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Royal Observer Corps Association Patron: Her Majesty the Queen

29TH

November 2016

To: Group Secretaries Copy to: Area Reps

Newsletter Editors Web Editor

News & Information for your members

Annual Delegates Meeting ~ The Delegates Forum is the opportunity for members and Delegates

to air concerns, raise issues, comment and question the National officers and to hear the views of

members present and through the Delegates the view from the Groups. Some of you will be aware

or have heard about the Facebook entries that have, throughout the year, questioned the National

policy to allow Associate members to wear the ROC beret and badge on Parades when they wish to

represent former ROC friends and family and those no longer able to march who served. The long

term National dress policy, published at regular intervals in snippets, is driven from the concept to

enable a large, smart contingent to represent former ROC colleagues unable to take part and to keep

the role of the ROC in the public eye.

The comments gave rise to a passionate debate with diverse views on the national policy. The

Forum discussion heard several members from both sides of the argument expressing views and

suggestions for the way forward. The ideas included to design the ROCA badge suitable for

Associates to wear on the beret. The policy was also questioned and proposed that it required wider

consultation and discussion of all members not limited to the minority who exchange views on

social media.

The Chairman summarised the consensus and agreed the way forward that the National Committee

will consider a design for a ROCA beret badge for Associates and to ask all Groups to consult all

the grass root members to obtain the Groups overall view on the current National policy to allow

Associates to continue to wear the ROC beret badge. Following the consultation by the Group if

member’s majority view is to change the policy and if so minded the Group(s) to summit a

Resolution by 30 June 2017 for discussion and voting upon at the ADM 2017.

All Group Committees are asked to arrange consultation and obtain the views of their members on

the current National dress code to allow Associates to wear the ROC beret badge when on local and

national Parades. Groups are asked to report back through their Area Reps their member’s majority

view to the July National Committee meeting.

~ Remembrance ~

We remember all ROC and ROCA friends no

longer with us.

It is with sadness that we learn of the death Friday 25th November of

Obs Cdr Ronald Glover further details available shortly

The death on 8th October

announced of Air Commodore Michael H Miller CBE, AFC

ROC Commandant 1975 – 1977

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November 2016 Snippets page 2

27th National Reunion – Palace Hotel Buxton 2016 ~ majority of the 137 members and

guests who gathered said they thoroughly enjoyed the new venue, exploring the Spa Town and the

weekend was one of the best Reunions they had experienced. Opening the event on the Friday

evening John Sharpe thanked all for the donated raffle prizes and the generous support by all those

present that raised £495. The amount helps with the costs of holding the Reunion and the annual

donation to the ROCBF agreed at the ADM. The one downside was the loud music that followed

the dinner that drove most people to seek quiet space in the bar and lounges. This did not hinder

Air Marshal Cliff Spink to seek out members to chat and entertain us with stories of his flying

sorties. Those with access to the web site can view photographs of the weekend. There will be a

change of music and volume for next year.

The John Simmonds Memorial Heritage

Trophy ~ the ROCA Heritage Trophy

presented to Bill Warwick for his extensive

knowledge that he readily shares with

heritage enquirers, researchers, post restorers

and museums throughout the year.

Jenny receives the Jock Burnie Trophy

The President’s Certificate received by Ralph

Jim receives his Certificate

Presentation of John Simmonds Trophy to

Bill Warwick

The Jock Burnie Memorial Trophy ~ is

awarded annually by the National Committee

to recognise meritorious service to the

Association. To my surprise and delight

awarded to me. I also accepted the Trophy on

behalf of the sub group who arranged the

Banner Service.

President Certificate of Commendation

Awarded to Jim Anderson Ann Smith &

Ralph Pickering

Ann Smith service to 9 & 12 Groups

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November 2016 Snippets page 3

Vice Presidents ~ At the ADM John Sharpe confirmed the reappointment of Hilary Daniel

Terry Giles and Joyce Shrubbs as our Vice Presidents for the forthcoming year.

National Committee Officers ~ Area Reps elected to hold the following appointments for the year

to the ADM October 2017 are: Chairman John Sharpe, Vice Chairman Dave Arnott, Secretary

Jenny Morris, Treasurer Dave Arnott, , Joyce Shrubbs Keeper of the National Standard, Deputy

Keeper Jenny Morris. Mick Marks and Tim Kitching were elected as the Midland Area Reps to

serve for the following 3 years.

Thanks expressed to Norman Hart who had stepped down as Midland Area Rep but has agreed to

continue as Membership Secretary. The Chairman also thanked on behalf of all members for

their valuable input to maintaining the smooth running of the Association volunteers Keith Arnold,

Assistant Web Editor, Tim Kitching National Admin Assistant and Margaret Pickering for taking

on the task of Honorary Accounts Inspector. The Portfolio Holders continue to give their time and

work hard on behalf of all members they are: – Arboretum Liaison Jenny Major, National

Heritage Officer Edwina Holden, Web Editor Mick Marks, they are all supported by small groups

of very hard working volunteers.

