EVENTS & NEWS

FAABA EVENTS / NEWS

FAABA/Fulmar Events in 2010

The two events so far, the Army/Navy Rugby match and the Lee on Solent Memorial Service both passed without any major Association presence although I did meet up with several members at Twickenham. The Navy won by the way – a try in the last minute. Just as well it was enough as the topless Army girl did enough to stop the conversion! The weather held and the Barmy Arms was well frequented by FAA folk and a good time was had by all. Fleet Services was once again a major event in it’s own right and thanks to the Incredible Hulk and the other Incredible who pushed all the buses and lorries out of the car park. Didn’t realize until then Catwoman had piercings either. Great Day out.

The Memorial Service was the last one organised by the TAGS and will in future years become a major FAA event (subject to the continuation of help from the Police and HNS Sultan).Held on Lee on Solent Front by the FAA memorial stone it is a half hour tribute to all FAA members who died in combat and subsequently. Again with members of other FAA associations we went for a meal in the Bun Penny post service but the plan in future is to have a all ranks meal at HMS Collingwood after the service.

Dave Clark

Weymouth & Portland Veterans Awareness Week

The FNF has been asked to provide a marching column for the 2010 Weymouth & Portland Veterans Awareness Week which will be held on Sunday 13^th June. Names of people interested in forming an FAABA contingent to me by April 10^th please. Details of this event can be obtained from the Festival Office on 01305 838558. Or if you just want to be in the area for a beer and a chat that’s fine too. Names to me please.

FAA Memorial Stone at the National Memorial Arboretum

The FNF have submitted three options for the proposed plaques on the FAA memorial stone at the NMA, they are:

Option A. Engraved paving slabs around the base of the stone with a walkway from the edge of the slabs outwards.

Option B. A walkway around the base of the stone with the outside border of the walkway being formed by similarly engraved slabs.

Option C. Bespoke designed plaques on each side of the plinth (max 12 on each side). It may be that by choosing this option A or B may also have to be utilised to deal with excess association plaques.

(Click on the Hyperlinks above to view sketches of the three options)

The FAABA committee have preliminary agreed on Option C as we will be guaranteed a plaque on the plinth being a founder member of the FNF. This may prove to be the most expensive option as a metal plaque will have to be designed and approved, but it should not cost more than the sum of £1 a member I am reliably informed. It is felt this would be the most prestigious way to promote our association and would actually enhance and personalise the stone. Future Associations could then take up the engraved slab option B. However this will be decided on a majority preference so if you feel strongly about any of the three options let me know by the end of March. I have asked for the sketches of the designs to be put on our site to clarify the designs.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

The services of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is available to all former members of HM Armed Forces. Full details of the agency can be found on www.veterans-uk.info You can also call the free helpline on 0800 169 2277, send an Email to veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk or write to:

The Veterans Advice Team

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

Tomlinson House

Norcross

Thornton-Cleveleys

FY5 3WP

Best regards

Dave Clark

FN100 Newsletters

PICTURES FROM THE FIXED WING REUNION AT YEOVILTON

Pictures by Alan Breward taken at the FAA Fixed Wing Reunion Dinner; click on a picture to enlarge

LATEST NEWS FROM THE BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION

FAABA

The 10^th Annual FAABA reunion will be held at the Royal Court Hotel Keresley over the weekend Friday18th to Sunday 20^th June 2010. Brian Sharrock is the event organizer so again if you wish to attend please send your name to Brian at sharrockb@hotmail.co.uk

Yours aye
	Dave

	Secretary FAABA

FAABA 9TH ANNUAL REUNION - COVENTRY 2009

FAABA Members outside the Royal Court Hotel on Saturday 6th June. Another successful reunion was held with many new faces enjoying the Royal Court Hotel facilities on the Friday and Saturday. More details will be published over the next few days..... Pictures can be viewed by clicking on the button below

Pictures from 2009 Reunion

CENTENARY SERVICE AT ST PAULS CATHEDRAL

A service of thanksgiving and remembrance was held on the morning of Friday 8th May at St Paul's Cathedral to commemorate One Hundred Years of Naval Aviation. The service was open to anyone who had served with the Fleet Air Arm or who has/had close connections with the Service. Alan Breward attended this event and has made some pictures available..............

Click here to view a selection

SWORDFISH CENTENARY BEER

The Swordfish Centenary Beer was launched in London on Wednesday 20th May and is now on draught in Weatherspoons and in bottles at Tesco, Please see attached image of Swordfish Beer... the bottle has changed (it is bigger now) and the label is slightly larger with more Fairey Swordfish on it. A portion of the profits goes to the Heritage Trust so get drinking with a clear conscience. A launch of FN100 stamps was also made available from the launch date.

