RAFA YORK NEWS
FINDING IT TOUGH COURSE - 19 JUNE 2024.
A "finding it Tough" course will be run at the Branch Club from 1000 to 1400 hrs on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
Click on the link below to view the poster, which provides more information on the course.
LUNCH AT THE CLUB : SATURDAY 4 MAY 2024.
The next lunch at the Branch Club will be on Saturday 4 May, from 1230 to 1330 hrs in the Dining Room.
Main Course: Cottage Pie or Tuna Quiche. £4.00
Dessert: Choc Sponge or Cheesecake £2.50.
Order and payment at the Club by 1st May please. Full details on the Branch Club notice board.
CHANGE TO BRANCH CLUB WEEKDAY OPENING TIMES.
PLEASE NOTE THAT, FROM WED 1 MAY, THE NEW WEEKDAY OPENING TIMES WILL BE ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 1PM TO 3PM.
The Branch and Branch Club Committees have agreed to change the weekday opening times of the Branch Club from Thursday evenings to Wednesday afternoons. We have been unable to attract members to the Club in sufficient numbers on Thursday evenings to make opening the Club viable. Therefore, for the time being, we are changing the weekday Club opening times to Wednesday afternoons. We hope that this will attract more members to use the Club facilities as public transport is more frequent during the day (not so in the evenings!) and dark evenings also deter several of our members from attending.
NAVIGATING DEMENTIA COURSE TO RUN AT RAFA YORK BRANCH CLUB ON WED 29 MAY 2024
We know that navigating dementia can be challenging, but you’re not on your own.
We are offering face to face courses for members of the RAF community who would like to learn more about dementia and caring for a loved one in a friendly and supportive environment. Our accredited Navigating Dementia course will give you the information you need to care for your loved ones and yourself, equipping you with the knowledge and understanding to help you face dementia whatever the circumstances.
Our next Navigating Dementia course will be hosted by RAFA York Branch on 29 May 2024. There are 12 spaces available on this course.
Course timings - 09.30 - 15.30 (this is a free course).
Please note that places will be allocated by RAFA on a first come, first served basis.
Light refreshments will be available through-out the day, however we do ask you bring your own lunch.
If you would like to book a place, please email: Dementia@rafa.org.uk and include:
• Name,
• Email address or telephone number,
• Your connection with the RAF,
• If you require any additional support in attending or whilst on the course.
Please use the RAFA HQ email (Dementia@rafa.org.uk) to book a place on this course. Do NOT book through RAFA York Branch or Club Committee contacts.
INTRODUCTION OF THE WIDER SERVICE MEDAL
The changing nature of global operations leads to the potential that large numbers of Service personnel in support and enabling roles may in future not be eligible for the receipt of medals, while the increasing number of operations that do not meet the risk and rigour criteria for the award of either a campaign medal or the GSM with clasp would see personnel deployed for long periods on hazardous operations without the prospect of an award at the end. As a result, the Holmes Review, as part of its recommendations, suggested the creation of a new medal aimed at rewarding this kind of operational service that would not meet the general criteria for the award of a campaign medal. The concept for a new decoration was approved in principle by Queen Elizabeth II in December 2018. Final approval for the new decoration was granted by King Charles III in March 2024.
The obverse of the medal features the traditional effigy of the sovereign. The reverse depicts the crown within a ring containing the words "For Wider Service". From the ring emerge four arrows at the four cardinal points, symbolising "reach across the world", with the whole contained within a laurel wreath to symbolise service and achievement. The medal ribbon contains a central purple stripe, which is intended to signify the cross-government nature of operations, with symmetrical narrower stripes of white, sky blue, dark blue and green outside the central stripe - these signify air operations (sky blue), naval operations (dark blue) and land operations (green) respectively.
The qualification for the WSM is as follows:
Retrospective from 11 December 2018, personnel must have served up to 180 days aggregated (not necessarily continuous) service on an eligible operation. Additional service up to another 180 days will see individuals receive a bar to the medal, with a maximum of three bars capable of being awarded.
The initial set of operations eligible for the award of the Wider Service Medal were:
Operation AZOTIZE - the UK contribution to the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission
Operation BILOXI - the UK contribution to the NATO Southern Air Policing mission
Operation CABRIT - the forward deployment of UK land forces to Estonia and Poland as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence
Operation KIPION - the ongoing UK presence in the Persian Gulf region
Operation ORBITAL - the UK operation to provide training and support to Armed Forces of Ukraine from 2015 to 2022
Operation RELENTLESS - the UK's Continuous At-Sea nuclear deterrent operation
Operation WOODWALL - the UK's forward deployment of two River-class patrol vessels to the Indo-Pacific region.
WINGS CITY STREET COLLECTION - EASTER SATURDAY 2024.
On Saturday 30 March, a slightly chilly but sunny day, several of our Branch members and some Air Cadets from No 110 City of York Squadron, carried out a street collection for our Wings Appeal, organised by our Wings Officer, Ian Smith. As might be expected over a bank holiday weekend, it was very busy and we collected an impressive total of £2544.03 plus an extra £21.25 through the Justgiving App. At the moment, the York Wings total collected stands at £6530.63
HANGING UP THEIR APRONS.
After many years of providing Saturday lunches and brilliantly themed dining-in nights, our stalwart husband and wife team of Dick and Gill Gray will be retiring from their volunteer catering duties at the Branch Club on 31 January 2024.
Consequently, RAFA York Branch Club has vacancies for volunteers from the Branch membership to provide lunches and/or dining – in nights from 31 January 2024. The Branch Club has a fully equipped kitchen with all the necessary facilities and a dining room capable of seating about 25 people. Dining-in nights take place around 4 times a year, on Thursday evenings. Catering may also be provided at certain Branch events, such as after the Remembrance Sunday parade. If you are interested, please contact the Branch Club Committee in the first instance.