Branch Circular 1-25

(01) THE 2025 ANNUAL CATTERICK REDEDICATION SERVICES 10 MAY 25. (MARNE BARRACKS & RAF REGT CHAPEL)

The 2025 Annual Catterick Rededication Services at Marne Barracks and at RAF Regt Chapel, St Anne’s Church, Catterick Village. The Services will be completed by 14.00. The organisation for both events, will be led by the Catterick Branch Committee.

Rededication Service at Marne Barracks HQ (formerly the Regiment Depot at Catterick): 11:30 hrs on 10th May 2025
Rededication Service at the RAF Regiment Chapel, St Ann’s Church, Catterick Village: 13:00 hrs on 10th May 2025
Buffet reception at Catterick Golf Club 15:00 hrs

Anyone wishing to attend the service at Marne Bks should e-mail, their details to darenicky@gmail.com including names and car registration. ID will be required at the MGR

Following the Rededication of the Regt Chapel at St Ann’s, Attendees are invited to Catterick Garrison Golf course for a hot buffet lunch. 55 Places are available for a hot buffet lunch and will be at a first come first serve basis at a cost of £17.50 per head.

Anyone who would like to secure a place/places for the hot buffet, please respond by the 25th April 25 to darenicky@gmail.com

Any Branch Standards wishing to attend either or both events please let Merv Ashe, (Catterick), at, merv662@aol.com, know by the 1st May. All other attendees are welcome to gather at their leisure at the Bay Horse in Catterick Village where food will be available at your own expense.

(02) THE ANNUAL CORPS MEMORIAL GARDEN COMMEMORATION SERVICE (NMA)- SAT 28 JUN 25

The Annual Corps Memorial Garden Commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum will be held on Armed Forces Day, Saturday 28 Jun 25. The Service will commence at 12:30 for 13:00. It is planned that The King’s Colour for the RAF Regt will be paraded and a route lining will be provided by Trainee Gunners from RAF Honington. Entry to the NMA is free but attendees will need to pre-book parking online before travelling. The weather is likely to be very hot and those planning to attend are advised to wear suitable hot weather clothing and self-provide adequate liquid refreshments. However, there are choices of commercial food and refreshment stalls located within the NMA. Branches wishing to parade their Standards are requested to register with Merv Ashe, (Catterick), at merv662@aol.com by 01 Jun 25. Further details will be issued in due course.

(03) THE RAF REGIMENT ASSOCIATION 2025 AGM/REUNION AT THE SAVOY BLACKPOOL

The RAF Regt Assoc published the details of the 2025 AGM/Reunion at Blackpool in the latest Flash magazine. A full programme of events will be published nearer the date. Members wishing to attend, are requested to book only using the order form provided in the Flash Magazine. (Click here to download the booking form ). Please be aware, that using any internet 3rd party booking platforms will incur surcharges at the end of the stay. The hotel accepts card payments or bank transfers for payments. Please contact the hotel in the first instance to register your booking and a reference number for your payments.

For further information please contact the Reunion Coordinator, Mick Schultz, at rafregt.eventcoord@gamil.com

(04) ANNUAL RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP- REMINDER

Annual membership payments of £12:00 are due on 01 Apr 25.

For further advice please contact Keith O’Sullivan rafregt.membership@gmail.com. Online payments can be made collectively by branches, or by individuals (denoting your membership No & postcode as reference), to the following bank details. RAF Regt Assoc- Sort code 82-12-08 – A/C No.10012754. Cheque should be drawn to “RAF Regiment Association” and posted with membership no details to, Membership Secretary, RAF Regt Association, 50 Healey House, Holland Grove, London, SW9 6NF. Please do not send cash by post.

(05) REPEAT NOTICE- VACANCY FOR NATIONAL SECRETARY / NATIONAL TREASURER

National Secretary (Interim & Full Term Posts)

Nominations/Applications required by:-

28th February 2025 to hold the Interim Post until October 2025 AGM and by 30th August 2025 to hold the Full Term Post for 3 years.

The current National Secretary will be leaving the post effective 31st March 2025, The vacancy will be filled by a selected Interim Nominee in the period between 1st April 2025 and the October AGM at Blackpool.

1 The RAF Regiment Association National Management Committee (NMC) are receiving nominations/applications for the Interim Post closing date 28th February 2025. This post will be filled from the applicants by the NMC.

2. Nominations/Applications for the Full-Term Post WEF October 2025 AGM are required by no later than 30th August 2025. This post will be selected by national ballot at the AGM.

