Bntva Journal Spring 2014

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

The BNTVA at No. 10

Spring 2014

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Presenting our petition to Number 10

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In a change to the Deans normal address the BNTVA and all of its members and supporters wish to congratulate The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling on receiving the Freedom of the city.

Dean of Chichester granted Freedom of the City On the 1st of February The Dean of Chichester received a high honour at Chichester Cathedral.

The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling was granted the Freedom of the City - the highest honour Chichester City Council can bestow.

The service began at 2.30pm at Chichester Cathedral, and mayor John Hughes granted the ‘freedom’ to the dean.

“It is a very great honour you have bestowed on me this afternoon and it is difficult for me to express my gratitude,” said the dean.

He said the honour came ‘as a very great surprise’ and spoke of his ‘privileged’ friendship with mayors, councillors and officers at the city council.

The dean lead a special farewell Evensong in the cathedral on the 2nd of February to mark his retirement at the end of the month. The service was followed by a presentation of gifts and refreshments in a marquee on the cathedral’s south-west lawn.

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BNTVA 2014

TM

Conference & A.G.M. Notice is hereby given that the BNTVA AGM will be held at the Britannia Country House Hotel, Palatine Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2WG on

24th May 2014 Commencing at 10:30hrs • Members must sign in to receive a speaking/voting card. Non members are welcome and may attend to observe only.

• All motions must be received by close of business on the 30th April 2014.

• Motions should be proposed and seconded by full paid up members of the BNTVA, signed and submitted in writing by the due date.

• The proposer must be present at the AGM to speak to the motion, if the proposer is not present at the AGM the motion will fall.

• Motions received but not in the correct format will be put aside.

• The Board of Trustees will rule on the Validity and Order of motions, Composite and Compound Motions in accord with the rues of debate.

• No motions will be received from the floor at the AGM. • Attendees are reminded that the Rules and Constitution of the Association and the Rules of Debate are applicable to the proceedings at conference, they are there to ensure fair debate and the preservation of the integrity of all our members. The deliberate abuse of these rules will not be tolerated and any individual so doing will be barred from the Conference Hall.

Any non-member attending who completes a membership application paying by Direct Debit and opting to take the magazine in online format will receive their first years membership free of charge.

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Britannia Country House Hotel 23rd – 26th May 2014 BNTVA AGM and Conference Timetable 23rd Friday From 14:00 hrs 18:00 - 21:30 18:00 to late

Arrival – Check in Dinner in Restaurant Private Bar in the Cheshire Room Preview Showing of “Nobody told us anything” by Charles Stewart (90min) followed by discussion and light music

24th Saturday 07:00 - 10:00 hrs 10:15 11:00 - 12:00 12:30 13:30 - 16:30

19:30

21:00

Full English breakfast Registration for AGM BNTVA Annual General Meeting in the Lancashire Room Light Lunch BNTVA Conference in the Lancashire Room (Coffee served during Conference) Gala Dinner in the Lancashire Room (After Dinner Speaker) Entertainment in the Lancashire Room

25th Sunday 07:00 - 10:00 hrs 12:30 - 13:30 18:00 - 20:00

Full English breakfast Light Lunch Dinner in Restaurant

26th Monday 07:00 - 10:00 hrs

Full English breakfast

For Directions to the hotel please turn to page 26

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Recognition Campaign Update In the last magazine we reported that the petition would be delivered to No 10 during a ‘March on Westminster’. All the members deserve a huge thanks for getting behind this action as in the final count we delivered over 5,000 signatures!

This was a phenomenal result and we are pleased to say the day was a complete success, over one hundred members and supporters made the march, press coverage actually went worldwide! We achieved everything we aimed for on the day.

Nigel Heaps said “When I spoke during the delivery of the petition in Westminster, I said this is the beginning of the public phase of the campaign. We spent the bulk of 2013 working behind the scenes establishing a strong base of support in Parliament and across the councils of England and Wales, With the delivery of the petition we are showing the Government we are here and we will not go away. But more importantly we have brought our campaign to the fore with the national media.

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written a number of articles that have been published in the Sunday Mirror and Jake Wallis-Simons published a great article in the Sunday Telegraph making sure that the plight of our members landed at the breakfast table of many MOD and Government figures.

