The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

The Royal Air Force Specialisations: Physical Training Instructors Parachute Jumping Instructors Association Adventurous Training Instructors Remedial Instructors

Hello, welcome to the first email edition of The Badge Newsletter. As usual the contents will depend on you and your stories. The lovely Denise has agreed to proof read the newsletter and copies will go to all committee members before sending the newsletter out to you all. I will be looking for information to be published from our Area Representatives, general information from RAF and WRAF ex PTIs, PJIs, ATIs, and RIs. Last but not least of course are the current serving members of the RAF PEd Branch including the specialisations. Some information is confidential and will only be sent via emails to members of the RAF PTI Association after the committee has cleared the contents. Can anyone remind me of the PEd motto please?

I hope you enjoy the read and support the idea of the newsletter.

Phil Moyse

The PTI Reunion

Another successful RAF PTI Association reunion was held at the Grays Hotel in Telford on the 21st of May. This followed the ever popular golf competition organised and run by Dave Percy. This competition is bringing more and more PTIs to the reunion so many thanks to Dave for all his hard work. The AGM was also held at the hotel due to other commitments at RAF Cosford.

John Slinger with his raffle prize? Dave Percy gives the Golf results

The evening was very enjoyable for all, I had a few comments about the length of my hair, (Worsal Gummage springs to mind) but all in all it was great to see such a good response to the reunion this year. The RAF PTIs Associations Patron Wg Cdr Chris Cornish, and his parents, father Tony an ex PTI and his lovely mother was on our table together with John and Cherry Weedon and it was also good to see more ex PTI ladies there including Sarah Johnson, Paddy Johnson, Denny von Roritz and Sue Zwart Woodward.

The fantastic work is recognised by all within the Association of Denise Street Brown who puts in tireless hours for the members. Thank you to the hard working Committee who help bring it all about. Well done all and I for one am looking forward to next year‟s event. Denise has published the AGM

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012 minutes so you will see some new characters on the list of Area Representatives they include John Weedon - West Midlands, George Whitecross – Scotland and Geoff Diggle – Wales. Good luck gentlemen and I am sure members will be thankful to you and for your efforts.

John Doran and Denise Chris Beadel & Tony Betteridge

Many thanks also go to Danny Downs for his work with the Association; Danny has retired from the RAF and is settling in Scotland where he has his own business, all the very best Danny. Stepping into his place is WO Clive Martland who took over at the AGM. Clive still has 11 years left in the RAF so hopefully we will have a Chairman who will be with us for some time.

The creation of „The Badge‟

In 1989 while serving at RAF Shawbury I came across a PEdOs‟ newsletter which was very interesting. It was then I started to wonder why we (PTIs) didn‟t have such a publication.

In 1990 I returned to Cosford on promotion into the Course Design Team. A new team was bought together to develop new Physical Education syllabuses and instructional specifications. The team was headed by Flt Lt Paul Beak and the rest of the staff included WO Darrald Jones, myself FS Phil Moyse, Sgt Pat Corfield and Mrs Kate Deakin the typist.

In 1991 we were moved from one wooden hut to another and moreover we were provided with computers, Mick Murphy also joined the team. This was when I started to think more about providing a newsletter. We now had computers, resources in the Regional Printing Centre and staff there who were very helpful. For the newsletter to be a success we needed a good team who were prepared to do that bit extra. As editor I couldn‟t have asked for a better person as deputy editor than Pat Corfield.Our first newsletter was issued in April 1991 and we had a positive feedback.

We aimed to get useful information for the PEd Branch with the hope that our other specialisations would get involved.

December 92 Christmas edition – the current Group Captain PEd G P Carson was invited to write a few words for The Badge. His letter was very informative about the Options for Change we were

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012 going through at that time. This started the View from the Helm articles which kept us informed of what was going on in the RAF PEd world and its specialisations.

We had regular articles from the Specialisations and had started to achieve our aims as more and more information started to come in. On the formation of the RAF PTI Association copies of the „The Badge‟ were posted to ex PTIs as part of their membership. Unfortunately due to the workload and tight financial restraints this is not now possible.

During the 21 years of The Badge we have had several sponsors/printers who have kept us going. My last issue as editor of the magazine was in 1995 when I was posted to introduce the new PEd Syabuses of training at Cosford. The task was extremely busy with me working many hours a day trying to get the system of the ground. This gave me no time to spend on the magazine, Pat Corfield the deputy editor was swamped with Course design work and a secondary duty of working on the Sgts Mess committee. Thankfully Paul Moorcroft volunteered with Pat still willing to be the Deputy Editor.

In the winter 2000 I once again became the editor only this time I was a WO with Pat now a FS as the deputy. In the summer of 2001 I retired from the RAF and after many years as the deputy editor Pat Corfield became the editor.

