BNTVA Journal Autumn 2013

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR AND IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE

CAMPAIGN The Journal of the BNTVA Registered Charity Number 1131134 TM

Autumn 2013

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Portsmouth NAVAD 2013

A number of members of the Portsmouth group at NAVAD taken inside the Cathedral, out of the rain.

Left to Right Norman Aplin Syd Cobb Ron Parkinson

Left to Right Norman Aplin (ex RN), Freda Aplin,Colin (ex RN), Helen Browning, Jim Warwick (ex RE), Peter (ex RN) and Julie Dibley, Les Gosling (ex RAF), Maureen and Sydd Cobb (ex RAF).

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Message from John Baron MP, BNTVA Patron Members will be aware of our successful campaign in Parliament for a Health Needs Analysis – which was strongly supported by the BNTVA. Many practical measures have been introduced, including clearer pathways through the NHS as a result. Naturally, this was our first priority.

The second phase of our campaign is now focusing on the need for recognition, which has come a long way since we began in January. Since then, over 80 MPs have expressed support for our cause, and recognition for test veterans has been raised in Parliament by Government ministers.

I echo the Chairman’s tribute to individual members – your letters, e-mails and surgery appointments have all played a real part in our success to date.

My colleagues and I are working to step up the Parliamentary campaign.

I have put in applications for debates, and will be exploring other avenues to keep our campaign in the Government’s sights. I have had constructive meetings with both the Minister for Veterans and the Prime Minister, and they will be responding to me in due course.

I would encourage as many as possible to take part in the march on Parliament on the 27th of November. This will be a major event, demonstrating the strength of feeling for the campaign. Likewise, it is important our e-petition has a strong following – please do encourage friends and family to sign up.

Finally, I share the Chairman’s assessment that the current makeup of the House of Commons is the most favourable for our cause for some years – and that may change wholesale following the next election.

Any donation towards the cost of the campaign would be gratefully received: we have never been closer to our goal.

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Recognition Campaign News & Appeal Personal message from the Chairperson At Conference I outlined the next steps for our Recognition Campaign and as many of you, who read our on-line NewsDesks already know, the BNTVA Campaign is really gathering momentum. approaches by members. This is a key fact and it clearly demonstrates not only that we all have a role but more importantly, if we work together the power of the entire Association can achieve results.

Over eight months of the behind the scenes work by Jeff Liddiatt, Cratus Communications, John Baron and myself ensured that by the time we officially launched the campaign in Westminster, a solid base of over 80 Members of Parliament were already supporting our cause. Many of you encouraged your MP’s to become involved, in fact the majority of MP’s got involved directly because of

It is with that thought in mind that we turn to the membership for help again. As you will see from the articles that follow the Recognition Campaign is poised to literally explode onto the public stage. To achieve success we have to deliver a campaign of such size and impact approaching that supporting the Ghurkhas. So far we have delivered the campaign from within our operating funds, obviously this cannot continue as these monies are needed to run the charity on a daily basis as well as manage other projects you asked us to deliver like the Educational Packages and Health Research.

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At this point I must emphasise the fact that we have ample funds to run the Association, we only need to raise monies to run the next stage of the Recognition Campaign.

the level of exposure is not high enough, once we start to appear in the national media we become a viable target for support from commercial concerns.

Working with Cratus Communications we have produced a budget to deliver the key events for the Recognition Campaign to progress, at first glance the sums involved may seem large but do not forget the size and impact of the campaign we are trying to achieve. Some of the monies will be unrecoverable but much of the funding will be recovered from revenues generated by the proceeds of the activities, Stage Play, Books, Documentary Film, Artwork sales etc.

This creates a very different option compared to the usual charity funding situation: We need funds to progress the initial stages but over the next 1218 months much of those funds will come back to us.

As you will see from the following articles there are many options for you to help make donations, raise funds and awareness for our campaign and I sincerely hope you will all try and do your bit. We are the closest to achieving National recognition and gaining funding to support the needs of our Veterans and their families than we have ever been since our formation.

Due to these future revenue streams we are able not just to ask for donations but, will be able to offer the opportunity to have some or all of our members donations available for return to the donor or further gifted as the campaign progresses.

Using the monies raised the campaign will gain wider press and public awareness this increases the potential to gain other forms of sponsorship and donation from commercial sources. This is proving difficult at the present time because

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I know some of you were unhappy when we stopped using the phrase ‘all we seek is justice’ but if we deliver this campaign I believe we will have achieved justice for all our veterans and their families.

Please read the following articles, this is probably the last chance many of us will have to make that difference and I definitely need your help and support to make it a reality.

Nigel Heaps -BNTVA Chairperson

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What We Need The Recognition Campaign is calling for action in three areas: • Official recognition by the Prime Minister of the contribution to the development of the British nuclear deterrent and the resulting significant contribution to world peace made possible by the service achievements of our Nuclear Test Veterans.

• The placing of £25 million in a Benevolent Fund in recognition of service and the subsequent years of anxiety experienced by the Veterans, this fund will be jointly administered by the BNTVA and other Ex-Service organisations to alleviate need, help with treatment, pay for care and enhance wellbeing for those Veterans and their descendents in need.

• The formal recognition by the Nation of the contribution and the uniqueness of service conditions experienced in the form of a separate medal or award available to be bestowed on any British Service Veteran who participated in the British nuclear test programme.

These three elements achieve the main needs Veterans have been fighting for since the creation of the BNTVA. Recognition of the contribution, experiences and years of anxiety our veterans have faced needs to be made by both Parliament and the Nation, it is their clear moral responsibility to do this and by making this the core of our campaign we ensure the focus is sharply maintained as a matter of conscience.

The question of compensation is not raised because it has been construed to imply either deliberate fault or negligence, by calling for a contribution to a benevolent fund we obtain a degree of financial restitution which would bring the resources available to our veterans on to what John Baron refers to ‘the international standard of decency’.

In creating a benevolent fund we ensure monies and resources are available for those veterans and their families who need support, monies can be invested to create a long lasting fund and the dispensation of support from the fund would be by representatives of the BNTVA and the wider armed forces charity environment. This means we help ourselves and are not dependent on a state controlled mechanism that so often lets down the very people it was created to support, the pension appeals system is a prime example of this.

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Unlike other forms of financial restitution previously sought by groups of veterans the benevolent fund will live on for the Veterans families and descendents. This is important because we all know the unique genetic heritage of our veterans does not stop when they pass.

The Parlimentary Campaign John Baron MP, our Patron, with the assistance of Cratus Communications are taking our cause forward in parliament. They are taking every opportunity to raise our campaign.

By the time this magazine is published John will have applied for a Westminster Hall debate to discuss our campaign. There is a possibility this may actually deliver the aims of our campaign! If we don’t win this debate then our MP’s will continue to push our campaign during any opportunity within the house. The message to the Government is simple and clear: We are here and we will not go away.

John is also in ongoing discussion with the Veterans Minister and has raised the matter with the Prime Minister.

