APHRODITE BRANCH NO 1318
NEWSLETTER
 Spring 2011

   

   

Chairman’s Report January to March

January was a very quiet meeting with many members still away on Christmas and New Year holidays.

February was not so quiet and we joined in with Barry’s quiz,  which was won by the RAFALOs who donated their winnings to Wings Appeal.

A very poor turnout for our AGM with only 37 members plus guests, in attendance.  Our new list of Officers is on Page 2 of this Newsletter.  There was no customary speech by our new President as unfortunately, Gp Capt Linter was called back to UK at short notice.  Bingo was then played with most of the prizes being scooped up by Catherine and George Trotter’s table.

Well this is my last report as your Chairman so I would like to thank the Committee and the members for their loyal support as your Chairman for this last year. I will of course take an active part as Station Liaison Officer and give 100% support to the Branch. I hand over the Chairmanship into the very capable hands of Jim Wilson.  Once again Many Thanks.

Bill

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

We are pleased to welcome these new members who have joined the Aphrodite Branch:

Mr & Mrs Franklin

Mr & Mrs Hoskins

Mr & Mrs Blackburn

Mr & Mrs Cowan

Mr & Mrs Brown

OUR FUTURE MONTHLY MEETINGS

We meet on the First Wednesday of The Month at the Sergeants Mess RAF Akrotiri, (unless otherwise stated) at 19.30 hrs for 20.00 hrs. To get to the Sgts Mess turn right at the roundabout, pass the Astra Cinema on your right, turn left past the Gym then turn right for the Mess. There is a large car park on the right opposite the Mess. These dates and venues may be subject to change Watch for the advertisements on the Website, and on BFBS

Members wishing to bring guests to a meeting must supply their name, address, date of birth, and passport number in order to gain entry to RAF Akrotiri, at least one week before the meeting. Please contact Sue Cundall by phone on 99903704 / 99067712 or Email: sue@rafacyprus.co.uk

Meetings & Events Diary

May 2nd Quiz night, Plus Rollover.
May 8th Red Arrows Memorial Lunch
Jun 6th

TBD

June 20th Click for Beach Party

For More Details call 99067712

 

January – Block Busters
A quiet night with lots of members still away on their Christmas and New Year holidays. We were entertained by the RAFALOs to a game of Block Busters which was enjoyed by everyone.

February - Quiz
Members and their guests enjoyed quite a difficult quiz tonight compiled and hosted by Barry.  The RAFALOs were the winning team who donated their winnings to the Wings Appeal.  Thank you RAFALOs and Barry.

March – AGM

March’s AGM on the 7th was a very poor turnout with only 37 members and guests attending, together with 7 RAFALOs and our President’s wife, Anne.   Our President Gp Capt James Linter was unfortunately called away to the UK at short notice and his stand-in officer failed to show.  Write-up of the AGM on page 7.  After the AGM we played Bingo and most of the prizes were won by Catherine and George Trotter’s table.  Well done.  The member’s draw was won by Betty’s guest, Ali.  The RAFALOs Roll-Over was not won tonight.

THIS IS YOUR SPACE.  PLEASE HELP ME TO FILL IT WITH ANYTHING YOU MAY THINK WILL BE OF INTEREST TO OTHER APHRODITE BRANCH MEMBERS.

 

BOOKSTALL

Will all members please note that Wendy Baker, the lady with the book stall who is doing an excellent job, needs good quality hard and soft back books to sell at the meetings.  As we all know that this is a very good cause could you please bring your unwanted books to our monthly meetings and give them to Wendy.

THANK YOU

Editors Page

Coffee Time Quiz – General Knowledge

1.

In Fawlty Towers what was the name of Manuel’s pet hamster, which was really a rat?

2.

Which American film director had the middle name Blount?

3.

Which famous seafarer was born in 1540?

4.

Which 1983 Grand National winning horse shares its name with a lighthouse on Jersey?

5.

Which character, who first appeared in a 1712 pamphlet by John Arbuthnot, is the personification of England?

6.