Alas the last copy I saw of The Badge was in 2006. There have always been problems with the distribution of the badge, cost of postage etc and now the economics of it all has taken its toll. Sgt Sy Booth-Lyons was the last editor of the magazine and was trying to find a way of getting The Badge to its readers. Email seems the obvious way these days but there is a problem with the amount of content and pictures. There was a „The Badge‟ web page but was not maintained and is now defunct. If anyone out there has any idea on how they can help please let me know. In this day and age the Association should have its own web site, I have looked at the Proboard set up on the computer but it is too restricted. There are some free web sites that I am looking into, Sgt Sy Booth Lyons was going to send me some of the later editions of the magazine, so that I can put them on the site if I can get one up and running. Unfortunately he has been posted and I haven‟t heard from him since. Since the AGM Clive Martland has organised a version on facebook.

With the creation of „The Badge‟ came other offshoots including having a first reunion in the Sgts Mess (1992) on this led to two more very successful reunions. Eventually, the RAF PTI Association was formed in February 1994. In 1993 Wg Cdr Jim Field OC Sof PT had a chat with me about setting up a PTI museum in the S of PT. I discussed with the Course design team and they were all for it. Pat Corfield was at the forefront once again. We asked readers of ‟The Badge‟ to send in material for the museum. WO Phil Hockaday designed the cabinets and had them made, while me Pat and Mick Murphy collated and itemised all the photographs, information and equipment. The S of PT museum was opened in 1993 the 70th anniversary of the PEd branch.

Over the years many people have been involved with maintaining „The Badge‟ and I thank them all for keeping an idea alive and well. Particular thanks go to Pat Corfield and also to Rita Brennan who I think has copies of all „The Badges‟ and who did an incredible amount of work for us and therefore is quite rightly an Honorary Member of the Association. It was good to see Rita and Paul at the reunion. There was another lady in my latter days of the RAF who also did typing for us but unfortunately her name escapes me.

Phil Moyse

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

Fitness in Tap Dancing by Alan Beattie

I was sorry not have attended the last reunion due to taking part in the ITV Age UK promotion advert (tap dancing). We are on the website, yours truly is in the volunteer section.

I am still working part-time teaching tap dancing for North Yorkshire Education Authority and Age UK at Bedale Leisure Centre, North Yorkshire.

One of my groups has included teaching footballers at Colburn, Catterick Garrison, and I soon found, that some of them had two left arms and two right legs, with little or no co-ordination. Fitness levels at various age groups is sadly lacking in the majority of cases, e.g. after forty or so minutes they are burned out. I have been told by a reliable source that tap dancing is very popular for footballers in China. Perhaps eventually it may catch on in the UK.

You may be interested to know that my wife and I visited Western Australia last year on behalf of Age UK subsequent to being invited by the Arthritis/Osteoporosis Authority to teach remedial tap dancing (sitting down etc.) to teachers and specialists. My early experience at Headley Court and further studies in physical education certainly helped when discussing lesson plans with the experts. Curtis University are taking on the study as a preventative medicine project.

My wife Judith introduced the Age UK Telephone Befriending Service which has since taken off in a big way.

My recent claim to fame is making the final five at Olympia this year on the free style stage where I did a solo routine, freestyle jazz and have made the shortlist for Britain‟s Got Talent/Got To Dance. We are also doing a few routines at the Country Fair, Hurworth Grange, Darlington in September in aid of Help The Heroes, well sponsored so far.

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Equity name Alan Of York!. (Still coaching for the joust – for my sins).

Ministry of Defence Savings Measures, leading to reduced numbers of personnel and reduced capability within the PEd O and PTI cadres.

The reporting of spending cuts and savings measures required of Government Departments will not have gone unnoticed. The Ministry of Defence is no exception, indeed it has been specifically targeted by The Treasury to redress a massive unaffordable Capital overspend. Consequently capabilities such as Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance, the short term Carrier capability and with it the Harrier Fleet has all been lost to Defence. Only recently it was announced that Army Armament and Artillery capability are to be halved as are the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and Logistics capacity. Numerous Infantry Battalions are to be withdrawn from service. Savings measures have now produced a balanced Ministry of Defence budget.

Royal Air Force manning is to reduce from its current size of 40 500 to 33 500 by 2015 and to achieve this a series of manpower reductions were planned. Amongst these was a proposal to delete the Physical Education Officer cadre and also the Training (Education) Officer cadre, a total of 316 officers. The proposal did not withstand scrutiny as it would result in the loss of essential capability, especially in the Parachuting and Adventurous Training specialisations. Consequently the original proposal was amended and the 316 appointments were required to be found from the Personnel Branch which comprises Personnel Officers, Training Officers and Physical Education Officers, moreover the new proposal was to include Trade Group 17, Personnel Support and also Trade Group 10, Physical Training Instructors. When the mathematics were complete, the Physical Education Officers were to give up a total of 25 appointments and the PTI cadre 84 appointments, the emphasis being on appointments not people. The remaining 207 appointments were found from the wider Personnel Branch

Clearly with fewer appointments there is a reduced requirement for people and the reduction of people was to be achieved by a series of 3 Tranches, which eventually became 2 in the Royal Navy and the RAF. In the First Tranche of Sep 11, 3 Physical Education Officers were released but no PTI NCOs. The later Tranche 2, in Jun 12, identified 5 Physical Education Officers and 65 PTI NCOs to be released. Of the 65 PTI NCOs, 44 were applicants for redundancy.

