This year has been a challenge for us all: adapting to not being locked down, getting back to socialising with groups of people, eating out and going to the cinema etc, all whilst managing the risks of Covid infection as society opened up – something many of us have found uncomfortable at times.
Our Branch has been through a period of considerable change in 2022, the biggest being the Branch merger with Hailsham and our change of name to Eastbourne & Hailsham Branch. With new Trustees appointed and the changes of Trustee roles, there has been a lot of work going on in the background.
I would like to mention a few people who have worked diligently to make the Branch compliant and run as smoothly as possible. Ray Blunden, our Branch Secretary, has been the tower of strength giving up a considerable amount of his time to deal with some serious challenges and keep the Branch on course, including maintaining our compliance with the Charities Commission. All this whilst leading the Grand Hotel Dinner, Auction and Lottery project which raised a total of £2300 for Wings Appeal.
Our new Treasurer, Nick Collins, has been an all-star in so many areas this year, taking on the Armed Forces Day event and the Battle of Britain Church Service in addition to his Cadet Forces Coordinator role, plus of course, the multiple “Nick will fix it” jobs he undertakes in our building.
Kevin Tucker joined our Branch in the middle of the year helping on The RAFA Trad stand during the Eastbourne Airbourne weekend and taking on the Wings Appeal Officers role which he is now getting to grips with. I am sure he will be asking for your help next year to assist with fundraising activities.
My thanks to John Crawford, who has done a sterling job looking after our Facebook page and our web site, as well as Ray Blunden with Membership
We have some Trustees who have stood down from Branch Officer roles this year for personal reasons, be they work or family pressures, which understandably take priority. Firstly, I would like to thank Nick Letherby for his work as Branch Chairman steering the Branch through the difficult period of setting up a new Trustee Board following the regeneration of the Branch in 2020. Taking everything forward during Covid restrictions was not an easy task.
Mark Bradshaw stood down as Treasurer in mid-22, as he needed to focus on his work with his rapidly expanding successful business. He handed over to Jennifer Adams (known to us as JJ) who unfortunately also then needed to stand down due to pressing family commitments. My thanks to you both for your support this year and your agreement to stay on as Trustees supporting the Team.

I would also like to thank Wing Commander Mike Bake (RAFA Rtd) for his support as a Trustee during the first half of this year. Mike resigned as a Trustee in the summer, as his workload for a government organisation ramped up considerably following the invasion of Ukraine.
Turning to next year, I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Branch Annual General Meeting and Lunch at the Club on Saturday 11th March, for which you will be sent a formal invitation early next year. We need an active and participating membership to help with Fundraising, organising social events, day trips, etc. Most importantly, we need to create a membership-based Welfare Network to support our new Welfare officer, including identifying and supporting potential RAFA beneficiaries who need welfare support.
I strongly encourage you to participate in the support of your Branch, whether that is by volunteering for a few hours collecting for Wings Appeal or taking a more involved role supporting the Branch Officers using your skills and expertise.
We all wish to make 2023 an outstanding year and all enjoy the benefits of being members of a successful RAFA Branch, but we simply cannot do this without your support, so please volunteer now.
On behalf of the Trustees, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year.

Greg Garrod-Bell FIMI BDMA
Wing Commander RAF VR(T) Ret
Branch Chairman