Standards out in support of the parade at Trebah Gardens, pictures by our own Bill Pearce.
Royal Air Force Association RAF St Mawgan Branch
The sun did shine although we did have plenty of wind !! The team manned the RCS2015 RAFA RAF St Mawgan stand early on the 4th June with Steve, Al, Chris, Paul and JB reporting for duty. Al had done a superb job in stocking the stall with some great kit to sell and get our funds on the up again. John Beale, being the expert that he is, was on hand to take charge of the name the bear ! The rest of us could only stand in awe of the way he let young ladies give him their mobile phone numbers !!!Please take note of the pictures he features in ! More pictures on the Facebook page. A good start for the three days – more to follow on the results when we get them.

All smiles from the Euphonium section as 17 year Gregory Graves is clearly very happy at the opportunity to play with a top military band. Picture by Chris Cox

Proud Dad, David Roberts from Helston, records some of the performance that daughter Maia Roberts is taking part in. Picture by Chris Cox
It is with enormous pride that we can report a fantastic evening that was had by all that attended the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles Charity Concert on Bank Holiday Monday. We raised some £ 2600 for distribution between RAFA RAF St Mawgan Branch, Royal British Legion St Columb Branch and the St Columb Major Church. We had invited two very talented Cornish youngsters to take part in the concert and play alongside the band. A unique opportunity which they both enjoyed and were able to make some new contacts to help with musical careers for the future. More photo’s available on the Facebook page. But it was a great night enjoyed by an audience of 200 plus.

The soldier’s maxim – Every minute not spending playing or eating a Cornish Pasty is a minute wasted ! Picture by Chris

A rather different rendition of Goldilocks and the three bears was performed by the band much to the amusement of all gathered. Picture by Chris Cox

All smiles from 12 year old Maia Roberts from Helston, Major Peter Clark – Musical Director, WO2 Bob Ghigi – Bandmaster and 17 year Gregory Graves from Callington. Maia and Gregory were given the unique opportunity of taking part in a concert given by The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles. Picture by Chris Cox
April saw the start of our Wings drive with three collections organised and nearly £ 1600 raised !! A massive thanks to all that gave so generously at The Antiques Fair at the Royal Cornwall Showground, to the customers at Tesco in Wadebridge and Morrisons in Newquay. Special thanks to the managers of the stores for allowing us to collect and to our collectors. Great start to our fund raising, don’t forget our Charity Band Concert and come and see us at The Royal Cornwall Show in early June.
With thanks to the family of this Pilot under training for allowing us to use the image.

The RAF St Mawgan Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, The St Columb Branch of The British Legion in association with St Columb Major Church are proud to present
Charity Concert
The Waterloo Band and Bugles of The Rifles
Monday 25th May at 7pm at St Columb Major Church
The Bands and Bugles of The Rifles uphold traditions dating back as far as the Napoleonic Wars. Instead of using the cumbersome drum, the earliest Riflemen used bugles to communicate orders on the battlefield. The Bands have evolved a unique style of music to match The Rifles faster marching pace of 140 to the minute
Tickets are £10 each and are strictly in advance as there are limited numbers
Tickets include programme and entry to Grand Prize Draw
Licensed bar and refreshments will be available during the interval
All proceeds to The British Legion, Royal Airforces Association and St Columb Major Church
Tickets are available online Concert Tickets Here
or by telephone 01637 881554
Our thanks to Newquay Towan Blystra Lions for providing the online payment system.
A quick ” selfie” at the final committee meeting of the year before AGM and the next vote ! We were infact celebrating with our infamous branch secretary Flt Sgt Alan Goudge who had just spent his last day at work in the Royal Air Force after some 37 years ! Al is moving on but not far … he is to be the new RAFA Branch Support Officer for our Area – well done Al from us all and good luck 🙂 So it was Champers all round and a toast to a fine chap.
A new year and a new challenge 🙂
2014 saw us raise just over £4000 to send to Wings Appeal, an increase on the previous year ( our first ) which was just under £ 2200. So fellow RAFA’s we have a challenge for 2015 to try for £6000. All achievable and we are starting to book dates for local collections so please get involved and make 2015 another year to remember.
A cracking start was made on Battle of Britain Day ( 15th ) at Morrison’s in Newquay. Mick and his merry band of helpers started in the early morning until tea time and raised in excess of £ 500. A great start and thanks to all that gave of their time. Let’s try and beat last years donation to Wings of £ 2,500 ! Our total so far is around £ 2000.
A good turn out at the Royal Cornwall Show this year has seen our Wings fund swell by some £ 750. Thanks go to the team who manned the stand over the three days, I think they enjoyed it although I did not appreciate that we had so many horticulturalists .. they kept visiting the Flower tent although there was a distinct sway on when they walked back !!
It was a great pleasure for the branch to be introduced to RAF St Mawgan’s new Commanding Officer Wing Commander Guy Bazalgette. ‘Baz’ as he is known took up the role of Branch President and was delighted to receive the RAFA Presidents Cup into the T E Lawrence Mess Trophy Cabinet for display. Also present at the meeting was new PMC Squadron Leader Owen Crossby and we would like to thank them both for their continued support.
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