Royal Air Forces Association York Branch

Items of news for the York Web Site are to be sent to John Allison via E Mail johna.rafa@tiscali.co.uk or telephone 01904 761077

Registration per person will cost £5, and you will be able to register at the RAFA Marquee in the Museum Gardens near Lendal Bridge, from 9am in the morning of the 9th. You will then be asked to walk over the Bridge to where a further RAFA Marquee will be sited just below the City Walls - this is the joining point, and 'Watering Hole'. When registering you will be asked to give details of how many laps of the Walls you are intending to complete - each lap is just over 4km in length.

It is hoped that Certificates will be given to those who complete their volunteered number of circuits of the Walls.

A further 'Watering Hole' will be made available, and as soon as this is confirmed you will be advised.

The whole thing is expected to generate over 600 people taking part, Press and TV are hopefully going to be present. The start for the first 'batch' of people will be 10am, and hopefully they will complete by 12 noon, followed by another batch at 2pm, then 4pm. The whole thing is hopefully going to be completed by 6pm.

I am now researching a book about National Service and in case you have any members who are ex-National Service I attach a memory jogger in case they feel like contributing. I already have around 60 memories so have a lot of the mundane stuff, (call-up, reporting to camp, medical, haircut, medicals and so on), but I could do with more anecdotes and memories of humorous incidents.

Not long to go to one of the best Military Band Concerts in the Area. Come along and enjoy 3 Bands during the evening, which will open at 6.30pm with the Yeadon ATC Band, followed by the York Steel Expression Band, and the Royal Air Force Cranwell Swing Band. If you feel like dancing, bring along some suitable shoes and dance the evening away....

Tickets in advance can be purchased on line through the RAF Web Site or via John Allison at johna.rafa@tiscali.co.uk or by calling 01904 761077. Prices in advance are: Concessions £6 each, Adult £8 each, Family (2 Adults and 2 Children) £20, Children under 16 £4 each. There will be extra added on the night - except Childrens tickets of £2.

Gates (Crash Gates entrance/exit) to the Car Park facility will open at 6pm, or earlier if a queue forms on the narrow approach road. Only those Disabled members of the public should go through the Main Entrance, car parking is opposite the Guardroom. Coaches will convoy visitors to the 'Green', but if you energetic, you can walk to the venue by following the markers set out for you to follow. Try to use the official transport if possible.

The RAF Association are to be extremely well represented with the revamped PR Trailer on site, selling various goods, including the Annual Grand Draw Tickets. This year again there will the 1st Prize car - a Mini - on display. This is a very popular draw prize. There will also be a further Marquee, with new imagery, on site, and we will be selling the RAF Linton on Ouse 1st Day Covers from it. Robin Boulton from York Branch will also be available to talk to people about the Utility Warehouse business. York Branch will also have its usual Marquee there, primarily with Children in mind.

Some of the event profits will go to the RAF Association Central Funds. The Prize Draw Figure will be allocated to the York Branch Wings Appeal.

In conjunction with the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington. York, the Yorkshire (Eastern) Region Battle of Britain Service and Parade, sponsored by BAE Systems, will be held on Sunday 6th September 2009.

Special Guests include the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Air Commodore W G Gambold DI, FCMI, RAF Rtd, the Lord Mayor and Deputy Mayor of York, the President of the RAF Association, Air Marshal Philip Sturley, CB, MBE, BSc, RAF Invitations have also been accepted by the Station Commanders from Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse, Group Captain Mike Longstaff, RAF and Fylingdales, WgCdr Greg Hammond RAF. It is also hoped that the President of the Northern Area of the RAF Association Air Vice Marshal Nigel Bairsto, CB, MBE, RAF, will be attending the event.

Gates to the Museum will open at 0945hrs, to allow visitors in to what is said will be a memorable day, particularly when we remember all who lost their lives, and who are still giving their lives, so that we can live in peace.

The main programme begins at 1335hrs with a march by up to 200 members of the RAF, RAF Association and Air Training Squadrons, many of which will be tomorrow's Royal Air Force, also the Royal British Legion will be represented by many local people. Standards from the many organisations will be represented, including the RAF Association National Standard, and the Royal Observer Corps Association National Standard.

A Service of Commemoration will be held in the T2 Hangar, led by the Revd (SqnLdr) David Norfield, ably supported by the Revd Neil Mackay from Yorkshire Air Museum. The Service will commence at 1400hrs.