Howard Marsh Wing Commander

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

An update by Roy Rigg

Since the last brilliant AGM and reunion where acquaintances were renewed, some after 35 yrs i.e. John Slinger and Joan nice to see you, Some members had blossomed out a bit and dyed their hair blond or greyish but still looking agile fit as a Butchers dog and healthy, could be something to do with the PEd World in their younger days.

Since the AGM the Standard Bearing continues with a vengeance. The closure of RAF Lynham and Royal Wooton Basset has seen a big increase in numbers Standards veterans and public at our base. The Catholic Church near the John Ratcliffe Hospital known as the „Final Turn‟ the whole route to the Final Turn is now very well supported for the very sad return of our Heroes, see the Reports after each repatriation. Memorial services have also been very busy since the AGM, we have attended the

Maureen, Roy Rigg and Purdey

Arboretum, (any news on „The PTIs memorial Boss‟?) Horse Guards Parade Twice, Windsor and the splendid RAF memorial at Runnymede is very relevant now with the unveiling of the Bomber Command memorial. What was a very sobering moment to read on the Wall plaques of the ones with no known grave Sgt Roy Rigg RAF KIA 1942 and would you believe came from Manchester.

The other task as required and requested is the ultimate sadly, Funerals. Two recent ones may ring a bell in the Boxing world and a whistle in the Soccer referees world, firstly AB Tony Westwood RN CSBA aged 47 Boxed against the RAF secondly Sqn Ldr Victor Heron MBE renowned Football Referee and Boxer he Lived near RAF High Wycombe RIP. I must say that having worn 3 Cap badges our PTIs standard has not been to all events but the PTIs logo crossed swords and Blazer badge has been on all of them worn with pride.

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On a Lighter Note GONE TO THE DOGS, update on the little black Cocker Spaniel assistance and hearing dog for profoundly Deaf People, Purdey, who has attended the last 2 reunions he is very well trained and travelled, been on board the latest warship HMS Diamond, Westminster Abbey, RM Bases Lympstone and Taunton, to name a few but his claim to fame being, he is involved in the charities Breeding scheme to try to get very suitable trainable Hearing Dogs he has sired 3 litters one of five, one of nine, a record for the hearing Dogs (so he‟s a record breaker) and recently a litter of six, that‟s 20 pups in total, one of the first litter is now trained a Hearing dog to work with an adult or profoundly deaf children over 12. Sadly there is a 3 to 4 yr waiting list for a dog and costs about £40,000 to train, anyone interested can go on line to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, for info,

Keep Working Out, and taking the tablets if required. See you on Parade from yours truly Roy and Maureen Rigg Standard Bearers also Purdey the Super Stud.

RAF PTI Association Golf – Simon Beadel Memorial Trophy by Dave Percy

I have been a member of the PTS Canopy club since 1974 when a certain FS Jim Hurford said to me, Percy give us a quid, I asked what for, he said shut up and give us a quid, I did and was made a member of said club. Every year since then we have got together for a few beers and lots of bullshit but also on the Friday we get together to contest the Tatton Salver Golf Trophy. A competition hard fought over by all and won by many differing handicaps (with a maximum of 18). When I joined the PTI Assoc, whilst I have always enjoyed the social get togethers but I thought there must be a way of attracting more people to attend if there was more to do so I organised the PTI Assoc Bowl Golf competition and supplied the trophy.

It started in 2003 with about 11 of us playing at the Shropshire GC which hosts the annual S of PT comp in the Aug. The first winner being that well know bandit Chris Beadel. Who has subsequently won on a further 3 occasions? The best ever turnout was during the 60 anniversary reunion when 35 players tee‟d off, however only 15 of them where members and therefore eligible to win the trophy. They say the sun shines on the righteous and to date we have never been weathered out which knowing the nature of most PTI‟s surprises me. Steadily over the years the numbers have improved but we have had a die hard core of regulars. Chris B, Rod C, Geoff D, Skeats G, and Shirley. In the past few years these have been boosted by the regular turn out of Frank E and Audrey. I must mention that Audrey has consistently come second in the ladies comp over the past few years, (Audrey I won‟t tell everyone that there is only you and Shirley normally playing) We have been well supported over the years with sponsors giving prizes such as golf balls umbrellas and the like But for the past 2 years Dennis and Dot Wreford has been extremely generous in sponsoring all the major prizes. In 2010 I asked the Membership if they would allow me to change the name of the Comp from the PTI Assoc Bowl to the Simon Beadel Memorial trophy. In memory of Chris and Sue‟s son who sadly passed away. This I hoped would achieve 2 ends, one to remember a PTI in the sort of way I hope he would welcome and two to try and encourage younger members of the Branch (or is it a twig nowadays) to turn up and have a round of golf with some old farts. The list of winners to date is:

