Membership Eligibility If you have served in the RE (PS)/(PCC)/(PCS) you are eligible to join the PCS Branch of the REA. If you served in the ATS or WRAC and trained as a Postal & Courier … READ MORE
Postie News
Chairman’s Chat
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the May 2021 Chairman’s chat as we continue to ease our way out of Covid lockdown. Hopefully, your families and friends continue to be well and in good health as we progress. Things are at last looking positive as folk gain confidence and begin to meet up outside, with services and facilities beginning to open up once more. Vigilance and diligence are the two watchwords though. However, let’s be positive as things are on the move!
Covid Roadmap
In relation to the latest announcements and previous roadmap (see April 2021 Chairman’s chat), we are now heading for Step 2 on the 17th May next.
Step 2
Step 3
Hopefully, we will safely progress to Step 3.
With the glorious weather and easing of restrictions recently, I took the opportunity to get my MG TF back on the road again and have a short blast up to Hexham and back. No issue other than it was a little chilly still with the top down.
Satisfied that all was well and my efforts over the winter had been successful, the car duly went for its MOT. I’m happy to report that it again passed with flying colours and no advisories….That’ll do so roll on the summer months!
Take care, stay safe, and follow the rules.
Catch up soon….sincerest wishes,
Bereavements
Major Ken Smith,
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Ken Smith who passed away on 23 April 2021.
From Simon Smith – “We are planning a small family funeral for my father the late Major Ken Smith on Wed 26th May – there will be a live link in place on Facebook details of which will follow shortly, due to COVID there are still limited spaces for the chapel, please message me if anyone wishes to attend. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their comments and posts on behalf of all our family, it was great to the high regard he was held in”.
Our condolences to the family.
RIP and REspect
Eddie (Paddy) Guiller
It is with regret that we have learned of the passing of Eddie (Paddy) Guiller, who passed away on 3 April 2021.
Our condolences to the family.
RIP and REspect
Forces News
Veterans New Railcard
Government fulfils promise to veterans with new railcard.
Military veterans to get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends.
Military veterans will get cut-price train travel to help boost job prospects and bring them closer to family and friends, with a new railcard on sale from Armistice Day, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today (22 January 2020).
Available from Armistice Day this year, the railcard will extend discounted train travel to the more than 830,000 veterans not covered by existing discounts.
Vetrans’ ID Card
18 February 2019
The launch of a Veterans’ ID Card has been announced.
The delivery is to be rolled out in two tranches:
Phase 1: The Veterans ID Card will be provided to all Service Leavers only, as part of the discharge process with effect from today, and retrospectively to those who left on or after 17 December 2018.
Phase 2: Applications from the wider Veteran Community will be encouraged once the process has been agreed. Information on how to apply will be made available closer to the time, before the end of 2019.
The UK Armed Forces Veteran ID Card
The Ministry of Defence will be launching a new Veterans ID card on 18 February which will enable public and charitable sector services to instantly recognise the service of a Veteran. This card will provide proof that a Veteran has served in HM Armed Forces in line with the Government definition of a Veteran, which is one day’s service.
Currently, there is no way for existing Veterans to easily prove the fact that they have served, and the administrative burden on providers when verifying that a person is a Veteran can be considerable, both in time and cost. This card will allow you to confidentially verify that someone has served in the Armed Forces.
However, this card will not be held by all Veterans as it is being rolled out in tranches and some genuine Veterans in need may not have the capacity to apply for one.
Therefore, please do not take the absence of a Veterans ID card as proof that a person is not a Veteran. Instead continue to use your existing processes to verify their Veteran status.
If you are asked questions about the ID card, please refer Veterans to the Veterans UK helpline number and they will be able to provide the relevant information, details below.
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Website – www.veterans-uk.info [Read more…]