September is normally a busy month for the Royal Air Forces Association, being centred on the annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain in 1940, during which the RAF played a leading role, and September 2008 proved to be no exception. To this end, RAFA Tenby played its part in several functions.
Following up a most interesting talk on RAF Technical Supply Support by the branch chairman (Sqn. Ldr. Phil Philo) at the August meeting, a successful coffee morning was held on September 6 by the ladies of the branch, aided by some members and some regular supporters.
September 8-14 was Wings Week, during which street and house collections were carried out. Initial figures indicate quite a good amount which was enhanced by the courtesy of several local tradespeople who permitted collecting boxes to be deposited on their premises. Full figures will be published when to hand, but sincere thanks go to them and indeed those who manned the street collecting points.
A Battle of Britain Commemoration Dinner was held on September 13, the guest speaker being Nick Ainger MP, whose address contributed to a very pleasant evening.
The Battle of Britain service on Sunday, September 14, was held in St. Mary's Church, Tenby, by kind permission of the Rector, who assisted the officiating RAFA chaplain, Don Pope, in the service.
A large congregation (including visitors) was headed by HM Lord Lieutenant for Dyfed, the vice-chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Mayor of Tenby and included heads of local organisations, and detachments of the Air Training Corps from Tenby and Whitland. The standards of RAFA Tenby and 1284 ATC were very capably borne by Air Cadets, the parade marshal being Lt. Cdr. Keith Peachey RNR (secretary).
Organ music was provided by Dr. John Harrison, the Last Post was sounded by Peter Greenway, Salvation Army, Tenby, and included stirring excerpts from the Spitfire Prelude.
The whole programme of activities proved most successful, thanks to the ongoing hard work by the branch secretary, Don Ramsay, Wings officer, Harold James, ladies' team leader, Heidi Griffiths, and, of course, the support of the ever-generous folk of Tenby and district.
The branch president, Wilf Hardy, wishes to extend sincere thanks to all concerned.
Anyone interested in supporting RAFA activities is requested to contact Don on 843198 or Wilf on 843170.