Issue: June 2010

June Meeting.

Tuesday 8^th June 2010 at ‘The Summer House, Kingswood, at 12.00hours.

Attendance at May meeting:  Members 48  Apologies: 25   Guests 7

Sick Parade:  The following members reported on Sick Parade:

Jim Plank,(66) Ken Dorricott( (71), Alan Evitts (81) Jerry Cleary (10) David Wintle (85)

Derek Vaughan (78)  Roger Fildes (132) Michael Weinel (97)

We wish them a speedy recovery and hope to see them again soon at our meetings.

It was nice to see Malcolm Barratt (128) back with us. Keep well chaps.

Speakers: The Speaker for the May meeting should have been Alf Marsh AKA Pierre who  was to give a talk on his experiences in the French Foreign Legion, unfortunately, his wife suffered a Stroke and he was unable to attend. This meant that Albert Hazeldine our Speakers Secretary had, at very short notice to find a replacement.  Finding suitable Speakers under normal circumstances, is, in itself a difficult task, however, Albert managed to obtain the services of Malcolm Palmer a member of the George Formby appreciation Society who  gave an entertaining talk and several songs of yesteryear in the George Formby style with his Ukelle. Malcolm called for a volunteer to accompany him on the Washboard and the challenge was taken up (after some encouragement from the members) by our very own Brian (Spider) Webb who performed brilliantly (minus a few fingers). Malcolm would never win ‘Britain Has Talent' even with our Spider. Never the less, he provided an entertaining interlude. Our special thanks to Spider, well done.

The Speaker for the June meeting will be Vic Smith (76) who recently returned to us after Heart Surgery. Vic will talk of his experiences of ‘Shooting at Bisley'.       

Questionnaire:  Cosford branch is now 103 strong. 68 replies have been received from members. If you have lost or mislaid your copy Questionnaire and wish to reply, please contact Jim Paterson and a copy will be forthcoming. Thank you to all who have responded.

Page 1.

NS(RAF)A Annual Parade and Reunion

Sunday 4^th July 2010

at RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire.

The Reviewing Officer this year is Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Sir Stephen

Dalton accompanied by Air Commodore C.H.Green, MA, BSc C Eng, MRA & S,RAF,

Commandant DCAE, Cosford.

Timetable

ATC Band Display                                                                           09.45 -  10.15 hours

Parade Officials and Colours (Standards) Rehearsal                   10.30 hours

Visitors to move to Reviewing area (Rear of Hanger 1)               10.50 hours Latest

Parade Assembly                                                                           11.00 hours

Parade March Off                                                                           11.15 hours Approx

Arrival of Reviewing Officer                                                          11.30 Approx

(Large notices giving these times will be displayed at the entrance to the site and in Catering area)

When the Parade is formed up and the Reviewing Officer arrives there will be a short

review of the Parade followed by Welcome by Mr J. Magee, Chairman of NS(RAF)A 

and the Chief of Air Staff. A short service of Remembrance will then be conducted

by Canon Eric Cox (Cosford Branch) supported by the Rev A. Bowley, NS(RAF)A

Chaplain

After the service the Parade will March off past the Reviewing Officer then dismissal.

(Approx time of dismissal 12.30 hours)

Bands attending: Central Band of the Royal Air Force, DCAE Cosford Voluntary Band and the ATC (Royton) Champion Marching Band.

There will be a flypast and Arial display by a Spitfire at approx 13.00 hours.

PARKING: Parking will be on the Airfield as previous years as directed by Stewards.

                 Pass Holders and Disabled adjacent to Hanger 1.

Members should note that Parking on the Museum Car Park is now Pay and Display.

..............................................................................................................................................

