|
CHARITY RIDE FOR DORSET AND
SOMERSET AIR AMBULANCE (DSAA) SUNDAY 13th MAY 2018 |
|
As previously advertised on the
website Les Smith (FAABA Treasurer) completed the
Watchet to West Bay ride (along with 599 other leg
weary folks) in support of the Dorset & Somerset Air
Ambulance (DSAA) in 4hrs 23mins raising some £300 in
support of this worthwhile cause.
Many thanks to
those who have already donated and supported him in
this event.
His website at
www.justgiving.com/les-smith8 is still open for
those who may wish to donate or alternatively
donations can be given to him at RCH in June. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
CHARITY RIDE FOR DORSET & SOMERSET
AIR AMBULANCE (AGAIN) |
|
 |
|
Watchet to West Bay Ride for Dorset and Somerset Air
Ambulance (DSAA) Sunday 13th May 2018
Les Smith (FAABA Treasurer) is off on
his travels again in support of DSAA and aiming to
ride the course again this year. Once again he is
requesting FAABA members for sponsorship to help him
raise funds for this worthy cause.
(Slight twist planned is that instead
of jumping into an “executive saloon” on completion
he hopes to add the fun and ride back home - another
30 miles added to the total.)
He has set up a Just Giving site at
www.justgiving.com/les-smith8
where donations can be safely and securely made
along with all nature of unhelpful, and frankly
libellous, comments.
If you can support, each and every
donation is gratefully accepted and welcomed.
(Or alternatively, in line with The
Treasurers Guide to Good Financial Dealings 2018
version, bulging brown envelopes will be accepted at
the Reunion in June!)
Any queries can be directed to him at
les.smith779@talktalk.net |
| |
|
|
60TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BUCCANEER FLIGHT |
|
On
Saturday 28th April The Buccaneer Aviation Group (TBAG)
held an event at Bruntingthorpe to celebrate the
60th Anniversary of the very first Buccaneer Flight,
this was Blackburn NA39 XK486. (See XK486 below,
being prepared for flight, BAE picture) |
|
 |
|
3
old friends from 809 squadron decided to visit and
catch up on the site and smell of Buccaneer's
operating. A fast taxi run was carried out by 3
Buccaneers.
Brian Stanley, Mick Weller and Chris Lawrence (all
ex 809) travelled up to Bruntingthorpe on the
Saturday morning arriving just after mid-day, which
is when the event started. They said that the
Bruntingthorpe airfield is massive with many large
static aircraft waiting to be scrapped (Jumbo jets,
tri-stars, comets, nimrods, etc). The weather on the
day was light rain with a strong breeze. TBAG had
erected a very large marquee, with plenty of seating
inside, so you could get dry. Also there were
several stalls selling aircraft merchandise, and a
pilot doing a book-signing session for his newly
released book. We have to thank Chris for the
following pictures, taken on the day. |
|
|
|
Click on the images above to see them full size |
|
|
RNAS YEOVILTON INTERNATIONAL AIR DAY
SATURDAY 7 JULY 2018 |
|
 |
| You may not
know that the team organising the RNAS Yeovilton Air
Day in July are offering a discount to UK Armed
Forces and Veterans through the Defense Discount
Service. For more information read the document
available here |
|
 |
|
Pitts S-2S Muscle Biplane -
Picture by Paul Johnson |
|
|
RNAS
LOSSIEMOUTH'S BLACK TOT DAY (31ST JULY 1970) |
|
Although Black Tot day is July
31st I thought I'd highlight these photos sent to me
today by Gwyn Thomas who was a trainee Mech on 764
Squadron in 1970/71. are you in one of these
pictures? Click on pictures to view in full size. |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
HELP
NEEDED TO IDENTIFY OCCASION - WHAT WAS THE EVENT |
|
|
| Pictures kindly supplied by Tony
Allen - Click to see full size and scroll to see the
pictures in high resolution |
|
 |
|
If you know what year this picture
was taken at RNAS Lossiemouth please let me know;
Phil Glover (email address at bottom of page) |
| |
|
From Sandy Saunderson - I,believe
it was 1962/3 738 squadron/736 hardstanding HRH
Duchess of KENT, I was on those Divisions!. Geoff
Wheatley & Brian Johnston both seem to think it was
the award of the Queens Colours in 1963. It's
probably a mix of both answers, Queens Colours being
awarded by the Duchess of Kent.