Presentation of an Engraved Bell to the WO & SNCO’s Mess HMS Fulmar

Dave Clark, the secretary of the FAABA, returned to the WO & SNCO Mess on the 23rd July 2008 and presented WO Dianne McLeish, the CMC, with a beautiful brass hand bell as a thank you to the mess for allowing them to hold this memorable function here. Dave once again acknowledged that the mess had been excellent hosts for the evening and the members of the association had been delighted at having the opportunity to return to RAF Lossiemouth after such a long period. Mr Hughie Williams the Chairman, of the recently reformed HMS Fulmer Association also attended the presentation. The CMC rang the bell to celebrate its arrival and to signal “Toofers” before placing it behind the Top Bar (the old Petty Officers Mess) where hopefully it will be rung many more times by the members of the mess

Dave Clark, Diana McLeish (CMC RAF Lossiemouth) and Hughie Williams

Link to Article in RAF Lossiemouth News

RESULTS OF THE TRAIL WALK BY LES SMITH

Trailwalker^TM 2009

From Les Smith (FAABA Treasurer),

I have finally finished the walk and can justify asking you all for donations; I completed the 62 mile (100k) course in 28 hrs 3 mins11 secs, See photos below. Many thanks to all who donated. Further details can be obtained from the Trailwalker website.

Les Smith posing with other contestants at the start of the Trailwalker

Les with a group of other contestants at the finish

Trailwalker^TM

Trailwalker is a challenging team walk across the South Downs, raising money for Oxfam and the Ghurka Welfare Trust. Four people, one goal, 100 kilometres, 30 hours. On 18-19 July, 530 teams will attempt the Trailwalker challenge. It’s one of the eleven Trailwalker challenges worldwide.

More Information:http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/fundraise/trailwalker/index.html

DONATIONS TO CHARITY

During the 9th Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer Association Dinner a raffle was held to raise funds for charitable donations. £200 was raised and £100 each was given to Audrey Borelands and Les Smith. Les will use his to add to the approx £200 raised by individual donations from members for the Gurkha welfare Trust & Oxfam (See below).

Audrey intends to use the gift to benefit the charity "Soapbox", she is going out to Nairobi, Kenya later this year to help children in the Nairobi slums (She is paying her own way). for more details or to make a donation visit http://www.soapboxtrust.com/

OPEN LETTER FROM THE UK NATIONAL DEFENCE ASSOCIATION

This is to advise you that our National Development Manager, Martin Cakebread, has come up with the innovative proposal that the 'empty plinth' in Trafalgar Square should be dedicated permanently as a commemorative memorial to the services and sacrifices of our brave Armed Forces in Iraq & Afghanistan. A petition to the Prime Minister is now on the Internet for your attention and, hopefully, signature. The petition will close on the 8th October 2010

The link to the site is: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/TributeToForces/

Please not only visit this site and sign up - but forward this information on as quickly as possible to all of your family, friends and colleagues.

Thank you.

John Muxworthy

Cdr. RN CEO UKNDA (http://www.uknda.org/)

CHARITY FUNDRAISING FOR ST DUNSTAN'S

Tasty Smith (Ex Field Gun Crew) has a ponytail which he has grown since leaving the Fleet Air Arm in 1993, so he has not had his hair cut in 16 years (I hope it’s been washed) but his hair has gradually left the top of his head like the rest of us.

The reason he is doing a headshave is to raise money for St Dunstan's, a charity held dear by the Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Crew Association, of which he is a member. The headshave is planned to take place on Wednesday, 21st October 2009 (Trafalgar Day).

Those of you who were based at Lee on Solent will know that the FAA Field Gun Crew hosted the lads from St Dunstans each year at the end of the Field Gun season.

Even though Field Gun at the Royal Tournament ceased 10 years ago, some ex-members serving or retired still give up their time to host them at HMS Sultan in Gosport, just a few miles down the road from where they used to originally look after them. All the guys the crew looked after are all now dead, the last one this year. Nowadays it is all the modern conflict victims that are being looked after and the reason why he has chosen to fundraise and support St Dunstans.

Well done Tasty on reaching your target! For those who have yet to donate I'm sure he will accept further donations as you can never raise enough.........

Please give a donation to help raise funds to help those who have been injured in recent conflicts, this seems a good way to help. To donate click this link www.justgiving.com/Tastysheadshave and follow the instructions.