NOTICE BOARD   November 30th 2011 

This "Notice Board’ is reserved for announcements, amusing anecdotes, members comments, ideas and any general inquiries in connection with the 53rd Entry. Please send any items that may be of interest to my postal address, or email me at wadeere***vaxxine.com.

_
Welcome to the Winter 2011/Spring 2012 edition of this newsletter. 

Those of you who have editied magazines, newsletters and club circulars etc are well aware that the success of the particular publication is mostly dependant on articles and items of interest sent in by members. In the absence of these  the poor old ed has to fish about for something  to fill the pages, and this I shall attempt to do. However only those curious enough to log on will be aware of this, as there is too little to justify an email announcement.

 I anticipate that the next update will be shortly after the Littleover reunion, abut which you have been fully informed, and have either paid your deposit, or other factors will prevent you being present in person, but we hope you will all be there is spirit.. In case you have forgotten, the date is the weekend of the 12th May 2012. It coincides with the 90th Anniversary (of the founding of the Apprentice scheme ?)commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Derbyshire. If you haven't already paid a visit this is an excellent opportunity. There will be an announcement in December about the fine detail of the event, and I believe individual applications must be made, so keep an eye out for that. 

During the above event we will be paying our respects to those of us who fell in harness, so to speak, and Geoff Williams has fashioned commemorative crosses, which will be placed alongside our 53rd Entry paving stone in the Halton Grove at the arboretum.  This is the lates photograph sent to me recently by Geoff. If you have any comments please get in touch with Geoff. I am hoping that some recognition is paid to Moff Bell and any others who died from illness whilst in the service. Moff's name is not insribed on the main memorial wall, but he certainly served loyally long past the 18 year engagement.

Halton Apprentice Grove at Alrewas

So that's the seriuous stuff dealt with, now lets see what else I have.

I paid a nostalgic visit to Malaya last January and was amused that in a world of politcal correctness our (mainly) Muslim friends in that lovely country can quite happily live without Happy Holidays ---

Perhaps their were no little girls from the BBC to get outraged.

For those of you who served their "Improver Year" at St.Athan, (most of us) the following photo should give some amusement.  For those ex aircrew types my theory is that it is Rhumb Line to the left and Great Circle to the right --- but how do we find The Globe Inn or The White Lion  for example?

That's the end of the pictures. Some years ago Rick Ricdards kindly sent me a book of Royal Air Force verse -- mostly about the war years and our galllant aircrews. But there are quite a few paying tribute to the ground whallers -- here is one. -- and thank you., Rick, for the contribution. .

Wherever you walk you will hear people talk 

Of the men who go up in the air.

Of the dare-devil way they go to the fray,

Facing death without turning a hair. 

They'll raise a big cheer and buy lots of beer

For a pilot who's home on leave.

But they don't give a jigger for a flight mech or rigger

With nothing but props on his sleeve.

They've never been told of the hours in the cold,

That he spends sealing Germany's fate.

How he works on a kite, 'till all hours of the night

Then turns up next morning at eight.

He doesn't wamt glory but please tell his story,

Spread a little of his tale around,

He's one of the few so give him his due, 

Three cheers for the man on the ground.

                                E.Sykes - 1942

nb.I have just had the thought that this might be Eric Sykes, the comedian.

Please refer to the Rogues Gallery pages for more photos taken during this event. 

._______________________________________________________________________________

Further to the above report, there seems to be some enthusiasm to repeat the experience in May/June 2012. There are a few notes on the subject in the "Admin Office"

______________________________________________________________________________

The Entry Roll has been updated, and sadly now shows Ginger Sayers and Bill Westbrook and Corny Burrow as deceased. If anyone knows of any other changes to be made please let Geoff or myself know.  

______________________________________________________________________________

The  Rogues Gallery is now a more permanent display of what I consider the best of the photo collection at my disposal. The pictures were chosen to represent all aspects of our life at Halt    on. 

I continue my plea for further contributions, either literary or photos, including the initial entry photos to replace some of those we feature on the Rogues Gallery but which are of mediocre quality. 

I think I may have solved my dilemma with regard to the design of the Rogues Gallery page. I have annotated each photo and removed the separate labels. All should now look reasonably symmetrical regardless of screen resolution.If not -- watch this space.

______________________________________________________________________________

Those of you have have fond memories (or otherwise) of your days on 1st Line servicing, please click on the door in the Adjutants Office for a bit of revision.