Royal Air Force Police Association
London Home Counties Branch
Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting held
London District WOs & Sgts Mess
Wellington Barracks
London
3rd December 2009
The Chairman opened the meeting at 1920hrs and welcomed the attendees, especially those attending for the first time, who were invited to introduce themselves. He apologized for the late start which was caused by traffic congestion in W London.
1 Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting Sep 09. Accepted as a true record. There were no matters arising.
2 Secretary/Correspondence. Keith Adams said we welcomed the following new Members since Sep: Stuart Logan, Archie Bullard, Bernard King, Steve Inglis, Peter Hunt, Ralph Williams. Branch Membership figures appear above. Sadly, we lost CT Coleman, Farnham, in Oct. Our Website is fully up and running, receiving c9000hits in the quarter. There is a new contact (FS Al Honer) for 'goodie' parcels for Afghanistan. An info sheet is attached for LHC Members wishing to send parcels. Parcels MUST be addressed to a named person on unit strength, not a post. Please note we have been requested by PMWO NOT to send parcels in the immediate run up to Christmas. With extra items from families etc, it can overload the postal service in theatre. Please resume after the festive period. Tony Lake, Assn Treas, has received the Alan Rusling Award 2009 for his work for the Assn. The 'Snowdrop'/RMPA Joint Commemoration at the NMA Alrewas will be held on 3 Mar 2010. Contact Bernard Lamb/John Curtis (or Keith Br Sec) for more info.
3 Treasurer. Keith Christian said that the current balance (26/11) was £1647 (£864/08). However, it was inflated due to London Reunion fees held awaiting invoice. True balance was c£813, a healthy position.
4 Chairman. Alan Shaw gave an account of how we came to be at Wellington Barracks on the demise of Rochester Row. The RMPA had also relocated to Wellington Barracks. However, on arrival this evening we were found to be 'double booked' in the Mess - with the RAPC Assn which has met there for years on the same quarterly nights as we do. The Mess Manager apologised profusely for the oversight. Alan put the situation to the Members and after discussion it was agreed the best course of action would be for the LHC Br to reschedule its dates. The Members subsequently agreed to reschedule our meetings to the SECOND THURSDAY in the same months, Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec. See box below. Alan gave details of the scheduled activities and visits planned for 2010. Please see boxes below for more info. Alan gave a brief account of the situation regarding the registration of the RAFPA name and badge with the Intellectual Property Office to prevent others from using it for commercial gain. Because the original badge was approved by The Royal College of Heraldry on behalf of HM Queen, and as we are an unincorporated ex-military assn, it also requires the approval of The Lord Chamberlain. This whole process, undertaken on behalf of the Assn by Alan, has been very complicated and prolonged and will cost in excess of £1,000. The Nat Exec has agreed the expenditure as absolutely necessary and the case will be presented to the AGM in Apr 10.
5 NoteBook Editor. Gerry Hopkins said an edition will be published before Christmas. He apologises in advance, because some copies will have 'blue spots' on the cover caused by a faulty laser printer cartridge. It would be uneconomical to reprint them. Gerry still asks members for material to publish but when sending photos please include name(s) and a description of the occasion. Please see box below.
6 London Reunion Brenda Peake gave an account of the Oct reunion. Initially, she thought it went well, but subsequently became aware that a number of attendees were dissatisfied with their (choice of) meal. As a result she had been in correspondence with the management of the VSC who assured her that all the constituents were sourced from known, established suppliers; some had been used for a number of years without complaint. Nevertheless the VSC, not wishing to lose us as a long standing customer, offered a discount of 10% should we book for 2010. After discussion it was agreed that Brenda would do so but would liaise closely with the management on the menus and constituents. For most the evening was enjoyable with a superb raffle. Ellen Christian, our Treasurer's wife, had acquired a large number of really excellent prizes, which were augmented by donations from attendees. Our sincere thanks to Brenda and Ellen for all their hard work in making it so successful and to those who donated prizes. The raffle proceeds, c£200 will be donated to 'Help for Heroes'. Brenda will provide details in due course for the next re-union which will take place in Oct 2010.
7 AOB Richard Smith proposed that the Branch Standard be dedicated to one of the Branch's prominent members, Lord Peter Imbert a former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Lieutenant of London and SAC/A/Cpl/Pd RAFP(QPD). Peter, who was present, accepted the honour and the applause and good wishes of the Members. Peter Clark, said that he had been posted to RAF Hopton (Assn re-union at Hopton in 2010) as a young radar mech 'many years ago' but thought the place would have changed somewhat. Tom Maddox said he had seen a red/black striped tie worn on the Cenotaph parade which impressed him as being prominent. Alan advised that although the tie was available through the Association, it was not approved to be worn when on parade representing the Assn. Ralph and Coleen Williams suggested that prior to our meetings Members stood for a few moments in silence in memory of those no longer with us. The Chairman acknowledged this was a most appropriate suggestion and agreed we would do so from the next meeting. Richard Smith advised that Tony Lake laid a wreath on behalf of the Assn at Wootton Bassett in Nov. Branch members from the Oxford area regularly represent the Assn at the John Radcliffe Hospital when deceased from Afghanistan are taken there for post mortems.