Heritage ~ Keep up to date with current events, get involved or just to pass on any snippets of

heritage news contact team members or use the contact button via the heritage website:

www.roc-heritage.co.uk. Regular updates on the work of the team will be published on the main

web site. The annual report to the ADM is attached to the ADM minutes and enclosed.

St Clement Danes Service Sunday April 2nd

2017 ~ Date to be confirmed - to commemorate

the formation of the RAF the first National event is our annual participation in this Service. It is

Western Area’s turn to carry the National Standard and have first call on the 10 tickets. Western

Groups to recommend suitably experienced National Standard Bearer. All groups to request tickets

or to be placed on a reserve list please let me have names and addresses as quickly as possible at

the latest by 12th February 2017. The service is followed by a special reception in the Royal

Courts of Justice.

Dates for your 2017 diary further dates will be published as events are finalised. Full up to the minute details available at www.rocatwentytwelve.org, for specific

heritage related items see www.roc-heritage.co.uk.

2nd April Sunday. St Clement Danes Service to commemorate formation of the RAF Western turn for tickets. Date to be confirmed 13th May Saturday. ROC Grove National Arboretum Alrewas meet from 1200

24th June Saturday Armed Forces National Parade + ROCA Heritage Display – Liverpool 8th to 10th July Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday. Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford 17th September Sunday. Battle of Britain Service Westminster Abbey

Metropolitan turn for tickets & to Parade National Standard

6th to 8th October ~ ROCA 28th National Annual Reunion & ADM ~ Palace Hotel Buxton 9th November Thursday. Field of Remembrance Westminster – Midland turn to represent 12th November Sunday. Remembrance Parade Cenotaph

Veryan Bunkers Open Days 2017 ~ Monday 29 May, Sunday 25 June, Monday 24 July, Monday

14 August, Sunday 10 September. Full details from Lawrence Holmes phone 01872 289234 or e-

mail, more about Veryan Bunkers can be found on the National Trust Roseland web site and the

ROCA Heritage web site.

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November 2016 Snippets page 4

ROC Benevolent Fund’s Website

www.rocbf.org.uk

Heralds Campaign to find those in Need of Help

Christopher Howard’s report to the ROCA ADM is enclosed with these snippets and will be with

your Group Secretaries with the ADM minutes. In particular I draw your attention to Christopher’s

final paragraphs reference to the way forward for the ROCBF in the light of managing the charity

that has become more complex over the past 20 years since HQROC disappeared. The Trustees

now have to consider how best it can be managed into the future as we are all, bar two, well past

retirement age.

We have received a letter of grateful thanks for the donation of £250 presented to ROCBF at the

ADM.

The web site provides information about the Fund and a simple online form to apply.

Individual members and your ROCA Group have an important role to play in helping to grow and

maintain the Fund’s public profile. On occasions, people are understandably reticent to ask for help.

And the dependents of former ROC members might not know that they too are eligible for

assistance.

Your help is needed with one of our greatest challenges to identify those people in need get the

help for which they are eligible, when it matters most. The site provides an ‘outreach toolkit’ it

contains items such as downloadable posters and flyers, which you can print off at home to display

at an event you might be attending, or on your own website, in town and village halls, local doctors’

surgeries and so on.

Those who are able take a look on the Fund social media via the links on the site and add your likes

and comments on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RoyalObserverCorpsBenevolentFund.

Poppy ROC Lapel Badge ~ A Poppy themed lapel badge featuring the ROC Crest is proving popular with members. National Secretary Jenny Morris has a supply and is offering them at £10 each which includes Postage and Packaging & a small donation to Association Funds.

Send order with cheque PAYABLE to J Morris

11 Melita Rd Bristol BS6 5AZ

Message of thanks from Ken Altoft ~ those of you at the Reunion will recall Ken was rushed to

hospital but was able to re-join us on the Saturday evening. He has written to me to pass on to all

who greeted him upon his return on Saturday in which he says ‘The welcome back when I walked

into the dinner really touched me. I was knocked out by the welcome and I thank you all for that.

The rest of the evening everybody was coming up to me asking how I was feeling. I now know that

friends I have in ROCA go much further than 15 Group. I hope to see you all at next year’s

Reunion. Once again thank you all for being concerned about me when I was in hospital at

Stockport.’

Finally as the festive period fast approaches, all my best wishes to you and your families for

Christmas and the New Year.

Area Reps Committee Meeting ~ the next issue of snippets will follow the Area Reps meeting to

be held 28th January 2017.