55th Annual Report

Rev Canon J H Armstrong Retiring President

As I write, the joy of Christmas, and the excitement of the New Millennium is still with me. The uncertainty as to when this year actually started, gave us the opportunity of two special parties.

The important thing is to remember that we are actually celebrating. It is the 2000th Birthday of Jesus. He came to show us God's love and care for each one of us. Down the years he has brought offers of forgiveness for the past, a new start in life, and of a life beyond earthly death. The living Jesus is with us today. He brings love, peace and hope, and life fulfillment to people of all nations. These are the treasures of his divine love offered down the years, and which we remember again at Christmas.

My sermon ended, I am delighted to thank and congratulate our Branch Committee who have worked so hard during the past year. Our Chairman, John Sloan, our Secretary, John Sutherland and Treasurer Jack Kilvington are backed by a strong committee which you will read about in the following pages.

Last year we were "Runners Up" for the National all round efficiency award by the RAFA Central Council for a Branch of our size. This was a great achievement.

Our "Wings Appeal" once again topped the £10,000 mark, and our special "Harry Cowan Wings Appeal Trophy" was awarded to the Air Cadets of 110(City of York) Squadron for their support. The year ended with our Turning of the Page Ceremony at York Minster on the 30th December. Twenty three RAFA were on parade together with the contingent from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The "Page" was turned by their C.O., Group Captain K Cornfield,OBE,MA,RAF, who was appointed during the year. We welcomed him on his arrival, and he is already well known to us all. We wish him and his family a happy and successful stay at Linton. For many of us this parade was a fitting end to the last year, as we remembered our former comrades and Branch members.

When we come into our Branch Headquarters at Aldwark, we take it for granted that it will be clean, warm and well decorated. This does not happen by chance. Week in week out, there are repairs, painting, plumbing and electrical problems sorted out as necessary. Our HQ is also cleaned by Branch members. This must save us many hundreds of pounds per annum. Behind the scenes our Welfare Officers are busy helping RAF and ex RAF members and their families, one of the most important aspects of our work. Then we must not forget the ladies who help us, but who are not on the Branch Committee. Kath Allison, our Membership
Secretary, Marianne Sutherland, who deals with our Memorabilia and other sales, and the ladies who help us throughout the year with refreshments, Bea Eyeington, Nell White, Rina Whitfield, and many, many others.

Well done everyone. Last year was a good year. Let us plan and work for an even better year which we have already started. Finally, as your President, I have been very proud to act as your representative on various occasions, and have very much enjoyed holding this office.

Rev Canon J H Armstrong, President

John Sloan, Chairman

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2000

2000 has been another year in which we have continued to progress. Membership has increased, particularly Associate Membership, and it is gratifying to see many members that we have not seen for some time, back around the Club Bar. Opening the Branch Club on the 1st Saturday of each month appears to have proved popular and we hope it continues to be so. We can also record that the branch Club was awarded the Dickie Collins Efficiency Trophy for being the winner of the National Large Branch/Club Efficiency Competition.

The 2000 "Wings" campaign has also been successful, York branch having achieved a magnificent total in excess of 15,000. Thanks are due to our members, friends and the 110 Squadron ATC, for the help and time given to collecting. 2001 will require more effort an increased total, as there will be no donation from the Elvington Air Display.

This year we lose the service of three stalwart members who have given many years of successful and efficient service to the Branch and the Association. The high standards they have set, and the volume of work that they have carried out will be hard to follow. However, York is a very fortunate Branch having members who are willing to fill these gaps and maintain these same high standards. Firstly, we must say thank you to Canon Jack Armstrong, who is reluctantly giving up his post as our President, due to ill health. His steadying influence and guidance to the Branch will be sorely missed. However, I hope that we will now see more of him socially.
Denis Murphy is standing down after serving 12 years as Welfare Officer. Knowing Denis, everything will be shipshape for the hand over to Norman Spence, whom I'm sure will continue the high standard of Welfare work associated with the York Branch. Nev White retires this year from the post of Standard Bearer. In the 21 years that Nev has been our Standard Bearer, he has always carried out this duty to the highest level of smartness, be it at Branch, Region or Area level.

On the financial side we have once again managed to maintain reasonable cash balances on all accounts - Branch, Club and Welfare. This will be confirmed when the audited accounts are received. We will however require to increase our turnover and subsequent profit in respect of the Club.