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As we reported on our Campaign NewsDesk on 17th July our campaign was raised by both John Baron and Oliver Colvile, their speeches led Philip Dunne, the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, to pay tribute to contribution of our Nuclear Test Veterans. This was a monumental statement by a member of the Government.

This and a number of factors lead us to believe that politically the time is ripe for us to push our campaign: The composition of seats in the House, the approaching election, the general mood of change in the way we do business as a Nation all point to this. Once we get past the next election we may never see such a politically favourable time in the House again. We have engineered our campaign to focus on our Veterans as a matter of conscience, thus avoiding the traditional argument of ‘exposure’ that governments worldwide have built their defences amongst. As a matter of conscience it becomes very hard to justify ignoring or voting against our cause: if our campaign is heard in Parliament it would be on the basis of such a vote of conscience.

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Supporting MP’s

Party Conferences

Over 80 MP’s have publicly stated their support for our campaign. We would like to thank them for the work they are doing to help with our campaign.

Working with Cratus Communications we attended both Labour and Conservative Conferences in September and were able to speak to a number of influential politicians enforcing our presence and developing their support.

The list of MPs include: David Amess Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith Rt Hon Frank Dobson Stephen Doughty Rt Hon Margaret Hodge Bernard Jenkin Ann Main Sir Alan Meale Madeleine Moon Penny Mordaunt George Mudie Fiona O’Donnell Rt Hon Sir James Paice Barry Sheerman Mike Wood A full list of MP’s can be found on our website.

The Shadow Veterans Minister met a number of veterans and talked with them about hopes and aspirations for the future.

We need to keep the Recognition Campaign in front of MP’s and party activists, emphasise the human cost paid by veterans and descendents in physical and mental terms.

Local Government Campaign Cratus have produced a package that has been sent to all councils informing them of our campaign, advising them of the possibility of hosting the ‘Shadow of the Bomb’ art exhibition in their area and asking them to pass motions of support for the BNTVA campaign and endorsement of the need to enshrine the Military Covenant within their service provision. Council support also increases the pressure on MP’s to view our cause as many keep a close watch on local politics in their constituencies.

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Clergy Campaign Following from a discussion between Gary Bennett, the BNTVA’s official artist, and a Deacon at Coventry Cathedral, Nicholas has been asked to raise awareness amongst the Cathedrals of the Nation to seek their support in a similar fashion to the Local Governments.

Petition We launched a petition during the premiere of the Shadow of the Bomb art exhibition on Oxford Street, London in early July. This petition has now moved on-line at www.causes.com. We are using this service because it links to social media sites, particularly FaceBook.

Thus we are able to harness the wider community to sign the petition.

Within the first three weeks we have gathered almost 200 signatures and the daily take up rate is increasing.

The petition is essential to maintaining pressure for the Recognition Campaign. Beside signing the petition on-line and asking family and friends to sign members can print off their own forms carrying the text of the petition to manually gather names, once these sheets are completed simply send to the main BNTVA address marked ‘petition sheets’. We have inluded a sheet within this magazine for you your family and friends to sign.

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If you would like a word or pdf file version of the sheets please email chairman@bntva.com and Nigel will send to you.

You can incorporate signature gathering into any fundraising activity you undertake, every little helps.

The petition is worded: “We call for the recognition of the unique contribution made by our nuclear test veterans to the nation and defence of the realm, during the British Nuclear Testing Programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

In contrast to many other nuclear powers, Britain has never fully acknowledged it’s debt of gratitude.

Furthermore, we rank towards the bottom of the ‘decency’ league table when it comes to how we treat our test veterans.

Official recognition from the UK Prime Minister, written or oral, would go a long way to honouring the service these veterans gave, together with an ex gratia donation from the Government of £25million to help with the establishment of a Benevolent Fund to help assist those veterans and their descendents in need.”

You can find links to the petition on our Official FaceBook page and on our NewsDesks or alternatively type http://tinyurl.com/bntva5 into your browser address bar.

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Please Sign, Support and Share.

The importance of the petition cannot be understated it provides the catalyst to the next item of action – The March on Parliament

March on Parliament On the 27th of November at 11.30 we are organising a peaceful March on Parliament to deliver the petition to the Prime Minister in Downing Street followed by a rally outside the houses of Parliament. We need you there! Full details of the event will be advised on our website. We have achieved all we have so far by maintaining a professional, dignified approach and the march will again echo this because by showing this face to the Nation we are reinforcing our nobility in the face of the issue of conscience.

Spouses, Children and Grandchildren are also essential to this public display, this will reinforce the fact that the matter does not die with our veterans; it will live, as sadly it already does, with their descendents and families. We need to garner public sympathy for our cause and a unified display of solidarity will grab the attention of the media. The event will be well publicised with the media and timed to strengthen our public presence and political pressure.

Stage Play Whilst the Art Exhibition was on Oxford Street we were visited by Kerry Michael, Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal Stratford East – Kerry was very moved by the artwork and it motivated him to press ahead with the project to produce a play about our Veterans. A leading satirical playwright is considering writing the play. The last great military based satire that premiered at the Stratford East was “Oh What a Lovely War”.

Getting our story on stage will cost money but the opening run will generate a high income flow and if, as we will certainly try, we can get the story to the West End then on to TV or even the big screen, we will also achieve one of the goals you set for us to take the story of our veterans on to future generations.

Undoubtedly the press coverage of the play will also add to the political pressure and public awareness of our campaign.

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Art Exhibition The Exhibition was placed on Oxford Street the week following the Parliamentary launch. Many thanks to all Trustees, Members and the staff of Cratus who helped make the event a success. We now have the critical credibility we needed to get the exhibition around the country and Cratus are working on this allied to the Local Government Packages.

We have uploaded the images to our on-line shop and are in the process of having digital images made so we can begin to sell prints and other merchandise from the exhibition.

Good arrangements have been reached with all the artists allowing a significant portion of revenue generated from the artworks to be directed to the BNTVA. When we were planning the Recognition Campaign the Art Exhibition was conceived as a ‘stop gap’ method of generating public awareness until the stage play could be delivered. The exhibition easily filled this role and has rapidly grown to become a key aspect of our awareness raising campaign.

Documentary Charles Stewart has continued to compile his documentary about the Test Veterans and the BNTVA, those of you who attended conference were able to view his short piece on

the unveiling of the new National Memorial. The March on Parliament will afford Charles the opportunity to gather the final pieces to complete his film which will then need funding to get it out to the TV companies.

We are looking to get ‘special editions’ out on sites like Amazon and these will contain bonus footage of all the shorts Charles has filmed over the past two years. Sale’s of the documentary with the bonus pack will help offset the production costing, again returning revenue.

Other activities outside the Recognition Campaign Educational Package In addition to our contribution to the RBL schools package we are looking to use the growing archive of audio visual and documentary material to create a package accessible at various educational levels that tells the story of the British Test Veterans and their families. Our aim is to place these packages in all Schools, Colleges, Universities, Libraries and Museums across the UK. As announced at Conference we are also looking to combine with our French Veterans to produce a multilingual EU wide package.