2003 Chris Beadel 2004 Russ Oxborrow 2005 Rod Clark 2006 Chris Beadel 2007 Domonic Sullivan 2008 Chris Beadel 2009 Domonic Sullivan 2010 Chris Beadel 2011 Kev Redstone 2012 Geoff Snelling

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There have been many stories about PTI‟s playing golf but I hope that this annual reunion will carry on for some time. The numbers are increasing with 23 playing this year. (This was the first time I didn‟t tee off as although the weather was fair on the day it had been persisting done all week and buggies were banned from the course, sadly nowadays the body won‟t let me walk around the course especially if the pension people are around.

Terry Keogh Obituary of a Basketball Legend by Terry Hagan

The last time I met up with Terry Keogh was March 14th 2011. As East Anglian Rep for the PTI Association I arranged for five of us to turn up at Terry Keogh‟s idea of the midway East Anglian venue for a „Mini Reunion‟; Glasswells Furniture Store Bury St Edmunds! Rather quaint you probably think, just like Terry to think Laterally instead of us getting lost in the unfamiliar town looking for a suitable pub or restaurant to meet up in. As it turned out Glasswells had a vast car park and a restaurant where we partook of copious cups of coffee and obligatory light snacks as befits the age of obese awareness unlike the lean years of the „40s and „50s when we would „Wolf‟down the food! The chat was the same as always, lasting about three hours none stop. Terry was as voluble as ever and on parting said, „When are we going to have the next one Reunion that is?‟ There was no next one for Terry. Fifteen days later Terry died peacefully and suddenly while working in his garden.

The „Mini‟ Reunion; From left; Terry Keogh, standing Terry Hagan, Randolph, Beavan Frank Lee former inter services Boxing Champ. The fifth member Stewart Cameron (the Sergeant) left before the photo.

The first time I met Terry was when I was posted to RAF Locking circa 1955 where I was privileged to become part of his benign influence. Already addicted to Basketball being stationed with Terry was like growing another 6 inches tall, I was 5 feet 6 inches tall at the time- still am , I think!

Terry was a Giant among us mortals all 6 feet 4 inches of him. But it wasn‟t just his natural ability as a athlete that caused us all to look up to him. Terry, despite his achievements in Basketball, Badminton, Squash, Boxing and Cycling never thought he was superior. It was this quality of humility plus accomplishment which together with his teaching ability and natural leadership made him popular with

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012 all of us as a Player, Coach and Captain undisputed. He was both respected and trusted, a rare combination.

An example of these gifts was how Fighter command (In the old structured RAF) the „Cinderella‟ of the Basketball world of the time, was led by Terry to win against all the odds the Command Championship Cup by beating the powerful Tech Training Command team as recorded at the time, November 13th 1963.

As a man and athlete Terry distinguished himself. He was a graceful athlete in spite of his height and build. A natural leader with the ability to inspire people from all walks of life and all ranks.

Terry enlisted into the RAF at the age of seventeen and a half determined to be a PTI. RAF „Careers‟ tried to talk him out of it for some reason known only to themselves. Perhaps it was the times. The second world war in 1947 was still recent enough to continue the culture and traditions of the military at war and PTI may have been synonymous with Drill Instructor in the view of „Careers‟. Who knows ? Todays society sees sport and exercise as fundamental to health and a multi billion pound industry to boot. Maybe Terry instinctively knew this following sporting success at his secondary first choice, and last choice he told them and they caved in!

Terry attended many courses starting with his initial PTI Course Circa 1947 – the number of the course as we always enquire, to assure the credentials of others – number 45! It started at Hereford as seen below but concluded at Cosford I believe. Who do you know in the picture?

Following training Terry was posted to Iraq serving two years before returning and a posting to RAF Weeton where he met and married the love of his life Jean producing two gorgeous daughters Christine and Susan who went on to have between them two sons and four daughters.

Terry‟s achievements included taking part in the Royal Tournament in 1947, played for the Combined Services, International matches1956 Spain, Scotland ( I was in that squad at Petrievie Castle I believe,

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

(the author) One of the Courses he disliked was the four jump course at Abingdon. Following the last jump an officer of the Parachute School asked Terry how had he enjoyed the course. Enjoyed „like hell‟ said Terry „I hated it‟.

