Why should YOU contact the Federation?
The RAF Families Federation is funded by the RAF but sits outside the Chain of Command as an independent organisation. We represent all RAF personnel –bethey Regular,Reserve, single, married or in apartnership, together with their families.
We provide avoice for the issues and concerns you have about life in the RAF,and we have direct access to senior RAF and MOD staffs as well as Government Ministers.
To do all this, we need to hear from you on issues such as quality of life, accommodation, health, education, pay and allowances Everyone’s views and concerns are important to us.
Keythings to remember: •Wework with the RAF/MOD and not against them
•Wedon’t undermine the chain of command; we work with them but will dig them in the ribs on your behalf when necessary
•Wewill signpost you to the ‘best’ experts to help you if required
•Wealways maintain your anonymity and respect your privacy
•Wealways maintain afair and balanced approach If you don’t tell us, we can’t tell them.
Welcome from the
editor
Well, what asummer… Nick and I, here in the communications team had the task of organising our team’s attendance at all of your Station families days this
summer.Boy what abusy but fun time we have had! Ruth, our office manager,was probably sleeping at night not by counting sheep, but freebie bag collating or booking numerous hire cars instead.
On apersonal note, this issue of Envoy marks my two-year milestone working at the RAF FF and Ihave loved every minute. I’ve managed to meet so many groups, organisations and learn so much, especially coming into the RAF community with no prior military experience. One of my most recent visits has included the Military Wives Choir’s Annual Conference, held at Tidworth Garrison. Jo Wilkinson and Iwent armed with our exhibition stand and received the warmest of welcomes. We even joined in with the singing workshop along with Nichola, our counterpart in the Naval FF.Well, Ican safely say we all left feeling quite energised. Singing really did give us agood feeling and Ican totally appreciate the benefits of joining one of the choirs. Not abad day’s work foraMonday!
So, focusing back on this edition, I’m so excited to bring to you two great prizes for you to win. There is aweekend break for two nights at the Victory Services Club. Amust to go to if you haven’t already used it as aweekend bolt-hole. The team are all so friendly there too. Youreally will be made to feel special.
There is also afree Family and Friends National Railcard up for grabs. Simply use the form in this magazine to sign up to either eBULLETIN or Envoy magazine (or both as they are free!) and send your slip in to me by Friday 28th October,your details will then go into adraw to win one of the two prizes. I’ll then have the fun part of informing the lucky winners who they are by Friday 4th November
informing the lucky winners who they are by Friday 4th November.
FrontCaption: Pictured is the first of the UK’s F-35B Lightning II jets to be flown to the UK. (c) MOD Crown Copyright 2016.
CONTACT Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy –The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4times ayear. To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, email
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via our website
raf-ff.org.uk
Director: Bill Mahon Communications Manager: Caroline Woodward Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Assistant Volunteer Editor: Kate Graham Evidence Manager: Colin Jones
Evidence Assistant: Todd Fellows Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Regional Covenant Managers: Graeme Spark, Jo Wilkinson, Julie Price Office Manager: Ruth McClelland
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, adivision of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy
Design and Typography:©Method Publishing 2016 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 Email:
admin@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 areason.
raf-ff.org.uk Autumn 2016 1
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