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Health Research We are in very early meeting and program planning stages with professional researchers to deliver a comprehensive study into the long term effects of living with the uncertainty of radiation exposure.

We hope to secure funding for this study which will take the experiences of our veterans and share them in a positive way to enhance the lives of others who are either living with a similar uncertainty.

How Can You Help You can help us achieve everything here with two simple things People and Pounds.

You can see from the articles we need people to continue to speak to their MP’s and now to their local councillors too. We need Veterans and their families to put on a good show on the 27th of November by attending by the March on Parliament and also people to spread the word and gather signatures for the petition.

On the financial front:- If you can make a donation please do so, remember you can state what you want to happen to that donation should we realise the revenues from the campaign;

Do you want the monies returning or do you wish to gift them to our other projects?

You will be able to do this on the form.

Could you organise a bucket collection at your local supermarket?

Could you organise an afternoon tea and cake party or coffee morning to raise funds?

Why not have a good clearout and put your unneeded items on ebay or do a car boot sale?

There are a lot of ideas for sponsorship events and advice about how to raise money ethically and safely on the fundraising section of our website.

Remember whatever your event you can also use it to gain signatures for the petition.

On a final note please remember to gather Gift Aid declarations from any UK tax payer who donates to the campaign as this creates further income for our cause.

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BNTVA Supporters Groups As readers were advised in an earlier edition of Campaign, the old Branches of BNTVA members were to be renamed Supporters Groups and new Logo’s were made available for their use.

With the reorganisation of the Association into a Charitable body and the expansion of our potential member catchment, we are now in a position to promote not only the existing Supporters Groups but also to assist the development of new groups members may wish to launch.

Groups may be formed either geographically, as were the old BNTVA branches, or they may be national as a result of membership ‘experience’. For instance the Maralinga Veterans who joined us a couple of years ago are able to have a national Supporters Group.

As we continue to expand groups from specialist areas like the Submariners, Researchers or Atomic Workers could be formed.

For our part we aim to provide a range of opportunities and services to the supporters groups: • We will make magazine space available for articles from the various groups covering their activities and events allowing even more interested members to become involved.

BNTVA

(name of branch here)

Supporters Branch Supporting the work of the BNTVA Charity

• We will provide individual group logo’s and letter headings, giving them a clear professional identity.

• We will provide individual group @bntva.com email addresses for people to correspond directly with them.

• Groups will be able to use the BNTVA central call back number service to enable people to contact them.

• Groups will receive the regular Chairperson Briefings that are sent out to all Trustees, obviously minus any commercial or confidential material.

• Groups will be advised of Trustee meetings and will be able to send observers, subject to space limitations of particular venues.

It must be stressed that any supporters group is ‘outside’ the operation of the BNTVA Charity and may only use BNTVA originating trade marks and logo’s with the permission of the Association.

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Individual members within supporters groups are subject to the rules and constitution of the BNTVA as are all BNTVA members and must not use the supporters group to represent or infer consent of the BNTVA in any activity or enterprise unless specifically authorised by the Board of Trustees.

One group we would really like to encourage is a National Descendents Group. Already many Veterans Children and Grandchildren post on Facebook groups and Twitter accounts and we want them to come together and make this a reality. Aside from just using the BNTVA journal and communication resources we also want to create a special Facebook group and an internet news blog just for them. Descendents of Veterans have a unique perspective and we want to take this forward so their views and ideas help shape the future BNTVA. We want to get all this up and running as soon as possible and ask each of the current Supporters Groups to register by sending an email to chairman@ bntva.com stating the name of their group, the area represented by their group, a telephone and email address of their main contact.

If you would like to start a BNTVA Supporters Group email chairman@bntva.com with your details and information on the type of group you would like to start.

Atomic Own Goal - A book by Lizzie Noone My father Chris Noone was a Special Aircraftsmen for the Royal Air Force, and was present at Grapple X, and for the clean up after Grapple Y. After Grapple X, the plane flew through the mushroom cloud to take a sample of the radioactive material, this was put on the plane.

My father sat with his back to this sample for in excess of over forty hours flying time. by the time the plane got back to base, my father’s back was covered in small radiation blisters. These developed into large abscesses, cysts and boils which covered every square inch of his back and neck. He spent over a year in hospital being treated for these. He was diagnosed as having ‘acne’. You do not get acne from a nuclear bomb.

These carried on throughout his life causing untold agony. He still suffers today, although to a much lesser degree. He developed twisted roots in his teeth making extraction difficult, he had all but the lower six teeth removed as

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Lizzie Noone and her father Chris Noone they all rotted after the tests. He suffered memory loss and at the age of seventy was diagnosed with slow onset alzeimers. He enrolled at university and at the age of 74 became a bachelor of arts. He is now suffering from colon cancer.

I was aware from a young age what my father had been through and have beena vehement anti-nuclear campaigner for all of my adult life.

My brother andI went on to suffer the same boils and abscesses as my father did, and I had the same deformed roots in my teeth making extraction difficult. Since the age of 36 I have been crippled with disc disease having been nearly paralysed twice and having undergone four spinal surgeries, including a triple fusion.

My elder sister has had one surgery for disc disease, my little sister three surgeries for the same and my

daughter at the age of 23 has three black discs already and if her back goes again she will also need a triple fusion.

I fully believe all this has to do with a genetic weakness passed down from my father, who also developed disc disease. It has been my life long ambition to write a book about the tests at Christmas Island, and I would be eternally grateful if any servicemen, their children and grandchildren could write their stories about any health concerns they have suffered to include in my book. I have named my book Atomic Own Goal.

Regards Lizzie Noone If you wish to contribute to Lizzie’s book, please send your article to our main address marked FAO L Noone and we will forward to her.

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BNTVA Contact Details

Registered Charity Number 1131134

This is the only correspondence address and telephone number for the Association.

BNTVA BM 5657 LONDON WC1N 3XX

24 Hour Call Back Service

0208 144 3080

National Chairman Nigel Heaps Email chairman@bntva.com Skype: nigel.heaps Tel: 0780 7268016 Blackberry message ID 2A1EE433

Vice Chair Jeff Liddiatt Email j.liddiatt@bntva.com Tel: 0780 7268041 Blackberry message ID 25F9CC08

Financial Controller Ian Greenhalgh LLB Email i.greenhalgh@bntva.com

Chaplain The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD Dean of Chichester Email n.frayling@bntva.com

London Events Organiser & Trustee Don James Email d.james@bntva.com

Archive Administrator & Trustee Doug Hern Email d.hern@bntva.com

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Trustee - Membership Lisa Bainbridge

Trustee - Shop Manager Ian Hall

Email l.bainbridge@bntva.com

Email i.hall@bntva.com

Trustee Stephen Evans

Trustee and Campaign Editor Steve Bexon

Email s.evans@bntva.com

Email editor@bntva.com

Trustee - Maralinga Veterans Fred Stellard

Trustee Robert Ireland Email trustee@bntva.com

Email f.stallard@bntva.com

Media Representative Email: media@bntva.com

A Note fom the Editor Hello members and readers of Campaign.

