Recent changes.

28th July 2019
Yet another of our brethren have departed this world. Ted Hodby (Instrument fitter, and a snag in 1 wing, 1 sqdn) had died on 19th June. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour 18 months previous according to his son.

1st March 2019
In the last hour (17:00) I have received this MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN...HALTON REUNION...

I am very pleased to report that our President Group Captain Katherine Wilson has agreed to hold what will be RAF Halton’s FINAL reunion of our Association on the 15th August 2020. Further details of this event will be sent to you in the next edition of the Haltonian. This means, your Council’s earlier proposal to hold a final reunion at the NMA in September 2020 is now cancelled.

The above decision was taken after the Department of Infrastructure announcement regarding the phased drawdown and closure of RAF Halton commencing in 2022. This announcement will not alter the Council’s decision regarding Legacy matters. The Station is fully on board with the arrangements we are making. I will present our latest position in the next Haltonian.
I know some of you will be buoyed with the idea that phasing Halton’s closure may extend the life of the Association. However, the challenges we have to face, namely, a newly formed Council in September 2020 and sufficient income streams to support the Association will have to be overcome. I know that Charles Challinger and John Shelley for some time now have been working on a plan to improve our income streams to support the Associations future. I do hope they will be able present their proposals to you in the very near future. It is also worth bearing in mind that post 2022 the needs of the Station may call upon us to give up our Encroachment Agreement we enjoy at Halton.
Finally, your Chairman is fully engaged with all the relevant parties to ensure that our assets are properly protected. (I am reminded of my conversations with Station representatives that The Trenchard Museum, The Heritage Flight Centre and The Station Archive are RAF Halton Assets. (They will decide their future).
Denis O’Brien Chairman RAFHAA

27th February 2019
JOHN BLACKFORD by Piers De Legh
I thought you’d like a quick update on John Blackford’s funeral which took place on Friday, 22nd February in the tiny village of Fairwarp in the Ashdown Forest. He was a member of the 84th entry and graduated from RAF Halton as an armourer.
Roger Martin and myself were the only members of the entry who attended, as it was local to us.
A member of the R.A.F.A. had driven there from South Wales with the R.A.F. standard and another guy with lots of medals had brought the Armourer’s standard. They presented themselves as guard of honour either side of the coffin. It was a nice touch to John, who had spent his whole career in the R.A.F. Following his graduation from Halton the entry lost touch with him . He apparently did tours in Cyprus and Germany during his career.
Also present were neighbours, cousins, the landlord of the Forester’s Arms and locals who frequented the pub. About 30 people were in the congregation to ensure he had a good send off. From the tribute to John, known affectionately as Blackie, I learned that he’d left home following his parent’s break up and joined the R.A.F. and made that his family. He remained in the R.A.F until retirement at the age of 55. He gained the rank of Sergeant having refused to apply for officer training selection as was suggested to him.
He lived alone in the village of Hailsham spending much of his time reading and doing crossword puzzles. He didn’t own a television. He enjoyed travelling to horse racing events all over the country. Although not his local pub, he visited The Forester’s Arms regularly for the atmosphere and the friendliness of the locals. I understand he spent his time propping up the bar chatting and doing crosswords. That is where he got to know the local vicar and they struck up a close friendship.
Recently he fell out of bed and couldn’t get up. He stayed there for two days before his neighbours found him when he was taken by ambulance to Eastbourne hospital where he died.
To sum up, John was well read and knowledgeable. He made friends easily but was also happy in his own company.
Piers de Legh

Jeff Richardson tells me that he and Mick Godfrey were going to drive to the funeral but it is probably as well they did not embark on the trip. Mick had a specialist appointment on the Thursday at Christchurch Hospital which established that he has severe damage to the top 3 vertebrae of his spine, probably caused by a fall he had at home before Christmas.
He is now in Poole hospital, he is in a neck brace and is not allowed to drive. Southampton Hospital are the Spine specialists and have decided it would be too dangerous to operate right now. He is to be fitted with a larger brace today which he will have to wear for some time and will be evaluated by Southampton at the end of an undetermined period.

17th February 2019 A bit of good news, Dave Fox (229) has made contact after 59 years and 218 days from passout, and contributed his email address. This I have published on the website for your info.

7th February 2019 The good wishes for the New Year did not last long, I got news this week that another of our guys had passed on. John Blackford 682054 died on 3rd January. The funeral service to be held at Fairwarp Church, Fairwarp on Friday 22nd February 2019 at 2:30pm, followed by committal at Eastbourne Crematorium Main Chapel at 4pm.

1st January 2019 May I wish all of our readers a very Happy New Year.

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