From the Secretary – Maj (Retd) PA Raison

Ad Unum Omnes

THE PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

Patron: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, KG, KT, PC, GCB, AK, QSO, ADC

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT
MERVILLE BARRACKS
CIRCULAR ROAD SOUTH
COLCHESTER
ESSEX
CO2 7UT
TEL: 01206 817073
MIL: 94660 7073
Email:
www.theparachuteregimentalassociation.com

1 August 2017

Regional and Branch Secretaries

Please see below the monthly news from RHQ PARA. If you have anything you would like to promote in this please send submissions by the 25th of each month to the Secretary at

Topics:

A.  Membership Changes

B.  Charity Commission News

C.  Active Member Survey

D.  Membership Records Update

E.  Public Liability Insurance Review

F.  Annual Accounts for 2016

G.  RHQ Office Services Reduction

H.  PRA Media

Events

I.  Pass Out Parades

J.  Midlands Parachute Extravaganza

K.  Arnhem 2017

L.  Aden 50th Commemoration 28/29 October 17

A. Membership Changes

The Executive Committee (EC) has been working for the past seven months on proposed changes to the membership Categories and Criteria. This was announced in the monthly newsletter in January and February 17 so that Branches could discuss it and offer their members views directly to RHQ or though their Regional Secretary. The small amount of feedback we received was then taken to the EC meeting in Apr 17 for discussion. Due to the numerous commemorations and events around this time and complexity of this, the changes were not confirmed until July 17 and published in the monthly newsletter. On 7 July 17, prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) it was again discussed by the EC. Here it was identified that a number of Branches had, over the years allowed members to wear the maroon beret when not entitled to do so. The rules however were not clear and did not specifically identify the beret as a separate item of ‘Branch’ dress and was open to interpretation. It was identified that this was common practice within some Branches and that it would be very difficult to overturn this activity without causing distress to many members. It was therefore decided that the rules would be amended to permit the wearing of the maroon beret for those that are currently members of the Branches and to allow new members to join who were not PARA Trained but had served with an Airborne Unit or Brigade. This was subsequently explained at the AGM on Sat 8 July 17 and discussed at some length, both for and against. Those attending the AGM then voted in favour of the proposed changes.

This decision has caused a number of people to take to social media to voice their personal opinions about the changes. It is disappointing that they did not do this when the changes were initially announced and Branches were asked for their support in finding the solution to the rapidly declining membership. This decision was left to the EC, who work long and hard to support the Parachute Regimental Association (PRA) and have their best interests at heart. Many of those that have raised their opinions on social media are not active members of the Association for various reasons and some claim that they walked away from the PRA as they did not like the way it was run. My message to them is ‘get involved’ and ‘add value’ where you can. We are looking for likeminded individuals to join the team and provide expert help in areas we are developing such as the newsletter, social media, marketing, graphic design etc. We welcome everyone’s views and ideas and communication is key to the future success of the PRA.

B. Charity Commission News

The Charity Commission News is a quarterly newsletter, which provides essential information for charity trustees and their advisers. This is vital reading for any trustee within the Branches and provides a wealth of information on new ways in which to boost charity funds for organisations of all sizes. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/charity-commission-news

C. Active Member Survey

All Branches have been asked to provide RHQ with an electronic list of Active Members so that we can get an up to date figure for comparison against our present records. The response has been very disappointing and so far only 8 of the 79 Branches have responded. I would ask that all Branch Secretaries send the details of their Branch members to Julia at the earliest opportunity. Thank you to all those that have sent their details so far.

D. Membership Records Update

The electronic membership records continue to be updated and as a result the first book finally added 5318 additional entries. The second book has now been completed and has yielded 3,413 names. This gives us an additional 8,731 names of Association members. Please note that this information is very limited and includes only their name, service number, PRA number and date they joined.

E. Public Liability Insurance Review

It has been brought to our attention that we may be under insured for some areas of our Public Liability Insurance. This mainly concerns collections where some Branches are receiving large sums of money from the public and securing them at home prior to banking the money. This figure will need to be revised as the sum insured does not appear to be sufficient at the present time. If any Branch Secretary or Treasurer has a view on this please email me at

F. Annual Accounts for 2016

The Annual Accounts of the Parachute Regimental Association are now available on website for those that wish to view them online at: https://theparachuteregimentalassociation.com/the-parachute-regimental-association-accounts-2016/

G. RHQ Office Services Reduction

RHQ will have periods when the office will be single manned in August. This may affect some services so please be patient.