As you can see this edition of the magazine is a special edition about the Recognition campaign and our AGM and conference.

Since the last magazine I have recieved a number of articles that unfortunately will have to be included in the next edition/s, so if you have sent an article and it hasn’t featured yet please be patient with us.

Wherever possible please send any stories via email to editor@bntva.com

This saves you money sending it to us and the organisation sending it on to me.

If your article has been typed into a word processing programme please email the electronic file, I receive a number of files that have been typed into a computer then been printed and sent as a hard copy. If I have the electronic file it saves a lot of time and my fingers! If you have no access to a computer hand written stories are no problem and will still be published.

Kind regards.

Steve Bexon - Editor

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BNTVA 2013 Conference and Annual General Meeting Report The 2013 Conference and AGM was held between the 24th and 26th of May in the historic City of Coventry. Many of our members took the opportunity of extending their stay to the Monday Bank Holiday. Once again we used the Britannia Hotel chain to house the event which aside from a few minor problems was a great success.

A service of remembrance was held and the meeting remembered those members who had passed away since our last AGM and Drummer Lee Rigby murdered in London just before the AGM. The Chair read an address from the Association Chaplain, The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling.

Dear Friends I am extremely sorry not to be with you for the AGM this year in sunny Coventry, but my ‘day job’ ties me to Sussex for the weekend of 24th – 26th May. However, I will be thinking of you all and remember the excellent attendance and good spirit at the AGM in Bournemouth last year.

Coventry Cathedral

The Annual General Meeting took place in the Connaught Suite from 11:00 hrs The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the event. Apologies from were noted from Tom Kitchen and Alan Leck.

This is an important time for the Organisation as the Trustees grapple with the challenges of taking the Charity forward, as our hugely valued veterans are not getting any younger. The contribution made by atomic veterans to the defence of our country is a story that needs to be told and re-told,

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so that a new generation can understand its importance.

On the 11th June there will be the launch of the parliamentary programme to gain political recognition for our veterans, and the work towards establishing the Benevolent Fund to benefit veterans and their descendants in the future is an enormously important part of that recognition.

My connection with BNTVA now extends over more than 25 years, and I am thankful still to be able to serve in a small way as your Chaplain and as a Trustee. I send my very best wishes and prayers for a successful and enjoyable conference.

With warm regards, Nicholas.

The new memorial stone at the NMA

Operations Manager’s report – J Liddiatt This is the last time I will be presenting a report as the Organisational Manager of the BNTVA although with the meetings approval I wish to put myself forward to serve as a trustee for a further period.

2012/2013 has been a year when we have seen a number of milestones reached: • The second NAVAD together with the dedication of the new Atomic Veterans’ memorial was held at the NMA. Those of us going on the visit

to the NMA tomorrow can see the new memorial during our visit. The new memorial is made from local stone and bears the plaque from the first memorial. The planning and production was a long process, firstly to agree with the NMA the material to be used, then to find a quarry able to supply the stone, to agree with the architect the method to be used for the base construction and lastly to receive permission for all these things from the NMA Trustees, all this took time.

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• Our visit to Bordeaux for the General meeting of AVEN where Nige and I both gave well received speeches. This was the first time that a visit had been made by officers and trustees of the BNTVA to AVEN. Our French friends made us very welcome and we look forward to working with them more in future, and welcome Jean –Luc, Yann, and Marie Pierre today to our meeting.

• The appointment of Cratus to be our PR and Media partners. Nick Kilby MD of Cratus will be speaking to us this afternoon.

• Together with John Baron MP our patron we have set in train moves in Parliament for recognition by the Prime Minister, establishment of a benevolent fund for all UK atomic veterans and their descendants.

• Presentation of our case for a medal to Sir John Holmes who headed the medal review panel. A decision is still awaited.

A major disappointment for me this year has been the decision not to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show. I asked for your support at last year’s meeting and in Campaign to raise the funds required.

Apart from one or two individuals who were very generous with their personal support; and the support received from Doug Hern’s local council due to Doug’s hard work, but the response from the remainder of the membership was none existent.

Nigel and Jeff at Portcullis House

These contributions have not been wasted, they have been used to support the Art Exhibition entitled “In the shadow of the bomb” a selection of the exhibits are on show in this room. The Exhibition is being officially launched together with the Parliamentary programme on June 11th in Portcullis House part of the Palace of Westminster, with MP’s, Media, and celebrities in attendance. It then goes on to Oxford Street in London’s famous shopping area from June 17th for a week. If any members would like to help staff the Oxford Street Venue please see me after the meeting. It is hoped to take the exhibition around the country to other venues such as

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John Baron and Katie Hill from Cratus Communications with a number of MPs meeting at Portcullis House on the 19th of March.

The Royal Air Force Museums Hendon and Cosford, The Royal Engineers Museum Chatham, Imperial War Museum Duxford and cities such as Portsmouth, Lincoln, Bristol, Cardiff and Peterborough all have links with the test programme.

In March a number of us attended the Cratus birthday celebrations in the Churchill War Rooms Whitehall. On arrival I was informed that I was to be the mystery Guest of Honour. During the evening I was interviewed by Nick Kilby and asked me to tell the gathering about being in a test area. My effort was received by the gathering in complete attentive silence and at the end I was given a long round of applause. A number of the guests came and talked to me afterwards to ask questions and seek further information.

On 19th March, Nigel Steve Bexon and I together with Cratus staff attended the first cross party Parliamentary Group meeting at Portcullis House.

The meeting was attended by 25 MP’s, and a personal assistant of MP’s who could not attend. When we asked John Baron how many MP’s we could expect to attend he told us maximum of 10. So you can see the meeting was very well supported with many of the speakers offering help with our campaign. John Baron opened the meeting with background information, then I was invited to speak to give the veterans’ view I concluded my short speech with the words “Forget Me Not” All the members had been given an information folder with a Forget Me Not badge. Nigel then spoke talking about our future plans for the art exhibition and outreach to other atomic veterans including our friends from AVEN.

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Financial Report – I Greenhalgh (Read by the Chair) Firstly may I apologise for the fact that I cannot be with you today to present this report in person. Unfortunately I have been away for the whole of the last week.

Some of the artwork in the “Shadow of the Bomb” Exhibition

Nick Kilby and Katie Hill from Cratus told the meeting of their involvement with the BNTVA. In the street after the meeting I was stopped by an MP to tell me how inspired he was by my talk.

We are looking forward to the 3rd NAVAD which will be held in Portsmouth this year with the rededication of the refurbished memorial stone; please note the date 3rd October at 11.00 hrs in the garden of remembrance Portsmouth Cathedral, hosted by the Portsmouth Group of members.

NAVAD 2014 returns to the NMA. Thank you for your support over the past few years, we may not have seen eye to eye at times but we have been able to work together. Please give your support to the future officers and trustees because without your support the Charity will cease to exist.

Jeff Liddiatt.

Operations Manager Report was accepted.

