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July 2012 Newsletter The National Award Winning Flying Paperclip

CLUB OPENING TIMES Monday 1900-2300 (subject to the Quiz League playing)

Tuesday 1900-2300 (subject to the Quiz League playing)

Wednesday 1930-2200 (Only on the 1st and 3

rd Wednesdays of the month)

Thursday 1900-2300 Friday 1900 – 2300 Saturday 1200-1500 and 1900 – 0000 Sunday 1200 – 1400

Grimsby & Cleethorpes Branch Registered Charity No 501145

5 Alexandra Road Cleethorpes

North East Lincs DN35 8LQ

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Fun Run for Wings Grimsby and Cleethorpes RAF Association member, Phil Massen, hands over sponsor money to Deputy RAF Association Wings Appeal Officer, Tony Walker, watched by the four members of Phil’s family (L to R), Dean Barley, Lani Aldred, Helen Barley and Anne Prowse. The team ran the 5k Humberston Fun Run on 6th May to raise money for the RAF Association Wings Appeal, which supports serving and veteran members of the Royal Air Forces in need. The Fab Four collected a total of £300.25 – the 25p was from a supporter who sponsored the team a guinea a kilometre! Well done and thank you very much to them all!

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Monday of the Jubilee Weekend saw our club transformed, by barman extraordinaire Mark, into a street party. The ceiling was festooned with Union Flags and all the tables and bar were decorated in red, white and blue. Outside the bunting flapped in the breeze welcoming us all to a lovely evening.

The serving tables were laden with food that we had all contributed to and it was a real party atmosphere. Mark had organised a Jubilee Themed Raffle and Graham Malster held a Royal Quiz. At the appointed hour, we all trooped across the road to Ross Castle where Danny, the piper, entertained the crowd. After the countdown, Branch Chairman Bill McCann lit the Jubilee Beacon to cheers from everyone, then he and Tony Walker stood guard for the next hour, fortified by hot coffee. Back at the club there was a

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bit of a singsong, more eating and drinking and a good time had by all. A very big thank you to everyone who "did their bit"; if you didn't attend, you missed a once in a lifetime event. RAF Waddington presentation

On Friday 8th June, Flt Lt Dave McRitchie from RAF Waddington came over with his wife, Vikki, and gave a presentation on RAF Waddington. Dave is the RAFALO (RAF Association Liaison Officer) for the station and talked about the station’s role both past and present. It was extremely informative as well as very entertaining; lots of laughs and funny comments which accompanied to excellent slide show and video. The Branch would like to thank Dave and Vikki very much for their

excellent company and also for helping with the Wings Street Collection the following day – despite being slightly ‘under the weather’ after enjoying a very sociable evening at the Club. We hope to see you both again soon! Armed Forces Day Photo by Mick Reah

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Our Annual Armed Forces Day Parade, organised by Chairman Bill McCann and RAF Association members Gavin Marshall and Brian Gillie, took place on Saturday 23rd June along Cleethorpes seafront. It was an extremely windy day, with heavy rain in the afternoon, but the turnout of people ran into thousands! It was very emotional to hear all the applause as the serving and retired members of the Armed Forces marched very smartly behind the RAF College Band, and 250 of the Cadet services followed on behind the North East Lincs Pipe Band. The salute was taken by the RAF Association President Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE. The parade was followed by a service at the Strike Wing Memorial outside the Club and flying displays by a Spitfire, the Blades display team and a Kittihawk.

On the Sunday afternoon, we were treated to a brilliant display by a Typhoon, right outside the Club. The weather had improved and we even had sunshine! This brought a large crowd out to watch as the plane swooped and dived over the beach, leaving us all covered in goosebumps! (Pictures by Dom Nurse)

As part of the Armed Forces Weekend we saw, for the first time in Cleethorpes, a Military Tattoo Spectacular organised by our

Chairman Bill McCann, and Branch members Gavin Marshall, Brian Gillie and Andy Mcall and club member Alex Baxter. The event had taken many months in the planning, but it was well worth all the stresses! We had performances by the RAF Waddington Pipes & Drums, the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Military Wives Choir, who sang their No 1 Hit and three songs off their Album and the Humberside Police Dog Display Team featuring our very own Dog Handler Richard Brock! We also had The Humberside Police Concert Band, a fantastic display by the Royal Signals the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team and the RAF College Band, all of this followed by a 20 minute firework spectacular to Military Music. The Chairman sends his grateful thanks to all those that assisted greatly on the day, from those who helped in the Box Office, the volunteers in the Bar, the numerous Stewards and Security Staff and all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the events so successful. Unfortunately, we were handicapped by the possibility of bad weather and the England Match which left many seats empty, but I am sure that the many people who did attend had a fantastic evening and will talk about it for months to come!

