DUXFORD
The chairman updated the meeting on the progress of the museum move to Duxford. He stated that phase one, the movement of archives, is well underway with the lease now signed and the building undergoing refurbishment. This phase of the project is on schedule and is currently under budget. Phase one should be finished by summer. Phase two, the movement of the exhibits to the air and space building should complete by the end of the year. Phase three, the stand alone activity building which will house the history of parachuting, plans to open in 2010, but is still under funded. Entry into the Imperial War Museum is to be confirmed by the museum trustees on the 1st May. It is provisionally agreed that groups of 10 or more will gain free access to the entire museum complex with prior arrangement with the curator. Individual PRA members on production of their PRA membership cards will get a ‘two for one’ concession. The passage of information regarding the museum project is passed through the Pegasus Journal, the PRA newsletters and the web site, as well as the Regimental Elders briefings twice a year. Information is also available from www.airborneassault-duxford.com, the summer edition of the Pegasus Journal and the PRA annual report and newsletter will carry the latest updates. The Chairman requested that branches are briefed positively on the way forward.
DAKOTA
The Dakota presently outside the museum is to move to Merville Barracks, the new home of the Parachute Regiment in Colchester, where it will be the gate guard. The RAF Smash and Crash team will be taking it apart and moving it to Colchester Where they will reassemble it. Once assembled, the 16 Air Assault Brigade, will be responsible for its future maintenance.
Pegasus Journal It was stated that even with taking on advertising the Pegasus Journal is still struggling to survive. All other regional secretary’s are telling their regional branch to subscribe to the journal. So I implore you please subscribe to the journal because gentlemen if we don’t use it we will lose it, sooner than later.
Parcels for Soldiers on Operations
A number of branches have expressed a desire to send small parcels of goodies to soldiers on
operations in Afghanistan. A system has been devised where branches can now send the package direct
to a CSM in either 2 or 3 PARA, who will in turn distribute the parcels to the soldiers on your
behalf, thus avoiding any postal charges. The list of CSM’s and also items to send are printed
below:
Those wishing to send parcels to soldiers in 1 PARA are asked to call Sandy Millbank on
01206782220
Items welcomed by the soldiers on deployment:
Shower gel – very popular, Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Liquid Soap, Comb,
Talcum Powder, Foot Powder, Skin Moisturising Lotion/Cream, Baby Oil,
Disposable plastic razors, Shaving cream, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouthwash,
Dental Floss, Dentyne Dental Chewing Gum, Nail Clippers, Imodium, Optrex,
Vaseline, Lip Balm, Sunblock, Germoline, antiseptic creams, Wet Wipes, Baby Wipes,
Antibacterial Handwash Gel, Pens, Paper, Envelopes, Playing Cards, Board Games,
Tissues – the small packs you put in your pocket Puzzle Books, Boiled Sweets, Pot Noodles,
Magazines e.g. Sports, Motoring, Car or Motorcycle – no porn, No aerosols, No Alcohol,
Items weighing up to 2kg can be sent free of charge and there is also a size restriction on the
boxes. Maximum size is Length + Depth + Width= 900mm with greatest single dimension not greater
than 600mm. Take the parcel to your Post office and they will put a free post sticker on it
MAILING ADDRESS EXAMPLE:
RANK, NAME,
SUB UNIT B Coy, 2 or 3 PARA Battle Group,
OP HERRICK 8 BFPO 792
POMPEY PARAS
This years event will take place over the weekend
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July 2008. The object of the weekend is increase the general public’s
awareness of veterans, present and future, within the community and also to increase veteran’s
awareness of the amount of support that is available to them. However the weekend will still retain
an element of 'Airborne Forces Day’.
Regular, TA Reserve and Cadets from all three services will be apparent as well as support
organisations and military interest displays.
There will be many exciting arena attractions on show which will include TA IOO, the 100th
Anniversary of the Territorial Army which will incorporate all the TA units stationed in Hampshire.
All three services will be on site providing a full weekend of entertainment including the
Parachute Regiment’s famed ‘Red Devils’ freefall display team. An up to date list of arena
attractions is available from our website. There will be veteran’s parades on Saturday 12th and
Sunday 13th. Both parades will form up in The Avenue Du Caen at l33Ohrs, proceed along the seafront
and onto Southsea Common.
The Saturday Parade will be the official Veterans Day Parade and is a TA-Force event. The Sunday
Parade will be primarily Airborne Forces. However all are welcome to both parades, especially
Standard Bearers. You have probably been part of our weekend in the past so you will know how
enthusiastic and interested the people who attend are. The contribution that your exhibit can
contribute to the overall success of the day is immeasurable. There is no charge for your attendance
although we as a charity would appreciate a small donation to our welfare fund.
It is anticipated that last years attendance will be greatly exceeded this year and enhance the
opportunity for you to reach out to a greater audience, with that in mind you will find an Exhibitor
Application enclosed. Please complete as required and return to me.
We look forward to seeing you all on Southsea Common, over the weekend 12th & 13th of July 2008.
From Eltham and Chislehurst Branch On Sunday 25th May Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury will play host to an all-day event that will provide wonderful family entertainment and raise urgently needed money to support the families of those members of the Parachute Regiment who are casualties of current operations. Eltham & Chislehurst Para Regt Assoc are hiring a coach for the event & thought you might be interested. As we have yet to confirm numbers the cost will be £20-£25 per head for travel & entrance fee. Dependent on numbers we’ll either get a coach or a minibus or 2 and any reduction in cost will be passed directly to the Support Our Para cause. As it’s in Salisbury, over a 2 ½ hour drive away, we’ll need to leave Chislehurst British Legion at 7.00am to ensure arrival before the events start. If you would like to go and Chislehurst is en-route ring Warren Learmouth, on 07810-022-974.
The 2008 Annual General Meeting of the Parachute Regimental Association Members are advised that the above meeting is to take place at the Rutland Square Hotel, Nottingham on the 12th October 2008 starting at 11:00hrs with Tea & Coffee available at 10:30.
4 PARA Calendar The Commanding Officer of 4 PARA is again publishing a pictorial calendar for 2009. It is intended that the 2009 edition will contain photographs of current operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan alongside images of past operations. The Regimental Sergeant Major, Mr. Kurt Vines would like for anyone with photographic images of past operations who would like to submit them for consideration for inclusion in the calendar to contact him on 07901 518502.
The 2008 National Standard Bearers Competition Mr. Brian Day the Secretary of the Cambridge 85 branch has notified me saying that since the advertising of this year’s competition in the February newsletter, 14 competitors have registered their intention to compete. Should any advice on the format of the competition be required, our National Standard Bearer, Mr. Ken Price will be happy to help. His contact number is 01223 424685. Competitors travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed through central PRA. For further information please call Mr. Brian Day on Tel: 01223 351899 Mob 07930 264964. Mr. Ken Price, the National Standard Bearer wishes to inform Branch Standard Bearers that as of the 1st June 2008 the timings for the Ceremonial Dips for the Royal Salute and the Act of Homage will be 20 seconds and not 30 seconds. The Dip for Wet and Muddy conditions will be 10 seconds and not 15 seconds. Those Standard Bearers taking part in the 2008 National Standard Bearers Competition on the 18th October 2008 will need to make note of the changes. The Judges will be applying the new timings. This ruling will also apply to Royal British Legion Standard Bearers
The next parade will be on Thurs 29th of May 08 muster in the Or’s Mess by 2000hrs in the meantime take care and look after yourselves and don’t forget the Save our Para’s day at Old Sarum near Salisbury.
Yours Tikityboo
S J Meade (Ginger)
Registered Charity No 214015
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