This report is prepared for the benefit of the members of the charity in respect of the financial year 2011 to 2012. Members should be aware that the financial year with which these accounts are concerned ended on 31 March, 2012. Under charity legislation the accounts of the charity must be submitted to the Charities Commission within ten months of the year end. The deadline for submitting the charity’s accounts to the Charities Commission is 31 January in the year following the relevant accounting period. The accounts which are the subject of this report were submitted to the Charities Commission on 29 January, 2013. It is normal for the Charities Commission to make all charities accounts available for inspection on the Charities Commission website. I have checked this recently and I have noted that the Charities Commission has not published the accounts of the BNTVA in respect of the 2011 to 2012 accounting period. It appears that the Charities Commission only publishes accounts where the income of the charity exceeds £25,000.

Given that the total income of the charity

CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGNAutumn Spring2013 2012 | 23

in 2011/2012 was £22,641 the Charities Commission has not sought to publish the accounts. I have therefore asked the board of trustees to make copies of the relevant pages of the accounts available on your tables.

Before I go into the details of the charity’s accounts I think that a small amount of background information concerning the accounting period and the preparation of the accounts will help members understand that the accounts that have been prepared were not completely straightforward, which is why there was some considerable delay in getting the accounts to the Charities Commission, albeit that the deadline for submission was still met.

I was asked to take over the responsibility for the preparation of the accounts in late 2011. The main reason for this was that the trustees felt that the burden of preparing the accounts for the charity was getting too great for the existing treasurer. The board of trustees decided to outsource the preparation of the accounts and had been presented with quotations for the work, the cheapest of which would have cost the charity approximately £1,200 each year. In an effort to save this expenditure I offered to utilise some of the accounting resources that I had within my business to provide accounting and bookkeeping support to the charity without cost. I was fortunate that the accounts manager within my business was happy and willing to take

care of the accounting and bookkeeping function for the charity in her own time and without charge. She also sourced a computerised accounting package free of charge which could be used to prepare the books properly for submission to the external auditors.

Initially it was necessary to obtain the existing paperwork from the treasurer and this in fact proved more difficult than was anticipated. Eventually, however, all of the paperwork was received and it then became apparent that it would be necessary to redo the accounts for the period from 1st of April, 2011 from scratch.

From the paperwork that was received it was not clear how all of the expenditure of the charity should be allocated. It was necessary to cross reference all of the payments in and out of the bank accounts, put these onto the accounting software and then journal across each item as paperwork was discovered to marry up to the transaction. This took some considerable time although the exercise was completed, so far as was able to be done, by the middle of July 2012.

The draft accounts were then submitted to the charity’s external auditors. Some queries were raised and requests were made for additional documentation.

The additional information was provided although the external auditors then delayed the preparation of the charity’s accounts and after repeated chasing by

24 | CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013

Jeff these were finalised and submitted late in January 2013.

Turning now to the accounts themselves it will be clear that in 2011/12 the charity’s income reduced by quite a significant amount, predominantly from reduced subscriptions and notably from reduced donations and charitable collections. In addition the charity’s investment account with Blackrock did not produce as much interest in 2011/12 as in the previous year.

As well as reduced income the charity also had much greater expenditure in 2011/12 than in the previous year. There are a number of reasons for this.

1. Additional operating expenses.

- During 2011/12 there were additional trustee appointments which resulted in a slightly increased trustee expenses. Although general operating expenses increased by over £3,400 in 2011/12, trustee expenses accounted for less than half of this increase.

2. NAVAD. - In 2011 the charity launched the NAVAD campaign at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The campaign was a great success and attracted a good deal of publicity for the charity and its work. Because of the NAVAD campaign additional trustee meetings took place during 2011 and the event itself meant that there were increased printing, postage and promotional goods costs involved in

the campaign. As you are all aware, NAVAD has become an annual event, although it should be noted that much of the expenditure in 2011/12 for this campaign will not need to be expended again in subsequent years.

3. Printing, reproduction and postage.

- These increased in 2011/12 by almost £5,500. As I mentioned earlier some of this additional cost arose by virtue of the NAVAD campaign. Also general increases in postage costs and increased printing costs from suppliers contributed to this additional expenditure.

As a result of the significant cost increases the board of trustees has during the last 12 months sought to move the magazine production at least in part to a digital platform as well as considering ways in which additional income can be generated from overseas members, bearing in mind that the cost of producing magazines and posting overseas members in fact costs almost all of the normal subscription that those members pay. The trustees are continuing to look at ways of improving communication with members, and improving the magazine and its content and doing so whilst at the same time reducing the cost to the charity of the magazine production. It will be clear from the accounts themselves that the cost of the magazine in 2011/12, including postage and printing costs came to more than the

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 25

total membership subscriptions and donations made during that year.

4. Purchase of goods. - There was a significant increase in the purchase of goods during 2011/12. This included not only shop purchases but also the purchase of equipment useful or necessary for the smooth running and promotion of the charity and its objects. In particular the charity acquired a display stand and projector which have been used for presentations and at exhibitions and which have helped to enhance the charities overall image and reputation. It was also necessary to produce special items for NAVAD, including displays and promotional items with the new BNTVA trade mark, and including the ‘Forget Me Not’ badges.

5. AGM expenses. - Within 2011/12 there was an item of expenditure of £1,500 which was the deposit for the AGM in May 2012. This was an item of unusual expenditure, the saving for which will appear in the 2012/13 accounts. It is not clear why there was no AGM expenditure in the 2010/11 accounts. I can only assume that the expenditure was dealt with differently by the charity’s previous treasurer as there were no AGM venue costs in the 2010/11.

(For 25 years the AGM venue was free until new management took over and decided to charge £5000 for the event.

Blackpool Council withdrew the funding and so it was decided to take the AGM around the country to enable more members to attend) In short it is clear that during 2011/12 the charity operated at a significant loss.

A combination of reduced income and increased expenditure was responsible for this. The charity was very busy indeed during 2011/12 particularly with the NAVAD campaign. A simple fact is that the charity does not generate as much income as it needs to continue to provide the communication and service that it has in the past provided to its members. The board of trustees are aware of the increasing costs of running the charity and throughout the last financial year have been seeking to address this and to not only save cost to the charity but to improve the overall income, which must come from increasing both the membership base and finding new sources of income.

Members need to be persuaded to become more involved in raising funds for the charity, encouraging others to join and encouraging people to support the charity by sponsorship or by doing things which and could raise sponsorship money for the charity. The board of trustees is acutely aware that neither the reducing income nor the increasing costs involved in running the charity are a recipe for its longevity.

This is one of the reasons why during 2012/13 the charity has sought to raise its profile significantly.

