++++ Mike Roach's report from the recent South East and Eastern Area Annual Conference can be found in the Branch Chairman's Section ++++

++++ Ken Sayers - Standard Bearer for 50 years for RAFA Kenley & Caterham ++++

click here to read the article in The Caterham and District INDEPENDENT

 
Forthcoming Events  

 Reports/Announcements  

• The last Fish & Chips on 28th April 2012 with talk “Hurricanes to Russia” by Air Commodore Phil Wilkinson was a well attended event. A brief report with pictures will follow soon.
  
• At the RAFA Kenley & Caterham Branch AGM chairman Mike Roach presented Ken Sayers with a plaque to recognise his long-standing service as Standard Bearer for the Branch. Ken is now in his 50th year as Standard Bearer. Dai Mitchell and Evelyn Klein were presented with a trophy in recognition of their commitments to the Club and Wings Appeal respectively.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The AGM of the Portcullis Club was held on 6th March 2012 at which Ron Aspinwall took over the reigns as chairman from Dai Mitchell. Here is Ron's message to the membership:
  

  I have been elected as your new Chairman and would like to introduce myself by giving you a few background details. My connection with the Portcullis Club comes through my father, Geoff Aspinwall, who is a life member of R.A.F.A. and has been enjoying the club’s hospitality since the 1980s.

  Although I missed National Service by 3 years, I have always been interested in the R.A.F. and flying, mainly because my father and two of his brothers were serving R.A.F. members. Since 2007, I have been an associate member of the Portculis Club and have enjoyed the hospitality and friendship offered by the club and its members.

  I have lived in Caterham on the Hill since 1977 and worked for the family business in Coulsdon since 1963. I retired in October 2011 and now have the opportunity to fully enjoy interests away from work; these include mountain biking, walking my dogs, horticulture, DIY, and now Portcullis business!

  I am taking over chairmanship from David Mitchell who has served for two years and who, during his term, has been a very committed and effective chairman; generously giving so much of his time and experience. He has had the support of a very dedicated committee and group of volunteers who ‘get things done’. I hope I can continue his good work and improve the experience of members when they visit the club, as well as expand on the activities and events organised. Ultimately, of course, this will generate increased revenue for the Club and R.A.F.A.

  Since I have not served on the committee prior to becoming chairman, it may take a little while to familiarise myself with club affairs. I look forward to meeting all the regular members in due course. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any issues.

  Sincerely
  Ron Aspinwall
  
  ron@rafa-kenley.com
  
• The Christmas Veterans lunch held at the Old Coulsdon Centre 22nd December 2011.  Rosemary Stewart our HWO (Honorary Welfare Officer) organised the event and together with her helpers and with the generosity of  our President Frank Stanhope OBE. The veterans enjoyed an excellent Christmas dinner with plentiful  wine and bonhomie.  As you will see from the pictures in the Tower Section the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
• Some 40 members gathered for the Christmas Lunch on Sunday, 11th December, and enjoyed the variety of the food brought by many. The President's raffle was drawn and valuable prizes won. Pictures from this event can be found in the Tower section.
• Our Christmas Markets event on Saturday, 3rd December, saw 25 guests enjoying Evelyn's homemade biscuits and 'Weihnachts Stollen' and later a mug of mulled wine. Hartmut showed Christmas Markets images from 30 places across 3 continents. All in all some 100 slides went on screen and entertained the audience. The afternoon concluded with Sue and Diana playing and singing carols and many joined in. The proceeds of this event went again to RAFA's Wings Appeal. Many thanks to all who attended.
• The latest Fish and Chips lunch at the Portcullis Club was on Saturday, 26th November. Mike Hamby narrated the story of Ivor Novello, who helped so many people during both World Wars coping with the hardship with his melodies and songs. On the in true Welsh style decorated stage, Sue Cope performed many songs of Ivor on the organ. The audience remembered many of the tunes and thanked both performers with a long round of applause.
  