H. PRA Media

The way in which the PRA utilises the various means of communication on Social Media is under review. Any feedback from members that currently use the website and Facebook page would be very welcome. This would first allow us to judge the content and success of them so far and also to look at how we can improve this service further. Editors and administrators for both sites can be added at any time and any Branch member with adequate knowledge and experience would be a welcome addition to the team in regards to assisting or advising. If you are in a position to assist please contact the Secretary on:

EVENTS

I. Pass out Parades (POP)

If you have not attended a modern day POP before then why not organise a Branch trip? The next parades are as follows:

792 Breville Platoon Friday 4 August 17

793 Athens Platoon Friday 6 October 17

794 Oudna Platoon Friday 17 November 17

795 Normandy Platoon Friday 15 December 17

The parades take place at Helles Barracks, Catterick. Please ensure that you make contact with ITC Catterick prior to attending as cancellations do occur with minimum notice given.

J. Midlands Parachute Extravaganza

On Saturday the 5 August 2017 the Bedworth Branch will be holding their Midlands Parachute Extravaganza & Airborne Force Day event in the school grounds of Nicholas Chamberlaine School, Bulkington Road, Bedworth CV12 9AE

The event is a local Community Engagement event combined with a Regimental Recruiting day.

The day will consist of the following:

Arena Displays / Bar & Refreshment Tents
Jaguar Land Rover Experience / PRA Exclusive Bar
Royal Air Force Dakota Fly Past / Red Devils Free Fall Display
Combined Cadet Force Gun Race / Children Rides & Climbing Frame
Veterans Parade & March Past / Local Community Stands & Stalls
Regimental Band Parachute Regiment / Parachute Regimental Stall
Regimental Stands & Displays / Military Weapons & Equipment Stands
Live Band Music / Martial Arts
Children & Adult Fun Races / Ending the event with Beating Retreat by the Band of the Parachute Regiment

This is a day for everyone and all Branches of the Parachute Regimental Association are invited.

Ticket for Non PRA Purchased on Entry at £4 for Family, £2 individual, £1 Child/Senior Citizen.

PRA Members Parade Dress: Medals, Beret, Suit/Blazer andTrousers.

Timings:

All participants Arrive 10.30hrs (Set up period all stands & stalls)

Startarena events 12.30hrs

Veterans Parade 13.30 – 14.45hrs

Dakota Fly Past 14.00hrs

Red Devils Display15.00hrs

Cadet Gun Race 16.00hrs

Beating Retreat17.15hrs

Event Ends18.30hrs

Evening PRA Social19.30hrs (Bedworth Conservative Club Coventry Road Bedworth CV12 8NN)

If you require any further information, please contact:

George Duffus

Bedworth Branch

Parachute Regimental Association

Tel: Mobile 0781 302 0040

Email:

K. Arnhem 2017

The Arnhem commemorations will take place over the weekend 15-17 September 2017. The planning is in progress and an outline of events will be issued mid-August. This will highlight the key events that will be supported by RHQ and allow individual parties to plan their movement should they wish to take part.

L. Aden 50th Commemoration 28/29 October 17

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of 1 PARA’s operational tour in Aden and the tactical withdrawal on 29 Nov 1967, it is planned to hold a reunion for all those members of the battalion and attached Arms, who took part in this tour. The venue is Aldershot over the weekend Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October 2017.

The aim will be to remember the three members of the battalion who lost their lives in the service of their country, with a commemorative service at The Royal Garrison (our Regimental) Church in Aldershot. We also want to rekindle old regimental friendships, forged during a hard and difficult operational tour. This is likely to be the last such reunion so please come and support your very own “Band of Brothers”.

If you are interested in joining your fellow Airborne Warriors for the PARA Aden 50 Reunion then register with us, by contacting John Carey () by email.

Details of all these events and others are available on the Web Page at www.theparachuteregimentalassociation.com

Paul Raison

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 214015

RHQ Disclaimer.

The Office of the Secretary of The Parachute Regimental Association is required to publish a disclaimer concerning any article or idea passed to branches by way of this letter. This letter provides a conduit between the branches to allow ideas, articles and topics to be viewed and discussed by the branches. Although these ideas, articles and topics appear in this newsletter it does not necessarily reflect the view of this office.