Volunteers Wanted: As in previous years Les Bouts would appreciate the assistance of Volunteers from Cosford branch to assist Peter Bunting of the Museum staff in the erection of the Air Field Car Park fencing. This entails staking out the perimeter and would take about an hour to an hour and a half on Friday 2^nd July 2010 at 14.00 hours and after the Parade on Sunday 4^th July 2010. (The work is rewarding and gives Cosford members an opportunity to get to know each other and enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine and fresh air. Unfortunately the pay is rubbish.) Volunteers are also required for Saturday 3^rd July 2010 from approx 11.00 hours to assist in the laying out of seats in Hanger 1.

Page 2.

It is appreciated that this is a NS(RAF)A National event but it would be appreciated if some volunteers from Cosford branch could assist on the days mentioned. We are after all the local branch of the Association. Without Volunteers the event could be abandoned for future years.

..............................................................................................................................................

Service of Remembrance:

As shown in the program above our very own Canon Eric Cox, Cosford branch will

conduct a short service of Remembrance supported by the NS(RAF)A Chaplain the Rev

A.Bowley. A great honour for Cosford branch and we must congratulate Canon Eric for

representing the branch.  

Late News:

Finance:  Our finances are in good shape and at 28.5.10 they stand at £2302.98.

Visits: (1) Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs,19.5.10.

                 This visit was arranged by the Hadley United Service Club with a coach 

                 provided by the Hadley Parish Council. This was an enjoyable day out with 4

                 members of Cosford branch in attendance.

           (2) The RAF Resources Museum, (The former RAF 16 MU Site No: 6, Hopton,

                Staffs) 20.5.10. This 1^st visit was made on 20.5.10. A very interesting visit

                with lots of RAF artefacts on show. Further visits are planned for the future

                the next being on 16.6.10. Let us hope more Cosford members show an  

               interest and take the time to visit the site.

         (3) RAF Shawbury, Helicopter Training School. The next visit to Shawbury will be 

              on the 28.7.10. At present 31 names have been received.

Dawley British Legion Parade / Service. Sunday 6^th June 2010 at 14.00 hours.

As already mentioned in the previous issue of our Newsletter, Cosford branch NS(RAF)A received an invitation to attend. Since that announcement some improvement work is being carried out in the High Street and the Car Park is not in use. This means that if members of the branch intended being at the parade there would be some difficulty in finding suitable parking facilities. We leave it to each members discretion to attend certainly those who have some considerable distance to travel to get to the venue. The branch Standard will be paraded on the day. Local members may wish to attend without difficulty.

NS(RAF)A Annual General Meeting 2010.

Members are reminded that the AGM this year will be held in the Midlands on Friday 22^nd October 2010 at the Tillington Hall Hotel, Eccleshall Road, Stafford, ST6 1JJ at 17.00 hours. It would be appreciated that  as many members as possible of Cosford branch could attend.

Page 3.

Drill Squad:  Unfortunately, the rifles for this proposed event will not be available

in time for the Annual Parade / Reunion on 4^th July 2010. Sorry to disappoint those members who bravely volunteered to take part. Perhaps these will be available for some other event in the future.

Lest  We Forget

Around the corner I have a friend,

in this great city that has no end.

Yet days go by, and weeks rush on

and before I know it a year has gone.

And I never see my old friends face,

for life is a swift and terrible race.

He knows I like him just as well,

as in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine, we were younger then,

and now we are busy and tired old men.

Tired with playing a foolish game,

tired with trying to make a name.

‘Tomorrow' I'd say, ‘I will call on Jim,

just to show I'm thinking of him.'

But tomorrow comes - and tomorrow goes,

around the corner - yet miles away.

‘Here's a telegram sir... Jim died today.'

And that's what we get, and deserve in the end,

around the corner a vanished friend.

Let us remember our friends and the friendships gained. They are the most precious and valued things in life. Lest we forget, let us remember those of our members who have passed on to the great RAF family in the sky.

Next Meeting

Tuesday 13^th July 2010

at 12.00 hours at ‘The Summer House'

Kingswood,

That's all for now folks.

Your Editor, Jim.