The Service will be conducted by our Branch Chaplain, Rev John Moore, who some of you may have met when we bid farewell to Shipmate Alan Beet, so we are in good hands!

Hope to see many of you there on the day.

Those of you who have been in the RNA for many years will know just how much of a stalwart Bernard was.  Being as Bernard only passed away on Thursday afternoon, there has not yet been any notification of his Final Passage.  When I know the details, I will post them here and e-mail those who have already requested me to.

This has been a difficult time for Lincoln and we would appreciate as many Area members and Standards as possible on the day.  As I say, I will post the details when I have them.

To those shipmates that did attend a big thankyou to you all, and thanks for supporting the Area.

Julian(Harry)Harries

No9 Area Secretary

It was great to meet up with everyone and I was so pleased Fred and Barbara turned up!

Again, many thanks from the small, but very happy, Lincoln contingent!

Bungy

Julian(Harry)

Raffle tickets ,can you also send cheques payable to No9 Area RNA FOR THEM WITH THE COUNTERFOILS BY THE 14TH AUGUST TO THE AREA CHAIRMAN AND NOT THE PROMOTER

Please support this event shipmates.

Julian(Harry)Harries

No9 Area Secretary.

As for a public holiday,why not, other countries have them for their forces day why can't we in this country.I hope you get many signing your petition i shall be signing.

Julian(Harry)Harries

If you agree with this, please add your name to the proposition which can be found here:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/.....ition.html

I am further given to understand that AFD 2011 will also see the RBL arranging concerts in every cathedral in the country in order to boost their Poppy Day funds.

Now to my mind, this sort of thing should not happen on AFD which should be purely and simply  a celebration of the work of our Armed Forces, past and present.  The MoD directive for the day states that it is not to be used by associations and organisations to collect funds by rattling tins.  The sale of goods by way of fair exchange is permitted but charity collections are not.

I think the RBL are hijacking the day for their own ends and they are bang out of order!

After a service at the memorial a flying display took place and the first aircraft was a Spitfire from Duxford.The pilot carried out all those aerobatic moves you only see in old films of war time pilots,never seen a display like that at any airshow,it was awesome.The next two planes were a Tiger Moth and a World War 1 Airco DH2.The last plane of the display was a Cap 232 piloted by Gerald Cooper who is the current British National Aerobatic Champion and is ranked 7th in the world,you could tell he has over 5000 flying hours experience,his display was amazing.

The Kinsway Band held a concert of Military Film Music after the flying display and this was very well attended. 

The RNA and RAFA Club's hosted all of us thirsty souls and the area where the clubs are was packed,the Police kept asking people to leave some room for the cars to go passed!!!!A big thankyou to Shipmate Graham Reynolds the Branch Chairman of the RNA Club for the liquid refreshments!!!!!

The crowds this year were double the ones of last year and once again the Shipmates and Serving Matelots who took part in the parade marched with pride,a credit to the Royal Navy and the RNA.

As i said last year i can't wait until nexts year's Armed Forces Day,it's getting bigger and better.A big thankyou to those who hosted the event you did yourselves and us proud!

Julian(Harry)Harries

No9 Area Secretary

The day started with the official opening by the Mayor of Lincoln and included the raising of the AFD flag to the National Anthem and the dipping of the assembled Ex-Service Associations Standards.  In the arena, there were displays of cutlass and Indian club swinging by the Lincoln Sea Cadets, field craft skills were demonstrated by Lincoln Army Cadet Force and a casualty evacuation exercise was carried out by the Cadets of Lincoln Air Training Corps.  Musical displays were given by Grimsby Sea Cadets and the Band of the Air Training Corps.

On the stage, the audience were treated to some wonderful performances by 1940's reprise artist, Katie Spitfire, the choral skills of the Bomber County Singers whilst the younger generation were able to boogie on down to Kult Fiction, a four-piece band who played more recent hits of the day.

One of the highlights was march to and from Lincoln Cathedral of around 450 members of the Cadet Forces who were celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Army Cadet movement.  On their return, the Cadets were saluted by the Standard Bearers of many of the ex-Service associations and the salute was taken by Vice Admiral Sir Jonathon Tod who was the guest of honour for the Cadet 150 event.

We were given a short flypast by a WWII Spitfire and a guest appearance by one of our four-legged heros, Treo.  Treo was recently awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the Dickin Medal, for his work as a seeker dog in Afghanistan where he spent many months searching out IEDs.  Treo's handler, former Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, gave the audience an insight to some of the work he and Treo got up to whilst on active service. 

There were also stands representing many of the LEXSA membership associations.  Several were selling memorabilia and displaying photographs of the activities in which they are involved. Many of the Regular Forces were also in attendance:  Joint Harrier Force RAF Wittering and Cottesmore, No5(AC) Sqn RAF Waddington, 3rd Btn Royal Anglians TA and RAF Regiment Reserves RAF Waddington.

The event was closed with the Royal Naval ceremony of Evening Colours with the accompaniment of a Piping Party made up of a former Submarine Coxswain, Rick Elrick, and two Cadets from TS Wrangler.  A Naval Rating from RAF Wittering Joint Harrier Force performed the lowering of the AFD flag during which a poem was read by LEXSA Life President, Brigadier Johnny Walker.

It was later revealed that over 8,700 people had visited the event.  It was an achievement of which the LEXSA members can be justly proud.

At 2205, a weary but cheerful Ian O'Connor finished his heroic feat at the Royal Naval Association Club - his first pint didn't touch the sides!!!  It is estimated Ian raised between £1100 and £1200 for his cause, SSAFA.  BZ, Ian.

Again, my thanks to our President, George, Chairman, Keith and Standard Bearer, Brian who made the occasion very special for Iris and her family.  The Lincoln Shipmates were duly impressed by your presence at this farewell.

Bungy

Alan was a Life Member of the Association and had served both Branch and Area for many years.  His Service time ran from 42-46, joining at HMS Duke (Malvern), serving at HMS Pembroke and in HM Ships SUFFOLK and ZEST.  Unfortunately, dementia set in a couple of years ago and two weeks ago, Alan suffered a massive stroke, crossing the Bar last Thursday.

Those who knew Alan knew a true gentleman and a gentle man.  He will be sorely missed by his Shipmates in Lincoln and by those who knew him throughout Area 9.  To his wife, Iris, and his children, his loss will be unbelievable.