ROYAL AIR FORCE & DEFENCE FIR

WHAT'S NEW

RAF Fire & Rescue Service Memorial Fund

The control of this fund was transferred from WO Mark Gray to me, as Treasurer of the RAF&Defence Fire Service Association, early this year.

The fund has been held in an account with Holts, Military Banking, Farnborough Branch, a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland, for some years, and will remain so.

This account is totally independent of the RAF&DFSA and will remain so until it is required to pay for a Memorial to all RAF Fire Fighters some time in the future. Only one cheque will ever be issued on this account, and that will be in payment for the Memorial. The RAF&DFSA Accounts are held with Barclays in Cambridge and are totally separate from the Memorial Fund.

On taking over as custodian of the account I found it was held in a savings account attracting only 0.01% interest. This was quickly changed, The account was transferred to Holts, RBS Liquidity Manager 95 day Notice Account. This account is now attracting 0.6%. Not a lot, but the best they offer.

On the transfer of the account to my control the funds stood at £7,328.96. Since taking over the account earlier this year a number of additions have been made including interest.

From the RAF & Defence Fire Service Association ( RAF&DFSA ) £735.80 from raffles held at last October's AGM and this year's Social Weekend in March. £630 as a donation from the friends and family of the late Ken Bowden and £220 from the family and friends of the late David Stevenson.

On 30th June 2014 the Memorial Fund Account balance was £8,935.66. ( an increase of 22.1% this year alone).

Full accounts will be available for viewing at every RAF & DFSA AGM. If anyone wishes to view the bank statements at any time, this can be arranged with me at the address below. Accounts will also be included in each edition of Flashpoint magazine.

The Association already has many serving members and we welcome new members, either serving or retired.

It is the RAF&DFSA's intention to continue to fully support this most worthy cause for the benefit of all Past, Present and Future members of the RAF Fire Service.

While I am the administrator / custodian of this account, I am more than happy to have representation from the RAF who I can liaise with on an ongoing basis for serving personnel . To this end, Steve Bowden is making some enquiries.

Trevor Hayes

2 Gypsy Lane

Hunton Bridge

KIngs Langley

Hertfordshire

WD4 8PR

Tel 01923 331975

e mail trevor.hayes3@ntlworld.com

Treasurer RAF&DFSA

and

Custodian of the RAF Fire and Rescue Service Memorial Fund

Remembrance Day Parade 2012

Asbestos

Not exactly new but important nonetheless. This information was received recently and should be read by all:

Firefighters are at risk of asbestos exposure because of its frequent use in older structures and its ability to linger in the air even after a fire has been extinguished. Mesothelioma Web has been one of the most comprehensive sites on asbestos and mesothelioma for over ten years, providing information and support to those who have been exposed to asbestos.

For more information, please visit the Mesothelioma Web website. There you can sign up to receive a free information packet about asbestos and mesothelioma, and there is a phone number for you to call, where you can speak with a Mesothelioma Web coordinator. There is also a page designed especially for firefighters: Information on Mesothelioma for Firefighters

Queen's Golden Jubilee (Commemorative) Medal

The Queen's Golden Jubilee (Commemorative) medal is now available from from British Fire Services Association

The medal is available at a cost of £45 if engraved with name details etc, £35 if no engraving required.

Miniatures, Undress ribbon bars & engraving are available at additional cost.

To purchase please contact the BFSA General Secretary on email BFSA8@aol.com or Tel 01526 830255

Click here to download Application Form

Message from RAF & DFS Association President,

The photograph below was taken at the repatriation of British troops passing through Wootton Basset on the 10 November 2009.. Association members are probably not aware that some of our members who live in the Wootton Basset area and some who have travelled from further a field line the route of the funeral corteges and pay their respects to the returning heroes. Members do this of their own volition and I know they would not seek any publicity or accolades but I think it important that we acknowledge the work undertaken by our colleagues. The photograph clearly shows all present a credit to the Association and I am sure their presence will serve to remind the troop’s families that the nation does care and it is right that we should honour the returning heroes.

Included in the photo left to right Ray Preston Alan Gilchrist Dave Kenyon Brian Ford Terry Matson Mike Clapton Dan Guerney & Ron Brown

Dennis McCann

Association President.