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BritishBRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION Nuclear Tests Veterans Association Statement of Financial Activities STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For The Year Ended 31 March 2012 For The Year Ended 31 March 2012 Unrestricted

Total 2011/12

Total 2010/11

Funds

Funds

Funds

£

£

£

INCOMING RESOURCES Subscription

17,440

17,440

13,256

Donations and collections *

2,542

2,542

7,106

Sale of goods

2,077

2,077

3,676

Other income

30

30

85

552

552

2045

22,641

22,641

26,168

Interest and dividend income TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Operating expenses

13,858

13,858

10,426

Printing and reproduction

9,978

9,978

7,599

Postage and delivery

4,466

4,466

1,541

Telecommunications

1,568

1,568

1,495

Professional fee

1500

1,500

1,500

-

-

23

3,253

3,253

342

596

596

478

-

-

766

Wreaths, poppies & flowers

567

567

373

Depreciation

688

688

543

Bank charges

68

68

36

AGM Misc expenses

3,910

3,910

-

Other expenses

1,315

1,315

1,168

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED

41,767

41,767

26,290

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfer

(19,126)

(19,126)

(122)

Gain/loss on investment

(475)

(475)

-

Total funds brought forward

37,283

37,283

37,405

Total funds carried forward

17,682

17,682

37,283

Research Purchase of goods Website and database Arboretum & memorial stone

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

*Includes 2010/11 Gift Aid Claim only.

*Includes 2010/11 Gi1 Aid Claim only.

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 27

Once again I am sorry that I cannot be with you in person to answer any questions that you may have in relation to the accounts of the charity. If any one wishes to e-mail me then I will do my best to answer any queries.

One final point that I would make is that I would ask all members to be aware that all of the work carried out in the preparation of the accounts, save for that done by the external auditors of the charity is done purely voluntarily and without any form of remuneration.

This is the same for all of the trustees.

I mention this because there have in the past been a very small number of members who appear to wish to know a significant amount of financial detail concerning the books of the charity. Members are entitled to see the accounts of the charity in the form that they are published and no sooner than they are provided to the Charities Commission. In other words we are not allowed to provide people with copies of the accounts any sooner. Nor are we allowed or obliged to provide any detailed financial information to any person whether or not they are a member. Dealing with requests such as these are extremely time consuming and largely are met with a refusal. Please call to all members bear in mind that the charity does not have professional resources to deal with a large number of requests for information. Everything that the charity does has a cost and as will be clear from the accounts themselves the

overall income of the charity is wholly inadequate to justify a great deal of expenditure on dealing with enquiries from members for information which we cannot provide.

May I send everyone my best wishes and I hope that you all have an interesting, informative and successful AGM. I. Greenhalgh

The Chairperson Reports Following the delivery of the Financial Report Doris Butler made a strong protest over the reported difficulties of obtaining the accounts from the previous treasurer alleging that there were no difficulties whatsoever. The Chair received the support of the AGM to take the matter up with Ian and report back in this magazine.

In questioning Ian on the validity of his statement regarding the difficulties of obtaining the accounting documentation and supporting paperwork he provided me with a chain of emails spanning the period 19th November 2011 to 16th January 2012. During this period only one communication was received from Mrs Longden and this was to complain her access to the Associations bank accounts had been removed.

On 7th February 2012 the Board of Trustees took a unanimous decision to implement legal proceedings against Mrs Longden to recover the property of the Association.

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Trevor Butler volunteered to make a last attempt to obtain the financial documents from her and it was agreed to hold legal action in abeyance with the hope Trevor would prevail. By the beginning of March Trevor had collected all the requisite documentation from Mrs Longden and passed it to Ian. Given this I leave it to the members to decide whether Ian in describing the length of time and problems in retrieving the documents as “proved more difficult than was anticipated” was being fair and truthful.

N. Heaps - Chairperson A point was raised regarding the reporting of additional detail on income and expenditure: Due to the cut off levels of the Charity Commission for reproducing detailed accounts this year only basic detail was published on their website. It was agreed to prevent this happening in future years the detailed breakdown of income and expenditure would be published in the conference documentation. This is a practise being adopted by a number of small charities. A motion from the floor that the accounts should be given in this manner was proposed by Ron Barley and seconded by Norman Aplin. Motion carried. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Sonia, our Book keeper, in appreciation of all the work she has undertaken to manage our finances.

Editors Report – S Bexon Steve spoke on the success of the magazine and the good reception the new design is having. He also addressed the need to try and reduce the cost of prodcuing the magazine, particularly printing and mailing, by encouraging as many of the members to take the magazine as an electronic file via the internet.

Merchandising Report – I Hall Ian detailed a breakdown of all articles sold through the shop and advised the income was £498. Moving on to the postal address Ian advised there continued to be problems with missing or delayed mail. It was accepted we would look toward an alternative solution during this year. – Post script... COBSEO may be introducing a form of virtual office and we will look to moving to them. Ian reminded members that the central call-back number is a 24 hour service but it was not staffed 24/7 and there may be a delay of a day or so in getting back to people. Also members were reminded to state their name and contact telephone number clearly before asking their question as a number of callers forget to do this.

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 29

Local Fundraising and Education – D Hern Doug detailed the work he has been involved in trying to get the story of our veteran told in schools. He has been working tirelessly to secure funding at local government level for this project and will continue throughout the following year. Once progress has been made he will be able to roll a package out that can be implemented in other regions.

Trustee Re-appointment and Confirmation of New Appointment.

All current Trustees advised they were willing to continue to serve the Association and the AGM supported this, Fred Stallard was confirmed as the key Trustee for Maralinga related issues.

The Chair reported that two completed applications to become Trustees had been received during the year and they had been considered by all the current board who recommended that Robert Ireland be accepted to the Board of Trustees, this appointment was supported by the meeting, with one abstention.

There were no motions submitted to the AGM either from the membership or the Board of Trustees and the Chair hosted an informal session where a number of ideas were discussed from the floor.

These ideas have been taken by the board and will be evaluated for action/ further consideration.

Conference Report 2013 Following a break for lunch the Chairperson welcomed all to the 2013 Conference session of the BNTVA. This year we had a number of invited guests, Air Vice-Marshal Tony Stables, Chair of COBSEO. President JeanLuc Sans & Yann Cambon from AVEN. Rodger Hailwood, Guest Speaker from the National Memorial Arboretum and Nick Kilby from Cratus Communications.

Nigel Heaps - Chairperson addresses conference

In his opening address the Chair recounted the developments of the previous year, “As I promised in 2012, the Association has fully reorganised and is now in the position to begin to deliver real results for our members” The Chair advised of meetings between Cratus Communications, John Baron and the BNTVA where the idea of a Recognition Campaign had been formulated.

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The Campaign was advised to members attending NAVAD at the NMA and was announced to Parliament by our Patron John Baron on 17th January. Full details of the Recognition Campaign are available on our special campaign newsdesk http://tinyurl.com/bntvame Thanks to membership support in contacting their parliamentary representatives we have over 80 MP’s backing our campaign and have since held a number of successful meetings to take the campaign through parliament.

The Shadow of the Bomb art exhibition is an integral part of the public relations awareness raising machinery for the Recognition Campaign and the Chair told the meeting that after this preview at Coventry the exhibition would be placed in Parliament for viewing by MP’s at the formal campaign launch and then on to a gallery on Oxford Street. It is hoped to take the exhibition around the UK during the year to continue raising awareness particularly of the mental anguish and health aspects of our veterans’ experiences.