Applicants should attach a cover letter detailing their experience and suitability for the role, stating which term(s) they wish to be considered for. Details of the role and responsibilities are available on request from the current National Secretary by email.

All applications will be reviewed by the NMC and an email ballot will be sent out to the membership to select the new National Secretary at the 2025 AGM. The successful candidate will be fully briefed by the current National Secretary who will remain available for advice and guidance until the AGM at Blackpool.

National Treasurer

Nominations/Applications required by 31st March 2025 to hold the post for 3 years

The current Treasurer will be leaving the post effective 31st March 2026, the new Treasurer will take post 1st April 2026. This is due to the exigencies of the Financial Year.

The RAF Regiment Association National Management Committee (NMC) are receiving applications for the role, closing date 31st March 2025.

Applicants should attach a cover letter detailing their experience and suitability for the role. Details of the role and responsibilities are available on request from the National Secretary by email.

All applications will be reviewed by the NMC and an email ballot will be sent out to the membership to select the new Treasurer at the 2025 AGM.
The successful candidate will be fully briefed by the current Treasurer re-protocols and systems used including SAGE accounting and online banking.

** Note: If the NMC receive only one nomination or application for each of the above posts, the nominee or applicant will by default take over the role that they have applied for. This will be ratified at the October 2025 AGM without further votes being required.

It is imperative therefore that anyone considering nominating/applying for either of these two posts gets their name forwarded to the NMC with the associated covering letter by no later than the deadlines stated above in each case.

(06) NOTICE CENTURION DINNER CLUB INVITATION- 29 MARCH 25 AT VICTORY SERVICES CLUB

RAF Regt Assoc of RAF Regt WOs & SNCOs’ Centurion Dinner Club at the Victory Services Club on Saturday 29 March 2025 (including the Tower of London invite on Friday 28 March). We are been advised the guest list is now being firmed up, and bills are being paid, therefore please don’t delay purchasing your ticket. Payment at the beginning of February would be appreciated. Click here to see full details, including contact details.

(07) 2025 ANNUAL NMC SOCIAL & COMMS MEETING CANCELLATION

This year’s annual Social & Comms Meeting planned for 21/22 Nov 25, has been cancelled. Future dates, content and format of the meetings is currently under NMC review, however, the dates are likely to be in March of the following years.

(08) STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL SECRETARY

Dear all,

I stand down as National Secretary of the RAF Regiment Association, effective 31 March 2025. Frankly, my departure is long overdue! The Trustees of the Association will start the replacement process very soon.

Over the past 32 years, I have held various roles in the Association(s), including Membership-Sec, Reunion- Coordinator, and of course by default, the editorship of the Flash magazine. Additionally, I was a member of the Corps Memorial Garden Executive Council. It has been a fascinating chapter of my life, working across what were then 28 Association branches, serving with seven National Chairmen, and an untold number of volunteers. It has been a privilege and an honour to play a minuscule part in promoting the Association, and the Corps that gave me the skills to embrace every life opportunity on my journey. It has also been an absolute pleasure engaging with serving personnel over the past three decades, including CGs, their ever-helpful PAs, senior officers, warrant officers and SNCOs, all of whom selflessly supported the Association, its members, and the wider Regiment family.

My heartfelt thank you, to all members and friends, for your support, and of course the indelible memories, that I take with me! Please continue to support YOUR Association. I wish the Chairman, the Trustees, the National Management Committee (NMC), members, and the amazing volunteers across our Association, all the very best for the future.

Per Ardua,
Frank Xavier

Response from The Chairman

For the past few weeks, I have known that it has been Franks’ intent to stand down after a long and dedicated service to the Association in various roles. He has been a continual bedrock for the Association for so long now that he cannot be anything other than sorely missed. Typically, Frank has continued to work alongside the NMC right until the end of his tenure as National Secretary, and in doing so has ensured that a seamless handover can take place. His post is vacant from 1st April 2025 and an Interim Nat Sec will be appointed from those who have expressed an interest with effect from that date until the AGM in October where a full vote will take place to install his successor. Whoever it is, they will have taken on a demanding and sometimes thankless job which has been admirably filled by Frank for so long. I wish Frank and his family all the very best for their future and a sincere thanks for all that Frank has done for the RAF Regiment Association, Stand down Frank and take a richly deserved rest, Per Ardua.

Paul Grimley

Ends (28/01/25)