What is the well-known word for ‘sailor of the universe?’

7.

The name of which criminal syndicate translated means ‘our thing’?

8,

What are cruciverbalists?

9.

Where were Geoffrey Chaucer’s pilgrims going?

10.

What is the capital of Finland?

(Answer on bottom of page)

Snakes of Cyprus

 

 Snakes are comatose in the heat of high summer and spend the winter in hibernation and are without exception frightened of human beings and only attack to defend themselves. Most snakes of the island are non-venomous. There are six types of snakes in Cyprus, of which three are poisonous: Only one of these, the blunt-nosed viper can be dangerous to man. The other two poisonous snakes of the island are the slender cat snake and the Montpellier snake.
The blunt-nosed viper (Vipera Lebetina) is a dangerous highly poisonous viper. It is a fat snake, varying in colour with a yellow and horn-like tail-end. It inhabits steppe-like terrain with boulders and bushes and hillsides beside streams. It attacks only in defence. If it is disturbed, it hisses loudly and may attack very rapidly. It is particularly dangerous because when it bites, its teeth remain embedded in the tissue and the movements of the jaw pump large amounts of poison into the wound.

Sue

SAYING GOODBYE TO GP CAPT BARRIE THOMSON

On Sunday 22nd January a party was held at Michaels Taverna, Erimi, for a few Service and RAFA personnel to say goodbye to our President Gp Capt Barrie Thomson and his wife Jo, and to say hello to our new President Gp Capt James Linter and his wife Anne.

 

 

Our new President Gp Capt James Linter receives his chain of office from our Vice President Gordon Boam.

ATC Sunday Parade

Sunday 5th February saw the annual ATC Sunday parade take place, which commemorates the founding of the Air Cadets in 1941. This year it was held at the Chaplaincy Centre at RAF Akrotiri with Padre (Sqn Ldr) Tim Wright taking the service. During the service 8 new cadets were enrolled, 2 from RAF Akrotiri and 6 from Ayios Nikolaos, with the occasion making this ceremony even more special than usual.

The Squadron was inspected by the newly arrived Station Commander, Group Captain J E Linter, who was delighted to attend with his wife Anne as he had once been an air cadet himself, also freshly arrived in Cyprus to carry out the squadron annual inspection was Wing Commander D’Anna and Squadron Leader Pulling who had flown in on the trooper the night before

This was the first occasion that the recently formed Ayios Nikolaos flight and the Akrotiri flight, also known as Flamingo Flight and Moufflon Flight, had paraded together and the watching audience admired the cadets in their smart uniforms.

Sergeant Pete Draper, OIC of No. 1 (Overseas) Squadron and Flight Lieutenant Pell, IC of the Ayios Nikolaos were pleased how their cadets performed and are looking forward to more joint events in the months to come

 

Members from No. 1 (Overseas) Akrotiri Squadron were invited to the AGM of RAFA (Aphrodite Branch) on 7th March.  They were presented with a cheque for €300 by RAFA Treasurer Mrs Betty Stockman. The squadron are very grateful to all at RAFA Aphrodite Branch and hope to continue their co-operation for many more years to come.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2012

The Annual General Meeting of the Aphrodite Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association was held at the Sergeants Mess, Royal Air Force Akrotiri on Wednesday 7th March 2012 with approximately 37 members and guests attending.

There was no address as unfortunately our President, Group Captain James Linter was called away to the UK at short notice. 

During the election of the Branch Officers and Committee Members, Vice President Mr Gordon Boam resided over the meeting.

During the AGM it was decided to change the date of the AGM to February as this would make things easier for the Treasurer with regards to the financial year.  Our new chairman, Mr Jim Wilson was also proposed and seconded to be the Branches new delegate in place of Mr John Coles who has now returned to UK.

 

Make sure your ID card and Car Pass is up to date to avoid disappointment.

The Red Arrows Memorial Lunch will be held in the Sergeant’s Mess on Tuesday 8th of May 20012.

