message from The Chairman

What memories we will have of greeting old friends; seeing for the first time, the size and scope of the Arboretum; walking at times in mud into the Dedication Service marquee and being amazed at the number of people already there; possibly being surprised at the humour and messages of both chaplains; hearing our own Lynne Williamson and Corporal Abbit reading Lessons; the immaculate turnout of the RAF Police; the smartness and professionalism of the honour guard, the RAF Ensign Escort and our four Standard Bearers; the hugely enjoyable, good humoured banter between Warrant Officers Dave Copeland and Graeme Spark on the one hand and a hundred plus former RAF Police (from Cpl to Air Cdre and including several WOs and former Provost Marshals) on the other; the excellence of our never forgotten drill, including a smart right wheel onto muddy grass; the eventual halt in the many puddles; the first really close look at the memorial; the wreath laying; the last post and silence; our private "inspection" of the memorial and being so impressed at the simplicity of the design and brilliance of the colours and finally the repeated overhead passes of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota of the B of B Memorial Flight.

It was one of the great days in the nearly 90 years of the RAF Police and the many years of the RAF Police Association. The success of the day was only possible because of the hard work of the joint committee over all those months, the huge generosity of individuals and the great support of all who attended. It is just four years since I first approached the Arboretum and the long wait was well worth it.

The RAF Police Memorial Fund remains open and the RAF Police Association Treasurer (Brian Whitaker) remains the fund treasurer/administrator. Brian also has custody of the Memorial Book of Remembrance and there is still some work to be done on it to make it into a permanent and fitting record of which we can all be proud.

Still photos were taken on Saturday by the service photographer from RAF Henlow and a DVD is being put together through the Association. We don't yet know the results of either and ask you to be patient, but ASAP we will let you know the costs etc for distributing these lasting images of the events.