Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District RAFA Newsletter

‘The Lightning Strike’ September/October 2017

CLUB OPENING TIMES Monday 1900-2300 (subject to the Quiz League playing) Tuesday 1900-2300 (subject to the Quiz League playing) Wednesday Closed Thursday 1900-2300 Friday 1900 – 2300 Saturday 1200-1500 and 1900 – 0000 Sunday 1200 – 1400 (1800 - 2100 Bingo nights)

Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Branch

Registered Charity No 501145 5 Alexandra Road

Cleethorpes North East Lincs

DN35 8LQ

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Hi Folks

PUB GRUB IN OUR CLUB

Now here's a thing, as a trial we are going to be providing Pub Grub in our Club. Delicious, freshly prepared bar meals will be available on Saturday nights when there is not a function on between 7:30 and 9:30 pm at a cost of only £8.00. Order at the bar and your meal will be delivered piping hot from an excellent very nearby restaurant. Here is the menu:

FRESH GRIMSBY HADDOCK CHARGRILLED CAJUN CHICKEN HOMEMADE PIE OF THE DAY GAMMON STEAK & FRIED EGG HOMEMADE QUICHE OF THE DAY (v) WHOLETAIL BREADED SCAMPI BEEF & RED WINE LASAGNE PASTA BOWL OF THE DAY (v) HOMEMADE CHEESEBURGER CHICKEN & MANGO CURRY

When you consider how cheap our drinks are, I think this is a great value meal out; two meals and a bottle of wine for less than £28.00 has got to be good. If the trial is successful we could do this on a more regular basis, Saturday and Thursday 'free' nights when there are no events on or even provide Sunday lunches. Let me know what you think.

Plans are already afoot to make next years Armed Forces Weekend a very special one with Sunday being RAF100 day; Gav is on the case so watch out for some great news.

It will soon be Christmas so it’s time to think about pressies - there are some great things for sale from our fundraising team, and don’t forget we can produce a great personalised RAF print/mug/mouse mat/phone cover or towel etc. all of which would make a special pressy.

Your team of volunteers continues to work behind the scenes to make your Branch and Club the very best it can be - every day hours of work goes into making it happen so please support us by attending the functions we provide or just coming along. We are of course open to suggestions so please let us know if you have seen something or someone who would go down well in our club.

Finally, Richard Brock has retired from the Branch & Club Committees and I would like to thank him for all his efforts to help get the Branch and Club to where they are today. He’ll still be doing his bar stints, loosing at the quiz and coming up with the odd hilarious comment as before though. GM

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Events are staged to benefit members, although guests and visitors are always welcome. All members can attend all events, like birthday parties for instance. Club events usually start at about 8:30pm. If there is something that you would like to see on at the Club, please contact any one of the Committee with your ideas.

October

Quiz Nights Thursday 5th and 19th October – It’s easy really, you just need a brain the size of a planet and understand Neil the quizmasters mind!

Oktoberfest Saturday 7th October – A dull old night really, Gav’s German food, beer, dressing up, lederhosen, oom pah, seems very popular for some reason, best you come and find out why. Get you food ticket from the bar only £5.

Buffet Bingo Sunday 8th and 22nd October – Eyes down at 7pm run till about 9pm, not too serious and a great way to spend Sunday evening, prizes and cash to be won and food to be consumed (if you bring some).

Food night Thursday 26th October – I can’t believe it only costs £8:50 per head for all of this lovely food, we put the list up in the club so come in and put your name down!

Live Music – David Lee Andrews

Saturday 28th October – He’s back as promised and seeing as most of his fan club are our members it’s sure to be a very busy and spectacularly entertaining night.

November Quiz Nights

Thursday 2nd, 16th & 30th November – It’s easy really, you just need a brain the size of a planet and understand Neil the quizmasters mind!

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Live Music – Ian Latimer Saturday 4th November – Oh boy can this guy play a guitar, fantastic night of guitar greats in store.

Buffet Bingo Sunday 5th and 19th November – Eyes down at 7pm runs until about 9pm, not too serious and a great way to spend Sunday evening, prizes and cash to be won and food to be consumed (if you bring some).

Port/Sherry Tasting Saturday 18th November – Well, we’ve done Wine, Whiskey and Gin so now it’s Port and Sherry and we’ll throw in cheese and biscuits. Bring some of your favorite cheese along so you can impress us all with your impeccable taste. £10 for a ticket to partake.

Food night

Thursday 23th November – I can’t believe it only costs £8:50 per head for all of this lovely food!

December Live Music – Stevie H

Saturday 2nd December – So good we’ve booked him twice this year, don’t miss this, fantastic party to dance to.

Buffet Bingo Sunday 3rd and 17th December – Eyes down at 7pm runs until about 9pm, not too serious and a great way to spend Sunday evening, prizes and cash to be won and food to be consumed (if you bring some).

Xmas Draw & Awards Night

Saturday 9th December – Unbridled excitement, glamour, emotion, tears, uncontrolled sobbing and that’s just the Draw!

Quiz Night Thursday 14th December – It’s easy really, you just need a brain the size of a planet and understand Neil the quizmasters mind!