8 On behalf of the Members, Brian Sutton expressed their thanks to the Officers and Committee for all their hard work during what had been a difficult year, which was much appreciated.
9 The Raffle made £85. Alan thanked Ellen Christian for sourcing 37 prizes, the other donors and the ladies involved. Keith Christian will add this to the receipts from the London Re-union Raffle and round the figure to £300 being donated by the Branch to 'Help for Heroes'.
10 Date/Time/Location of Next Meeting Thu 11 Mar 10 - 1900 for 1930. London District WOs & Sgts Mess, Wellington Barracks, (entrance in) Petty France, London SW1. PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE.
11 The meeting closed at 2140. Members then socialised.
Branch Website www.rafpalhc.co.uk
Webmaster superchimp@ntlworld.com (Ian Alexander)
Branch Subscriptions. The full branch membership subscription of £5pa is due 1 Jan 10. A payment form is enclosed. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Royal Air Force Police Association LHC Branch'. A Branch Associate subscription of £3pa. is also due 1 Jan 10. Please send to the Branch Treasurer. Please note that Branch Subscribed Members will receive a copy the NoteBook. Non Subscribed Members will receive minutes only. All are naturally eligible to partake in all meetings/activities. The Treasurer holds application forms for Veteran's Badges. Please apply to him.
Association AGM-10 Apr 10. Potters Leisure Resort Hopton on Sea Norfolk NR31 9BX. Various accommodation packages available. Contact: 01502 730345 - RAFPA Weekend
The NoteBook. Members are urged to submit suitable material, whether it is service or civilian activity orientated, for The NoteBook. Gerry the Editor needs more articles and photos for the next issues. If sending photos please provide an account of scene, names etc for Gerry.
It's your magazine - please send in something for publication! Material returned if requested.
Branch Website - needs your input! Submit your material direct to the Sec or Webmaster. A personal profile, photos, stories, hobbies - anything legal and entertaining welcome! If you register Webmaster will email you with info on updates. Find us at www.rafpalhc.co.uk
FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES CONTACT ALAN SHAW ASAP. Contact details above.
NATO HQ NORTHWOOD - return visit - 26 Jan 10. Lunch in Mess (pay on day). Own transport - vehicle details to be registered. Formal visit - Blazer/beret. Suit/jacket otherwise please.
THE MAGIC CIRCLE - 12 Stephenson Way Euston London 1900/1930 2 Feb 10 c3hours entertainment £34pp includes, drinks, refreshments, history of Circle and full 'Magic Show' in 'The House of 10,000 Secrets'. Public parking nearby. Closing date for reservations 8 Jan 10.
RMPA Annual Church Parade, HM Tower of London, 0930 7 Feb 10. Members who wish to march should wear RAFPA white beret/badge, blazer/badge, tie & full size medals. Family and friends welcome. You all get free entry to HMToL for the day. A buffet is usually available in the Yeomen Warders' Club. (Pay on day.) Parking available.
ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA and NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM 0945/1000 29 Apr 10. Conducted tour of the RH followed by lunch (choose & pay on day), presentation (of general interest) and visit to NAM. Small charge for RH tour depending on numbers attending. NAM free.
IGHTHAM MOTE Visit to NT Property 13 May 10 c5miles from Sevenoaks, Kent. (Arranged by Brian Sutton.) Own transport. Admission charges for 2010 to be confirmed. Entry c£10. Coffee/biscuits c£3.50, Lunch in restaurant; dishes fm c£5-£10. Tour of house £3pp.
RAF STATION NORTHOLT & BFPO HQ. 0930/1000 15 Jun 10. Tour of Station, inc BFPO, RAFP Dog Section, etc. Free. Lunch in Mess (pay on day). Possible extension to BoB Sector Control Room at RAF Uxbridge. Own transport. Vehicles to be registered. Tube - Ruislip Gardens (5mins).
VACANCY. Keith Christian will be retiring and moving away from London after our 2010 AGM at which he intends to resign as Treasurer (after 'many' years!).The Branch will, therefore, need a new treasurer. If you are interested in helping to run your Branch in this important post please contact either Alan Shaw or Keith Adams. Treasurer is one of the mandatory posts we must fill to operate as a Branch.
NEW MEETING DATES As a result of the clash in meeting nights in the new venue (see mins) the LHC Branch will CHANGE its meeting night TO the SECOND THURSDAY in the (same) MONTHS of MAR/JUN/SEP/DEC. Meetings will continue to commence at 1900 for 1930 (AGM 1830 for 1900). The NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON 11 MAR 10 at 1900/1930 in the London District WOs & Sgts Mess, Wellington Barracks, (Petty France entrance), Victoria, London SW1. Mainline Stn - Victoria. Tube - Victoria/St James's Park.
QUEENS GOLDEN JUBILEE MEDAL (Commemorative). The British Fire Services Assn has issued this medal for personnel who were overlooked for the official Jubilee Medal. The issuing mint was granted permission to strike this medal for distribution. It is available from the BFSA. Full size: £35 inc p&p: Miniature £16.50 inc p&p. If you are interested please contact Frank Turner in the first instance, contact details in top box above.
