Members of the Melton Mowbray RAF Association Branch were invited to join 1279 Air Training Corp’s Annual Carol Concert and enjoyed a lovely festive night. Lessons were read by their honorable guest Lady Gretton, officers and cadets each followed by a carol to recreate the Christmas Story. Standard Bearer Phil Taylor was in attendance alongside the Royal British Legion’s Standard. Several guests were presented at the end of the evening as a ‘Thank You’ for attending and for their continued support to the Squadron throughout 2016 including President Hadge Jarvis.

‛‛Tornado Talk’’

RAF Association Melton Branch & Club Newsletter

January 2017

No. 1279 SQN AIR TRAINING CORPS CAROL CONCERT 20

th DECEMBER

From The Chair

Well another New Year is upon us and no doubt this one will be as equally challenging as previous ones but I’m sure that with your support we will rise successfully to any challenges we have to face. The early part of the year should see the Charles Towell room refurbishment completed to give us updated facilities that we can all be proud of that can be used for Branch and Club activities alike. The Christmas period was a busy one as usual and the activities are summarised below.

Christmas Draw Sunday 18th

December This was the first time we had held this event on a Sunday Night and around 30 members made the effort to attend what was an excellent night, which included a Christmas quiz by Ali.

2016 Christmas Draw Prizes This Year’s Star Prize was a Sports Action Camera, other prizes included 2 tickets for Leicester Tigers, a £30.00 voucher for the Spice Club, a Slow Cooker, a Christmas Hamper and many others. A big thankyou to all who entered the draw, especially Wexford House and to those who donated so many fantastic prizes, it really is appreciated. To those who won, well done and to those who were not so lucky, commiserations.

A Full List of Prizes and Winners

Prize Won By

1 Sports Action Camera Paul Davies

2 2 x Leicester Tiger Tickets Bernard – Wexford House

3 Blaupunkt Wireless Speaker Terry Mabbutt

4 Spice Club Voucher Lucy & Mick

5 Hamper G L Sutton

6 1000 piece Jigsaw in a tin Keith Wakling

7 Slow Cooker Susie

8 Carlsberg Polo Shirt Tracy Thompson

9 Tin of Luxury Milk Chocolate Nuts & Fruit

Karen

10 Bosch Hairdryer Hans – Wexford House

11 Red, White & Zinfandel Wine Guinness

12 Chocolate's & Starmix Gerry Pollard

13 Biscuit Selection. Fox's & Lidl) Jo Durrance

14 Glass Kettle Paul Davies

15 Star Baker Apron Gerry Pollard

16 Box Walkers Crisps (Mixed) Andy Guyler

17 Cadbury Heroes & Toffifee Mike Mayfield

18 Dow’s Finest Reserve Port Jane Blackley

19 Bayliss & Harding Royale Bouquet Phil Taylor

20 Frangranced Candle - Dark Amber

Ken Saunders – Wexford House

21 Next Multi Photo Frame Phil Taylor

22 1 x 70cl bottle of Whiskey & 1 x 35cl Whisk Sharna Thompson

23 Insulated Flask Robbie

24 Cuddly Toy -Polar Bear Jim Gray

25 My Q Brain Builder Mike Mayfield

26 Champions League Football T Shirt & Bowl

Terry Thorold

27 Breville Sandwich Press Jack – Wexford House

28 1000 piece Jigsaw Maggie – Wexford House

29 Waterman Pen & Pencil Set & Planner Sharna Thompson

30 Wedgewood Small Dish Val Moore

31 Box Walkers Crisps (Mixed) Fred Blackley

32 2 x Mini Cook Books Phil Taylor

33 Red & White Wine Christine Durrance

34 Christmas Cake, Stollen & Mini Panettone Sam Guyler

35 Calvin Klein "Eternity" spray (Ladies) Sue Davies

36 RAF 5oz Hip Flask Guinness

37 Dove Mens Care Gift Set Sharna Thompson

38 Framed picture of the Broads Mick Lawrence

39 Italian La Gioiosa Rose Brut Robbie

40 Calendar & Key Ring Ken Saunders – Wexford House

41 LED Clip Light Paul Brightwell

42 £10 of Scratch cards Lottery Wendy Street

43 Bottle Wine & Black Jack Schnapps Paul Davies

Tuesday 20

th December Monthly Quiz

A good turnout for this the last quiz of the year with around 30 members and guests participating. This time it was the turn of Paul & Sue to be quizmasters and it was an enjoyable night with lots of banter as the teams vied with each other to see who would come out on top and this time it was “The Secs”, so well done to them –how many where in your team!!! Following the quiz it was time to dig in to the Christmas party food which many of the teams had brought down as this has now become a bit of a tradition and relax chat and have that festive drink. Thanks to you all who have supported the monthly quiz nights during the year as your entry fee goes to the RAFA’s own charity the “wings” appeal to support those that need our help. Next Quiz is on Tuesday 17th January and every third Tuesday in the month during the year, so if you want to exercise that grey matter and enjoy yourself at the same time why not “Come on Down”.