• Remembrance Sunday 13^th November 2011
  There was an excellent number of members at the Portcullis Club following the Service of Remembrance at St Luke’s in the morning. It began with a simple but moving service at the War Memorial where wreaths were laid before the full service in the Church. In the afternoon there was quite a gathering on the airfield for the wreath laying ceremony at the Tribute, where some 16 wreaths were laid this followed by the traditional two minutes silence. In attendance were the Mayor and Mayoress of Croydon and the Mayor and Mayoress of Tandridge and representative organisations from both Croydon and Tandridge. 450 Squadron ATC, Caterham were on parade with their c/o Flt.Lt. Giles Bromley. Their presence alone reminding us of days long ago.
  For November the weather was really superb more like early spring, unlike last year when it was very windy, grey and cold.
• Our mini Oktoberfest on 23rd October proved to be a puller. Full-house at the Portcullis Club, where original Oktoberfest beer and food was served. The talk by Hartmut Klein, introducing the City of Munich and the Oktoberfest, was well received by the audience. The fourth teddy of the Name Me-Claim Me competition found its new home with Marion Green of Paddock Wood. Well done Marion. Most of all, we were able to raise some money for the Wings Appeal. The first set of photos can be found in the Tower section.
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• This Fish and Chips lunch on the 8th October at the Portcullis Club turned out be infact a pizza lunch. However, this didn't deter anyone. The later talk 'Missing from Kenley' by Tony Graves, the renowned aviation archeologist, was followed keenly by the audience.
• Another full house at the Portcullis Club on 24th September!" This Fish and Chips lunch was followed by a talk: 'The French Connection' - Wartime Resistance family memories. Marcel Lascaut, RAFA Crawley President, gave an impressive account of his family's past.
• All street and venue collections in aid of this year's Wings Appeal were completed on 20th September. More than £3k were raised to support those in need. Many thanks to all who donated generously and of course to those collecting, giving up their time and making the effort.
• This year’s Battle of Britain Service was held on Sunday the 18^th September at 11 am at St. Luke’s Church, Whyteleafe to be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Airmans Corner of the Churchyard. Three ATC squadrons were on parade, 450 Kenley and Caterham, 285 Coulsdon and Purley and 66 Squadron Selsdon plus many Standard Bearers. The Mayor from Tandridge Council, a representative from the RAAF and The Royal Australian Air Force Defence Staff in London also attended. After the Church service and ceremony all proceeded to the airfield for a march past the Tribute by the cadets led by the Warlingham Flute Band. The salute wasl then taken by the military representatives. 2011 also marks the 70^th birthday of the ATC. After the ceremony refreshments were enjoyed at the Portcullis Club. Pictures from here can be found in the Tower section.  
• Courtesy of Kenley Airfield Friends Group find a map of the Kenley Airfield Heritage Trail in the Kenley Airfield section.
• Your local RAFA Branch wants to offer a meeting point for people who are interested in the welfare of RAF veterans of all conflicts and services. Please get in touch with info@rafa-kenley.com or drop in at our weekly meetings at the Portcullis Club (details see below). 
   

Portcullis Club

• Open to members and their guests
• Tuesdays from 8 pm
• Sundays from 12 noon to 3 pm
• Directions: CR8 5YG / from Salmons Lane West, enter Victor Beamish Avenue (previously called Caterham Close). There are signs for RAFA, ATC and Gliding Club. (see also map at the bottom of this page) 
  

Branch

Our Branch consists of more than 200 members and is located at the very southern end of Greater London. This position is in close proximity to a number of WW2 airfileds, namely Biggin Hill, Redhill, and of course Kenley Airfield. Hence our Branch and particularly the still very agile and active WW2 veterans take great pride to keep history and memories alive. Our restless veteran Ken Raffield has invested much time and dedication to build a comprehensive archive of all related materials from once and now.

We are lucky to have one of the former RAF buildings on Kenley Airfield as the home of our Portcullis Club where Branch members meet twice a week.

Thanks to the glider operations of the Air Training Corps of nearby located RAF Squadrons, a strong link of the Branch with RAF service men and air cadets exists.