We are now in the final throes of utilising the remaining space in the Branch premises. Work in providing a Wings storeroom/office is in hand, and in the remainder of 2001 we hope to enlarge the entrance room so giving space to accommodate the overflow of members when we are entertaining other Branches (i.e. for darts etc) We also hope to install a chair lift for the benefit of our older and more infirm members and guests, and carry out the refurbishment of the club. We
are now the proud owners of a new marquee, thanks to the kindness of one of our members Mel Smith. This, we hope will increase the income to Branch/Club, and help defray the cost of future projects. Aldwark Gazette is now a successful newsletter, and I am sure that our members are now much better informed about Branch activities. Our thanks are extended to Dave Taylor for his efforts in producing the booklet.

Finally, to ensure the Branch runs efficiently, we should look again at the paper I produced last year "The Way Ahead" Briefly, this deals with the make up of the committee - a smaller, but more efficient committee with a smaller agenda, but having sub committee's which could include non voting full and associate members, members wishing to be proposed for the main committee SHOULD be prepared to accept some duty, and be more active than they are at present.

In conclusion, I would like to thank our Honorary Secretary, John Sutherland, for the assistance he has given me, and thank all committee members, and Branch members ( Ladies and Gents) who have given their time and effort willingly to ensure the continued success of the Branch.

John Sloan, Chairman

Jack Kilvington, Honorary Treasurer

TREASURERS REPORT 2000

Our Branch and Club accounts are both in a very health state as you will all have no doubt seen after studying the two sets of figures from the auditors. The main source of income for the Branch is as always the Golf Tournament. Mike Brown once again did sterling work organising this event. This year, 2001, it will return to Easingwold, and help will be required on the day. Mrs Sutherland has taken on the role of "Sales Person" from the late Bob Howat, and has added new lines which are proving to be a good source of income. The other income comes from membership, so the more members we enroll the better it will be.

The Club as you know, obtains its revenue from, the bar turnover, and the few organisations who donate for the use of the premises. If anyone has any idea's for attracting new users, please see our bar manager. Ken Whitfield, or any committee member.

We have not made any large purchases during 2000. The ladies toilet has been refurbished at very little cost, and with the help of two of our members, the sign hanging outside our HQ, is now very attractive.

Many thanks to you all for your continued support, and a special thanks to the Officers of the Branch/Club for their help during the year. My very best wishes to you all for 2001.

Jack Kilvington, Honorary Treasurer

John Sutherland, Honorary Secretary

Well, here I am once more writing my report for what has been another year in the history of our Branch. Like every year, we have had our high's and our lows, and this year was no exception.

The big low came early in the year, when our French "Twins" contacted us to say that with the high level of the pound, they found that the trip from Dijon to York was beyond their means. Some of us had already spent some time and effort in making arrangements for their expected visit, and I can only thank those involved for all their wasted time and effort. It did however leave us with a little extra cash in our "Entertainment's Fund" which is looked after by our Bar Manager, Ken Whitfield.

The Annual Luncheon saw 67 of us sit down once more at the Beechwood Close Hotel. Sadly the weather was not as kind to us as last year, and the hotel was a little overcrowded prior to us going in to eat. The event raised two complaints from members, one concerned the overcrowding, and the other about the raffle.
Seemingly, the ladies do not like the one prize which as those of you who attend is normally a signed aircraft print. Do not worry ladies, this year there will be two prizes (suggestion as to what would be a suitable prize would be welcomed). As for the crowding, well unless the weather is kind to us, I do not think anything can be done about it.

On the 10th September, we had our Annual Church Service at All Saints, Pavement. As requested by the members at the 1999 AGM, this service was held in the morning, and I am sad to say that the Branch members did not support us as we had hoped. My thanks to ALL who did. The following Sunday saw us at the Minster for the Battle of Britain Service. Being the 60th Anniversary of the battle, I was pleased to see that the RAF did manage to find enough personnel to mount a parade, and they even managed to give a fly past of Tucano's. After the service, as custom demands, we entertained the RAF at the Club, and a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

The last big event of the year was of course our Annual Dinner Dance. This year the date was brought forward to October, so as not to clash with the fellowship dinner. I am sorry to say, that even changing the date did not work, as we had fewer attending than the previous year. We really need the membership to support us in these events, or we run the risk of having to cancel them, which I am sure would be a sad loss to the branch.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped both me, and the Branch during the past year, and hope that we can go from strength to strength in the future.