A presentation will take place after the Service, before the Standards are retrieved, of a Trophy for the Young Person of the Year 2009 - the presentation will be carried out by one of the senior officers present.

A march past will take place at 1530hrs, with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire taking the salute, with other senior officers taking a supporting role. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane and Spitfire are to carry out a fly past at 1615hrs, prior to the event closing with a Sunset Ceremony.

Tickets will be provided for those who are to take part in the marching element of the Service and Parade, but other visitors should be aware that a fee of £4 will be charged for entry to the Museum, which is a reduced entrance fee just for the day.

We look forward to seeing you at Yorkshire Air Museum, and hope you enjoy your day with us.

1 Flying Training School (1 FTS) is celebrating its 90th Anniversary at RAF Linton on Ouse on Thursday 9th July 2009. It is the oldest military flying training school in the world and continues to deliver first class training to fast jet pilots WSO's for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. There will be a limited attendance of civilians to the event which will commence at 1300hrs and be completed by 1800hrs. RAFA are to have a Marquee at the event to promote RAFA and to sell 1st Day Covers, which hopefully will raise £2500 for the Association. The Chairman of York Branch is one of the guests at a special Dinner in the Officer's Mess.

RAFA House Flags are available from the Area HQ on loan for use at funerals when requested by the family. They must be returned to the Area Office as soon as possible after the funeral. There are one or two Branches who have their own Coffin Drape, again, it is up to the family of the deceased whether they wish to give permission for use of a drape.

Display Equipment - Please be advised that display equipment is available from both the Northern Area HQ, also for the Eastern side of the Pennines, John Allison (01904 761077 E Mail johna.rafa@tiscali.co.uk )

Presently the following items are in stock at the York Store (No1 Stoop Close, Wigginton);

2 x 3 x 3mtr Marquees (Both with new Wings Imaging)
2 x 'Pop Up' Advertising Panels
1 x Folding High Table, Centre Support + Cover
1 x Waist High Folding Table + Cover (Wings Imaging)
1 x Set of Marler Hayley Boards
4 x Wings Banners.
Poster Boards (Require posters)
Some Posters in Stock, but limited.

We have been fortunate in receiving a small amount of sponsorship from Britannia Rescue with accessibility to their site. There are discounts available from the company to RAF Association members. Britannia are a reputable company of Insurers. When your Breakdown Cover is approaching renewal, please give them a try, we are sure you will find them very competitive, and with the Discount available will secure an excellent package.

We need Information - Many Branches are now taking the reigns to progress electronically and are therefore creating an independent web site dedicated to their Branch and its activities. We would like to know about your web sites so we can link to them directly from our main website and increase the traffic flow your way. Please take a look on your Area Page and on the Links Page on www.rafa.org.uk to ensure that firstly your web address is correct on both and if it's not up there, email our Web sites Manager Jo Rutter directly to inform her of any updates webmaster@rafa.org.uk

RAF Comrade Contact ( www.raf-comrade-contact.co.UK ) - Need news, events, activities and enhancing the comradeship and interactive photo galleries and message boards that it features. Again, just give my email address or the webmaster for info and or queries to be sent in to, webmaster@rafa.org.uk

Earn money for your Branch, buy online from www.easyfundraising.co.uk It is surprising how the funds will increase. There are 500 retailers out there ready to give money to a Charity. Go on, give it a whirl.

The Station RAFALO at Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse Flt Lt Andy McIntyre, asks that if RAFA Branches would like a Station Visit at any time during the week he can be contacted on 01347 847505 or E Mail: LIN207RSqn-SF05@lintononouse.raf.mod.uk

A letter released by Air Commodore Edward Jarron, the Secretary General in February this year gives details of a Resolution 7 of 2006, and agreed by Delegates present, to authorise increases in Membership Fees for 2009/2010. The following are authorised:

The Branch will receive £4.00 for each Ordinary Member in Rebate that are on strength at 31st December of the preceding year., and £2.50 for each Full Associate Member as above. Branch Associate Membership for York remains at £3.00 each.

Please try and encourage new members of join the Branch. And for those who do not come - we would love to see you, or just give us a call to let us know you are not requiring help or assistance. Remember there is always a warm welcome for you at Aldwark.

Any enquiries on membership please contact Kath Allison 01904 761077, or e mail johna.rafa@tiscali.co.uk