It looks to
be a Divisions in honour of HRH Duchess of KENT on
the 9th
of October 1962 when the Queen’s Colour was
transferred from HMS Ariel to HMS Fulmar. The reason
for the transfer of colours is told in “The Fulmar
Story”, it was required for the State visit of HRH
King Olaf of Norway to Edinburgh on 16th
October 1962 where HMS Fulmar would be providing the
Royal Guard. A Flypast from RNAS Lossiemouth took
place over Edinburgh with 6 Supermarine Scimitars of
736 Squadron & Hawker Hunters of 738 Squadron during
the State visit. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
F35B IN 809 SQUADRON
COLOURS |
 |
| Keith Abnett ex Tiff who served
on 700P, 892 & NASU Yeovilton has turned his talents
to Art since retiring and has let us display this
image of an F35B in 809 Squadron markings; although
he's used the side numbers from 809's time on the
Hermes 1967 to 1969 it's nice to have the Phoenix on
the tail. |
| |
|
|
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - LONDON
2014 |
|
Pictures from the
Remembrance Ceremony in London on Sunday 9th
November 2014 and later at the service held at the
FAA Memorial |
|
Click on the above pictures to view them full size,
put the mouse arrow over the picture to read the
captions
Pictures supplied by
Mick Gowen |
|
 |
|
Cenotaph Sunday. Harry and Alex Dunn ( Snapped by #1
Granddaughter (Claire
Batten off the TV on Sunday). I think we may
have been taking a shufty at Sophia Rayworth doing
an interview just to the left of the column. |
|
Picture supplied by Harry Butler |
|
|
|
FAABA & FULMAR ASSOCIATIONS
JOINT REUNION - ELGIN 3rd - 5th JUNE 2016 |
|
 |
Hi Everyone, Details of 2016
reunion. Please note all double rooms have been
filled as the response has been fantastic. The FAABA
and HMS Fulmar Associations have combined to
organise a reunion of anyone and everyone who served
at RNAS Lossiemouth or HMS Fulmar in any capacity
during it's time either as a Naval Air Station or as
a Naval Unit post handing over to the RAF in 1972.
It also includes anyone serving with 849 and any RN
unit up to 1978. It will be held over the weekend of
3-5th June 2016 at the Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin and
we are taking names now as we anticipate a high take
up of rooms at the hotel and when we have "sold out"
anyone wishing to attend will have to organise their
own accommodation. The hotel has only 52 rooms but
the function room can take 180 so there is ample
scope for arranging own accommodation but still be
able to attend the reunion events. The cost
breakdown is as follows:
£140 per person includes 2 nights dinner, bed and
breakfast and use of hotel facilities.
£155 per person includes 3 nights dinner, bed and
breakfast and use of hotel facilities.
We expect that the Saturday night entertainment
which will be provided (Subject to final contract)
by the 60's and 70's group who wowed the Fulmar
club, "Johnny and the Copycats" (Full members only
FOC but guests to pay) We expect this to be about
£10 but do not have the full costs at this stage.
£8.95 per additional guest catered for Stovies
buffet Friday 3rd June, to be served in our Westray
Suite. (NON RESIDENTS ONLY)
£30 (inc Ticket as above) per additional guest
catered for dinner Saturday 4th June, held in our
Sherwood Suite. (NON RESIDENTS ONLY)
|
|
On Saturday afternoon Dave Clark has organised a
visit to the new RNAS/RAF Museum at Covesea and
anyone wishing to go to the top of the lighthouse
will be able to do so. I am also hopeful of a visit
to the WO and SNCO's Mess at RAF Lossiemouth and
ring the toofers bell we presented to the mess in
2008. |
|
Unfortunately we have just learnt that RAF
Lossiemouth are holding their Family's day on the
4th June and we will not be able to visit.
Additionally the Covesea Museum may not be finished
in time and so arrangements are being made for an
alternative venue to host the Fulmar Bell until such
time as it can be transferred to the Covesea Museum.