The key objections from the increasingly clueless Veterans Minister, Anna Soubry, are:

John Barron gives a speech to the members and supporters on the march

No one was naïve enough to think that the PM would respond instantly and satisfy the terms of the petition, as I told our members at the 2012 Conference we have a comprehensive game plan to deliver the Recognition Campaign and there are many stages to come.

This Campaign is the last chance many of our Veterans will have to see their struggle recognised but as their children and grandchildren continue to suffer, the need for a benevolent fund increases and the determination to get full open recognition through our Prime Minister hardens.”

Since the March on Westminster we have enjoyed an increase in media coverage: Susie Boniface, long term supporter of Nuclear Veterans, has

• “to avoid singling out for special recognition one group of veterans who have undertaken a specialist task over another.

We are the Government, it would set a precedent that would lead to expectations from the many hundreds of other organisations also seeking special recognition from the Government” • “what makes you different to any other group of veterans” In answer to the first point it is quite amazing that the Veterans Minister seems unaware of the Arctic Convoy and the Bomber Command veterans recognition.

To answer the second point we only have to look at past studies particularly the MOD commissioned British Nuclear Test Veterans Health Needs Audit where in section 7.4 49% of the respondents reported descendents with past or current serious conditions.

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This is almost fifty percent! If you ask any random group of people that same question what are your chances of getting half the hands in the room raised? We had been planning to launch a Health Needs Survey covering the descendents to inform the focus of the Benevolent Fund and this presented an ideal opportunity to launch the research. The survey is up and running, it has received further press coverage and the final results are eagerly awaited, you can read more about the survey in this edition.

Action in Parliament continues more MP’s have contacted John Baron to see what they can do to help us, MP’s are raising the plight of our Veterans at every opportunity, in early February Emma Lewell-Buck and Oliver Colvile both pressed the Government on our behalf. Lord Kinnock is also taking our case forward in the House of Lords.

We have advertised amongst the military charities at COBSEO for potential Trustees to help create the actual Benevolent Fund. We hope to have this fund in place before the year end regardless of any contribution from the Government.

The fund will be known as the BNTVA Forget-Me-Not Foundation Benevolent Fund. The Forget-MeNot was suggested by Bob Smith, long serving Trustee of the BNTVA to symbolise remembrance of

Outside number 10 waiting to deliver our petition

anyone who’s life has been affected by radiation and this is particularly poignant as the fund will support not just the veterans but their spouses, children and grandchildren as all their lives have been touched by the Tests.

The list of local authorities supporting the Recognition Campaign keeps growing. The latest list is always available on the Recognition Campaign NewsDesk at ntvrecognition.blogspot.co.uk

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If your council is not on that list then get in touch with your council representative and ask why. Copies of the pack, including a sample motion of support, that was sent to every council can be read and downloaded from http://issuu.com/bntva/docs/ bntva_info The documentary has been edited and funding is being sourced for all the other projects. We also need to keep the media attention on the campaign so if you have any interesting experiences you think would make good news copy then please drop Katie a line on media@bntva.com

With over hundred members and supporters the day was a great success

Jeremy Howard, his son Thomas (aged 2) and nephew George marched on behalf of Jeremy’s dad Roy Howard and wished to pass a message to the veterans and Roy.

I would like you to mention how proud we were to march with the veterans and how touched we were that they made us feel so welcome. Grandad we are so proud of you and hope you feel better soon’. Jeremy Howard

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Descendents Health Analysis Survey We were disappointed that the 2011 Nuclear Test Veterans Health Needs Analysis fell short in fully exploring the health problems encountered by the descendents of our nuclear veterans.

With the Fallout Group being predominantly a social media web based body, we realised this was both an ideal opportunity and medium to launch an internet based study of descendents health. Because of our charitable status we have been able to obtain the professional services of a reputable internet based survey organisation. This study has the potential to reach countless descendents wherever they may be in the world.

We wish to gather data from as many genuine descendents as possible and so have devised a process which will enable this and also accommodate completion by close relatives of responses for juveniles, other dependent persons and deceased descendents.

The study is being funded and conducted by the BNTVA to gain evidence of the health and wellbeing problems encountered by first, second and third generation descendents of British Nuclear Test Veterans.

To find out more about the survey, how the data will be used and how to apply for an Authorisation Code to complete the survey please contact the survey team by sending an email to survey@bntva.com

We believe the results of this study will inform the BNTVA Recognition Campaign and will also help shape the future support and education provision by the charity for both veterans and their descendents.

