Contact


Telephone: 01780 781650, email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website www.raf-ff.org.uk


A Quarterly Magazine for RAF Personnel and their Families Contents


Cover Photograph – Ladies of the Northolt Military Wives Choir.


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


Director: Bill Mahon


Communications Manager: Ann Dewar Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Evidence Manager: Jenny Ward Evidence Co-ordinator: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Jenny Scott Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Office Manager: Julie Goodson


Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy


Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2012 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.


The RAF Families Federation is an independent


organisation parented by The RAF Association.


Patron: Her Majesty the Queen


Registered Charity Number 226686


Scottish Charity Number SCO37673


20 www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Winter 2012 42 3


Editor’s words/From the Director Foreword by Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare & Veterans Christmas Message from CAS, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton The Federation is here for You


Emerging Issues ...........................................................................................................9


Features Words in War ............................................................................................................12 Angels in Afghanistan ................................................................................................14 Heroes of the Skies ....................................................................................................16 Resisting the Rush .....................................................................................................18 The Oranges and Lemons Church ..............................................................................19 Joining the ‘normal’ People .......................................................................................20


REGULARS Federation News


Dreaming of that ‘Sunshine’ Tour ...............................................................................22 Result of survey ‘Support given for RAF Families’ .......................................................24 What’s the Point? .....................................................................................................26


Health & Wellbeing Breaking through Autism ...........................................................................................28 Extraordinary Families ...............................................................................................30 I’ve Climbed Helvellyn ...............................................................................................32


Housing Think Twice before rejecting a Quarter .......................................................................35 Mould in the Home ...................................................................................................36


Money A Word on Remuneration from the RAF Pay Colonel ...................................................38


Community


The Promise of Singing and Fun .................................................................................40 What Makes a Good Project? .....................................................................................43 Home is where the RAF sends us… ...........................................................................45 Spotlight on RAF HIVE ................................................................................................46 After the Event ...........................................................................................................49


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