It will probably still be possible to visit the
Lighthouse.
Yvonne
Findlay who produced the DVD "Lossiemouth Northern
Lights" along with The newspaper "The Northern Scot"
are interested in attending our reunion to document
the event. |
|
If there is sufficient interest
it may be possible to organise a game of golf on the
Sunday at a local course overlooking the Moray
Firth. If anyone is interested in this event can you
please forward your names to myself at
finectydave@gmail.com and Brian Sharrock (our
Association Events Organiser) at
sharrockb@hotmail.co.uk at the earliest opportunity.
Do NOT try to book the hotel yourself as we have
block booked the entire hotel and arranged a special
deal for the weekend. |
| |
|
|
|
CHARITY RIDE FOR DORSET & SOMERSET
AIR AMBULANCE |
|
Les Smith (FAABA
Treasurer) completed the D&SAA Coast to Coast course
in 4.5 hours on 14th May and this is the very
unflattering look you get at the end! (Mind you it
wasn't much better at the start!) |
|
 |
|
The course is
from Watchet (Somerset) to West Bay (Dorset), a
distance of 54 miles, he says it was a great event,
well organised and well supported. He would like to
thank all who have donated for this worthy cause -
and to all those that took part for the mutual
support to get you through when them there hills
looked never ending!! He said that it was well worth
it in the end for the sense of achievement and the
money raised which goes to a good cause.
With some money still to come in he has raised a
total of £350 for the Dorset and Somerset Air
Ambulance. Total for all entrants is expected to be
around the £85k mark.
If people still wish to donate his Just Giving site,
it remains open for now. Please follow this link :-
www.justgiving.com/les-smith809 |
| |
|
|
REQUEST FOR DONATIONS
Les Smith, FAABA Treasurer, is undertaking a charity event
to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA)
and is asking if any FAABA members wish to sponsor him in
support of this worthwhile cause with donations to his
fundraising site.
The event is the Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge (C2C) which
takes place on Sunday 14th May 2017
covering the 54 miles from Watchet to West Bay.
It is an event where stabilisers must be removed from the
bike and so presents a unique challenge for one so
cumbersome and untalented. As you can see below it is also a
bit crowded at the start……
Les has set up a Just Giving website where
donations can be made, using Gift Aid if so desired.
Just log on to
www.justgiving.com/les-smith809
where donations can be made.
The site is safe, secure and straightforward but if anyone
has any problems with it then please contact him as per his
details on the FAABA website - les.smith779@talktalk.net
All donations gratefully accepted and messages of an
abusive/supportive/downright disgusting nature (delete as
appropriate) can be left there for all to see (or not if
they are that bad!).
Thanking you in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAF & ROYAL NAVAL AIR STATION
HERITAGE AND EDUCATION CENTRE AT COVESEA |
 |
|
FAABA have been notified that they are getting very
close to opening the newly built RAF and Royal Naval
Air Station Heritage and Education Centre at Covesea.
If anyone with past or present connections with the
Services at Lossie or Kinloss have any items that
they would be prepared to loan or donate they would
be eternally grateful.
They are also looking for volunteers that would be
prepared to help in staffing the Visitors Centre -
past experience is desirable but not essential. It
is more important that you have an interest, a bit
if spare time and want to meet people. |
|
_small.jpg) |
For those that haven't been to Lossiemouth
recently; the Heritage Centre lies next to the
impressive lighthouse and near to the caravan park.