One of the key features of the Recognition Campaign is the establishment of a benevolent fund for veterans and their descendents. We are looking for an ex-gratia payment of £25 million from the Government into this fund which will be managed by a board drawn from ex-service charities and the BNTVA. The aim is that we can make a permanent difference to the lives of

our veterans and their descendents and ‘look after our own in our own way’.

Some of this funding would also be used to conduct research into physical and mental problems faced by veterans and their families.

John Baron MP: Message to Conference The treatment of our atomic veterans and the work of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association were first brought to my attention by a constituent. I have since become increasingly involved with the BNTVA over the years, and was honoured to be invited to serve as the group’s Patron.

Over the years, the BNTVA has been wise to resist the siren calls to participate in the various legal actions against the Government. Our Parliamentary campaign has already delivered real results. Our pressure on the MoD led to the excellent Health Needs Analysis, which has been of substantive help both to veterans and our cause generally.

In January, as part of the renewed campaign for recognition and the establishment of the Benevolent Fund, the BNTVA and I wrote to all back bench MPs explaining our aims and asking for their support. The response was excellent: over 80 responded positively, and I must thank BNTVA members who contacted their MPs with details of our campaign – your efforts made all the difference. We now look forward to our official campaign launch on 11th June. Finally, as ever I

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 31

would like to pay tribute to the tireless work of Nige Heaps and Jeff Liddiatt. They do a fantastic job, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

With best wishes for a successful conference. John Baron MP Patron, BNTVA Air Vice-Marshal Tony Stables gave an interesting talk on the state of charities within the ex-forces environment and the work of COBSEO. He also advised about finances available under the Libor fund. He recognised the evolution of the BNTVA and praised our vision for the future.

Jean-Luc Sans the President of AVEN addressed conference.

Good afternoon to you all. 1 was very honoured to receive your kind invitation to attend your meeting and hope that this will allow us to build even stronger links, and to continue the excellent relationships we have built up with Nige, Jeff and all of you since our first meeting last year.

Since we last met, the AVEN organisation has succeeded in making some small steps forward. First, at the legal level, following the refusal of compensation by the Ministry we turned to the courts which have mostly ordered the State to pay damages to the victims or their widows and to reimburse their legal costs. Further cases are being taken through the courts and, if the

courts continue to take the same line, the French government’s position will become more and more difficult. Faced with court orders it could finally be at risk of having to spend more than foreseen in the relevant compensation legislation.

At the political level, after several parliamentary round tables, we were rewarded with the setting up of a commission of enquiry in both Houses of Parliament. I was heard by the commission of the Lower House (the Assemblee Nationale) on the 11th April and will appear before the Senate commission on 30th May. In addition, a discussion with a previous government minister on the 5th May has helped me progress our claims up to the level of the Conseil d’Etat, the highest administrative jurisdiction in France.

Together with the watchdog committee (OBSIVEN) on the Follow-up of the Consequences of the Nuclear Tests, we are continuing epidemiological studies on the state of health of our affected members and we have opened a new thread on the health of their descendants. First results should be published at the end of the year or the beginning of 2014.

Finally, together with OBSIVEN, we are setting up a specialist health group for the veterans. Its objective will be to guide each of our veterans, after examination of their medical files, towards seeking help from professors or specialists in radioactivity-induced

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Trustee Don James with Jean-Luc Sans Pesident of AVEN

illnesses and in addition, to provide advice to general practitioners on the best methodology for sound diagnosis.

The decision to create a specialist health group was justified by the fact that, in France, there is a lack of knowledge and experience among medical professionals as regards instruction in radioactivity-induced pathologies. We considered therefore that it was necessary to address this problem by identifying and bringing together trusted specialists in this field for the benefit of the veterans - and perhaps to extend the scope of the unit to cover workers in the nuclear industry in general.

It is our understanding that the United Kingdom may not be as far forward in this field and for this reason I feel it could be to our mutual advantage for our health unit to include the BNTVA subject of course to agreement on the administrative and financial aspects.

I believe that we have a common cause and I am convinced from these exchanges that we will work well together. I don’t look at the veterans as French or British but simply as victims of nuclear testing – pain and grief have no real frontiers.

Let me conclude by saying that like last year, our friends Nige, Jeff and Don, with your Standard, are invited to our next annual general meeting.

This will be held on the 12th October in a town in the middle of France.

Naturally I would very much like to have been able to invite you all - but that would, I fear, have greatly upset my Treasurer! Of course, if you wish to spend a good weekend in Sologne at your own expense we will make you very welcome.

Thank you for listening. J.L. Sans

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 33

Jeff advised conference that the Royal College of General Practioners have added a special page to the online learning package re nuclear veterans, were now referring doctors to the BNTVA website for information on Veterans and thus a tie in to the research AVEN and OBSIVEN are engaged in would greatly advance our aim to produce a centre of excellence for the identification and treatment of conditions suffered by NTV’s and their descendents.

The Chair introduced a report From Tracey Morris – BNTVA Education Officer Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are having a wonderful conference. I would like to offer my sincere thanks for your continued support of the BNTVA. I would also like to thank the trustees for their incredible hard work over the past year; much of that work is often done behind the scenes.

Education is a legacy for your story to carry on – and since the 2009/10 academic year we have been proud to have forged links with the RBL and their education programme. A few facts around the programme: The RBL produces 25,000 CD/DVD ROMs per year. The programme is potentially accessed by 2 – 2½ Million school children, aged from 5 to 19 years old.

The programme involves Key Stages

1 to 4 in the National Curriculum, covering History and Citizenship; the resources also lend themselves to subjects such as: Religious Studies, Literacy; and PSCHE. The learning pack is updated every year. Our contribution has evolved every year too. For those of you who have the first edition of the DVD/CD will have certainly notice a difference through the continued wonderful support from RBL’s Helen Hill. I wish to extend my thanks to Helen and the RBL team for all their help and support – it is much appreciated, especially as she has to select and edit the large amount of material given to her by many large charities involved in the programme.

In April, as Education Officer, I sent Helen an update of what the BNTVA has done since the last contribution: National Atomic Veterans Awareness Day (NAVAD); the Forget - Me - Not logo; the Dedication of the Memorial. I wish to thank Nigel our Chairman, and the journal Editor for answering my frantic emails as we approached the deadline – your help was invaluable.

I also want to thank Nigel and for the materials sent regarding his wonderful father who sadly passed away on 7th April 2012. Many students will now have the opportunity to see, probably for the first time, a Narrative Verdict document, let alone from someone who served at Christmas Island. I also, want to thank Nigel for the reports I asked him to write too as we hurried towards the deadline. You have a Chairman who can certainly deliver under pressure!

34 | CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013

And as I said back in 2011 at the AGM in Blackpool: “Your heritage is passed to school pupils who have the opportunity to learn your story, and will in turn, inform their parents – both may wish to find out more - your story will now live on.” To add to that: Unfortunately, without a story to live on, there is no recognition and none of us want your story to end up being forgotten in twenty, or thirty years’ time.

