1. CORPS’ 80/100 ANNIVERSARY
The Association Chairman, Rob Finlayson, and members of the National Management Committee, like to wish all our members, past and present, and currently serving personnel a Happy Formation Day, as we celebrate 80 years of Glorious Service, (1942-2022), please join us for the various planned Association events throughout this special year.
2. THE 2022 ANNUAL RAF REGIMENT CHAPEL REDEDICATION SERVICE
The 2022 Annual RAF Regiment Chapel Rededication Service will take place at St Anne’s Church, Catterick Village, at 13.00 on Saturday 14th May 22. The Service should be completed by 14.00.
After the Service, the National Management Committee, on behalf of the Commandant General, invites all Chapel Commemoration attendees to join them for a Reception, which will be held at the Catterick Golf Club from 14.30 – 17.00. The Club is located approximately 6 miles away (a 15 min drive) in Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3QE. The facilities may be viewed on the Club’s website at http://www.catterickgolfclub.co.uk. However, please book only through the National Secretary and not direct with the Golf Club. The reception will be for those who have registered their attendance and paid in advance. There will be a charge of £10.00 per person to attend, which is a discounted price for Association members. Non-members, and all those registering after 2nd May, may also attend at a cost of £12.00 per person. If you wish to attend the Reception at the Golf Club, please complete the form (Click Here) and mail it, no than 2nd May to ensure a place. There is no need to register attendance at the Commemoration Service itself.
3. INTERVIEW CALL NOTICE FOR VETERANS OF 1st GULF WAR.
The Corps is planning to interview former RAF Regiment personnel as part of this year’s anniversary celebrations. Our Chairman, Rob Finlayson, is a Veteran’s Rep on the 80/100th Committee, and each Rep/Group has been tasked with leading the production of a number of short videos/podcasts for the historical and contemporary part of the Corps history. He is been tasked with covering the 1st Gulf War (the Liberation of Kuwait) and wishes to get an insight into the war from those that took part. The plan is to interview (Via Zoom or Face to Face) suitable veterans from each of the Wings and Squadrons (incl. 4001 Flt), to get a timeline of the events, from what they experienced. If you would be interested in taking part in this production, the Chairman would be delighted to get in touch with you for an interview and or if you have experience in producing social media comms, he will also gab any help there as well! Please email Rob Finlayson at robffinlayson@gmail.com and head your email 1st Gulf War Interview. Thank you in advance.
4. THE ASSOCIATION 2022 AGM/REUNION
The Association is pleased to announce the 2022 AGM/Reunion plans particularly as we will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Formation of the Corps. The NMC has negotiated a keen price and booked the entire hotel. The Allerton Court Hotel, Northallerton, near Catterick, will be our venue for the AGM and Reunion. Dates are, Friday 12 Aug to 14 Aug 2022. The dates fall the same as VJ weekend. It will give us an opportunity to combine both our 80th Anniversary and the VJ celebrations together. Suitable entertainment and commemoration events are in the planning stages. The hotel is fully booked and does not take any bookings directly. Please use the booking form attached to reserve your places. We would advise you that you take early action to avoid disappointment.
5. FALKLANDS ISLANDS MEMORIAL CHAPEL – 40TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Islands, (FI), Conflict, there will be a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in the FI Memorial Chapel (FIMC) at Pangbourne College, near Reading, at 12:00 on Sunday 12th June 2022. While families of the Fallen will take precedence, the event is open to RAF Regiment veterans at the annual Service. Presence in the South Atlantic in 1982 is no pre-requisite. Approximately 1,000 guests are expected and the Service is always a moving/rousing event, but for many attendees, it is also an opportunity for a reunion. The FIMC Trustees provide a finger buffet and bar. The RAF Regt – through the Centurion Fund/Corps Memorial Garden – has commissioned a commemorative plaque that will be installed in the FIMC Garden, accompanying plaques from other units that participated in OP CORPORATE. The event would therefore be a good opportunity to review and ‘dedicate’ the Corps plaque. Attendance at the FI 40th Anniversary Service will be by direct application only. The application form is posted on the website at https://falklands-chapel.org.uk/. Early application is advised and attendees may be accompanied. Previous FIMC Services may be viewed on the FIMC website.
Per Ardua,
Frank Xavier,
Nat Sec,
RAF Regt Assoc