It is anticipated that the HMS Fulmar Ships Bell
will be moved here at some point from the Fisheries
Museum on the Harbourside. The website for the centre can be viewed here:
http://covesealighthouse.co.uk/centre.php
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
CHARITY
DONATION TO BLIND VETERANS UK |
| There was agreement at the 2017
AGM that the money made from the raffle should be
donated if possible to a service charity. This was
eventually agreed to be "Blind Veterans UK". Members
can view the letter thanking us for our donation in
the 'members only' area using the "Association Info'
button. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
COVENTRY REUNION 2ND - 5TH JUNE
2017 |
|
Many thanks to all who attended
this year's reunion at the Royal Court Hotel, here
are two pictures to view whist we work to get all
the pictures on line. |
_small.jpg) |
| A view of the many members and
guests who enjoyed themselves at the reunion. |
 |
|
The Royal Marines Association
Dance Band |
|
Note: Click
on the images to view at Full Size |
|
|
|
VIDEOS FROM THE REUNION |
|
Alan Breward's Friday Night video
-
Click Here |
|
Brian Stanley's Brutingthorpe
Buccaneer Ground Run & Taxi Video (TBAG) -
Click Here |
|
|
|
VIEW THE IMAGES - CLICK ON PICTURES BELOW |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
|
Friday Evenings' Pictures |
Saturday Evenings' Pictures |
|
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
|
Saturday AGM & Visit to
Bruntingthorpe |
Sunday at the NMA |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The Royal Navy International Air
Day will take place on Saturday 13 July at the Royal
Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, to showcase
the Fleet Air Arm’s current and future capabilities
and historic accomplishments spanning over 100
years. As one of the busiest military airfields in
the UK and home to many aircraft operating in
front-line Squadrons and training units, the air
station’s gates will be open to an expected 40,000
visitors.
The show will include over five hours
of dazzling flying displays featuring fast jets,
historic warbirds, helicopters, formation aerobatic
display teams and role demonstrations enhanced by
spectacular pyrotechnics and flares. Some of the
world’s most capable pilots and their aircraft, both
in the air and on the ground will be on display,
providing an opportunity to see some magnificent
equipment and meet the professional personnel in a
family-friendly environment.
There are already some rare and
exciting aircraft confirmed. Watch the world’s only
flying Westland Wessex HU5 open the show; see the
Red Arrows perform one of their last UK Displays
before their tour of North America and get ready to
be blown away by the Typhoon when it ‘Brings the
Noise’. They will be joined by many other military
aircraft from around the world.
The Lithuanian Air Force will make
its UK flying display debut with an L-39C Albatros
jet trainer at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton on
Saturday 13 July. The eastern European air arm is
also reprising its popular 2018 static display
contribution with examples of the C-27J Spartan
tactical transport aircraft and Mi-8UTV Hip troop
transport/search and rescue helicopter.
This show has everything to keep the
whole family entertained. There will be a vast range
of showground attractions from the latest defence
technology exhibitions, engineering fairs and
service displays to trade stalls, arena displays,
military bands and the chance to meet pilots and
even sit in the cockpit! For the thrill seekers,
there will be simulators, fairground rides and
helicopter pleasure flights to enjoy.
For full details
on various enclosure options or to book tickets
visit
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/airday. |
|
|
|
Click on images to see full size |
|
DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICE PERSONNEL &
VETERANS |
|
Service
Personnel and Veterans are entitled to purchase
discounted Adult Tickets at £25 each (normal Advance
Price £28 and Gate Price £35). Child Tickets (aged
5-15) are available at £5 each (Gate Price £10).
Please visit the Defence Discount Service website at
www.defencediscountservice.co.uk
to
acquire the discount code and book your tickets at
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/airday
before Monday 8 July 2019. |
|
Click here to download Poster |
| |
|
|
|
THE BUCCANEER AVIATION GROUP IS
ON THE MOVE - FROM BRUNTINGTHORPE |
|
Message from Mike
Overs of TBAG.
The Buccaneer Aviation Group is very pleased to
announce that our new home will be
Cotswold Airport – Kemble |
Thank you for those who assisted us in our
Crowd-funding is now complete for TBAG’s move to
Cotswold Airport. You have been humbling....
Our Crowdfunder closed this evening (8th August) at
£25,055.
The appeal total stands at £33,786.
TBAG has always approached this challenge openly.
We have everything in place now but two
Gloucestershire Police outriders to move the jets.
We would like to share with you the spend balance
sheet as it stands tonight.
You can determine that we are showing a favourable
balance of £1600. But we still have to purchase
Employees Group Accidents Insurance which we believe
will just about balance the outgoings and the
donations.
We have a healthy cash reserve to get us up and
running at Cotswold Airport but it’s going to be a
challenge for us all. We are making the right
funding decisions to ensure we can focus on getting
the jets displaying before anything else.
TBAG have to all intents and purposes, except for
the two policeman, moved.
