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 – be they Regular, Reserve, single, married or in a partnership, together with their families.
We provide a voice 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.
Key things to remember: • We work with the RAF/MOD and not against them
• We don’t undermine the chain of command; we work with them but will dig them in the ribs on your behalf when necessary
• We will signpost you to the ‘best’ experts to help you if required
• We always maintain your anonymity and respect your privacy
• We always maintain a fair and balanced approach
Remember: If you don’t tell us, we can’t tell them.
Front Caption: RAF Ice Hockey © MOD Crown Copyright 2016.
Welcome from the
editor
I’d like to start with a huge thank you for sending in your articles and news for inclusion in the magazine. It’s great to have so much variety from so many individuals and units alike. To reach all of you we need to keep Envoy relevant for all serving personnel – regular and reserve, single and married or with long-term partners – and of course your families. You are all part of the ‘RAF Family’ so if you have a story to share, or feedback to give, please do get in touch.
To close, and with Remembrance Day around the corner at the time of writing, I’d just like to mark a moment of personal pride for my very own dad (pictured here). In his younger days as a car mechanic, he used to service the late Sir Douglas Bader’s car. Austin had turned out a bespoke Allegro for this rather ‘special’ customer and my father was the one who adapted it for his use. We found an old photo taken on the delivery day. Dad was the only one who was ‘allowed’ to do the general ongoing maintenance work for him thereafter. Not only that, Sir Douglas would insist on sitting in the mechanics’ cuppa area at the back of the workshop and that’s where dad would also do a quick service of his legs whilst the car was on the ramp! The stories dad now shares are to treasure.
CONTACT Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year. To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, email
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via our website
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Director: Bill Mahon Communications Manager: Caroline Woodward Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Evidence Manager: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Todd Fellows
Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Regional Covenant Managers: Graeme Spark, Jo Wilkinson, Lisa Thipthorpe Transition Liaison Manager: Louise Briggs Off ce Manager: Ruth McClelland
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division 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 Offi ce (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Contact Chris Cappie on 01463 732223 or email
c.cappie@
methodpublishing.co.uk
Views expressed in Envoy, unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily ref ect the off cial 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.
www.raf-ff.org.uk Winter 2016 inter 2016 1
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