Nigel Heaps, BNTVA Chairperson said;

The process will also protect respondents personal details separate from the health information they supply.

“In launching this survey as part of the next phase of the campaign, we will see the horrific truth of our genetic heritage fully revealed for the first time.

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Organisation Manager

Nigel Heaps - BNTVA Chairperson

The MOD managed to keep a cap on the truth of our fathers illnesses for so many years.

We are going to reveal the full extent of congenital defects and serious illness inflicted upon innocent children and grandchildren.

I urge all our members to do everything they can to get their children and grandchildren to take part in this study.”

The BNTVA has a fully compliant Data Protection Policy which can be read online http://www.bntva.com/dataprotect. htm

Since the last Conference Jeff Liddiatt has worn two hats: Organisation Manager and Vice- Chairperson.

Unfortunately Jeff’s health took a serious turn on the 11th June following the official Westminster launch of our Recognition Campaign, Jeff collapsed suffering both a stroke and heart attack. Victoria-Louise (Trustee Don James daughter) and our Chairperson Nigel Heaps gave first aid until the ambulance arrived and Jeff was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital. John Baron, our patron was swiftly at Jeff’s bedside and Katie Hill looked after Annette, Jeff’s wife. Jeff returned home the following week but was very weakened as a result.

Jeff is retaining the position of ViceChairperson but the heavy workload of Organisation Manager was just too much for him to physically perform.

New Trustee Robert Ireland has stepped up to the challenge, bringing a wealth of experience to the post and we can be sure the running of the BNTVA will be as smooth as ever.

Please remember to contact Bob Ireland b.ireland@bntva.com rather than Jeff for organisational matters and general questions in the future.

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BNTVA

Fallout Descendents Group Supporting the work of the BNTVA Charity

Fallout….I’m sure over the year’s you’ve heard that word a thousand times? What does it mean to you and your family?

Well hopefully once you have read this article it will take on a new meaning, something more positive.

My name is Shelly Grigg, I am the daughter of Royal Engineer Roy (Royston) Grigg a Londoner who was stationed in Port London, Christmas Island during the cleanup process 1958-59. Sadly in July 2001 my dad passed away from Bone cancer, I knew dad had been in Christmas Island but apart from swimming in the lagoons, fishing, eating their catch and sweeping sand off the buildings, I know very little of his time there.

A few months after dad died I took ill with a rare genetic condition, which took the medical profession 2 years to diagnose called Dercums Disease, it’s a strange condition where your body produces painful lumps all over your body, along with other symptoms.

I felt very alone and had no idea where to turn for help and support, I also had dreadful back pain and was not taken seriously by my GP, I was told it was sciatica, but when I got to the point of being unable to walk I was sent for tests. I had no disc’s in my lower spine. The consultant stated it was something he was used to seeing in the elderly ’not someone of my age’. I had spinal fusion in 2008.

In 2009 I met online some other veterans children, we discussed our health issues and it got me thinking there must be others like me, who may need help and support?

So in 2011 I started a group for us all, somewhere we could be a support to each other. As time went by more and more people joined, all with shocking and heartbreaking stories, some with deformed/missing limbs, tales of miscarriages and stillborn babies, others with rare genetic conditions, heart problems, we all had one thing in common….our fathers time at the

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nuclear tests, most of whom had passed away. More and more people joined, with tales of health problems with their children too, this was becoming a bigger issue as the months went by.

You can find FALLOUT here https://www.facebook.com/ groups/251788681501244/

In December 2013 it was discussed with the BNTVA the possibility of starting up a health survey, initially so we could get a better idea of the health needs and what resources would be needed going forward, not only for the 1st generation of veterans children, but future generations.

We need as many of you to fill out the health survey as possible, those who have children/grandchildren please pass on the details and ask them to fill it in, or fill it in on their behalf if they are unable to do so, or if they are too young to do so themselves.

If you have suffered from miscarriages, still births or your children have passed away, its also important to tell us, especially if you feel the reason may be due to your time during the test’s.

Fallout is a place where we all come together to support each other, if you or anyone you know is a descendant of a veteran tell them about us.

We are a closed group to protect everyone’s privacy, it allows you to be as open as you wish about your health issues or those of your children/ grandchildren.

