Newsletter No24 September/October 2009

How time flies. It does not seem two minutes since plans were being finalised for the Battle of Britain Parade & Service & Yorkshire Air Museum, and receiving the new Chief of the Air Staff in to our midst, but it has come and gone. What an absolutely wonderful day it was too, with over 400 on Parade, including 275 Air Training Cadets, and a Service backdrop that some would die for - the Halifax Friday 13th in the T2 Hangar. On top of everything, the first presentation of the Young Person of the Year took place, with four very proud Cadets being presented to the CAS. The March Past was fantastic to see - so many people on parade - the largest the Museum has had in its time. Then to cap it all off, after the Sunset Ceremony, to have the BBMF Hurricane and Spitfire do their stuff, was an absolute joy to behold, at the end of a superb day. When's the next one? Well, whilst John Allison will not be Project Officer next year he is still involved with the organisation, and it will take place on Sunday 5th September. John has been asked to be Joint Project Officer for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Parade and Service in York and York Minster, which is to take place on Sunday September 19th. He will be working with a team from RAF Linton on Ouse, something he is used to with his involvement with other events that take place on the base. Don't forget, put both dates in your diary, and make both events ones that will be remembered for years to come.

We still appear to be struggling to find someone to take on the Secretarial role for the Region. The present Secretary has now resorted to sending an appeal letter to all the Region Chairmen to try and resolve the situation. Without a Secretary the Region would be in some difficulty, particularly when one considers it is now in its 50th year of existence. Some people may think that there is no place for Regions, but there are some very active Regions throughout the UK. Y(E)R has a good record for its pro active systems, and with the Service & Parade back on the scene, plus the Annual Lunch, also some very active Delegates, its future seems secure - BUY - where are we to find the next Secretary??

Whilst there has been a slight setback with the Region Lunch in 2010, the organisers, John Allison and Cyril Shreeve are still confident that it will go ahead as planned, on Sunday 18th April 2010. Please pass on the information to your members, and come along and support the event. The maximum number the Golf Club can take is 70. Cost of the Dinner and the Menu are to be determined, but will be given out as soon as possible. Any enquiries please to John or Cyril.

The RAF Presentation Team event scheduled to take place at the Yorkshire Air Museum on Thursday 22nd October has been cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances - the event will be rescheduled for sometime during 2010.

The Region will hold its Standard Bearer competition at RAF Linton on Ouse at its January Meeting date of 23rd January. Drill will possibly be given by the Station Warrant Officer - have you any memories of SWO's folks?. Fred Dawson is an excellent Warrant. Please support the competition and the winner could go forward for the Area Competition at the Area Conference 2010, which takes place in Hull.

Most Branches in our Region must be organising something, or have just put on an event of some kind. Then why not publicise the event on your own Web Site. It makes sense. If it is a forthcoming event, then the date(s) need to also go on the Web Site, who knows there may be other Branches in the Area that just could be interested. Send your news to John Allison, who will send it through to the webmaster.

Chris Naylor is one of the Northern Area Fundraisers who is working very hard for you, and will help you where ever he possibly can, with equipment, right up to a Marquee. Don't forget, John Allison holds the range of equipment that can be used for your fundraising efforts. Please use it your benefit, by ringing Chris or John and placing your dates in the diary.

Every good wish