Tuesday 20th

December Whilst our quiz took place in the Charles Towell, The Melton Model Railway Society were holding their own annual quiz night in the Cottesmore Lounge helping to keep them on track were a couple of our own members, again this is becoming a regular event as they have held this event here for the last few years. A big thank you to them for helping swell our coffers! Also on this Tuesday night it was 1279 ATC Squadron’s Annual Carol Service held at East Goscote, our Branch was represented by our President Hadge Jarvis, our Standard Bearer Phil Taylor and our Branch Secretary and his wife Brian and Amanda Fare.

Wednesday December 21

st Tornado Brass

Again another reasonable turnout to sing, listen and enjoy Tornado Brass with their annual Carol and other well-known Christmas music. This event has been running for many years and in the past involved our former President, Chairman and

Secretary the late Keith Glover as this was an event he thoroughly enjoyed as he conducted the whole evening. I’m sure he would have been smiling from above had he been watching at Tornado Brass’s fine efforts.

Saturday December 24th

Christmas Eve What an excellent turnout by members in supporting the Branch Club from Midday until closing time in the evening, with Bren doing Bacon Butties and lots of you determined to relax before the big food fest on the following day, when we nearly always eat too much even though we’ve sworn that this year we will control our eating – Bah Humbug it doesn’t happen does it!!!!

Saturday December 31st

New Year’s Eve A self-help night as several of you got together to party with music and food and to create a good atmosphere to see the New Year in, well done to all, as again we were quite busy with the till working overtime.

Thank You Thanks to all our Bar staff and our cleaner who had to face the aftermath of these events, your efforts are appreciated.

Happy New Year

Paul & Bren

Melton Mowbray Veterans Breakfast Club

Have you served in the UK military Forces? It doesn’t matter if you are from a dark blue, light blue or brown background, all HM Forces Veterans, (including serving

members) are welcome to attend.

Join us at the Harboro every first Saturday of the month at 10am for get together, chuck around a bit of friendly forces banter and enjoy a full English for a fiver, plus

tea/coffee.

Next get together will be Saturday 4th Feb.

For more info, see the Melton Mowbray Veterans Breakfast Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/750941675057059/

Every Saturday lunchtime cobs are available (fillings vary from week to week). Why not call in and fill your boots

Coffee mornings are held every 1

st

Thursday of the month 10:00 – 12:00

Quiz Night – Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 8pm. New teams required, so grab your mates with the brains and join us as we etst out the old grey matter!

Tuesday 28

th February AGM –

ALL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Please see notice board for more information.

Don’t forget you can also keep up to date with melton RAFA via our website www.rafa.org.uk/melton-mowbray or our Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/RafaMelton/

Forthcoming Events

Accommodation vacancies in Melton Mowbray for RAF veterans

There are accommodation vacancies at the Association’s Wexford House assisted living facility in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The Association has a vacancy in Wexford House. The large Edwardian building is an assisted living facility in Melton Mowbray providing rooms for eight residents, all of whom should be able to live independently within this secure environment.

Bernard has lived at Wexford House for three years. He served in the RAF from 1947-1952 as a firefighter and then a radar operator. When he started losing his eyesight he decided to make a change in his life and moved from Torbay to Wexford House.

Bernard is very happy at Wexford House and would recommend living there to anyone. He said: “The staff look after you really well. They are so caring that they even help me write my Christmas cards every year.”

The rooms are all en-suite and Wexford House has a communal lounge, kitchen and dining area. There is also a conservatory leading into the garden and a laundry room for use by the residents.

Potential residents are invited to Wexford House for an assessment period of a week, before they make a final decision on whether to stay. If you are interested please call 0800 0182 361 for more information.

For more information on each facility or to arrange a visit please call 0800 0182 361.