John Sutherland, Honorary Secretary

Denis Murphy -

retiring Welfare Officer

WELFARE REPORT 2000

This AGM will see the end of an era as far as Welfare work in the York Branch of RAFA is concerned, due to Denis Murphy having made the decision to cease to be our HWO after 15 years of dedicated service. Knowing the calibre of the man, it will be apparent that he has not taken this decision lightly, but the degree of ill-health affecting both he and his wife, Audrey, has made the decision inevitable. Over the years John and I have often admired his deep knowledge of both welfare, and people, and feel that we can only measure up to a fraction of his knowledge and dedication - but if it is your wish - then we can only try.

At first the past year did not look as if it was going to be very busy, but then things warmed up with some fifty individuals generating more than seventy calls. Of course the work does not cease with the interview, forms have to be completed, letters written, perhaps other organisations to be approached for part of the aid required, local authority and DSS involvement sometimes sought, and now that it is an OFFICIAL requirement - copies kept of all relevant proforma. Then later comes the nice bit when awards and grants are disbursed to the grateful beneficiaries. Several cases have turned into long-running saga's with elderly people being afforded repeat visits, often just to keep an eye on them. This is one aspect that seems very much appreciated.

Rothbury House gains in popularity ( 12 bookings this year) and in fact this report would not be complete without reference to the dedication of Audrey Shell and her staff at Rothbury House. Tender loving care is extended to all, and those that have been there cannot speak too highly of the staff, and of the house also. Two examples of their care for their guests have recently been demonstrated. When the floods were affecting the railways, two couples were brought all the way back to York by mini-bus. We were very fortunate to secure a Christmas vacancy, the more so as it was at short notice, and the lady concerned was not only allowed to go a day earlier to avoid the railway seat booking peak, but because of an old injury playing up, was kept an extra week.

There is the probability that Welfare Teams will be formed in the future to cover some of the busier area's, thus we might be teamed with say, Selby or Thirsk. One point John and I would like to make is the question of Hospital visits, and Branch representation at funerals. Denis, has been in the habit of doing all these himself, which is fine, if you have the necessary time. Sadly, neither John or I do have adequate spare time for this. We are sorry if this appears to be dropping standards, but both of us have other quite demanding commitments, and in any case, it has long been official policy not to involve Welfare Officers in these activities.

In closing, we would firstly like to express our thanks to John Hartley, Chris Gilding and Alan Robson and all the ladies at Area HQ for consistent and always cheerful assistance and co-operation; and secondly, to make the point that many of our most satisfying cases have come from referrals by Branch members. Please
keep up the good work, and watch for those who, although in need, would never make any application on their own behalf.

Denis Murphy Norman Spence John Allison

John Allison, Wings Appeal Organiser/Vice Chairman - with the club's certificate for collecting over £15,000 in 2000

Maybe I should say nothing about "last reports" because one year on, and I am still writing one. And, a year on, there has been no one person, or a group of people who have come forward positively to announce they would like to take on the task of organising this very important fund raising programme. Whatever happens over the next few months, I shall be handing the files to someone at the first meeting of the new committee, in April 2001. Until that time I shall be formulating a list of dates for the 2001 Wings Appeal, which I shall also be handing on to the next incumbent.

I have to say that the 2000 Wings Appeal was an excellent effort by those concerned, and we actually topped the 1999 collection figure by a considerable margin - £ 14,700 against £ 12,200. May I once again take this opportunity to thank those members who gave up some of their time to collect during 2000, also I wish to say thank you to those members who donated through Helping Hand envelopes, which in itself raised £552 helping to boost our overall total. In 2000 we did not have the York GNER, which surely lost us a potential £1,000, I can assure you however that there will be a weeks collection on York Station in 2001.

It is pleasing to record that we will receive yet another £10,000 Certificate to join the others we have collected over the past 11 years. That is some achievement on its own, and whilst Wings Appeal is not a competition, York Branch has rarely been beaten in the North East Area in that time.