45 Course - 1947

In 1968 Terry achieved a Commission in the P.Ed Branch after serving ten years as a Sergeant. He completed his twenty two years as a Flt Lieutenant.

On demob Terry as ambitious as always gained admission to Loughborough College studying Physical Education. After graduation he worked in secondary education following which he moved into Local Authority Recreational Management based at Haverhill Sports Centre in Suffolk until retirement. At a memorial service in St Marys Church Haverhill on Thursday April 14th tributes were paid to Terry by his daughter Christine and by a friend from the local community.

Representing the RAF PTI Association was Roy Rigg Parading the Associations Standard and Frank Lee and I. My final words to the estimated Congregation of 200 at the end of a tribute containing the essence of the above was „Terry Keogh has left an enduring Heritage in his RAF career in raising the status and popularity of the game of Basketball now an accepted Olympic sport in England and Sport in general. His dedication to the Physical Fitness Branch of the RAF and in all its branches, Sport; Rehabilitation of injured personnel, Mountain Rescue, Parachute Instruction, Survival Training and Mountain Rescue etc. We salute his memory.

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Footnote; Seargeant John Doran „Geordie‟ thought he heard Terry say during a basketball Tournament that he,Terry, didn‟t believe in God. Surprised at this Geordie said everyone at the time believed Terry WAS GOD.

Terry and Team but which one? Anyone know?

My thanks to Terry‟s daughter Christine for furnishing me with pictures and notes for this tribute. Terry‟s Heritage is also in the wonderful wife and family he leaves behind as a permanent reminder of his life. Terry Keogh was born on May 6th 1929 and died March 29th 2011 aged 81.

Life after 22 years as a RAF PTI by Charles Pucill

Some three years before I was due to retire with a paltry pension, it occurred to me that there might not be too many jobs in civilian life, calling for me to maim and or kill people.

I was advised to submit myself to the Vocational Guidance Association in London for them to determine my next career. I chose their third recommendation to become a Youth Leader!

Through the office of the local county youth officer, I began doing voluntary evening and week-end work in local youth clubs – Yes, I did often wonder just what had I let myself in for? Three years soon passed. I left the RAF on a Friday and on the following Monday found myself almost back at school with both feet under a desk to undergo a 12 month intensive training course at Leicester.

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

Charles PTI Course in 1947

I thought at the age of 40 I would be the “daddy” of all the 80 students wrong again! One student was 15 years older than myself, actually most of us were middle aged.

I served a month at Bootle in Liverpool, and two months in Harwell new town. More than once did I wonder at my naivety. 12 months later with a Diploma in my sticky hand, I found myself as the Warden/Leader at a local Authority Youth Centre working five nights a week and the rest of the week trying to fathom the mysteries of working with other social agencies.

Eighteen months later I had a whole District to supervise, and 2 years later I had County Wide responsibilities. A few years later I accepted more responsibility and spent the next ten years working very closely with the Amateur Governing Bodies of Sport and the National Funding Agencies. My workload grew like topsy‟! Then, just as I thought I was going to be elevated to the Peerage – I was made redundant at 61 years old, it was apparently cheaper!

At all times, from day one I dressed myself with collar & tie, very shiny shoes and well creased trousers as if I was attending a PTI re-union.

I know in my heart that without my RAF/PTI background I could not have succeeded so well in my second career. To the Officers and Staff Instructors at the S of PT a big thank you. I would like to express my gratitude particularly to ex F/Sgt Ken Trotter my C.I. in 1947 (retired a Squadron Leader - he is still alive at 96 years old), who taught me how to be a successful PTI.

To all the U/T PTIs of today – I would like to pass this message on “With your present training, other careers await your application too”!

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Charles and Marion Pucill Charles H Pucill – RAF/PTI 1947 – 68. LEA/Y&C. Service 1969 -89

NB: played Golf until my 83rd Birthday. I now play Croquet with a 96 year old lady who thrashes me every game!

A proud daughter nominates her dad to carry the Olympic Torch

The Nomination

Daniel Downs is my father who represented Scotland at diving between 1970 to 1976 also winning Scottish Titles at 1,3, and 10 Metres. He travelled to various countries diving for Scotland. He joined the RAF as a PTI in 1975 coached the RAF Diving team for a few years and then qualified as a Football referee. He has refereed every representative match in the RAF and Combined Services and was a Football League Linesman for 10 years between 1991-2001. He has coached Football ran a village Sunday team in Lincoln (Wellingore). He has been involved in Sport all his life and retired from RAF In 2012 after 37 years service, he deserves this nomination.