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There are lots of pictures of the Armed Forces Day event and the North East Lincs Military Tattoo at www.cleethorpespeople.co.uk, which can be viewed and bought. Thanks to Elsa Willamson for publishing such a great selection online. RAF East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre visit We have arranged a coach trip to go from the Club on Tuesday 18th September for the day. The Lancaster there will be doing two taxi runs during the day, the NAAFI will be open for refreshments and lunch and the exhibitions there are extremely interesting. Cost will be only £10 per person, including coach travel and entry into RAF East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre. The coach will leave the RAFA Club at 0900hrs and leave RAF East Kirkby at 1700hrs, returning at approx 1830hrs. There is a list up in the Club, so get in early if you would like to go! Any further details or payment to Donna Flint please. Branch and Club meeting The next Branch and Club meeting will be on Tuesday 10th July at 2000hrs. The Club will be open for members and guests as well. Thursday nights Numbers drawn out this month on Thursday nights in the Membership Draw were: Thurs 31st May - S Malster would have won £115 if they had been in Thurs 7th June – T Holmes would have won £120 Thurs 14th June – M Traylen would have won £125 Thurs 21st June – D Haddock would have won £130 Thurs 28th June – T Hibbert would have won £135 The next draw is on Thursday 5th July with £140 to be won, so good luck everyone! Don’t forget the rules for the draw; you have to be IN the Club at 9.30pm and have your membership card with you! There is also an excellent fun quiz, bit of Bingo (run by a Rock Ape and an RAF Fireman), sometimes another quiz and a general good night on Thursdays, so come down and give it a try! Conference Savings Fund Just to remind members, anyone wishing to spread the cost for a trip to the RAF Association Area or National Conference can save the money at the Club over the year for their accommodation. The Area Conference is usually at the end of March and the National Conference is during May. The Branch will cover the cost for transport, so any members wishing to go will only have to pay for drinks over the weekend as all food is included. Cost will be approximately £130-£150 for the weekend. Bargain!

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Wings It’s been a busy old month for Wings, June! Unfortunately, due to the wet start of the month, the Waltham Windmill Fun Day was cancelled, but we’ve been up to plenty since then! On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June, we opened up the Club to the public and served tea, coffee, cakes and Wings merchandise. We also had a street collection in Cleethorpes with Alex Elrick, Tony Walker, Steve Flint and Flt Lt Dave McRitchie and his partner Vikki from RAF Waddington, Trish Fisher and Mark Jones collecting. Our grateful thanks go to everyone who helped to support this event in any way and we collected £1079! Then, of course, it was Armed Forces weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June. A great weekend for us as we had a Street Collection on both days; we had the Wings Marquee up on Saturday selling merchandise and promoting the RAF Association and the Branch and on Sunday we opened up the Club selling drinks and refreshments. In total for the weekend, we collected £1738.79 . Many thanks go to everyone who helped with Wings that weekend – Andy and Tracy Mason from RAF Waddington, Shaun Campbell from MoD, Alex, Tony, Andrea Shepherd, Rowena and Jenny Brock, Ruth and Trevor Smith and Eleanor Tuck. Special thanks go to Mark Jones, who helped in so many ways that weekend! Trish Fisher made a stunning fruit cake which was auctioned for Wings and raised a fantastic £50! Although it was all very hard work for everyone, it was a brilliant weekend for Wings so thank you EVERYONE who supported it in any way! On Tuesday 26th June the Olympic Torch came to Cleethorpes and we opened up the Club for drinks and cakes. People who came into the Club were very friendly and enthusiastic about the work we do and it was well supported. We also did yet another Street Collection and thanks go again to everyone who worked so hard that day too, including Jenny and Terry Griffiths and Karen Hughes as well as all the Wings Team. Another one of Trish’s fabulous cakes was raffled during the week when the Hedon RBL came to visit the Club and £80 was donated to Wings again. Many thanks to Trish Fisher and Bill McCann for organising this. Sat 30th June had us doing another Street collection in Cleethorpes with the RAF Association Club open all day for refreshments again and we still have many more events coming up. So thank you, Team, for all your hard work this month...it’s been hard but worth it! And thank you to everyone who gave up their time (or cash!) to help Wings. If you would like to be more involved in Wings in ANY way, please get in contact with me and we’ll be only too pleased to have you in the Team!