Shelly Grigg - founder of the Fallout Descendants Group.

So now you know ‘FALLOUT ‘can be a positive word, rather than the negative we have always known…..

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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 Chairperson Nigel Heaps Email chairman@bntva.com Skype: nigel.heaps Tel: 0780 7268016 Blackberry message ID 25DFA01C

Vice Chairperson Jeff Liddiatt Email: vice-chairman@bntva.com

Financial Controller Ian Greenhalgh LLB

Organisation Manager Robert Ireland

Email i.greenhalgh@bntva.com

Email trustee@bntva.com Tel: 0780 7268041 Blackberry message ID 25F9CC08

Chaplain The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling BA, LLD

Archive Administrator & Trustee Doug Hern

Email n.frayling@bntva.com

Email d.hern@bntva.com

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Visit us online at: www.bntva.com London Events Organiser & Trustee Don James Email d.james@bntva.com

Trustee Fred Stellard

Trustee Stephen Evans

Email f.stallard@bntva.com

Email s.evans@bntva.com

Trustee Lisa Bainbridge

Trustee and Campaign Editor Steve Bexon

Email l.bainbridge@bntva.com

Trustee Ian Hall Email i.hall@bntva.com

Email editor@bntva.com

Media Representative Email media@bntva.com

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Growing support for the Recognition Campaign at a local level A growing number of Local Authorities have been signing up to our campaign by passing full motions in support of the recognition campaign. At the end of September the BNTVA sent out packs to all local authorities asking them for their support and we are really pleased with the response. But we can do better and that is where you come in.

“Pressure continues to mount on the Government to recognise our nuclear test veterans and support the setting up the £25 million Benevolent Fund.

This has been given a massive boost by the number of local authorities who are signing up to support the campaign. I would like to thank those Councils who have passed motions of support on behalf of our veterans and encourage any Council who hasn’t to get in touch about how they can support the campaign.”

Please write to your local councillors urging them to support the campaign – it is easy to do and we can provide draft motions to make it even easier.

They can then put pressure on local MP’s to support John Baron MP and the campaign in Westminster.

We would like to thank the following Council’s though who have already taken the lead and supported the campaign: Suffolk; Telford and Wrekin; Newcastle under Lyme; East Devon; Southend -on- sea; Lancashire; Maldon; Northumberland; South Tyneside; Southwark; Rochdale; Tameside; Sheffield; Leeds; Medway; Bridgend; Blackpool; and Liverpool.

Please contact Katie Hill on media@bntva.com for more information on how you can help.

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Q. How can you get 18 out of 12?

A. When you meet our Veterans and families, their stories touch your heart.

This is what happened to the directors and staff of Cratus Communications Cratus have managed our media representation and campaign delivery since 2012 and have made a huge impact on the public visibility of the BNTVA and our Recognition Campaign.

Without the influence of Cratus, particularly on the Public Relations front, our campaign would have struggled to achieve the exposure we have gained in both the public and political forums.

members that he remains an advisor to our campaign, giving his personal time, experience and connections.

Nicks continued association with the campaign is most welcome and greatly appreciated by the Trustees.

When we began our journey with Cratus they offered us 12 months of campaigning support and in January, after more than 18 months tirelessly driving forward many aspects of the Recognition Campaign, Cratus had to take the decision to concentrate their activities outside the charities environ.

Katie Hill, who was our key connection within Cratus, has now launched her own consultancy. As those of you on FaceBook will have already noticed Katie has already fully embraced the role of BNTVA Media Representative. Katie was the reason for Cratus ‘adopting’ the BNTVA in the first instance and she continues her close association with us.

The BNTVA expresses its gratitude for the invaluable support and direction it received from Cratus. We wish them well in their future endeavours. Our ties with Cratus are not completely ended: Cratus Director Nick Kilby, who many of you met when he spoke to our 2012 Conference, has been so moved by the experiences of our

The recent articles in the National Press are all down to Katie managing our media presence and she is also developing bids for funding some of our key projects.

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Remembering Bob Bruce ex 71 Squadron, Monte Bello 1952 Bob was a surveyor with 71 Squadron on the Monte Bello Islands for the Test in October 1952. His job was to set out the positions for the engineers to construct concrete block houses to measure the blast of the bomb.

