airfield, Peterborough

14th SeptemberBattle of Britain Parade, Skipton

14th SeptemberBattle of Britain Parade, St Thomas Church, St Anne’s-on-the-Sea

20th SeptemberNIVA, Service of Remembrance

20th-21st SeptemberSouthport Air Show

21st September Battle of Britain Service, York Minster, 1145

21st SeptemberBattle of Britain Parade, Newcastle upon Tyne

21st SeptemberBattle of Britain Service, St Barnabas Church, Regent Road,

Morecambe, 1830

9th NovemberCenotaph Ceremony, Whitehall, London

19th NovemberArea Council Meeting, RAF Linton on Ouse

For more information about any of the events listed above, please contact Area HQ.

Attachments:-

  1. RAFALO Update – July
  2. Branch Guide
  3. Northern Area Ladies Tandem Parachute Jump Sponsor Form
  4. Honours & Awards Form

To contact us, please use one of the following methods:

By Letter:

The Royal Air Forces Association

Northern Area Headquarters and Leyland Office

Sterling Court, Offices 1-4

Leyland Business Park, Leyland, PR25 3GR

Tel: 01772 426930

Email:

Website:

The Newsletter is also available online at:

Follow us on:

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Registered Charity 226686 in England & Wales. SCO37673 in Scotland