Your Chairman, John Sloan, has indicated that I should collect the Wings Certificate on your behalf, at the Area Annual General meeting in Scarborough on March 10/11th, and I will be delighted to be able to do that. The Certificate will also be presented at our Branch Annual General Meeting during the following
week.

In closing, may I again repeat that which I reported last year, in as much that I am honoured to have been involved with the work of Wings Appeal, and I hope to hand over to the next incumbent a full calendar for the 2001 collections. I will of course be supporting whoever that may be. My future roles in Welfare, Area and National Council level will be, I suspect more demanding in 2001, but I still look forward to a busy future with the Branch and Branch Club.

My best wishes to everyone for 2001 and the years that follow.

John Allison, Wings Appeal Organiser/Vice Chairman

MEMBERSHIP REPORT 2000

With a number of things happening during the last year, including a recent triple visit to York District Hospital, I am delighted to be able to report an excellent year in the membership aspect of York Branch/Club. Taking over from John, my husband, was a far from easy task, and we had many debates as to whether I could handle such an enormous task, after all we do have the largest membership in the North East Area of the Association, with 474 members. After a little "training", I felt that I was able to cope with the work in hand, so here I am one year on, facing what is fast becoming a logistical nightmare with all the changes that are being placed on all Branches within the Association. Printed elsewhere in this report you will find details of the new prices structure, and of course the new Full Associate and Branch Associate details.

185 Life Members, 240 Annual members, 47 Associate and 2 Hon Members, giving a total of 474. I am pleased to report that many of our current members have helped enormously to bring in a few new "recruits' to swell our ranks. Sadly I have to report the loss of 15 members during 2000, the names of which appear in the "Obituaries" elsewhere in this Annual Report.

We do however need to move on, and I ask everyone to help me by renewing their membership, where necessary, as soon after the 1st January as possible. I will be at the Branch each Thursday to collect your renewal subs. Can I also ask that our Associate Members come forward as soon as possible, and indicate to me whether they wish to remain as FULL ASSOCIATE MEMBER within the new regulations, which means a renewal fee of £3.60, or indeed if you wish to be a Branch Associate at a cost of £3.00.

Thank you everyone for your support in 2000, and I hope for your continued
support during 2001 and future years.

MEMORABILIA

As you are all aware, I took over the responsibility of "Memorabilia" from the late Bob Howat, just prior to his move south, and his very untimely death. Looking at what was available through the "OFFICIAL" sources, and the very poor percentage of profit that RAFATRAD allowed us to make (10%), I asked some of the Branch Officers if they would allow me to find sellable material from other sources, and could I go round local fairs etc., and try and raise money for the Branch. I very soon learned that this was something I could not do on my own. I was very fortunate in the fact that Winnie Kilvington, and a very good friend of both John and I, Mel Smith agreed to help me. We certainly have moulded into a great team, and now source goods from near and far, and the profit margin is now between 40 and 50%. The team are now looking forward to this, our first full year of "Trading" and with grateful thanks to Mel, the branch will have its own Marquee, exactly the same as the one held at Area. Mel has offered to purchase one for the Branch, and hopefully by the time you read this, it shall be in our hands, delivery being scheduled for January 2001.

Finally, may I thank everyone who has helped, and who has purchased goods from the stall, and please, if any of you know of a local Village Fair or Fete, where our stall would be welcomed, please, please contact me as soon as possible.

YORKSHIRE EASTERN REGION

Regions exist to allow Branches to come together each month to discuss and exchange views on all matters relating to the Association. It also exists to allow branches to arrange exchange social visits to one another. These are important as it gives encouragement to new and small branches as well as those experiencing difficulties.

York branch provides four members at each meeting, three of whom are officers of the region, and the other, the Branch delegate. Arranging exchange branch visits can be difficult, especially on winter evenings. We are however, beginning to get more interest from members. On the 31st January, a visit to Pontefract was arranged. Seventeen members from York, along with four from Tadcaster, and four from Castleford made the trip, and an excellent evening was had by all. The region darts and domino's competition was included in the evenings events, and, I am proud to announce the York Branch won the 5's & 3's domino's, the open singles darts, and the men's team darts.

The next region event will be the Annual Dinner Dance at the Bull Hotel, Driffield on the 17th February 2001.

John Sloan, Delegate to Region

Last modified: November 14, 2001