Under this section we record stories, events and activities undertaken by our members.
We hope you find them interesting! (NB The most recent are on top.)
And, by way of a summary, we add the Newsletter for the winter of 2017.
BECCLES & SOUTHWOLD AREA BRANCH (1214)
Providing welfare, support and comradeship for RAF serving personnel, veterans and their families.
BRANCH NEWSLETTER, AUTUMN/WINTER 2017
The Branch now meets in the Conservative Club, 2 London Road, Beccles, at 7:30 pm on the third Thursday of every month.
All are welcome to attend.
PRESIDENT’S NOTES
This year saw some significant changes, including the retirement of Jackie our Secretary for personal reasons and your President once more taking on the “Secretarial Tiller”. Jackie remains a member of our Branch and will join us from time to time for “Wings” collections, etc. Before retiring, Jackie was most active in arranging our Events Programme for 2018 and I appreciate all the hard work that this entailed.
We also changed our meeting venue to The Conservative Club, 2 London Road, Beccles. This will provide a much better location for members with a lounge and bar available and access whenever required by us. It is also 50% less cost to the branch! Car parking – free after 6.00 pm – is a 5 min. walk along Hungate.
Over the year, the President and Members, with our Standard, represented the Branch at the funerals of three departed RAF Colleagues.“We Will Remember Them”
Once again we were active with “Wings”s collections and details are on our website.
In June, we attended the Armed Forces Day National Event at Royal Green, Lowestoft, with our Branch Standard on parade.
In September we commemorated the Battle of Britain and were proud to see the RAF Ensign flying over Beccles Town Hall. At the weekend, we had a service in St Benet’s Church, followed by a parade through the town. led by the City of Norwich Pipe Band. The Reviewing Officer for the parade was once again Air Vice-Marshall W.Rimmer CB OBE MA RAF (Rtd) .
At the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Beccles, our Chairman once again laid the RAFA wreath.
My thanks go to all Members who participated in any of these events.
2018 is the commemoration of the founding of the RAF and in order to mark the occasion, we at our Branch are holding a major “Wings” collection in Beccles on Saturday, 31 March. We are coordinating this with an RAF Exhibition, to be organised by Life Vice-President Bob Honeywood, the proceeds of which will go to the Wings Appeal. This will be held in Hungate Church Hall, a few steps from the location of our “Wings Marquee”, opposite Lloyds Bank.
I would ask all members who can spare a couple of hours on the day, to give a hand to those colleagues taking part.
A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, wherever you might be. Brian.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT.
Whilst you have all been busy supporting the activities of our branch, the day job has continued to get in the way for me.
Writing this does however remind me that there are colleagues out in South Sudan and indeed in other theatres of operation. This can be a stressful time for the families left behind, as they form new/old routines and get on without one of their major players in life.
I am grateful to all who have supported our branch of RAFA, and special thanks to Brian who has shouldered many of my responsibilities in my absence, and for all of Jackie’s organisational skills, which will be sadly missed as she goes on to another phase in her own life.
I hope that you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and hopefully I will see more of you all in the New Year.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
It has been another busy end to the year with our final Wings collection of 2017 at Morrisons, Beccles and we would like to thank them once again for their continued support. We have already planned for collection dates in 2018. Our bids for Tesco’s have been submitted and the “Wings” collection in Beccles has been booked for the 31st March, the closest Saturday we could achieve to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the RAF on the 1st April.
The River Cruise proved to be a very successful and enjoyable trip again this year and Members are also attending an RAF Concert at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. Our Branch meetings have continued to include a variety of speakers and we already have new speakers lined up for early 2018. Details can be found on our website. The Christmas Lunch will once again be held at The Wherry in Geldeston at 12.00 Noon on 13th January, 2018. Please let Brian know if you would like to attend. Payment for the meal will be made on the day.
On a personal note, sadly it is time for me to move on from my role as Secretary. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with Branch Members and raise funds for this wonderful Charity and I wish the Branch continued success in the future. It just remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Jackie.
WELFARE OFFICERS REPORT
This year has been a good one as far as Welfare is concerned. Several people have been helped in various ways. If you know of anyone, you think could benefit from a visit from Welfare, then please contact me on 01502 588758 in complete confidence.
A Very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year to all. Sue.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The “Wings Appeal” monies received this year have now been sent to Head Office. The total for “Wings Appeal” was a very handsome £2,855.22. However, as I have said before, the needs of our beneficiaries are constantly increasing and so it would be appreciated if you and your friends could help the Branch by making Donations for our operating costs. I wish all our Members a Very Happy Christmas and New Year. Ian.
DONATIONS TO BRANCH, 2017
We were very fortunate this year to receive a Donation of £500.00 from the RBS and a further £250.00 from our local M.P. Mr Peter Aldous. These and further smaller amounts enabled us to finance our Annual Battle of Britain Parade and remain “in the black”. Life Vice-President Eddie continues to distribute “Wings” bottles around the local area. Our Branch also received an amount of £2,000.00 for our Welfare account. We are most grateful to all those who contributed and those who gave their time and energy which is also most important.
DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 ( ‘THE ACT’)
Due to the legal requirements of the above and as directed by Central Office, it is no longer possible for members to retain any information on our membership at Branch level, with the exception of the Branch Registered Data Controller, currently your President. If any Member is in possession of a previous Membership List, this must be shredded/destroyed without delay in order to stay within the current UK Legislation. The Association is only able to share personal or sensitive personal data with Branches, Branch Clubs and Volunteers who have received, read and agreed to use such data in compliance with the overarching Data Protection Master Policy held by the Association. The Branch has undertaken this commitment to annually renew this Policy and send written confirmation to Area Office.