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Danny with a young admirer

Danny with the Torch at RAF Leuchars

“HAVING A BALL” AT THE SCOTTISH PTI GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PTI REUNION 29 JUNE 2012

Forget the European Championships, forget Wimbledon, forget the Tour de France, The Open and forget the London Olympics – this was the biggest sporting event of the year to date, for sure !! As the event got closer, everyone‟s handicaps got bigger, it seemed, apart from mine; same old 28 as usual but what do you expect, the bats only come out once a year for this prestigious competition. Now in its 4th consecutive year, this was a special gathering marking the first year that we have had a ladies‟ competition with 5 female entrants. It also signified the departure of Sqn Ldr Tonkin to pastures new after a highly successful 2 years back in his homeland, and celebrated my departure from the Royal Air Force after nearly 29 years; what a great way to spend my last day in uniform. With none of the 3 previous winners available this year because Sgt Phil Corral (2011 champion) was injured, Mr Scott

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Hardiment (2010 champion) was working offshore and Sgt Jim Taylor (2009 champion) being posted, we would be sure of new names on the trophies. There were many prizes up for grabs: an overall Champion‟s cup and coveted green jacket (100% pure silk iridescent green jacket with a “badge” on it and donated by Mr Laurie Skuodas for 2011‟s competition), a ladies‟ champion cup (kindly donated by FS Jerry Bartlett, PEd Flt RAF Kinloss; see promotions), FDTC G shield for the best golfer out of the FDTC G staff, longest drive, nearest the pin and the wooden spoon for the lowest score of the day. Most of the entrants were just spurred on to keep away from the last prize, me included.

Missing from photo: Laurie Skuodas, Anne Nicolle, Allan Bantick & Stu Coulthard.

The event commenced with lunch, of course, at the picturesque Grantown-on-Spey Golf Course and, as usual, Mr Laurie Skuados arrived 35 minutes late after issues with his hair stylist; apparently there was a double booking and he pitched up a little flustered but as chirpy and colourful as ever. As the soup and sarnies went down a treat inside, the heavens had just opened outside, it wasn‟t looking good. Thankfully, the rain didn‟t last and by the time the lunch was done and the playing order briefed, it was glorious outside as we posed for the pre-golf photo. Again Laurie was missing in action, lost his comb in the car-park apparently. As usual, OC FDTC Grantown-on-Spey had the honour and under enormous pressure and banter from the ranks, hit an excellent drive just left of the fairway to set the bar high and lead us onwards. Played in one 4 and seven 3-ball groups, personnel from around the country attended as follows: RAF Boulmer (4 personnel), RAF Lossiemouth (5), RAF Leuchars (1), UGSAS (1), FDTC G (8), ex PEdO/PTI‟s (Anne Nicolle, Stu Coulthard, Laurie Skuodas, Paul Gray & Allan Bantick attended golf and dinner, Andrew Holder Snr for dinner only) and several invited guests. The course itself was in a fantastic condition and the Stableford competition tested players of every standard. There was some excellent golf being played; WO Andy Greenhalgh hit two pars on two consecutive holes, just like every 28 handicap player does Andy – yeah right ! Indeed, there was sharking going on all day. Woody, Neil, Beth, Anne – they were all at it but not the masses; they were mostly there for the banter. As the intensity and heat rose, Sgt Phil Corral took refreshment orders from the contestants and delivered them speedily by golf buggy, so speedily in fact, he received a ticking off from the steward for speeding and crossing the fringe of a green, nice one Phil. I have never enjoyed such a great time on any golf course worldwide (I haven‟t played many) and the 19th

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012 hole provided everyone with a chance to reflect on what could have been, should have been or might have been before getting ready for dinner. If only. A couple of the guests who could not make the golf arrived for pre-dinner drinks in the FDTC as we all sat for a well-deserved banquet of the finest food and wine. The OC welcomed everyone, introduced the newcomers and Cpl Jenny Clegg said grace. Raffle tickets were sold between courses to raise funds for the centre charities. Sqn Ldr Tonkin thanked a few people especially the Catering staff (Cpl Sharon Smart, Ms Laura Munro and Ms Bev Duncan) and the servers, Anne and Gail Drummond – presenting them with a bottle of wine and a kiss from the best looking JNCO in the house – you know who you are Duncan ! The raffle followed and I thank those who donated gifts: bottles of whisky & wine, books, chocolate, 4-ball golf tickets, clay-pigeon shooting to name but a few and very well received by the lucky winners, raising £176 – many thanks one and all and congratulations to the prize winners. Now let‟s get down to the business end of the day. The match referee, Sgt Neil Martin had checked and double-checked every score-card to ensure a fair and respectable contest.

The results were as follows:

Wooden Spoon: Flt Lt Jono Young – 16 points (equal with Sgt Lee Powles but lost on countback – unlucky Jono) – sorry, but Jono refused to pose for a photo. Longest Drive: Flt Lt Ally Park from RAF Boulmer Nearest the Pin: Mr Martin Daley (guest) from Forres

Longest Drive: Flt Lt Ally Park receives his prize

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Ladies Champion: Corporal Beth Chilvers from RAF Boulmer receives the trophy from FDTC Grantown-on-Spey Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader Travis Tonkin.