But one job that he got, he was asked to find fresh water on the Fortescue River.

He must have walked many miles, but it was a lost journey, as the fresh water was so far in, that it would have been uneconomic to obtain. So we had to rely on fresh water from the town of Onslow, which was shipped out to us by an Australian naval supply lighter. After 3 October, Bob had to go back on to the island and check all the measurements of what remained of the block houses, how far they had moved, or if they had just vanished. Consequently he was exposed to a lot of radiation, and he always said in the short time he was doing the measurements, he had never had so many showers and washes (to remove the contamination) in his life.

On return to the UK, we all disembarked, went on leave and returned to 11 SME at Gillingham, where we did all sorts of jobs, and a few months later, were given our own camp at Hoo.

We were only there for a few months before we returned to Abergavenny in South Wales, to 39 Corps Engineer Regiment, and we found ourselves on the way to Kenya, East Africa. Bob’s job there was to give us a line to follow, to cut the tracks through the forest of the Aberdares, so that there was access for the Infantry and Police to go after the terrorists, the Mau-Mau. Bob finished his time in East Africa, came home and was de-mobbed. I lost contact with him until a few years ago, we met at a service at Portsmouth Cathedral. We were again great friends from that time until his death.

Derek Hickman Ex-71 Squadron Monte Bello 1952 BNTVA Membership No. 2479

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Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Service of Remembrance National Memorial Arboretum 11.30am Saturday 20th September 2014 The Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Service of Remembrance 2014 will be held at 11.30am on Saturday 20th September 2014 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

The service will commemorate and remember all those who lost their lives in service of the Crown as a result of the conflict in N. Ireland.

The service will be followed by a parade down to the Ulster Ash Grove for the laying of wreaths.

Following the laying of the wreaths, there will be a 15 minute pause before the parade forms up for the return march to the visitor centre during which the guest of honour will take the salute.

The service is open to all and all Associations are welcome to parade their standards. It would be appreciated if Associations arranging for groups of their members to attend could notify us of numbers and confirm if their standard will be parading.

We look forward to welcoming you to our annual memorial service.

Remembering Tom Kitching We bring you the sad news that Tom Kitching passed away on the 25th of January 2014. Tom was born on the 11th of September 1933, he served in the Royal Navy from the 7th of June 1949 to September 1958.

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Supporters Groups and Branches Fallout became the first group to take up the new initiative to develop and engage groups of members within the BNTVA. As you will have read elsewhere in the magazine, we provided the group its own internet presence and official identity.

We have used the BNTVA resources to help publicise this group with the result that its membership increased fivefold in just two months, the Fallout Group now has over 100 members with new ones joining every week. The great thing is that many of these people had not heard of the BNTVA before and as a result of their engagement with the group a good number of them have already joined us.

We want to repeat this success story across the BNTVA and have appointed Doug Hern Supporters Liaison for the Board. Doug will ensure all groups and branches are kept up to date with everything the BNTVA is doing, he will take ideas and comments from the groups and relay to the Board of Trustees, he will advise groups when the Board is meeting and arrange to make observers places available for representatives of groups and branches to attend.

If you are already part of a branch or group and want to become involved in the BNTVA or if you have an idea for a group then get in touch with Doug.

As reported in previous articles branches are not permitted to use the

BNTVA Crest on any documentation.

This is quite straightforward, the Crest belongs to and represents the Association, because branches and groups are not constitutionally accountable to the Association they can not use the Crest.

We have received alarming reports of letters being written to Government Officials and funds being raised (which we do not appear to have received) using the BNTVA name and Crest. There are some serious legal consequences to this but, the main problem is that even with good intention someone could unwittingly damage the reputation and good standing the BNTVA has developed and that would affect all of our members.

We have received strong support from members for taking action to protect their Association, a strange rumour has circulated we were abandoning the Crest and denying members the right to wear it. This is such utter rubbish that the Board of Trustees has issued the following statement: The Crest was granted by the College of Arms to the British Nuclear Test

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Veterans Association and has been used by the Association since that time.

Use of the Crest is governed strictly by the Association, we are duty bound to protect it’s use for every single one of our members. To ensure this the following points are reiterated: • Only the Association and its appointed officials may use the Crest in any correspondence or other communication.

• Any individual member may wear or display the Crest signifying their membership of the Association, many items bearing the Crest can be obtained from our shop.