Itinerary

Members and their guests will arrive at the Memorial Stone at 1015 hrs.  You are advised that the latter part of the drive to this site is a bondu track and a little bumpy. It is recommended that you bring a fold up chair if you have one, as there will be no seats provided.  Marshals will be along the route to assist you.

At 1030 hrs our branch Padre, Rev Eric Freeman, will say a few words to commemorate the passing of Flight Lieutenants John Egging and Sean Cunningham.  After the short service, members will remain on site to enjoy the scenery and the Red Arrows.

At 1130 hrs, the bar will be open for members and lunch will be served at 1200 hrs.

After lunch there will be a small raffle with Red Ted as the first prize, complete with his flying log and uniform.

Members may bring guests and family.

Bookings must be complete by the 4th May.  You may reserve your place by e-mailing sue@rafacyprus.co.uk .  You may also book by ringing 99067712.  Alternatively you may book at the next social meeting on Wednesday 2nd May 2012 through Sue Horton.   Tickets are priced at €15.00 per head.

All non-members i.e. guests and visitors, passport numbers, full names and dates of birth must be supplied in the e-mail.

Dress for the occasion will be smart casual.  All members must be responsible for the conduct of their guests and leave the Station no later than 1400 hrs.

Answers to Quiz 

1.

Basil

2.

Cecil B De Mille

3.

Sir Francis Drake

4.

Corbiere

5.

John Bull

6.

Cosmonaut (Astronaut is 'sailor of the stars')

7.

Cosa Nostra

8.

Creators or lovers of crossword puzzles

9.

Canterbury

10.

Helsinki

 

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 2012

Title Name Telephone Email
PRESIDENT Group Captain J Linter
CHAIRMAN Mr Jim Wilson 25933756 / 99027660 jim.diane.wilson@cytanet.com.cy
VICE CHAIRMAN Mrs Betty Stockman 97611834 rickstockman@hotmail.com
HON TREASURER Mrs Sue Horton 99247668 suehorton@cytanet.com.cy
HON SECRETARY   Mrs Cheryl Brown 25108345 keithbrown@hotmail.com
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Mrs Dianne Wilson 25933756 jim.diane.wilson@cytanet.com.cy
WINGS APPEAL OFFICER Cpl Dan Hunt 97652492 daniel.hunt2@btinternet.com
Station Liaison Officer Mr Bill Cundall 99067712 bill@rafacyprus.co.uk
Media Mrs Sue Cundall 99067712 sue@rafacyprus.co.uk
MEMBER Mr John Horton 25632533 johnhorton@cytanet.com.cy
MEMBER Mr Rick Stockman 97611834 rickstockman@hotmail.com

RAFA LIAISON OFFICERS
Flt Sgt Steve Wootton 
Sgt Dean Bovington
Cpl Richie Sanders
Sgt Lara Jones Sgt Gary Lloyd-Addison Cpl Dan Hunt SAC Rab Campbell
Sgt Mick Schofield Sgt Neil Bryan Cpl Daz Culley SAC Andy Stroud
Sgt Fee Lynn Sgt Andy Stewart Cpl Chris Jennings SAC Danny Brown

HONORARY POSTS
HON WELFARE OFFICER Mr Adam Gardiner 24636752 adamgard@cytanet.com.cy
VICE PRESIDENT Mr Paul Tarrant 25313797 tarrant@cytanet.com.cy
VICE PRESIDENT Mr Gordon Boam 25322905 gordon.b@cytanet.com.cy
BRANCH CHAPLAIN Rev Eric Freeman 25933781 ericandvien@cytanet.com.cy

 

Don’t forget that this is YOUR Newsletter so if you have anything you would like to see added ie: recipes, hints and tips, items of interest or even short stories that you would like to share with other members, please email me at:  info@rafacyprus.co.uk   or ring me on:   99903704

Sue Cundall

THE RAFA DEDICATION
In friendship and in service one to
another, we are pledged to keep alive
the memory of those of all nations
who died in the Royal Air Force and
in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth.
In their name we give ourselves to
this noble cause.

Proudly and thankfully we will
remember them.