RAF Wyton Families Day

25 July 20132 August 2013 Karl Webb Families Day, Karl Webb, Kati Page, Keith Ridley, Tom Mumford

On the 25th July, 2013, shipmates Keith Ridley, Tom Mumford, and Kati Page, from St Neots and District Branch, attended the annual families day ‘fun and games’ at RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire; also in attendance was Shipmate Karl Webb from the Huntingdon & District Branch.

St Neots Gazebo's with Ensign — St Neots Gazebo’s with Ensign

A few threatening clouds were overhead, but overall, it was a warm day with a good attendance by the families and friends of personnel stationed at RAF Wyton.

The Royal Air Force Association, and Standard Bearer, had their stall setup next to the Wyton Area Voluntary Band (WAVB).

The first event for the families to enjoy was a display by the RAF Falcons, a parachute display team. After a couple of circuits to check cloud cover, the Falcons departed their aircraft and headed down to the sports field.

First sight of the Falcons…

...and start an impressive display — …and start an impressive display

Stacking up and getting closer…

Once on the ground, the team formed up to be greeted by the Commanding Officer of RAF Wyton, Wing Commander Mike Brown.

The Falcons are welcomed by Wg Cdr Brown

Now there was time to visit all the stalls, of which, the RNA stood out from the rest.

...and back to business — …and back to business

Tom Mumford and Kati Page encouraged personnel and their families to a game of Tombola, and of course, TomCola (a game that you cannot lose!).

S/MsTom Mumford and Kati Page show the families 'Tomcola' — S/Ms Tom Mumford and Kati Page show the families ‘Tomcola’

St Neots Chairman, Keith Ridley, always finds time to chat to the service personnel, local community, stallholders, and even with the Bandies.

S/M Keith Ridley chats to the 'Bandies' — S/M Keith Ridley chats to the ‘Bandies’

RAF Wyton is the former wartime home of the RAF Path Finder Force, they also had a stall manned by serving and ex-serving RAF Personnel.

Wyton is famous as the home of the WWII Pathfinder Forces — Wyton is famous as the home of the WWII Path Finder Force

And then, the second event of the day, a flying display by a ‘clipped-wing’ Spitfire.

A 'Clipped-wing' Spitfire performs the air display — A ‘Clipped-wing’ Spitfire performs the air display

Profile showing the ‘clipped wings’

Once again, when the display was over, personnel were able to look around the stalls and static displays (such as the Motorcycle Club, Campervan collection, and Classic Cars).

Back to the RNA, and yes, you have guessed it, Keith was back out there, trying to recruit (and so he should) the youngsters into the Senior Service.

He even tried to recruit serving RAF personnel, but at least the could pretend to be in the RN…for a short while.

Now we could enter this picture to HQ for the monthly caption competition…any takers?

But, in all seriousness, the reason the RNA attend these events is to promote us as an organisation that look after our men and women who have spent time in any of the naval services. One of Keith’s catchphrases is to get out there and ‘fly the flag’…they did, and so should all our shipmates, wherever they can.

As Keith always says 'Fly the Flag for the RNA' — As Keith always says ‘Fly the Flag for the RNA’

Another successful promotional campaign, keep up the good work shipmates.