“WINGS” COLLECTION AT SOUTHWOLD 05 AUGUST 2017 – PRESS REPORT
In a report in the “Beccles and Bungay Journal”, Branch President Brian Vousden said, “On behalf of our Members, I wish to thank all the generous holiday makers and residents of Southwold who contributed to our RAFA “Wings Appeal” and made the day a great success.
We are particularly grateful to the Mayor of Southwold Cllr. Matthew Horwood and Cllr. Sue Doy for attending and supporting us.
Picture – l to r: Branch President Brian Vousden, Mayor of Southwold Matthew Horwood, Cllr. Sue Doy, Life Vice-President Eddie Earl, Members Brian Sillick and Jon Randall.
We also recognise the many supporters and members of RAFA who gave their time and energy.
Picture, l to r :Barbara O’Brien, Terry O’Brien; Eddie Earl; Brian Vousden.
All this effort will make a big difference to the many RAF serving personnel and veterans and their families who may be in need. We do not receive any central government funding and rely solely on our members and the public for support.
We thank you all.”
Event Reports for 2017
Secretary Jackie’s Departure
It was with great regret that we all learned that our secretary, Jackie McSweeney has decided to resign from her role with the Branch.
Jackie has made an immense impact with her competence, initiative, patience and commitment. There is no doubt she will be sorely missed – and we wish her well.
There was a short presentation at the October Branch meeting – see the photos below.
The top table with President Brian; Jackie; Treasurer Ian.
President Brian presented a well-deserved Certificate of Appreciation from the Branch.
Life Vice-President Eddie presented a bouquet on behalf of the Members.
RAF In Concert
On Sunday, 3rd. December, Branch Members attended the “Royal Air Force in Concert – American Legends” – a programmme celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the USAF in 1947 and remembering the links to the RAF in World War II and up to present days.
As the programme says :-
To mark the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force, the Royal Air Force’s finest musicians are performing a Stars & Stripes flavoured musical tribute to their fellow aviators on this year’s RAF in Concert Tour.
With Big Band numbers from the swing era, Rock & Roll, Mo town and classics from the Great American Songbook, music legends from the United States have helped to provide the soundtrack to our lives for the last seven decades.
From Sinatra to Streisand, Basie to Bernstein, the programme of music includes Send in the Clowns, Hoe Down, Stars & Stripes March and I Left My Heart in San Francisco.
The concert took place at the Theatre Royal, Norwich and the music for the concert was provided by The Royal Air Force College of Music and performed to a very high standard.
Wings Collection; Southwold; August 2017
We were very fortunate to have a splendid day for our “Wings”collection at Southwold this year. The photos tell their own story – and, as always, very many thanks to our loyal members who turned out to make the event a success.
STOP PRESS! AS AT 12 AUGUST – THE TOTAL COLLECTION WAS £616.64. WELL DONE EVERYONE!
L to R. President Brian presenting the Mayor Cllr. Matthew Horwood with the “Plastic Duck Award!”, Cllr. Sue Doy, Life Vice-President Eddie, members Brian and Jon.
Members Barbara and Terry, Life Vice-President Eddie and President Brian in a quiet moment. Barbara and Terry collected in the Town outside Lloyd’s Bank, together with two non-member supporters of Branch.
Looks like some deep discussions with the Southwold Councillors!
Members Jon and Richard enjoying the “fruits” of the Seaside!
And a late addition – Member Barbara “manning” the table in the town centre.
Wings Morrisons Sept 2017
Our stalwart team were out again at Morrisons in Beccles, and our president Brian says, “Thank you everyone, for all your efforts”
Life Vice President Eddie and Secretary Jackie ready for business!
Terry and Barbara did lunch-time, and Member Brian covered the afternoon.
President Brian returned refreshed – and the two Brians took over for the afternoon.
Battle of Britain Church Parade 2017
This year the Battle of Britain Church Service was held at St Benet’s Minster, Beccles.
Branch Chairman Steve and President Brian discussing details before the Service at St Benet’s Minster, Beccles.
Standards enter for the Service
Air Vice-Marshall W.T.Rimmer CB OBE MA RAF (rtd), reads The Address.
Chairman Steve; President Brian; Air Vice Marshall Rimmer; Mrs Rimmer; Gp.Capt. Ailsa Gough RAF, RAFA Area Director; and Wg. Cdr David Miller MBE RAFVR (T) at the service in St.Benet’s.
After the service, the Service and Civic Dignitaries gathered outside St Benet’s
The Parade marched through the town, with the Standards led by the City of Norwich Pipe Band. Air Vice-Marshall Rimmer took the salute at Exchange Square, Beccles, supported by the Service and Civic Dignitaries.
Armed Forces Day, Lowestoft, June 2017
Our Gazebo ready for action
Eddie with our Standard.
The Veterans Parade at Noon.
Wings Collection Beccles May 2016
We had a good turnout of members and were grateful to also see our RAF Liaison Officer, Miles, and ATC Cadet Natasha. Beccles Mayor Graham Catchpole came along over the lunch period and seemed genuinely interested and supportive of the work RAFA does.
Below are a selection of photos – sorry we did not manage to “capture” everyone who contributed to the successful day – but “THANKS” to you all.
Mayor Graham Catchpole, President Brian and Barbara.
President Brian with Mayor Graham Catchpole.
President Brian, Mayor Graham Catchpole and RAFALO MIles.
Mayor Graham Catchpole, RAFALO Miles and President Brian
Barbara hard at work!
Beccles and Southwold Area Branch (1214) 