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Live Music – Soul Provider Saturday16th December – This is going to be an amazing Xmas party with Lisa & Gary who are always fabulous.

Food night Thursday 21st December – I can’t believe it only costs £8:50 per head for all of this lovely food!

Live Music – The Houseshakers

Thursday 28th December – It’s my Birthday so let’s Party with one of our favorite bands.

Live Music – Steve Warvill Sunday 31st December – Our traditional New Year’s Eve Party, always fantastic with a guest appearance from Elvis.

Regular Events/ Meets

Buffet Bingo Bingo is back on Sunday evenings and going down a storm - bring food! Every other Sunday evening. Doors open at 6:00pm, eyes down at 7:00pm finish at 9pm. Proving to be fun, filling and financially beneficial (possibly). Thursday Night Club open to all members of course. Every other Thursday night is quiz night. Food night once a month. Dr G is in attendance to listen to your problems in person. A great atmosphere and good company. North Lincs. Air Crew Association meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month Any serving or ex-serving Air Crew are invited to attend meetings of the North Lincs. Air Crew Association, chaired by Air-Vice Marshal Martyn Gardiner. They meet at Louth Golf Club, Westgate Fields, Louthat 11am for lunch. All RAFA members are most welcome. For any further information, please contact Tony Anderson on 01507 606398 or by email haselbury124@tiscali.co.ukParachute Regiment Association meets every Friday night in the Pegasus Bar to discuss the insane practice of jumping out of perfectly serviceable aeroplanes, entrusting your life to a sheet of silk and also generally have a good time. I can personally vouch for their generous hospitality - if I could only remember much about it!

Welfare Services

Do you need help? The RAFA is there to help serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their dependents, providing friendship, advice and support, respite

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care, general welfare and signposting. Big thank you to Tracey Owens who has volunteered to be our HWO and joined the welfare team.

Membership

There are many benefits to belonging to the RAF Association which includes entry to our local Club here in Cleethorpes. Please contact the Secretary, Anne Prowse or see her at the Club for more details (or any committee member). Membership forms are available behind the bar, so come in and sign up. Ordinary Member (ex RAF personnel) 1 Year with AirMail £20.50 Associate Member (anyone non-RAF personnel) 1 Year with Air Mail £14.50 1 Year without Air Mail £8.50 You can also become a member or renew your membership by ringing HQ at Leicester on 0116 266 5224 and paying by credit or debit card, or do it online through the RAFA website. Don't forget to say you want to join the Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Branch. Do you have your membership card? We have a number of members who have renewed but not received their membership cards, this should take a week to ten days from payment. If you have not received yours then ring the membership office on the above number or let me know and I’ll chase it up.

Our Branch membership total is now a magnificent: 908

New RAF Association scheme rewards members The RAF Association has just launched a new scheme to give members discounts on a wide range of products and services. Whether it’s a meal out with friends, your weekly grocery shop or renewing your car insurance, RAFA Rewards could save you money. If you're a member, you can start using your RAFA Rewards straight away, click here. If you've not yet renewed your membership for next year, make sure you renew now to continue enjoying your benefits in 2017. You can renew by calling 0800 0182 361 and pay by debit or credit card. Alternatively, if you have access to our member’s portal you can renew online: https://rafa.force.com/login

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Fundraising

100 Club 100 Club winners for September Ist prize £25 No 57 Andy Meads 2nd prize £15 No 9 Neil Whitehead 3rd prize £10 No 89 Linda Elrick Congratulations to all our winners and thank you everyone who supports this! Congratulations and thank you for supporting the Branch! If you would like a number in the 100 Club it will now cost you just £6 for the rest of the year, as we have only 8 draws left. Thank you for your support; as well as being in with the chance to win cash every month, you also support the Branch. Forms are available on the bar. Tombola items Please keep bringing those unwanted gifts in! We’re looking for toiletries, ornaments, mugs, new items, gift sets, good clean condition secondhand items, stationary, in-date food, sweets, bottles of drink or anything else really! Please drop them off at the Club or ring me on 07715559703 and I’ll come and pick them up. Thank you very much. Fundraising dates 2017 October 6 – Tesco Grimsby November 7 – Parkway Cinema December 14 & 15 – Morrisons The Fundraising Team are always looking out for volunteers to help with collections in stores and events. If you can spare an hour or so anytime, please let either me, Alex or one of the team know.

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Club Information

All guests should pay a £1.00 entrance fee when being signed into the club, please pay this at the bar. On top of this, if we have entertainment on

there may be a further charge of £2.00. All members can sign in a guest and if you do please read the instructions on the ticket which states that

you are responsible for and must accompany your guests at all times when in the club and they must leave the premises when you do.

South East and Eastern Area News

The South East and Eastern Area newsletter can be downloaded from www.rafa.org.uk/areas-southeast.asp or there are some copies in the Club for you to look at.