But the appeal is still open for donations by BACS,
Pay Pal or cheque if you still wish to. Contact
myself at
michaelovers@btinternet.com for details.
See you all soon.
Mike Overs on behalf of all us us at The Buccaneer
Aviation Group. |
|
 |
|
Please help if you can even if it is
only a small amount - it all adds up |
|
|
DAVID HIGGS - CHARITY CHALLENGE
FOR NAVY WINGS |
|
From Phil Carpenter (Fly Navy
Federation)
Gentlemen
Today, as I write, a fellow retired Naval officer is
pounding his patio in his wheelchair to raise funds
for a cause close to his heart and in memory of his
father. His name is David Higgs, son of the late
Geoff Higgs, a well respected Naval test pilot whom
many of you may well remember.
The cause, Navy Wings, along with David's effort, is
also close to our hearts but he cannot do it without
help. That is why I am writing to you today. Your
support will make a positive difference and in a
way, delivering a little is also our way of giving
thanks. And, of course, without your help the good
work does not get done.
Below is the link to David's challenge:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-higgs-10000
Thanks guys |
|
 |
| |
|
|
THE
BUCCANEER AVIATION GROUP |
|
Important message posted by The
Buccaneer Aviation Group on Facebook,
As we are sure most of our followers
are aware, there have been some major changes at
Bruntingthorpe in the last few weeks and months.
Considering this and following recent discussion
with David Walton, we as a group after 15 years plus
of residency at Bruntingthorpe are currently making
plans to be moving on to pastures new by the end of
this year. The main aim of this is too enable us to
continue to preserve and display the aircraft under
their own power in the way we want too for
everyone’s mutual enjoyment.
We are, as always very grateful to
the Walton family for being allowed residency at
Bruntingthorpe for so long and have participated in
every Cold War jets open day with at least one of
our three aircraft as part of the collection. And
have been allowed to hold many of our own events to
raise funds to allow us to maintain our aircraft and
support other Buccaneer owners and groups throughout
the U.K.
We have just completed a photo event
with the support of Timeline Events and this is
likely to be the last event we participate in at
Bruntingthorpe. Currently there are no plans for a
Cold War Jets open day in May as far as we are
aware. We are currently considering two possible
sites for a new home and this will be announced as
soon as everything is confirmed with the management
of the chosen site.
As you can imagine the cost of moving
the aircraft, two Buccaneers and a Jet provost.
Along with the ground equipment and spares cache is
significant and we are currently working with
several transport companies to make this as cost
effective as possible. Efforts to raise funds will
of course redouble in the next few weeks and months
with a blitz of social media to sell our existing
merchandise, some Rolls Royce Spey engine blades and
some other things like donated Buccaneer artwork.
There may also be a special print
available of our aircraft available soon.
Of course our Buccaneer cockpit
section XW550 is already booked for several events
this year. Abingdon Air and Country show being the
first. All events we are attending will be announced
via our Facebook page; so please, please. visit us
at these events, buy some merchandise there or Via
our Facebook page to help us safeguard the future of
the jets in our new home.
If you have any questions,
suggestions and/or would like to offer support with
regards to The Buccaneer Aviation Groups planned
move please contact us via our Facebook page or
website and we will respond as soon as possible. |
| |
|
|
CHARITY
DONATION TO BLIND VETERANS UK 2019 |
|
Carl Jordan has recently been well
enough to visit the Blind Serviceman's Charity and
present the latest cheque from the Buccaneer
Association; see photos below and the linked copies of the certificate and letter of
appreciation
Well done to all those who donated or
took part in the raffle at the reunion and the great decision to
donate to this worthy charity. Click on the images
below to view the original documents. |
|
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
|
|
|
|
CARL
JORDAN |
| Carl has
written to the Association Chairman (Brian Stanley)
to say he was diagnosed last Tuesday (4th Dec) with
a rapid onset terminal cancer, (he described it as
similar to what got Freddie Mercury) Brian, like all
of us was shocked to hear it but pleased he called
to update us nonetheless. Evidently it attacks the
already depleted immune system; there is only
palliative care and no forecast of how long he will
last. He asked for Brian to pass it on and hopes
that people will be able to call/email while he can
respond.