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Welfare Services Do you need help? The RAFA is there to help serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their dependants, providing friendship, advice and support, respite care, general welfare and signposting. Bill and Andrea, our Welfare reps, have been extremely busy over the last few months with lots of local cases. Contact details for our Branch welfare reps are at the end of the newsletter. Staying in Cleethorpes? The Jedburgh Guest House is owned and run by vice-chairman of the Branch, Graham Malster and his lovely partner, Cheryl. Situated at 26 Albert Road, this great

7-bedroomed B&B is only a 3 minute walk from the RAFA Club and an ideal place to stay if visiting the local area or coming to a Club event. Some rooms are en suite and Graham and Cheryl can be contacted via their website, which is jedburghguesthouse.co.uk, or via bookings@jedburghguesthouse.co.uk or phone 01472 508092. More information can be found on their website or see Graham and Cheryl at the

Club. There are special rates for RAF Associaton members; please mention at the time of booking. South East & Eastern Area News The South East and Eastern Area newsletter can be downloaded from www.rafa.org.uk/areas-southeast.asp or there are some copies in the Club for you to look at. These items may be of interest from the July newsletter:

Battle of Britain Golf Competition.

Branches and members are reminded that the Area will host a Battle of Britian Golf tournament at

Wyboston Lakes, just off the A1 south of St Neots, on Monday 17th

September 2012 in aid of Wings

Appeal.

Format: Teams of Four playing in a 18 hole Stableford competition with Pre round coffee/ tea and sausage

or bacon baguette, a two course dinner after the golf and presentation of prizes.

Date: 17th

September 2012. First tee time 11.00 am.

Venue: Wyboston Lakes Golf Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire. Cost: £50 per person.

The centre is able to offer a discounted rate for B&B of £55.00 p.p. single occupancy or £35.00 p.p. twin

occupancy for overnight accommodation either before or after the golf.

Please contact the Area Director for further details and an entry form.

Jon-Allan Butterworth I am pleased to inform you that Jon-Allan Butterworth, the former SAC injured in a mortar attack in Iraq,

who the Association has been supporting since 2009 has been successfully selected to represent Great

Britain in the 2012 Paralympics!!!

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To read the article about the cycling team visit

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/gbr20120626-British-Paralympic-Association-

announce-Team-GB-paracycling-squad-for-London-2012-Paralympic-Games-0

You can also watch our Jon-Allan Butterworth video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XeAJPlWdJQ&feature=plcp

Huge congratulations go out to Jon. We will update you regularly on how he is getting on.

Branch Closure I regret to inform you that the Port Elizabeth Branch (0681) in South Africa closed on 31 May 2012.

Closure of JARIC JARIC is closing after more than 70 years and moving to its new location in Pathfinder building at RAF

Wyton as part of the DGIFC (Defence Geospatial Intelligence Fusion Centre). The closure team are trying to

contact as many people as possible that have served at JARIC over the years to give the opportunity for

them to visit the unit on 26 July 2012 one last time and take part in the last informal event to mark the

occasion. On 26 July 2012, the station is holding its Fun Day during the afternoon with a flying display from

13.00, weather permitting, concluding with a Spitfire display at 16.30, activities and displays in the main

arena and many static attractions/displays including food outlets. In addition it is planned JARIC will be

open for former and current members and guests to take a guided tour of the building one last time. The

evening event will commence at 18.00 and run to 23.30 and will be in the form of an informal party with

live music, food and a bar. This is to be a ticketed event so early application is a must to ensure your place at

this historical event. Any member of JARIC past and present can attend and bring one guest (must be over

18 years). The ticket priced £10.00 per person will include a souvenir glass with a free drink and food to be

redeemed during the evening. Details of how to apply for tickets can be found below:

Contact by: e-mail: ICGJARIC-ClosureEvents@mod.uk Telephone: 01480 52151 Ext 7988/4524 Postal:

JARIC Closure Events Office (Rm 30), JARIC, Brampton Camp Huntingdon CAMBS PE28 2EA.

