IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE CAMPAIGN The Journal of the BNTVA Registered Charity Number 1131134 TM Spring 2012 2 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2012 London Cenotaph Parade Remembrance Sunday 13 Nov 2011 These Two photographs represents the members of the BNTVA who attended the London Cenotaph Parade on Remembrance Sunday 13 November 2011. One shows members of the BNTVA at the field of remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The other shows members and members families outside our London HQ for the day, the local pub of our trustee Don James, who is seen holding the Standard. Our thanks to Don and the BNTVA, not only for the hospitality received by members and their families at “The Speaker’, but also for the dedication shown by Don and his family(His daughter is beside him in the photograph) in dutifully producing the Garden of remembrance at the Abbey. With regard to the Portsmouth Group, we continue to meet monthly on the last Wednesday of each month at Twelve noon at the Froddington pub in Fratton Road, Portsmouth. We keep our eye on the BNTVA memorial stone and bench in the Cathedral Garden, and now our National Standard which hangs in the North Transept of the Cathedral itself. Yours sincerely Norman Aplin. (2006) NO BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTEDCLOSING AFTER THIS DATE FOR BOOKINGSDATE 14 APRIL 20123 BNTVA AGM & Conference TM Friday 4th May- Sunday 6th May 2012 To be held at Heathlands Hotel Bournemouth 12 Grove Road, Eastcliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AY This is your chance to book and reserve your room for the conference and AGM A booking form is included with this edition of the magazine, bookings can only be made using this form The Gala Dinner on Saturday 5th May at 19.00 Hours The following dress options, Blazer and grey trousers, Lounge suit, or Dinner suit and black tie fulfil the Gala dinner dress code For those members and supporters who will not be staying at the hotel, the cost of the Gala Dinner is £17.50 per person. The booking form should also be used for attendance of the Gala Dinner only. Payment is due with the form. We have been able to arrange a special discount of 50% reduction on standard National Express coach fares for all those who wish to attend the Conference AGM in Bournemouth in May 2012. See page 4 or the supplied form for details. 4 BNTVA Conference AGM TM Bournemouth 2012 Friday 4th May- Sunday 6th May 2012 We have been able to arrange a special discount of 50% reduction on standard National Express coach fares for all those who wish to attend the Conference AGM in Bournemouth in May 2012. These special discount fares can only be booked on the internet or by telephone. Available on journeys to/from Bournemouth only 2 people per booking Bookable from 24 October 2011 for travel between 7 May 2012 - 14 May 2012 Must be booked at least 1 day in advance of travel 50% off standard National Express fare Not available on special offers Tickets can only be purchased online or via the Customer Service Centre Standard booking & distribution fees apply Tickets are non refundable or amendable The promotional code is BOURNE50. This should be quoted on the phone or inserted into the relevant box on the website. The website link is www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/discounts/promocodes.cfm Customer Service centre telephone number 0121 452 8007. Remember to quote the promotional code. CAMPAIGN Spring 2012 | 5 The Chaplain writes Memories are made of this One of the most important features of ex-Service associations is the keeping alive of memories. In Chichester Cathedral each year we welcome holders of the Italy Star, for their annual reunion and service, and former members of the Royal Sussex Regiment – now, alas, no more. In each case, and in gatherings of our own Nuclear Veterans, out come the photos, and the same old stories are told, usually losing nothing in the telling! It is not easy for those of us who did not Another old song has the line, ‘What would serve in the Armed Forces (I missed we do in the world without friends?’ National Service by a year) to realise One of our members who is on his own the bonds that are forged, in peacetime now, told me, ‘I live for our reunions, I see as well as war, by people who are my old pals and enjoy a pint or three and drawn together in a common purpose, go home with a new set of memories to and who share the intensity and close add to the old ones.’ comradeship of Service life. As an old song says, ‘Memories are made of this’, and I Such comments help us to understand always enjoy listening to the stories which the great importance of Jesus’ words, for emerge when we meet, in Blackpool (or those of us who are called to carry on his Bournemouth this year) for the Annual saving work: ‘I have called you friends.’ Meeting, or for Services of Remembrance and Rededication. With my very best wishes to all our members for a Happy Easter. Jesus said to his disciples not long before his death, ‘I have called you friends’ – not servants but friends, who shared his company, knew his mind and would keep alive his message of hope and new life as they continued his work. 6 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2012 Conference AGM 2012 Friday 4th May to Sunday 6th May, BNTVA Conference/AGM weekend at The Heathlands Hotel 12 Grove Road East Cliff Bournemouth BH1 3AY. Reception at The Heathlands Hotel. Have you booked your accommodation at The Heathlands? Send your completed booking form to Lauren Iliff without delay. Bookings only accepted on the official booking form. During the whole weekend Charles The completed film will be lodged in Stewart the documentary film maker, the film archive of the Imperial War will be carrying out film interviews Museum. There is also the possibility with any veteran, veteran’s widow, that an edited version will be used in or family members who wish to take a TV programme. The film will also part. Each participant will have a 5 be included on the DVD part of the minute slot. A private room in the Royal British Legion Education pack. hotel will be set aside for the filming to take place. CAMPAIGN Spring 2012 | 7 Friday The weekend starts on Friday with most members arriving during the day. An informal dinner and entertainment are planned for the evening. Saturday Official Business part of the AGM commences at 11.00 hrs when all the reports and any decisions will be taken. Light Lunch in the hotel at 13.00 hrs Conference restarts at 14.00 hrs. Including guest speakers, films, and discussion, the afternoon session will finish at 16.00 hrs For those of you who took part in the Health Needs Audit last year, it will be your chance to meet the Researchers from Miles Green Associates again. Members of the team will be speaking during the afternoon. In the winter edition of ‘Campaign’ you will have read the article by Catherine Crawford from Edinburgh, who will be attending the conference. She will be taking small group sessions, featuring essential oils and diet, throughout the afternoon. These sessions are open to all, but with the ladies especially in mind. The Gala Dinner is at 19.00 hrs for 19.30 hrs start. The official guests will include The Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, Dr Rebecca Miles, Ms Geraldine Mynors, Dr and Mrs Walter Busuttil and others yet to be confirmed. Following the Gala Dinner last year representations were received from some members regarding the dress code. The dress code for the Gala Dinner this year will be Lounge suit, Blazer and grey trousers or Dinner jacket, black Tie. With evening wear for the ladies. 8 | CAMPAIGN Spring 2012 My time at Maralinga Feb 1964 - Jun 1965 John Phillips DSC RE In 1962 whilst serving as a Sapper with 24 Fld Sqn RE in Rochester Kent I had volunteered for service at Maralinga. Having forgotten all about this, I received a posting order in December 1963 some 18 months later to be ready to move in February 1964! I was 21 years old. Due to many flight delays I was kept Singapore until it was over. What a back on rear party whilst my mates shame! We were based at Nee Soon were in Bexhill-on-Sea building a Barracks and were used for general concrete ramp for disabled access to duties such as ration runs for the the beach. After a few weeks I got fed Gurkhas. This often meant chasing up with doing nothing and requested live chickens around the back of the that I join the lads in Bexhill. This Lorries we were using. Anyway to was granted. Murphy’s Law dictated cut a long and exiting story short we that within 2 days of me getting back eventually left Singapore for Perth. with the lads I received a message saying my flight to Australia leaves On arrival at Perth Immigration, my Stanstead Airport in 6 hrs. Be there! rapid packing back in Blighty caught I was rushed back to camp where I up with me. When my Army Suitcase scrounged a clean white shirt and was opened the first things to be hurriedly packed ready for the trip. seen – apart from my dirty washing Muddy boots and all!! - were the boots I had been wearing at Bexhill.