RAF ASSOCIATION WEBSITE MEMBERS AREA

The member’s only section of the website is now open! We’ve integrated your RAF Comrade Contact website tools into the main www.rafa.org.uk site giving you a unique level of access to both the tools that you used to have but also to bring you nearer to the RAF Association Liaison Officers (RAFALOs) Due to the higher security on our new site, you must set a new username and password. All you need to do is visit www.rafa.org.uk/register and register with the website. Once registered you will be able to login and access member and branch fundraising tools and resources, branch contacts, an online gallery and forum where you can share imagery and mingle with other members plus a unique notice board to advertise for assistance or offer help. If you are unable to fill in any of the details requested by the site, then please get in touch with Len Griffiths by email len.griffiths@rafa.org.uk or on 0116 268 8752 and he can update your details accordingly.

Want to do something wonderful?

Want to earn pots of money by doing very little? No, I knew you would be above all that sort of thing and would much rather volunteer to work behind our bar. You won't earn any money apart from tips, but you will earn the respect and adoration of your fellow members. It really is a rather good thing to do, there's no pressure and it will boost your confidence no end and we'll train you. Come and have a chat if you are up for it. We are also looking for people to join our Welfare Team, speak to myself or Tracey if you would like to help out with this wonderful work.

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Discounts and great local services for our RAFA members

The Jedburgh Guest House is owned and run by Graham Malster and his lovely partner, Cheryl. Situated at 26 Albert Road, this great 10 bedroomed B&B is only a 3 minute walk from the RAFA Club and an ideal place to stay if visiting the local area or coming to a Club event. Many rooms are en suite and ground floor rooms are available. Graham and Cheryl can be contacted via their website, which is

www.jedburghguesthouse.co.uk, or via bookings@jedburghguesthouse.co.uk or by phone on 01472 508092. More information can be found on their website or see Graham and Cheryl at the Club. There are special reduced rates for RAF Association members; please mention at the time of booking. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Check out Grimsby Futsal – it’s the future for you sporting types. Speak to Kev Bryant for more information on 07980 286663.

SocialMedia

RAFACleethorpesonFacebook.Thisistheplacetobewithuptodateinformationandwhat'son.IfyouareontheoldRafa(note:lowercase)

Cleethorpespageyouneedtomovetothenewallsinginganddancingsite.Wehaveourbrandnewwebsitewithloadsofinformationat:

www.rafa.org.uk/grimsby-cleethorpes

Sponsor an Event

David Lee Andrews, The Houseshakers, The Dukes, Compton & Bailie, Molly Grace, James Kirby, even Steve Warvil, all cost money to perform in the club. Would you sponsor an event? Dave Johnson, The Paras, Ray & Jean Crosby,

Deadly Don, Grimsby Futsal and Kev Bryant have and so has the Jedburgh Guest House. Please get in touch if you would be kind enough to chip in.

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AircraftMugs We have a selection of mugs which are on display in the club. If you would like to place an order please indicate which one you want from the number on the base of the mug and if you require the text to be changed. Cost: £10 per mug or £12 if you want personalized text Wehaveloadsofdifferentaircraftpicturessoifyouhaveaparticular,favouriteaircraftpleaseask.Theseareourownpicturesanddesignssotheyareallverylimitededition,acouplemoreexamplesareshownbelowandtheylookfabulousonaglossymugandmakeagreatgiftwithanameon.Wecandomousemats,phonecoverseventowelsaswell!

XmasDraw

TicketsforthisyearsXmasDrawarenowavailablefromthebar.We’vealreadysoldlotssothisyearsdrawonSaturday9thDecemberwillbebiggerandbetterthanever.Theycost£1for3numbers,getyournumbersnow!

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Quiz

Whoarethese?

Answer: Just some of the people who will be entertaining you in the RAFA Club between now and the end of the year!

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Contacts

You can contact any committee member below for information or agenda items. If you would like anything included in the next newsletter or would like it emailed, please contact Graham Malster on 07703067733 or by email mailto:donnaflint2@ntlworld.comgraham.malster@ntlworld.com If you would like it posted out to you, please send an A5 SAE (or several to cover several months) to the Club, marked for the attention of Graham. The printed newsletter can be collected from the Club around the 4th of each month. Graham Malster (Chairman) 07703067733 graham.malster@ntlworld.com Gavin (Harry) Marshall (Vice Chairman) option911@hotmail.co.uk Membership enquiries Anne Prowse or any committee member/ bar staff Welfare enquiries, Tracey Owens Fundraising suggestions, volunteering or questions to Alex Elrick or Donna Flint Branch Committee members Alex Elrick alex.elrick@hotmail.co.uk or 07982912555 Mark Jones mjones7969@yahoo.co.uk Anne Prowse (Secretary/Treasurer) 07796688248 or anne.prowse60@gmail.com Phil Massen Steve Flint Tracey Owens Steve Barley Club Committee members (also including all the above Branch committee members) Don McKay (Paras rep) Lesley Fishwick Brenda Taylor Next Branch/ Club meeting - Wednesday 25th October at 20:00 All members are encouraged and welcome to attend – the bar is open! Please do not reproduce any of the content of this newsletter without the permission of the author and/or buying a round of drinks at the bar