Calling all ex RAF Fire-fighters

A fund raising effort has been started, the aim to raise 20,000GBP, the purpose, for the erection of a permanent memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas Staffordshire. The dedicated memorial stone is to commemorate all those who have served and are still serving in the RAF Fire & Rescue Service.

How to donate ?

All donations should be made through our treasurer, Trevor Hayes , with cheques made payable to RAF&DFSA Memorial Fund. Receipts will be given for any donations received providing addresses are supplied with donations.

Mail To: Mr Trevor Hayes

2 Gypsy Lane

Hunton Bridge

Kings Langly
Hertfordshire
WD4 8PR
Tel: 01923 331957

Let's make this happen, so send your chq's without delay.

A STORY FROM NEW ZEALAND

(Hardly new but might make you chuckle)

One dark night outside a small town near Christchurch, a fire started inside the local chemical plant and in a blink of an eye it exploded into massive
flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.

When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fireman in charge and said, 'All our secret formulas are in the vault in the centre of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact.'

But the roaring flames held the fire-fighters off. Soon more fire
departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate.

As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire station who could bring out the company's secret files.

Then, from the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby Maori rural township volunteer fire company, composed mainly of Maoris over the age of 65. To everyone's amazement, that little run-down fire engine roared right past all the newer sleek engines that were parked outside the plant. Without even slowing down it drove straight into the middle of the inferno.

Outside, the other firemen watched as the Maori old timers jumped off right in the middle of the fire and fought it back on all sides.

It was a performance and effort never seen before.

Within a short time, the old timers had extinguished the fire and had saved   the secret formulas. The grateful chemical company president announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave fire fighters.

The local TV news reporter rushed in to capture the event on film, asking
their chief, 'What are you going to do with all that money?'

'Well,' said Rangi, the 70-year-old fire chief......

'The first thing we gonna do is fix the brakes on that truck!'

FIRE SERVICE VETERANS' BADGE

Veteran's badges are available from the British Fire Services Association

The boxed badge is available at a cost of £5.50 via the British Fire Services Association on BFSA8@aol.com or Tel 01526 830255

New Fire Vehicle Print

The new Fire Vehicle print is now available, same size as the previous one, it will be signed by the artist and limited to 300 signed copies. Vehicles include, Mk7, Mk8, Mk9, Mk10, Mk11a, TACR1, Tac-T, TACR2, Major and Mini Angus Bedford Domestics, TQF Scania, and Bv206 with MFV and RIV in the middle. Prints cost £10 each plus £3:50 P&P and can be ordered from Gordon Smith, 23 Darrowby Close, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 1FJ for delivery by Royal Mail. Please make cheques payable to Mr G Smith and please include your membership No on the cheque.

GEORGE EDWARDS' BOOK

"OUT OF THE BLUE" AN AIRMANS TALE 1965 to 2005 by George Edwards B.E.M. ex RAF Fireman

Some comments from those who have read the book

This fascinating story will I am sure bring pleasure to many ( Steve Davey )

Read Steve's Introduction in full

A great read and a great story highly recommended ( Dennis McCann )

One of the best books I have read in a long time ( Jack Morrell )

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the book ( Bob Feather )

A marvellous story well done ( Roger Brooks )

Quite a good read ( Bob Burns )

Bloody marvellous it brought tears to my eyes ( Taff "The fire" Jones )

Very entertaining and an excellent read especially the x rated bits ( Geoff Varley )

Very interesting brought back many memories of my life in the RAF Fire Service ( Ron Brown )

A truly heart-warming read, brought back a lots of great memories (Dave Kirk)

There are plans for a book about the RAF Fire Service and all RAF & DFS both ex and serving are asked to submit articles for inclusion please send to George Edwards the association secretary.

Further details and purchasing option at http://www.woodfieldpublishing.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p185.html

New Association Standard

The new Association Standard was dedicated on 18th October 2003 in the St. James church in Sutton on Hull which was the church used by the Fire School at Sutton. The ceremony which was conducted by the Reverend Heather Nesbitt was very moving and was attended by over 200 members. After the ceremony we were very kindly invited to have tea and biscuits in the church hall

Standard On Parade

Photograph courtesy of Keith Martin Photography

Left to Right :- Sgt Terry Monaghan, RAFA Standard Bearer, Ron Brown Association Standard Bearer, Flt. Sgt. Steve Bowden.