Ladies Championship: 5th place: Mrs Lorna Bain, PEd Flt Admin Assistant RAF Lossiemouth (25 Points) 4th place: Cpl Jenny Clegg from RAF Boulmer (32 points), 3rd place: Mrs Jackie Coulthard, Skye of Curr (33 points) 2nd place: Mrs Anne Nicolle from Grantown-on-Spey (36 points) 1st place: Cpl Beth Chilvers from RAF Boulmer (39 points)

FDTC G Shield Champion: 3rd place: FS George Whitecross (31 points) 2nd place: WO Andy Greenhalgh (34 points) 1st place: Sgt Neil Martin (35 Points)

RAF FDTC Grantown-on-Spey Staff Shield winner: Sergeant Neil Martin. 17

The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

Overall Championship: 3rd place: Mr Stu Coulthard, Skye of Curr (36 points – on countback) 2nd place: Mr Laurie Skuodas from Newtonmore (36 points – by a whisker !!) 1st place: Cpl Beth Chilvers from RAF Boulmer (39 points) receives the “PTI Green Jacket,” not from last year‟s winner but from OC FDTC G.

Fits like a Dachstein ! Ladies and Overall Champion, many congratulations to Cpl Beth Chilvers.

Staffing, Movements, Promotions, Congrats, Postings and News (Scotland)

Physical Education Staff: FDTC Grantown-on-Spey RAF Lossiemouth: Flt Lt Jono Young Flt Lt Carrie Moore WO Andy Greenhalgh Sgt Frankie Tinsley (ATI) A/FS Lee Powles (May-October 2012) Cpl Tommy Lockhart Sgt Phil Corral Cpl Liam Williams (ATI) Sgt Greg Davies Cpl William Jackson Sgt Ben Hardy Cpl Hannah Forrestal Sgt Neil Martin Cpl Polish Glodkowski (ARI) Sgt Chris Morrison Mrs Lorna Bain (AA) Sgt Paul Shipley Mr Roy Hunte (ex PTI & physio) Cpl Duncan Currie ESUAS (RAF Leuchars) - FS Scott McNeish Cpl Andy Shepherd UGSAS (Glasgow) – Sgt Si Almond Mrs Anne Drummond (AO) JSMTC Ballachulish - Sgt Scott Simon

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

RAF Boulmer: RAF Leuchars: Flt Lt Ally Park Sqn Ldr Mark Taylor (OC FDS) FS Pete Hamilton (ATI) Flt Lt Phil Webster Cpl Dave Wood (ATI) Sgt Chris Pillans (ATI) Cpl Steve Jones Sgt Ross Ruighby (ARI on 58 Sqn RAF Regt) Cpl Beth Chilvers Sgt Mick Turnbull (ARI & ATI) Cpl Jenny Clegg Cpl Neil Boyd (ATI) Cpl Siovahan Davis Cpl Kyle Young/Cpl Findley Blythe AA – Mrs Brenda Thompson Cpl Richard Dunn/ Cpl Matthew Kreczak

RAF Kinloss: - Cpl Oliver Loak is the last surviving PTI stationed at RAF Kinloss and he will be posted to RAF Waddington in late July after handing over the facilities to the Army.

PTI / PEdO Movements

WO Andy Greenhalgh posted from RAF High Wycombe to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey June 2011 FS Pete Hamilton posted from ATC Bavaria to RAF Boulmer in November 2011. FS Scott McNeish posted from RAF Leuchars to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey 1 October 2012. Sgt Ben Hardy posted from RAF Benson to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey September 2011 Sgt Jim Taylor posted from FDTC Grantown-on-Spey to RAF Boscombe Down in March 2012. Sgt Al Hadnett posted from FDTC Grantown-on-Spey to JSATI Llanrwst April 2012. Sgt Neil Martin posted from RAF Lossiemouth to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey in Apr 2012. Cpl Dave Wood posted from RAF Leuchars to RAF Boulmer in July 2011. Cpl Hannah Forrestal posted from RAF Kinloss to RAF Lossiemouth in June 2012. Cpl Duncan Currie posted from JSATI Llanrwst to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey from ATI crse Mar 2011. Sqn Ldr Travis Tonkin posted from FDTC Grantown-on-Spey to RAF High Wycombe June 2012. Flt Lt Jono Young posted from FDTC Crickhowel to FDTC Grantown-on-Spey June 2012. Cpl Tom Sherringham posted to RAF Lossiemouth from RAF Cosford on completion of BPTIC 30/07/12 Cpl Tommy Lockhart posted from RAF Lossiemouth to JSATI Llanrwst on ATI course Sept 2012.