• Any individual person may wear the crest to symbolise support for the Association and its members.

• The Association supports the use of the Crest on banners and drapes used in ceremonial activities involving members of the Association. We also support the use of the Crest on commemorative memorials to the tests and participants.

• No individual, group or organisation may reproduce or use the Crest on any document, business card or other publication, including web based activity, without prior written permission of the Association.

You can rest assured that the BNTVA will never relinquish it’s Crest.

Thoughts, Ideas and Suggestions Last year I asked all members to send their thoughts, ideas and suggestions to me so I could take to the Board of Trustees with a view to presenting motions to conference for any idea they thought worthy of discussion. I am repeating this exercise again this year as I want to ensure that as many members get the chance to voice their ideas and opinions as possible.

This certainly does not preclude any member from submitting a motion to the AGM under the constitution, which is without doubt the preferred route.

However many members are unable to attend the AGM or find presenting a motion a daunting prospect and this is to afford a forum for those members.

Please write direct to our central address or email chairman@bntva.com

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Help Needed Do you have an interesting or thought provoking experience from your association with the Nuclear Tests?

We need your experiences to put a human face to our Recognition Campaign.

We really need to hear from you if you or your father: • Were on Ground Crew cleaning down the Canberra sniffer aircraft.

• Took part in collecting samples for the scientists at any of the tests.

• Were a Scientist stationed at a test site.

• Took a decision not to have children as a result of participation in the Tests.

• Were non-UK personnel at a British Test or were UK personnel attending a non-UK test.

• Received money from the USA but have been refused a British War Pension.

As readers are aware the Recognition Campaign is very much alive, building support and increasing pressure on the Government. We have brought the issue of descendents into the debate to counter the feeble “what makes you different” argument put forward by the Veterans Minister but we need to keep the pressure on.

We need to hear from you as soon as possible so email your details and brief experiences to media@bntva.com in the first instance. If you do not have internet access send your details to our central address and title your letter ‘Recognition Campaign’. You could also call our central phone number and leave your name and telephone number asking to be contacted by Katie Hill.

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AVEN Conference 2013

Attention all budding poets and musicians.

A delegation from the BNTVA was invited to this years AVEN AG at Domaine de la “Grande Garenne” , Neuvy sur Barengeon, to take part in the Service of Remembrance.

Trustee Doug Hern is putting together a music CD inspired by and featuring Test Veterans. The CD will be sold to raise funds and awareness of our Nuclear Veterans and their families.

Don James proudly represented the BNTVA alongside his French comrades during the parade of standards and a poppy wreath was laid in recognition of the victims of French Nuclear Testing by their brothers and sisters in the UK. Our Chair addressed their meeting, telling of the advances we have made with the Recognition Campaign during the past 12 months and the plans for the coming year.

Talks were held outside the main meeting on developing two large projects, one to provide a ‘Centre of Excellence’ relating to the health and wellbeing of Veterans and their descendents and the other is an expansion of our idea for an educational resource which will capture all the experiences and histories of the veterans, dependants and descendents along with the histories of the development of our superweapons in both Britain and France. As with all events of this nature unexpected encounters can open new doors and experiences can be shared to help the causes of both organisations.

If you have a poem Doug could set to music or you have written a song please let us know. You can also submit high quality (CD or better) of your own work.

Veterans of Christmas island My friend Adam Barnes was on Christmas Island at Ysite from January 1958 until November 1958 where he saw 3 Hydrogen bombs and 2 Atomic bombs being let off and I am wondering if anyone else was on the Island at that time who I might be able to get in touch with Ysite was the radar site on the island. In particular we are looking for any veterans in Ayrshire Scotland.

Ann McDill Please contact editor@bntva.com if you can help.

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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

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

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.

