RAF Falcons display at the 2016 launch day
a Ted Little-appropriate parachute made
by the same firm – who we express huge
thanks to. The day itself saw students
from our local schools wowed by the
parachute display team whose intense
winter training has certainly paid off.
I must also thank the pupils at Buckland
Primary School. Mum and I showed
our faces there during ‘Legs, Wings
and Creepy Crawly Things’ week which
gave me the chance to discuss with the
children my extensive air travels as SSAFA
mascot. In return they awarded me with
gifts made by their own fair hands.
I was delighted to be present at Carterton
Fake Festival. In the morning I was able
to watch the service at the war memorial
from Mum’s car before heading over to
the recreation ground for the children’s
activities, which included a juice bike
that made smoothies. The RAF were
scheduled for the flypast at 12.30pm, by
which point I was at Carterton Community
College. Mum got a call at 12.20pm to
say everything was on time and running
smoothly. From the morning’s weather, I
thought we’d be watching the flypast in
the rain, but as 12.30pm struck the drops
stopped and we waved our SSAFA flags
in the sunshine as the RAF 70 Squadron’s
A400M went over. Once again as a town
we have shown our support of RAF BN
and rejoiced the close friendship we have
with them.
Slightly further afield, though on your
doorstep really in comparison to Tbilisi
and Kuala Lumpur which I wrote about in
my last Crier column, I accompanied the
Falcons to Bath Rugby in May. Sadly the
weather meant the planned jump could
not go ahead – but the day did mark my
first public appearance in the new finery
you see here, every cloud…
As blessed as I am to visit many places
outside the UK, it’s lovely to be home –
though it’s never for long these days!
Ted Little
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