Across France Mayors have been made personally accountable for such things as accidents caused by broken pavements and the like, and men are becoming more wary of the responsibilities involved in the job. So it seems that women are showing that they are not averse to giving a lead in public life and have taken up the cudgels with gusto.
It is good too that members of our Association Branches also enjoy the support of 'the little women' (God Bless them) who turn out regularly to mash the tea, make and serve all the goodies. Running the raffle comes as a natural talent and sometimes it has even been known for some of them to organise the quiz. So who gets all the benefit ? The answer is to be found in the annual balance sheets. If you calculate the amount they have raised it soon becomes evident just how important their efforts are towards the success of the 'firm'. Perhaps they are excluded from Committee meetings, but who can deny that, maybe pillow talk at home has sometimes influenced a partners performance in the Committee room.
Champagne corks have should have been popping following the recent decisions taken by both lots of Executives and members to go ahead with the amalgamation of our twin Associations. Anyone with the slightest interest in the long term future of our type of organisation can surely see that this is the only positive way forward and likely to lead to success. The long debate is over, the decision has been made, some could not bring themselves to accept a rapprochement with 'any other lot' and have decided to quit.
That is the way democracy works and although some of us are dismayed by their action we nevertheless must respect the decision they have taken. However, one more hurdle comes into view, somewhat distant at the moment but as September draws near it will become more of an issue. I refer to the election of Officers for our fledgling offspring which will call for some very careful handling. All of the proposed candidates for office in the new National Association have proven their worth in their various capacities. We trust that there will not be too much acrimony before the ballot decides who shall be elected and who shall be cast aside. It seems sad that those who have worked so hard overcoming obstacles to bring the two groups together, in the bittersweet moment of success have had to put their "jobs" on the line. Should they fail to get elected, the talents of these well known stalwarts could be lost to the Association just at a time when it needs them most. On the other hand though with County and City Associations coming together there will be a place for such dedicated members to oversee the. amalgamation. Lets make sure we use their expertise.
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Champagne corks have certainly been popping around these parts and I would like to thank all those that sent me 80th birthday wishes, you reminded me that I'm really older than I thought, but heaven forbid that I start acting my age. I suppose sharing birthdays year for year and almost day for day with such an eminent personality as Prince Philip brings a certain amount of prestige. However I did not have the dubious honour of having to be nice to five hundred guests as he did. His well publicised acerbic comments are well known, but mine, often equally caustic do not have the same media appeal so rarely go beyond the bounds of my immediate family circle.
For my BIG 80 celebration I was very happy to have the company of my lovely Christine plus nine of my favourite people. Most of whom had travelled a great distance to be here contributing in their special way to my happiness, and I hope they are aware of my gratitude. On this landmark occasion I responded to the toast in what I thought was an appropriate way. i.e. by reciting from memory the lovely little poem by Hugh and Mrs Adams entitled "I LOVE TO LIVE" which had been published in the latest National Journal of the RAF Regt Comrades Association. My listeners chided me that I had missed out year 88, so I'm not sure whether there is any significance in that omission, we will have to wait and see.
| Mary |
| . Our feelings of gladness were overshadowed by the distressing news from John my old comrade and friend since 1940, that his beloved wife Mary had lost her fight for life. She had bravely and patiently endured a very long period of suffering. Speaking with her on the telephone in her last weeks, she referred but little to the ordeal she was going through, such was the measure of Mary. I recall that when John joined the RAF in the early days of the war, Mary, like many thousands of wives, alone accepted the task of bringing up three youngsters, and never being really sure if her man would one day return from the war. Such was the reality of those dark and dangerous days,"the womenfolk got the rough and the men got the medals". They had enjoyed 63 years of married life and we know that in his devotion John more than made up to her for his unavoidable six years away in the service of his King and Country. We can but estimate the magnitude of her family's bereavement, and our deepest sympathy is for them all, but put in simple terms Christine and I know that we have lost a very dear friend. R.I.P. |
The local VE Day parade went off with a swing with Roy Ritchley coming over from London to represent his 13th Battalion comrades who had been parachuted into this neighbourhood in the night of 5th /6th June 1944. Of the twenty men in his Dakota he is about the last one fit enough to travel. You can tell by his bearing that as a child he 'ate up his greens' just as he was told . Feeling rather fragile on the day I had waited at the half way point of the march, deeming it proper to salute the standards as they passed by, then fell in behind with the marchers. Later an onlooker, not surprisingly enquired whether I had been delegated to take the salute. Yes of course;~~ I replied !
June 6th the fifty-seventh anniversary of D. Day was celebrated by many British veterans right across this region. As has been my habit for a great many years I went to take part in the dignified ceremony at Ranville Military Cemetery. Renewing friendships from year to year at this solemn place is a special pleasure, but oh dear some familiar faces were missing and so one poses the inevitable question. During the day I managed to get to two more equally dignified ceremonies. At one I noticed a lady wearing a plaid skirt and felt bound to tell her that I recognised the WAAF tartan. It turned out that she had worked at Bentley Priory on the Enigma machines and a very interesting conversation ensued. I was glad that I'd had the audacity to introduce myself, even if it was by commenting on the lady's attire.
Despite advancing age Rock Apes do not seem to lose the knack! Until next month Christine joins me in wishing better days to those of you who are feeling under the weather, especially to my little sister Betsy who is recovering from a very tricky orthopaedic operation in Southampton General Hospital. Keep smiling as always, won't you? from, Steve
e mail address: ted.stevens@libertysurf.fr