Retirements:

WO Andy Holder retired from FDTC G on 1 November 20 11 after nearly 38 years Service Mrs Maggie Henderson (ex FS PTI) will retire from the MOD at RAF Kinloss in September 2012 after 40 years combined Service, lives in Forres with husband John who was an ex Sgt PTI. FS George Whitecross retires from FDTC G on 3 September 2012 after nearly 29 years Service, took up post as Moray Rugby Development Officer on 9 July, lives in Elgin and now has only 3 chickens left. Cpl Gavin Kelly (ARI) retires from RAF Boulmer in September 2012 after 11 years of Service to become a Firefighter in the Borders.

Congratulations & News: Flt Lt Mark Taylor posted to RAF Leuchars on promotion to Sqn Ldr in March 2012 FS Jerry Bartlett posted from RAF Kinloss to RAF Cranwell on promotion to WO in May 2012. Sgt Chris Morrison from FDTC G and Nia got married in January 2011. Sgt Mick Turnbull from RAF Leuchars - received AOC‟s Commendation in 2011. Cpl Frankie Tinsley posted from RAF Leeming to RAF Lossie on promotion to Sgt in Apr 2012 Cpl Duncan Currie (now FDTC G) for passing the ATI course at JSATI Llanrwst - March 2011. Sgt Chris Morrison from FDTC G for passing MIC at Glenmore Lodge in March 2011.

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

Cpl Liam Williams (now RAF Lossiemouth) for passing the ATI course at JSATI Llanrwst - July 2011. Mrs Lorna Bain (AA PEd Flt Lossie) awarded BSW employee of the month – August 2011. PEd Flt RAF Lossiemouth received a Station Commanders Commendation in November 2011. Cpl Tommy Lockhart from RAF Lossiemouth got married to Sarah in February 2012. Cpl Neil Boyd (now RAF Leuchars) for passing ATI course at JSATI Llanrwst in April 2012 and for getting married to Michelle. Sgt Paul Shipley from FDTC G for completing a BA(Hons) Degree in Outdoor Ed & Leadership - May 2012. Sgt Lee Powles from FDTC G for completing a BA(Hons) Degree in Outdoor Ed & Leadership - May 2012. Sgt Phil Corral from FDTC G for completing a BSc(Hons) PEd Degree in May 2012. Sgt Ben Hardy and wife Kylie celebrated having a new baby boy called Leo (8lb 2oz) on20 July 2012. Sgt Phil Corral from FDTC G gets married to Rachael Shepherd on 25 August 2012. Cpl William Jackson from RAF Lossiemouth worked on Op Olympic throughout this summer. Ex Sgt PTI, Mr John Henderson for completing all the Munro‟s, Corbets & has 32 of 224 Grahams left.

Finally, if you have any news, articles or information for the new “Badge Newsletter”, please e-mail them to me as the Scotland representative on the address below.

I hope you all enjoyed the golf competition and PTI reunion, see you all next time.

Yours in sport & regards George Whitecross FS PTI Association Scottish Representative MB 07765173714 or [email protected] or [email protected]

GYM FOR SALE

The gym is an ideal business proposition for a PTI coming out of the RAF who wishes to step into a going concern, with masses of potential; it is going for around £90,000 including all equipment etc. It is run on a secure lease with the current lease running for the next 11 years at a rent of £9,500 per annum.

I will be putting it on the general release in autumn so if you can put it in the badge to give the PEd world a heads up initially. Interested parties can call me on 07977060301 for further information. The beauty of this business is that it is located in the beautiful location of North Devon.

John Reeves

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The Badge Newsletter No 1 – 1st August 2012

The Associations Area Reps are as listed below

Representing:

Scotland GeorgeWhitecross [email protected]

Wales: Geoff Diggle [email protected]

London & SE Ian Swindale [email protected]

North West John Gallagher [email protected]

North East John Doran [email protected]

West Midlands John Weedon [email protected]

East Midlands Gary Swan-Brown garyswan- [email protected]

South West John Reeves [email protected]

East Anglia Terry Hagan [email protected]

Overseas Sue Zwart-Woodward [email protected]

Please contact your area reps if you want to organise anything or have some news that may be of interest to our members. Also if there are ex RAF PTIs who wish to become members please let Denise know.

Geoff Diggle listed above is also our Welfare Officer so if you know of any PTIs that need help, are sick or have passed away please contact him.

As a matter of interest- The RAF PTI Association was set up in 1994 by Phil Hockaday, Pat Corfield, Mick Murphy and myself Phil Moyse. The aim of the Association is to provide an opportunity for PTIs‟ to get together regardless of specialisation rank or status, to renew old friendships and provide a welfare line through Area Representatives. It is our chance to meet as one and reflect our common bond. The Association welcomes RAF PTIs‟ who have completed the RAF PTI basic training course.

For those that contributed to the newsletter thank you.

The Badge Newsletter Number 2 will be sent out on 1st December 2012, articles in by the 23rd November please.

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