Welcome to Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Kenley & Caterham Branch!

Last updated on 11th May 2013 / 21:30 h

• The Wings Appeal events on 27th April and 11th May 2013 were well attended. At the first event, Jill Tassera went down memory lane with many anecdotes and artefacts from her time as a young lady during and after the war. At the latter event, Mike van der Vord captured the audience with his knowledge about our local area, especially the river Wandle. The audience thanked both speakers with a big round of applause and RAFA Kenley and Caterham in turn thanked both, audience and speakers, for their generous support of the Wings Appeal. Pictures of both events are featured in the Tower Section.

• Veterans' Christmas Lunch Old Coulsdon Centre 13^th December 2012 

  As in previous years the annual Christmas Lunch for Veterans took place at the above Centre supported by the RAFA through our hardworking HWO Rosemary Stewart and the generous backing of our President Frank Stanhope OBE.
  

  There were over 44 or more Veterans and RAFA representatives attending on the day ably assisted by a hard working band of volunteers who throughout the lunch, together with the Centres own volunteer staff, served an excellent three course meal not forgetting the plentiful wine that flowed, thanks to Frank, and finishing with coffee/tea and hot mince pies. 

  The tables and the room itself had been tastefully decorated making a stunning Christmas feeling as one entered the room. This achieved by Rosemary and all her helpers the day before.
  

  Sadly this was to be the last Veterans Christmas lunch to be organised by Rosemary who is stepping down as our Branch HWO.  To recognise her outstanding welfare work over many years, Rosemary was presented with an engraved plaque by Mike Roach, Branch Chairman.   

  In addition to this Rosemary also received a large bouquet of flowers from our President, who unable to attend and another from all Portcullis Club members.

  Vera Harvey, Rosemary’s assistant, was also presented with a Bouquet by our Branch Treasurer Gwen Smedley in recognition for all her valuable work and support.

  The Centres volunteers also received a gift of thanks for their part in making this truly a memorable occasion and may it long continue.
  

  In conclusion on behalf of the veterans, helpers and RAFA members I sincerely wish Rosemary a   happy and long retirement in her new home in North Devon and her to keep in touch.
  
  Find photos of this event in the Tower section.               
  

• Our Advent afternoon with German Christstollen, gingerbread and special biscuits took place on Saturday, 1st December 2012 at the Portcullis Club. More than 20 guests including a contingent from the Reigate Branch enjoyed the homemade pastries from Evelyn. A small Christmas Fair comprising of our bric-a-brac stall and handicrafts added to the Advents atmosphere. A raffle of donated items and the draw of the winner of the Santa Teddy made it even more interesting. An afternoon which passed all too quickly. Proceeds will be going to the Wings Appeal. Find images of this event in the Tower section.
  
  
• The talk by John Chisholm, Deltiologist & Village Sign Society, about 'Village Signs' in our local area at the Fish & Chips event on Saturday, 13th October 2012, was well received by the audience. A few images of his talk are featured in our new RAFA calendar 2013.