THE PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Patron: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS the PRINCE of WALES, KG, KT, PC, GCB, AK, QSO, ADC
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From the Secretary – Maj (Retd) PA Raison THE PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Patron: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, KG, KT, PC, GCB, AK, QSO, ADC REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT MERVILLE BARRACKS CIRCULAR ROAD SOUTH COLCHESTER ESSEX CO2 7UT TEL: 01206 817073 MIL: 94660 7073 Email: [email protected] www.theparachuteregimentalassociation.com 1 September 2019 Please see below the monthly news from RHQ PARA. If you have anything you would like to promote in this, please send submissions by the 25th of each month to the Secretary at [email protected] Topics: A. Arnhem 75 Commemoration Coin B. RHQ PARA Manning C. Certificate of Insurance – Public Liability D. Charity Commission News E. Wilf Oldham 99th Birthday F. Woodall Spa – Lincoln G. Warrenpoint 40th Anniversary Service H. Welfare Process Events I. Pass Out Parades J. ARNHEM – Oosterbeek Cemetery Parking K. Red Devils Reunion L. Diary Dates A. Arnhem 75 Commemoration Coin Please see below the New Coin Struck by The Parachute Regimental Association to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden & The Battle to take & hold a vital bridge at Arnhem. To purchase please contact RHQ/PRA Colchester direct. It is hoped that all branches will assist in the sales of these coins. Pre-orders of the coin are welcome and they will be dispatched at the earliest opportunity. B. RHQ PARA Manning During the period 18-24 September 2019 RHQ PARA will be operating on minimum manning. Please bear this in mind when contacting RHQ during this time. All enquiries should be directed to Julia on: [email protected] or 01206 817077. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. OPERATION MARKET GARDEN – 75th Anniversary September 2019 We are proud to announce that this coin is being commissioned by The Parachute Regimental Association (PRA) at RHQ PARA. This coin is in production as we speak and will be sold in ARNHEM, at Ginkel Heath DZ on Saturday 21 Sep 2019 and on Sunday 22 September 2019 at Oosterbeek Cemetery. It will also be sold to individuals and Branches direct from RHQ Para. The cost will be £10 or €10. Please note the top band on the image (in grey) will be engraved on the side of each coin (quite unique). Anyone wishing to purchase a coin should email Julia on: [email protected] or call on 01206 817077. C. Certificate of Insurance – Public Liability There are still a number of Branches that have not paid their Affiliation Fees. A list of Branches that have not paid will be sent to the Regional and Branch Secretaries. This will be the final reminder before cover stops for those who have not paid. Thank you to all those that have forwarded their affiliation fees to Julia so far. The annual Affiliation Fee remains at £50 this year. Payment can be made by cheque payable to: The Parachute Regimental Association or by BACS transfer to: Sort Code 16-19- 26, Acct No 19954846. Please ensure you use your Branch name as a payment reference so that we can track payments. D. Charity Commission News The Charity Commission News is a quarterly newsletter, which provides essential information for charity trustees and their advisers. This is vital reading for any trustee within the Branches and provides a wealth of REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. information on new ways in which to boost charity funds for organizations of all sizes. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/charity-commission-news E. Wilf Oldham 99th Birthday Arnhem Veteran, Wilf Oldham celebrated his 99th Birthday on the 28th August 19. The Bolton Branch pulled out all the stops to ensure that he remembered it. The celebration was a total surprise for Wilf and it took a few minutes for him to realise what or who the party was for. The celebration was supported by ITC Catterick and the CO & RSM from the Bolton TA Centre. They also had the pleasure of Tameside and Liverpool PRA in attendance. It was a great day with entertainment and good food and to top it off, Wilf rounded it all off by singing a few songs. Photos provided by David Sharkey REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. F. Woodall Spa – Lincoln Veterans, families and guests gathered at the Teahouse in the Woods at Woodall Spa, Lincolnshire on Sunday 18 August 19, for the Arnhem Commemoration Service. After the initial reception, the Veterans moved to the muster point outside the Conservative Club to prepare for the march to St Peter’s Church. The parade formed up with Standards from a number of Branches and they marched to St Peter’s Church accompanied by a lone piper. The salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and other dignitaries, before making their way inside the church. Here they conducted a service of dedication for the new window in the church to remember the members of 1st Air Landing Brigade that were based at Woodall Spa prior to departing for Arnhem. Regional Secretary George Duffus with Frank Ashleigh, Phil Ward and Alec Smart The dedication and service was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial. Wreaths were laid by veterans and other dignitaries, with Geoff Roberts KOSB leading the way. Later that afternoon there was a free concert in Jubilee Park featuring the Coningsby Wives Military Choir and “Theirs is the Glory” was shown at the famous Kinema in the Woods. An excellent day, that saw a number of veterans in attendance as well as a large number of relatives and members of the local population. This would not have been possible without the support of a large number key supporters. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. Geoff Roberts – 7 KOSB The New Window The National Secretary with Alec Smart and Phil Ward REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. G. Warrenpoint 40th Anniversary Service On Tuesday 27 August 19, The Parachute Regimental Association NI held an excellent service to remember the 40th anniversary of the Warrenpoint Bombings at Narrow Water. This was followed by a luncheon at Newtownards Branch RBL. Veterans travelled from NI and the rest of GB, with some coming from as far away as Australia. General Sir Mike Jackson was in attendance and addressed some of the families at the lunch. The Service of Remembrance Wreaths and Personal messages at the site REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015 RHQ Disclaimer. The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office. H. Welfare Process The Regimental Welfare Team at RHQ is ready to help, at short notice anyone, who requires assistance. The system is very clear and available to assist any member of the Parachute Regiment or Airborne Forces in need. The process is designed to ensure transparency and provide an audit trail (unlike others) for any assistance given, which is a lawful requirement. The first part of the process must be initiated by a SSAFA or RBL caseworker. They will complete Form ‘A’ which is then submitted to the Regimental Welfare Team. They will then allocate funds from the Regimental Charities as required. The following numbers are very useful and should be used if you do not know your local SSAFA or RBL office number: SSAFA Helpline: 0800 731 4880 RBL Helpline: 0808 802 8080 Any individual or Branch that requires assistance from the Regimental Welfare Team can call them on: 01206 817102 (Laura) or 01206 817103 (Sue).