Best wishes Carl. |
| |
|
|
|
JIMMY ANDREWS & DON OLIVER |
| Jimmy is now back at home resting
with the support of his family; he has asked that
friends refrain from contacting him at present as he
needs a period of rest to recover.
At the same time another of the FGC
(Don Oliver) has migrated to the Queen Alexandra
hospital in Portsmouth to have an investigation into
his health. His partner Paquita Wood has asked that
we let his friends know that he is in ward F2 if you
wish to contact him.
We wish both of these guys a full
recovery. |
|
HMS GANGES -
FROBISHER CLASS F790 - 60TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION |
|
Click
on image to enlarge |
|
Nigel Garbett is hoping to arrange a
60th Anniversary Class reunion sometime next year
and would like further names/contact details of the
missing names, or details of the named persons on
the photo. FAABA Members may well recognise and be
familiar with some of the lads. Before I try the
Navy News or National Papers etc. I would like to
gauge support I might have from FAABA Members first.
We would all be in our 73/74 age range now, a bit of
a long shot, but lets see what happens. Many thanks
in advance, Nigel.
Please email any responses to
philglover@faaba.co.uk with your contact details
and I will pass the information on to Nigel. |
|
|
|
CORONATION OF THEIR MAJESTIES
KING CHARLES III AND QUEEN CAMILLA - VETERAN
OPPORTUNITY
|
|
Remembrance Events
remembranceevents@britishlegion.org.uk
Message from the RBL
Remembrance Events Team
Good afternoon
The Royal British Legion is honoured, on
behalf of the Department for Culture, Media
& Sport, to offer our veteran community a
limited number of tickets to observe part of
the ceremonial procession for the Coronation
of Their Majesties King Charles III and
Queen Camilla on Saturday 6 May 2023.
The tickets will allocate you and a guest
seats within the Grandstand situated by the
Queen Victoria Memorial, which will be an
excellent viewpoint for the processions and
military manoeuvres, as well as a view of
the balcony and flypast.
• Estimated timings below.
o 06:30 - Gates open
o 08:30 - All attendees must be seated
o 09:00 – Military movements begin
o 14:30 – End of event
Please note it will be a long day, sitting
outside with no opportunity to exit and
re-enter the grandstand zone once inside.
You are of course free to leave early should
you wish. There will be toilets, water, and
refreshment facilities within the zone to
purchase food and drink, you can bring your
own food and drink. We recommend you bring
sunhats, sunglasses, umbrellas as the
grandstand is a fully open tiered seating
structure.
There will be audio of the ceremony
available over speakers, but no large
screens to view the service.
Those that are successful will receive a
confirmation email week commencing 17 April
directly from the event organiser.
An entry ticket (a QR code and optional
print-at-home PDF) will then be sent to the
same email addresses 1 week before the
event. This will contain full joining
instructions including walking routes,
confirmed timings and what to bring.
|
|
To submit your application please complete
details of the main ticket holder only via
the link below (each submission will include
a guest ticket) by 4pm Thursday 13 April. |
|
Coronation of Their Majesties
King Charles III and Queen Camilla - Veteran
Opportunity |
|
Please note this is not a Royal British
Legion event and we are unable to answer any
queries. Further joining instructions will
accompany your confirmation email.
Best wishes
The Remembrance Events Team |
| |
|
|
ROYAL NAVAL BENEVOLENT TRUST CARE HOME,
ADMIRAL JELLICOE HOUSE, PORTSMOUTH |
|
From Jim Moulson at the
36th Meeting of the FNF.
The new 66 bed Care Home for RN/RM
Veterans and their dependents is nearing completion
and will include Residential, Nursing and a Dementia
wing. The practical completion date is 31 March,
there is then a 4 week period of “snagging” and
subsequent rectification.
The formal handover of the Home will
be on 25th April, that is fully fitted out with the
specialist equipment and furnishings and the
exterior including the landscaping will also be
completed.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC)
application was submitted on 1st March and a formal
inspection of the building and processes has been
requested for 6th June. It is hoped that the Home
will be open to residents in Mid June, which is very
impressive considering the groundwork's only
commenced about 18 months ago.