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BNTVA Shop Window Band 1 items For Get Me Not Lapel Badge NEW ITEM Car Badge Blazer Badge BNTVA Lapel Badge Cuff Links Key Fob Tie Clip Trolley Token Bookmark Grapple Tie BNTVA Tie woven BNTVA Tie printed

£3.00 £3.00 £12.00 £2.50 £5.00 £2.00 £3.00 £1.00 £3.00 £9.50 £10.00 £7.50

Band 2 Items Caps Baseball Scarves Fleece Scarves Silk Shirts Small to XXXL

£11.00 £12.00 £13.00 £12.50

Band 3 Item Fleece Small to XXXL Mugs NAVAD & BNTVA

£22.00 £6.50

Band 4 Item Tankard Glass

£20.00

ALL PRICES PLUS POST AND PACKING Band 1 add £1.00 Band 2 add £3.00 Band 3 add £4.00 Band 4 add £5.00

BNTVA BM 5657 London WC1N 3XX

ONLIN

E S H O P C OMING

S

OON CHECK NEWSD ESK FOR DE TAILS

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Directions

For all other Routes

Britannia Country House Hotel, Palatine Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2WG

Britannia Country House Hotel is situated approx 1 mile from Junction 5 on the M60 (Manchester Outer Ring Road). Directions to the Britannia Country House Hotel from Junction 5 Clockwise are different from those Anticlockwise.

Tel: 0871 222 0016 From the Motorway From A34 travelling towards Manchester Turn left Half a mile after the M60 turn off (A5145 sign posted for Stretford).

At the fourth set of traffic lights turn left still (A5145) next set of traffic lights turn left into Palatine Road. The Britannia Country House Hotel can be found half a mile on the right From M56 Follow the signs for Manchester City Centre A5103 take the exit for Northenden B5166. Just after exit 3a. At the traffic lights turn right into Palatine Road and the Country House Hotel is can be found 1 mile on the left.

DO NOT USE EXIT NO 3 FOR DIDSBURY

From Ring road East At Junction 5 take the A5103 for Manchester. Half a mile at the first set of traffic lights turn right (A5145 Stockport). Then half a mile at the first set of traffic lights turn right into Palatine Road. The Britannia Country House Hotel entrance can be found half a mile on the right.

From Ring road West On exit road at Junction 5 stay in left hand lane, remain on dualcarriageway for a quarter of a mile. Turn left at the traffic lights signposted B5166 Northenden into Palatine Road. Britannia Country House Hotel can be found 1 mile on left.

From Manchester Airport Train Station The nearest British Rail Station is Manchester Airport. There is a 15-minute connection train from Manchester Piccadilly Station.

- See more at: http://www. britanniahotels.com/hotels/ manchester-country-house/how-tofind-us/#sthash.8cKJg6ET.dpuf

CAMPAIGN Spring 2014 | 27

Copies of the Constitution The current version of the BNTVA Constitution is available from the links on our website where you can also download and print your personal copies.

Any member attending the AGM who wishes a hard copy of the Constitution may order one for collection at the event by emailing info@bntva.com The cost of £1.50 will be payable on collection.

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

Editor: Steve Bexon.

Next issue copy Deadline 31st May 2014.

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 – © 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.

BNTVA AGM & CONFERENCE 23rd – 26th May 2014

Britannia Country House Hotel Palatine Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2WG BOOKING FORM To make your reservations, simply complete this booking form and return to the address below Name:

Address:

Tel: Email: Room Type: (Indicate type and amount)

Postcode:

Single

Number of nights

Double

Twin

Number of people in room:

THE PACKAGE RATE 2 night package £119.00 per person (Fri & Sat) 3 night package £139.00 per person (Fri, Sat & Sun) All rates are inclusive of VAT at 20% Friday • Guests check in from 2.00pm • Dinner (in restaurant) • Entertainment • Overnight En Suite Accommodation Saturday • Full English breakfast • Area conference • Gala Dinner • Entertainment • Overnight En Suite Accommodation Sunday • Full English breakfast • Dinner (in restaurant) • Overnight En Suite Accommodation Monday • Full English breakfast Special requirements: ie Diet, Allergies, Wheelchair access etc (please state)

A deposit of £20.00 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Balance is due on check in at the hotel.

I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ made payable to Britannia Hotels or please debit my card for £ Type of Card Mastercard

VISA

Card No. Exp Date Gala Dinner Option (please select for your party) No Req

Starter Cream of Vegetable Soup with Croutons Fan of Melon with Berry Coulis Mains Roast Turkey & Trimmings Roast lamb mint sauce & seasonal veg Vegetarian: Vegetable Parcel with Tomato Sauce & Seasonal Vegetables

Please return this booking form to: Britannia Country House Hotel, Palatine Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2WG

Dessert Strawberry Cheesecake with Cream Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce