Contact
Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
A Qu a r t e r l y Ma g a z i n e f o r R A F P e r s o n n e l a n d t h e i r F ami l i e s Contents
Editor’s words/From the Chairman/The RAF Families Federation Foreword by Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt OBE MA FRAeS FCIPD
Cover Photograph – Duncan Sellers sports his father’s hat. Duncan’s dad is OC PSF at Cranwell. Photograph by SAC Dolina Day.
Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year.
Editor: Ann Dewar RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL 01780 781650
Chairman: Dawn McCafferty Deputy: Chris Taylor
Communications Manager: Ann Dewar Issues/Liaison Team Manager: Jenny Ward Liaison Team Member: Colin Jones Admin Co-ordinator: Julie Goodson
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy
Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2009 Editorial Matter and Illustrations: © Envoy Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc
Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Tel: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876
Advertisement Manager: Jeanne Alker:
j.alker@
methodpublishing.co.uk
Views expressed in Envoy, unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Envoy, the RAF or the Ministry of Defence.
No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in Envoy can be accepted by the Publishers or Printers and advertisements are accepted on the express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way contravene the provisions of The Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom.
The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any advertisement without stating a reason.
Emerging Issues
Fly the Flag 27 June 09 ..................................................................................................................................4 Free from the FSA ...........................................................................................................................................4 Information on NHS Dentists ...........................................................................................................................4 Order Your Uniform Items On-Line ...................................................................................................................4 Reservists ......................................................................................................................................................4 CEA Claims for September 09 .........................................................................................................................4 Female Support ..............................................................................................................................................4 News from BFBS.............................................................................................................................................4 Annington to the Rescue! ...............................................................................................................................4 RAFA Skydiving and Parachuting .....................................................................................................................4 Change to Pension Sharing .............................................................................................................................4 Read Bedtime Stories from OOA ......................................................................................................................4
Features Diary of a Dependant .....................................................................................................................................6 Second Chance ..............................................................................................................................................9 When the Going Gets Tough .........................................................................................................................12 The Long Good-Byes ....................................................................................................................................14
REGULARS Federation News
Discussions at the Ministry ...........................................................................................................................16 Official Insight ..............................................................................................................................................17 Not Quite ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’! ...................................................................................................18 Two New Guys Join the Team – and one of them is ex Navy! .........................................................................18
Education Matters The ROAD to Success ...................................................................................................................................20 Changes to School Admissions .....................................................................................................................21
Housing
No Real Surprises! ........................................................................................................................................22 The Latest on Service Housing .....................................................................................................................24 Energy Efficiency – Defence Estates are Listening! ..........................................................................................25
Health and Lifestyle A Brief Medical Guide for Parents – Part 1 .....................................................................................................26
Your Money Pension Splitting on Divorce .........................................................................................................................28
The Workplace Jobs Worth! .................................................................................................................................................29 Vital Reserves...............................................................................................................................................30 Stig’s Cousins Assist ....................................................................................................................................31 Who Cares? .................................................................................................................................................32
Community
The RAF Families Federation is an independent organisation managed by The RAF Association (RAFA). Patron: Her Majesty the Queen Registered Charity Number 226686 Scottish Charity Number SCO37673
New Kids on the Block ..................................................................................................................................33
Reader Offers Orchids ........................................................................................................................................................36 Adventure Holiday........................................................................................................................................36 Daisy Park ....................................................................................................................................................36
Postbag .............................................................................................................................................................37
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk Summer 2009 1
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48