Concert In Aid Of RAFA St Neots Branch Wings Appeal 2012 Bedford Brass Band will be performing at a Concert on Saturday 6

th October 2012 at St Mary’s, St Neots

Parish Church at 7.30pm in aid of St Neots Branch Wings Appeal. Tickets are £5 adults, £3 under 18’s,

accompanied children under 10 are free. For further information or to reserve tickets please contact Bob

Eaton: robert.eaton9@gmail.com. Please advertise this in your Branch Newsletters if possible.

501 Squadron Filton Charborough Road Junior School in Filton, South Gloucestershire, will be holding their 85

th Birthday

Celebrations on 22 September 2012. Children of parents who were once stationed at Filton with 501

Squadron, would have attended Charborough Road Junior School. If you were, or know of anyone who

was, a former pupil, and would like to know more about the Birthday Celebrations then please contact:

www.polmenna.co.uk/charborough or write with your details to Mr Phillip Winter, 624 Southmead Road,

Filton Park, Filton, South Glocs, BS34 7RF.

Cold War Fast Jet Reunion Those of you who remember the excellent reunion hosted by the Shuttleworth Trust in 2009, will be pleased

to hear that Tony Haig-Thomas has invited us to Old Warden again, on 7 October 2012, for a unique Cold

War Reunion, to be attended by former East German fighter and fighter-bomber pilots, on his final day

before handing over his role as Aviation Trustee to Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison. The event is open to

all who have contributed to our Cold War fast jet heritage; the reunion will be accompanied by a full air

display and the launch of ‘Thinking the Unthinkable’, a book comparing the lives of fast-jet pilots on

opposite sides of the Iron Curtain.As before, the event will be allocated two spacious inter connected

hangars, with a cash bar serving wine, beer, soft drinks and tea & coffee from 10:00hrs – 17:00hrs. There

will be a concessionary admission prices of £20/adult (free to children under 16) for entry to a dedicated car

park and all reunion facilities, the Shuttleworth Collection including the Swiss Gardens, Bird of Prey centre

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and Children’s play area. There will be an additional option of buffet lunch at £14.50/adult or £7.50/under

10s. Should poor weather limit flying, there would be plenty to see, but to avoid over crowding; attendance

will be limited to the first 400 bookings.To take advantage of the concessionary entry prices and lunch (if

required), and to enable tickets to reach applicants in good time, bookings must be made before September

23rd

and be accompanied by payment with either credit/debit card on 0044 (0)1767 627 924. While all

tickets are transferrable, there can be no refunds and failure to book ahead will incur full non-concessionary

entrance prices on the day, and forfeit the option of a reunion lunch.

Shoreham Airshow 1st – 2

nd September 201

The Royal Air Forces Association Airshow at Shoreham organised by the Shoreham-by-Sea Branch of the

Royal Air Forces Association is one of the premier family airshows in the UK. The airshow regularly

attracts the best UK and European display acts to its unique “garden party” atmosphere event each summer.

The show is held to support the work of the Royal Air Forces Association. Since the shows inception, the

event has raised over £1.5million for RAFA. The flying display will feature strong support from the armed

forces as well as exciting aerobatic and emotive historic aircraft displays. On the ground there will be

extensive static displays, arena displays, classic cars and trade stalls.

Ticket Information

Advanced tickets for Shoreham Airshow will be available ONLINE at www.shorehamairshow.co.uk

Tickets purchased in advance are valid for either show day but not both.

Tickets may be purchased on the day of the airshow by CASH or CHEQUE ONLY.

Ticket Prices

Advance Tickets On the Gate

Adult £17 £20

Child (12-15) £8 £10

Under 12s FREE FREE

Group Booking (16 or more)

Adult £15 Only available from Air Show Office

Child (12-15) £6 Only available from Air Show Office

And this month’s laugh....

A young engineer was just leaving work one evening at 5.45, when he saw the company Chief Executive standing in front of the shredder with a piece of paper in his hand, scratching his head. “Can I help?” offered the young man to his very senior boss. “Well,” he replied, “My secretary has been away all afternoon and this is a very sensitive and important document. Can you make this machine work?” The engineer took the piece of paper and inserted it into the shredder and pressed the start button. “Excellent, excellent!” said the CEO, as his paper disappeared into the machine. “Just one copy please!” The moral of the story: Never assume your boss knows what he’s doing!

