New Squadron History Room is a firm favourite

All the hard work certainly has paid off for those who have upgraded the Squadron History Room. Plenty of Association members and guests strolled over to the new enlarged and ever expanding Squadron History Room to revisit a few scenes form the past.

Major Todd Shugart on exchange form the USAF has been involved in a labour of love in putting the many items of memorabilia in fine order. It is on track to be classified almost a museum at this rate.

XXIV Sqn History Room

MORE PHOTOS OF THE 2009 REUNION

I thought I saw a few flash guns going off around the Mess on the evening of the Reunion Ladies Guest Night and so I contacted Maurice Hills who sent me a few postcard size shots he took on the evening. I have had to scan them onto the PC, so they have lost a bit of definition but still plenty good enough to see that one and all are glad they scrubbed up for the evening and eager to give it a go next year.

We are joined by the Army this year

Pied Piper Pct 09

Straight and Level tall story club

2009 REUNION – A GREAT SUCCESS

A brief post to inform everyone that this years Reunion at RAF Lyneham on Saturday October 3rd was a big success and enjoyed by one and all.

More details coming along shortly and some early photos below.

24 Sqn Assoc Reunion 2009 - 2 Briefing

24 Sqn Assoc Reunion 2009 -1 Briefing

List of those attending the 2009 Reunion

Hi folks.

Just finished totting up who is coming along to this years Reunion and numbers are looking quite good with 57 for the AGM and Lunch and 50 plus Serving Members for the Ladies Guest Night. (See the list below)

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the WX is CAVOK on the day and maybe that a flight in a J is on the cards!

ps – we will be spending quite a bit of time in the Station Briefing Room this year, so you might need to head straight for it on arrival. Check at the main gate.

See you on the 3rd of October – The Sec

Gp Cpt	Richard	Bates
Mr	John	Brittain
Mr	David	Burgin
Wg Cdr	Chris	Carrington
Mrs	Liz	Carter
Gp Cpt	Keith	Chapman
Mr	Nev	Cooper
Mr	Brian	Cowin
Mr	Graeme	Donald
Air Cdr	Dickie	Gould
Mr	Ray	Hagon
Mr	Roger	Hale
Mr	Clive	Harley
Mr	John	Harris
Mr	Maurice	Hills
Mr	Brian	Holden
Mr	Graham	Jones
Mr	Bill	Lowe
Mr	John	Martin
Mr	Tom	Norcross
Mr	Geof	Norton
Mr	Trev	Paterson
Mr	Roger	Payne
Mr	Alan	Pickering
Mrs	April	Porter
Mr	Keith	Rayner
Mr	Derek	Smith
Mr	Derek	Stewart
Mr	Alan	Turner
Mr	Lionel	Warrington
Mr	Stan	Webb
Mr	Adrian	Wilson
Mr	Sam	Wright
Dr	Nick	Yerbury

Reunion Weekend – J16 HOTELS for the 3rd October

Hi all

Here is an update from Sam about Hotel accommodation for the Reunion on the 3rd October.

This morning 7th Aug I managed to block book 10 assorted singles and doubles at the Express Holiday Inn for the w/e 2,3,4 Oct. These rooms are available on a b/b only rate of £45/night.They do not have a dining room open on Friday nights but there are plenty of eating places over the road.

The Express will hold the 10 rooms until 11th Sept.after which date they will be released.

Individuals should book direct quoting 24 sqn assoc. 0870 990 9690. A lass called Cherie took the booking from me.

The Hilton are still promising to come back to me but so far nothing in the way of price reductions have been offered and I checked again this morning.

Reminder – Do Book Direct with Hotel of choice

Early Reunion Details – Ladies Guest Night 3 Oct 2009

Sam, our Deputy Chairman has put a bid in for the following menu on the occasion of our Dining In evening on Saturday 3rd. October which is:

Lasagne of Cornish Crab

Loin of Lamb wrapped in Savoy Cabbage and Parma Ham

Dauphinoise Potatoes

Bouquetiere of Summer vegetables

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Clotted cream and Butterscotch sauce

Selection of Cheeses

Coffee and Liqueurs

Also requested is a Salmon and Veggie option for those not wanting the Lamb as well as one meal gluten free.

Red,White and Rose house wines will be acceptable.

Timing is 7:30 for 8pm.

This year the music is by a saxophone quartet

Summer Social 3rd June 2009

The Blog Book is still the quickest way to get news and pictures out in the public domain, so if you have your RSS feed set up, you will be the first to know.

Weather excellent as usual for this years XXIV Squadron Association Summer Social. The garden looking its best, the company at Sam and Sue’s lively, full of fun and plenty of pre lunch chat to keep everybody in the right mood.

In no time at all everyone is suitably  seated a few miles down the road from Lyneham at La Flambe for a long and leisurely lunch. In view of the fact that we were around 30 and with other customers on the premises, we were all well looked after by the owner and staff. I departed around 3pm, deciding to miss out on the desert course, but the party was still going strong and the prospect of coffee and chocolates and aperitifs back at Sam’s, its probably still in full swing today.

John Martin has provided the photo and I think it does show that a good time was had by all. Thanks again for a great day out.

The Sec

Group photo in Sam and Sue's Garden before the lunch.

Summer Social 3 June 2009

I have just had the details of this years Summer Social from Sam Wright and posting the info to whet the appetite. Sam must be commended for his dedication to duty as he is only just on the mend from quite a bad skiing accident in January. Shown also is the menu from the La Flambe in Sutton Benger.

A visit was made on the 1st April to discussed with the restaurant manager the summer lunch and make a provisional booking for up to 30 with a lunch start at 1300 hrs.

They have a good selection of wines starting at about £3:50 per glass and also serve very good Wadworths 6X. The food was excellent well presented and very good portions.

The manager will arrange tables so that we are all together and he is flexible about start time if we want it a little earlier, also numbers attending.

Anything on the menu that has a sauce or gravy he says he can make gluten free and they do veggy meals as well.

The set menu price is judge good value so hope you will agree that this is where we have our summer lunch.

Sam has numbered the items and would be happy to take the orders from our members and do what Nick did last year and phone them through to the manager

Those attending can phone, fax or email Sam with their orders, details below. (Note from The Sec – emails and phone numbers withheld from Blog to avoid spam, use your Membership list or contact The Sec)

Lets hope we have a good turn out, looking forward to it.

Sue will have the garden looking lovely by then,mind you she is a bit miffed that he wont be doing much to help for a while!

La Flambe Set Menu

A gift from Aussie finally safely hits the target

That killer Boomerang

The moment a killer boomerang, a gift from retired Air commodore Dave Hitchins, is presented to W/C Andy Bacon by Group Captain Keith Chapman at the 2008 Reunion held at RAF Lyneham

2008 Reunion 4th October – Update

A brief post on the Blog Book to say that numbers and arrangements are going well for this years Reunion.

We have over 50 members and guests coming for the day and evening events on the 4th October. A coach has been booked for those staying in Hotels in the M4 Junction 16 area to pick up around 7pm and return at midnight. The Sgts Mess is the venue for this years Guest Night and hopefully a few more of the Squadron personnel will be available to join us for the evening.

A new item on the afternoon agenda is a visit to 47 Air Despatch Squadron situated adjacent to the main Lyneham site for a comprehensive briefing and view over the static DC3.

Looking forward to to you all – The XXIV Association Committee.