The majority of key positions have
been filled, with a good percentage being ex RN,
including the Deputy home manager, the Facilities
manager and Training manager along with 200
expressions of interest for other employment.
There have also been 40+ expressions
of interest for residents, they are mainly from
Hants/West Sussex but there have been others from
out of area such as Newscastle, Scotland, Lincoln
and other areas.
So the message is please let your
members know what a great facility this is, you may
also know of other Vets who may be in need of care
and thinking of going into care, spread the word,
remember they will be living with like minded
people. To find out more or arrange a visit
www.rnbt.org.uk/ajh
Jim Moulson MBE
Chairman FAAA |
|
|
|
|
|
PHOTOS FROM 2022 ELGIN REUNION |
|
 |
| If you attended the recent
reunion at the Mansefield Hotel at Elgin, held over
the weekend 7/8/9th October follow the hyperlink in
this picture to the 2022 Reunion page. Even if you
didn't attend take a chance to see how it went. The
Hotel was 4 star so most people were very satisfied
although some areas were better than others. |
| |
|
|
 |
|
FAA MEMORIAL AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM |
|
From: Phil Carpenter, Secretary of the Fly Navy
Federation
I would like to say a massive thank you on behalf of
the Fly Navy Federation to everyone involved in the
project to add a second row of plinths to the FAA
Memorial at the NMA. It has now been completed, and
looks absolutely superb.
That includes all of the planning, funding, design,
oversight, and then hard work by Natural Cut Stone
to complete the work. And thanks in particular to
Alan Breward for overseeing the work on site over
the past few weeks on behalf of the Federation.
As you may have seen from the link below sent by
Alan, the second row of plinths fits in with the
original design brilliantly. It all looks as new,
and will ensure many more decades of enjoyment,
remembrance and commemoration for FAA-related
visitors to the NMA.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/oldbrews/c61Q7w
It was a superb monument before this work, and now
it has been given an extra lease of life and
longevity.
Although these projects take time, the pictures are
testament to the benefit of working together as a
Federation:
All Of One Company
Regards,
Phil Carpenter
Secretary
Fly Navy Federation |
| |
|
|
|
REPLY FROM THE ROYAL
FAMILY ON RECEIPT OF BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION
CARD (AFTER THE LOSS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II) |
|
The FAABA Secretary sent an
Association card to the palace on the death
of the Queen and inserted a photo of the
King sat in the back of a Bucc prior to
launch. We have no doubt it is one of
thousands of the same letter but at least we
had a warm reply. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
ATTENDEES AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL FOR 2023
REUNION 2-5 JUNE |
|
Robin would like to thank
those members who kindly thanked the
committee, Hilary & I by email post the
reunion. Many thanks going to all members of
the committee for everything they do to make
the reunion the success that it was.
Including Hilary (Sec’s PA). |
|
if anyone had any issues
(that are worth making a noise about!) about
the 2023 reunion weekend or anyone with any
bright ideas for next year that won't cost a
lot of money or time! Apart from that, we
all had a great time and look forward to
seeing all those that couldn't make it this
year in 2024. |
|
I can confirm that next year
the FAABA Reunion will be held over the
weekend of Friday 14, 15, 16 June 2024 at
the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry. These dates
are a little later as there is a large Asian
Wedding taking place the previous week. The
beginning of June is a Bank Holiday so I
wish to avoid that.
Thank you all for your attendance this year
at what a lot of you have told me was the
best so far. The reunion would be nothing
without your everyone’s attendance so please
make the effort to come along and make next
year even better. |
|
.jpg) |
|
_small.jpg) |
_small.jpg) |
|
_small.jpg) |
_small.jpg) |
|
Click on the smaller images
to see larger size - All pictures available
full size in "Photos on Web" |
|
|
|
BLIND VETERANS DONATION BY
FAABA 2023 |
|
Attached is a copy of the letter from
the Blind Veterans Association regarding the
donation of £1000 we sent post the Annual General
Meeting towards their new Rustington Centre near
Littlehampton, Sussex. The centre will be open at
the beginning of September. |
|
 |
|
Click on the image above to see
larger PDF of letter |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_small.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)