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

It’s really important that members try to come along and support the events that are planned. Events are put on to benefit members, although guests and visitors are always more than welcome. If there is something that you would like to see on at the Club, please contact any one of the Committee with your ideas. Humber Branch of the Air Sea Rescue Association meet at the Club every 1st Friday in the month. Contact Secretary, Graham Chaters, for any further information on 01354 694825 or email grchaters@btinternet.com Royal Armoured Corps meeting Every 2nd Friday of each month. For further information, please contact Richard Lent on 07773 790111 or by email at richard.lent@uwclub.net *Change of details! The RAF Regiment Veterans Group North Lincs have a meeting at the Club every 3rd Sunday in the month, 1230-1400hrs. Any serving or ex-serving members of the RAF Regiment are very welcome to come along. For more information, contact Brian Gillie (Chairman) on 07599435498 or email briangillie@yahoo.co.uk

North Lincs. Air Crew Association meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month Any serving or ex-serving Air Crew are invited to attend meetings of the North Lincs. Air Crew Association, chaired by Air-Vice Marshal Martyn Gardiner. They meet at the Louth Indoor Bowling Club, off St. Bernard’s Avenue, Louth at 11am for lunch. For any further information, please contact Tony Anderson on 01507 606398 or by email haselbury124@tiscali.co.uk Sat 7th and Sun 8th July – Wings at ‘Wings and Wheels’ at RAF North Coates. Sat 14th and Sun 15th July – Wings collection in Brigg Garden Centre Sat 21st and Sun 22nd July – Wings Street collection in Cleethorpes. Club open both days for refreshments. This is the weekend of the ‘1950’s Rock and Roll’ events in Cleethorpes. Thursday 26th July - The Annual Fireman’s Fete at Peaks Lane Fire Station. Another brilliant event to come and help at – making planes and windmills with the children, talking to parents and grandparents and having a good time. Saturday 28th July – RAFA Club open all day for refreshments. This is the day that the last Cleethorpes Carnival event takes place, so come and have a drink and watch the Carnival from over the road to the Club.

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Saturday 11th August – Wings Street collection in Cleethorpes. RAFA Club open all day for refreshments. This is also the Cleethorpes ‘1940’s weekend’ event. Sunday 12th August – Hospital Carnival at the Linden Homes Club (formerly Stamford Club), Love Lane Corner. We shall have the marquee there to promote Wings, RAFA and have a good time ourselves. Wednesday 15th August – Wings Street collection in Cleethorpes. RAFA Club open all day for refreshments. Sat 18th and Sun 19th August – Wings Street collection in Cleethorpes. RAFA Club open both days for refreshments. This is the ‘Cleethorpes Music Weekend’. Monday 27th August – Wings Street collection in Cleethorpes. RAFA Club open for refreshments. Cleethorpes Summer Fayre will be on along the Kingsway. Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September – North Thoresby 1940’s weekend. This is a great weekend with dressing up, re-enactments, military vehicles, entertainment, stalls, crafts and so much more. We will be there with the Wings marquee. Sunday 16th September – Wings Marquee at Classic Car event, Waltham Windmill Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th October – Wings collection in Tesco, Hewitt’s Circus, Cleethorpes Friday 12th and Saturday 13th October – Wings collection in Sainsburys, Grimsby. More events are being planned, but if you have a suggestion, please let anyone on the Committee know. Contacts You can contact any committee member below for information or agenda items. If you would like anything included in the next newsletter or would like it emailed free of charge, please contact Donna Flint on either 07801 440862 or by email donnaflintrafa@gmail.com If you would like it posted out to you, please send an A5 SAE (or several to cover several months) to the Club, marked for the attention of Donna Flint. The printed newsletter can be collected from the Club around the 5th of each month. Bill McCann (Chairman) 07904228477 bill.mccann2@virginmedia.com. Membership enquiries Trish Fisher 07717028941or trishf.rafa@gmail.com Welfare enquiries to Bill McCann, details above, Andrea Shepherd 07963975650 or Trish Fisher 07717028941 Wings suggestions, volunteering or questions to Donna Flint, as above

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Branch Committee members Tony Walker 07798526650 Graham Robinson 07983579028 or graham.robinson513@ntlworld.com Steve Flint 07912420551 or steve.flint2@ntlworld.com Gavin Marshall option911@hotmail.co.uk Alex Elrick alex.elrick@hotmail.co.uk or 07906712544 Mark Jones mjones7969@yahoo.co.uk Graham Malster 07703067733 or graham.malster@ntlworld.com Anne Prowse 07796688248 Phil Massen Trish Fisher 07717028941or trishf.rafa@gmail.com Richard Brock Club Committee members (also including all the above Branch committee members) Pat and Colin Howard Don McKay Brian Green Andrea Shepherd