Holbeach VE Day Beacon Lighting - Presentation of the Jock Burnie Cup
to John Kinder
At our Holbeach Branch, October meeting, a very taken aback John Kinder was presented with the Jock Bernie Cup by group/branch chairman Tony Topliss.
The cup had been awarded to John for his outstanding work in arranging and organising the Holbeach VE Day Beacon Lighting, by the R.O.C.A. Heritage Team. It had been received on his behalf by Tony at the recent reunion at Buxton.
If it had not been for John the beacon lighting would not have taken place, as the Holbeach Parish Council were not interested and put various obstacles in the way to prevent it happening.
But John with a bit of help from South Holland District Council, on who’s land the beacon stands sorted the whole show out, which included a band, refreshment stands, lighting, firework displays, local Air Cadets and even managed to get road closures put in place for the entire evening.
Several members of Holbeach R.O.C.A. were in attendance as well as the group standard.
A very good crowd turned up to support the event, and everyone asked gave good and positive feedback.
Very well done John and a great big thank you. The cup very much deserved.
David Hagan
Click on images for full size
The cup had been awarded to John for his outstanding work in arranging and organising the Holbeach VE Day Beacon Lighting, by the R.O.C.A. Heritage Team. It had been received on his behalf by Tony at the recent reunion at Buxton.
If it had not been for John the beacon lighting would not have taken place, as the Holbeach Parish Council were not interested and put various obstacles in the way to prevent it happening.
But John with a bit of help from South Holland District Council, on who’s land the beacon stands sorted the whole show out, which included a band, refreshment stands, lighting, firework displays, local Air Cadets and even managed to get road closures put in place for the entire evening.
Several members of Holbeach R.O.C.A. were in attendance as well as the group standard.
A very good crowd turned up to support the event, and everyone asked gave good and positive feedback.
Very well done John and a great big thank you. The cup very much deserved.
David Hagan
Click on images for full size
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The BDAC VE Day was packed with activities to celebrate this special anniversary. In bright but breezy conditions the Round Canopy Display team demonstrated accurate drops onto their target zone. Meanwhile the Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes and Drums entertained us with marching tunes and got Trish Shire and me reminiscing about our ROC drill Flight marching days. Re-enactors from the 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment were joined by Obs Lt Neville Cullingford and Obs Paul Adkins smartly turned out in their original uniforms. Paul served in 30 Group Inverness during the 1980s before moving South and served for a very short time on Windsor Post.
We exchanged stories with The Gurka Welfare Trust, and we all enjoyed the presentations and opportunity to learn more about the wartime history of the RAF at Old Sarum, by Tim Cornish and a fascinating insight into the roles of RAF Beaulieu from Marc Heighbury. There was also time to learn how to pack parachutes.
The ROC Museum display was open to visitors with Chris Shire, Neville and Paul on hand to explain our roles and history. The 14 Group Standard was displayed with its 100th Anniversary Pennant.
The ROC Museum was proud to be part of this special occasion and to pay tribute to all who served.
Jenny Morris for the ROC Museum
We exchanged stories with The Gurka Welfare Trust, and we all enjoyed the presentations and opportunity to learn more about the wartime history of the RAF at Old Sarum, by Tim Cornish and a fascinating insight into the roles of RAF Beaulieu from Marc Heighbury. There was also time to learn how to pack parachutes.
The ROC Museum display was open to visitors with Chris Shire, Neville and Paul on hand to explain our roles and history. The 14 Group Standard was displayed with its 100th Anniversary Pennant.
The ROC Museum was proud to be part of this special occasion and to pay tribute to all who served.
Jenny Morris for the ROC Museum
Portadown Post, 31 Group - Beacon Lighting and Lamp Light of Peace
Alistair McCann and Colin Woods, who operate the restored post at Portadown, held a Memorial Ceremony with beacon lighting and the Lamp Light of Peace.
Click on image for full size
Click on image for full size
Skelmorlie Secret Bunker 25 Group(AYR) 23 post.
A beacon lighting ceremony took place at Skelmorlie post attended by the National Chairman, John Sharpe, MBE, Cllr John Sweeney who is the Deputy Provost of North Ayrshire Council and Frank Alexander who is the Museum Curator of 25 GROUP (AYR) ROCA.