NAVAD 2013

As part of recognition – and education is an integral part of this the BNTVA is looking to promote more ways of getting your story out there and Nigel will outline those ambitions within his presentation. I am proud to be part of the BNTVA’s educational vision, and thank you to Nigel, Jeff and the rest of the trustees for all of their hard work and of course to their families who often take calls, and who support them every step of the way. I am so sorry I can’t be with you (as a volunteer coach I have gymnasts who are competing at National Finals in Tumbling next week so we are in training) – but please raise glass for the Trustees and their families, and indeed to you as members for your continued support. Thank you so much – Tracey Morris (MA, BA hons)\

A re-dedication of the Portsmouth memorial will therefore take place during NAVAD 2013.

The Chair advised that the focus of the main BNTVA presence would be in Portsmouth for this year’s NAVAD. The memorial at Portsmouth had aged rather badly and the BNTVA are assisting with the refurbishment.

The Chair also asked for volunteers to provide a BNTVA presence at the National Memorial Arboretum this year for any members who wished to attend the National Memorial during NAVAD. Doug Hern gave a presentation of the work of Charles Stewart, who has been filming the BNTVA and many members over the past year. Charles’ work is almost complete and a short film about the dedication of the new National Memorial was shown to Conference.

It has been agreed that the historical archive created by Charles work will be maintained at the Imperial War Museum.

Sandie Hern read a poem to conference (there have been a number of requests for copies of the poem – If you email your request to editor@bntva.com they will be passed to Sandie).

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 35

Roger Hailwood provided a comprehensive and informative talk on the history of the National Memorial Arboretum and the stories behind some of the amazing memorials there.

Nick Kilby, Director of Cratus Communications told members about taking on the BNTVA as their supported charity and the close work we have both been engaged in. The Recognition Campaign, work in Parliament and the raising of public awareness are all areas that the BNTVA have received invaluable assistance and support from Cratus.

Guest Speaker Roger Hailwood - NMA

The Gala Dinner was held in the evening with guest of honour The Worshipful, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councellor Hazel Noonan and Deputy Consort Mr Christopher Noonan.

On the Sunday morning the members who had stayed at the hotel were given a coach excursion to the National Memorial Arboretum where many were able to see our National Memorial for the first time. The day was made extra special as the Royal Marines were re-dedicating their memorial, which is just behind the BNTVA site, The Royal Marines Commando band was a special treat for many.

Nick Kilby - Director of Cratus Communications

In keeping with the policy of taking the conference around the UK, 2014 will see us visit Didsbury, Manchester and we look forward to seeing you there.

The Royal Marine Commando Band

36 | CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013

The Gala Dinner with guest of honour The Worshipful, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councellor Hazel Noonan and Deputy Consort Mr Christopher Noonan.

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 37

Campaign magazine is published by the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association.

Editor: Steve Bexon.

All contributions for the magazine should be sent to the London address or emailed to editor@bntva.com BNTVA is not an anti-nuclear or an anti-war association. All opinions,views and quotations do not represent official BNTVA policy and are the sole responsibility of the writer.

Photographs and images – Š Copyright of owner acknowledged.

Campaign cannot guarantee total accuracy for any reproduction of letters / articles / transcripts.

BNTVA is a Registered Charity Reg. No 1131134 supporting past and present UK Nuclear Test Combined Service Veterans and their families.

Royal British Legion Education Pack 2012/2013 Copies of the 2012/2013 RBL Education Pack are available.

Please send your request for copies to the central address. Written request only will be actioned.

38 | CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013

Ways to pay your annual BNTVA membership subscription Set out below are the methods you can use to pay your membership subscription, due 1st of April each year.

By standing order using the personalised standing order form sent out with the Winter Edition of the magazine.

By using the BACS system take your cheque or cash into any HSBC branch make out the paying in slip with the following details: HSBC Bank plc 13 Parliament Street York YO1 8XS Sort code: 40-47-31 Account number: 64259351 Account name: British Nuclear Test Veterans Association Amount: ÂŁ15.00

Have we got your correct address details?

Can you please check that your correct address and postcode is shown on mailing address labels on any communications that we send to you? If we have the incorrect address (especially postcode) please contact us and let us know the correct details. See the address above for the Association’s contact details.

By using your own Internet Banking account make the payment using the details below left.

PayPal payment to: secretary@bntva.com If you are unable to use any above ways to pay, CHEQUES made out to the BNTVA only, can be sent to the central address.

BNTVA BM 5657 London WC1N 3XX

You can now buy all BNTVA Merchandise online at:

ONLIN

E

SHOP OPEN

www.freewebstore.org/bntva

CAMPAIGN Autumn 2013 | 39

POST TO BNTVA Donations BM 5657 London WC1N 3XX

BNTVA Recognition Campaign Donations Please complete in capital letters, and return the completed form to the above address, together with a cheque for your donation. PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHEQUE PAYABLE TO BNTVA.

Name: Address:

Postcode: Email address: I am granting this donation in support of the BNTVA Recognition Campaign.

Should the campaign achieve its funding goals, I would like my donation (please tick): Returned to me

Permanently gifted to the BNTVA

Signed: If your generous gift is a permanent donation, please also complete the Gift Aid form below.

I am a UK tax payer please treat all subscriptions and donations to the BNTVA as Gift Aid donations. (NB You must pay an amount of income tax and or capital gains tax for each tax year that is equal to the amount of tax the BNTVA will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. Please notify the Association of any changes in your circumstances or you wish to cancel this tax declaration)

Signed:

Date:

Patron: John Baron MP, Chaplain: The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling BA LLD Dean of Chichester This letter and any supporting documents may be confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the BNTVA. Any offer of trade or request for the supply of goods and or services contained within this document is strictly ‘Subject to Contract’.

If you are not the intended recipient of this letter, you must neither take any action based upon its contents, nor copy or show it to anyone. Please contact either the sender or the BNTVA direct if you believe you have received this letter in error.

This important medal is a joint commission between the Australian and British Nuclear Veterans Associations providing medallic recognition to veterans who served in nuclear test site locations and supporting bases in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1967.

Next of kin or direct descendants can also apply.

The obverse of the medal depicts the nuclear symbol surrounded by the words 'British Nuclear Weapons Tests in Australia & Pacific' and the reverse dramatically features a detonation cloud and the words 'For Service in Radioactive Areas 1952-1967'. The ribbon is white on the edges representing the blinding white flash that comes before the fireball and then subsides to the fireball which has the reddish fire in the centre and becomes the familiar mushroom shape.

An easy care 100% polyester navy blue tie has been tastefully designed with stripes matching the ribbon colours and bears an authenticating label on the reverse.

For further information and/or an application form contact Award Productions Ltd, (Dept. NNL) PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, U.K. Tel: 01952 510053 Fax: 01952 510765 E-mail: award@crown-lane.co.uk

The Australian Nuclear Veterans Association and the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association are the beneficiaries of this project.

www.awardmedals.com

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