Newsround

The 60 or so members who attended the Christmas Dinner will know that our Past President, Cliff Thomas, has been ill for some time.  However, I am pleased to inform you that following the removal of his “grumpy” gland that a new, happy, envigorated, Cliff should be able to rejoin us in the New Year.  Following are a few words from Cliff.

"Many thanks for the good wishes I have received since entering the fray with the NHS and especially for the card raised at the Christmas Dinner. Having entered hospital on 26 November I had given myself a sporting chance of milking the sympathy vote in person at the RAF Club in December. However, after no less than 3 operations, I was not released from hospital in time. So I missed the party in more ways than one.

"I am now well down the road to recovery with my body relieved of a nasty gland and, by way of a Christmas bonus, kidneys free of stones. Apart from being sentenced to set off airport metal detectors for the rest of my days due to the wires and butterfly knots keeping my sternum together, I appear to be unscathed, although I suspect the golf swing will be worse than ever. Ann joins me in wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year and we look forward to seeing you again soon”.

 

Recent Events

QinetiQ Boscombe Down

The visit  to QinetiQ at Boscombe Down on 21 January 2004 was oversubscribed.  Those who attended I am sure had an enjoyable day in what was an unusual venue for the presentations.  However, there were several no shows on the day and, as we had a reserve list,  it is unfair to those who could have attended. Therefore, if you are unable to attend let the organiser know, in good time, so that others on the list can be contacted.

 

Forthcoming Events

AGM

The AGM will take place on Tuesday 24 February  2004 in the RAF Club.   The format will be the same as in previous years’ that is the AGM followed by a presentation from Lt Paul Jones RN the BAE Systems Prize winner from last year’s MESE course.  An application form is attached.  Those wishing to attend will be sent a copy of last year’s minutes on receipt of their application form.

Symposium 2004

Our Symposium remains on course for later in the year; the date being Thursday 8 July 2004 and, as in 2002, it will take place at the RAeS Piccadilly London.  The title of the Symposium will be “Emitter Location for Future Operations”;  further details will follow in the coming months.  We are expecting to present about ten papers during the day with a high classification.  Abstracts can be sent to rhblackburn@dstl.gov.uk.  There is still room for budding experts in the field to present their papers.

Christmas Dinner

Following another successful Christmas dinner ,at which some 60 members were present, this year’s function will be held at the RAF Club on Friday 3 December 2004.  Thanks to David Kitching for organising last year’s function, hope that you can do it again this year.  So make an early note in your diaries for this year.

 

Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum

Some of you will recall that we mentioned the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum last year.  We have been asked to include the following for this year.

The museum has been successful with a request for Lottery Funding and the “new” hangar is under construction.  When completed the Boulton & Paul hangar, originally built in 1937 for Ipswich Airport,  will bring a much needed increase in exhibition space.  As well as protecting more aircraft, extra display space will become available; this will help to improve the display of radio, radar and EW equipment.

If anyone has any pictures, charts or graphics suitable for back drops they would be very welcome.  More importantly, the museum would be delighted to receive more EW equipment either on loan or as a donation.  If you can help, please contact the museum at www.aviationmuseum.net.

 

Website

You will be aware that we have been experiencing difficulties with the reconstruction, updating and timeliness of the Website;  its regeneration  through the main Crows website has proved to be fruitless.  So you will need to bear with us a little longer while we  try to solve the issue.

 

E-mail

We now have some 310 (it’s creeping up) of our 450 members receiving this newsletter by e-mail.  We had particular difficulties last month with all the  xx.aol.com addressees being returned; please keep your e-mail address up to date. If you experience any difficulties with e-mail receipt or you  wish to change your e-mail address please contact Wynne Davies or Roger Blackburn.