Saturday / Sunday

24th & 25th

HMS SULTAN

(Gosport)

Golf Day at
Southwick Park Golf Club

‘Pompey Paras' (Portsmouth & District Branch) – Parachute Regimental Association & Airborne Forces (see www.pompeyparas.org ) –

, wrote and said that due to prior commitments she had been unable to attend any of the FVF 's social and charitable functions in 2005 so estimated that she would have spent (if been able to attend) about £200.00 so a donation has been received for this amount for which the FVF are extremely grateful.

Any other Treasurer or League Secretary reading this might also wish to give it some thought as to donating their fines or members contributions

to the FVF ? This doesn't just apply to Football but for all other types of sporting leagues, for example, ten pin bowling, cricket, badminton,

darts , and bowls plus lots more. The FVF needs your support, irrespective of what sport or leisurely pursuit.

Chris and work colleagues decided to register as ‘Bah Humbugs' and not send

Christmas cards but instead donate the money they would have spent on cards to the FVF . Many thanks to Mr Lowther's work colleague DAN

LAWRIE (Dan's father is a Falkland Veteran) for nominating the FVF . Thanks to everyone who contributed, Happy New Year for 2006.

A Trafalgar-class submarine, the 2 nd of the Royal Navy to bear the name and commissioned in October 1985. When

Shipmates met on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary they were unanimous in deciding to donate the proceeds of surplus funds held,

, in support of the FVF . Our gratitude to ex-shipmate Graham ‘Budgie' Burgess and all Ex-HMS Tireless crew.

The Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Graham Burgess in conjunction with co-organiser & ticket seller Les Heyhoe of the FVF (acts booked courtesy of the co-organiser FVF Chief Executive, Smokey Cole) arranged a Mayoral Cabaret Charity Evening at The Warrant Officers & Senior Rates & NCO's Mess, HMS SULTAN, Military Road, Gosport, in support of those Falkland Veterans and their families attending the ‘ FVF Freedom Of The Borough Of Gosport' the following day, 24 th August 2005.

Click here to view pictures of the evening.

The 2 nd year of being co-ordinated by well known and local celebrity ex-matelot Shep Woolley , the FVF were invited to attend and set up a stall in the side room to the main hall. It did however have its advantages of being located beside the Cider bar and as all volunteers were considered as ‘staff' all their drinks were free so needless to say a fun time was had by all.

Click here to view pictures of the evening.

Falkland Veteran (Junior Officer onboard HMS SHEFFIELD) Commodore Nance OBE presented a ‘Certificate of Acknowledgement' signed by Simon Weston OBE, FVF Chairman of Trustees, to Nick for his relentless dedication and support of requesting ratings to donate £1 for his voluntary cap tally tying, having raised in excess of £1,200 in 15 months in support of the FVF .

Click here to view a picture of the presentation

Saturday
4 th June 2005

HMS SULTAN
Warrant Officers, Senior Rates & SNCOs Mess
CABARET EVENING
RAFFLE & DONATION

The Mess President, Warrant Officer CLAUS ‘GEOFF' CAPES together with The Mess Committee gave their permission for a raffle to be held in support of the FVF, which made £505.00.  Thanks to all the people that purchased the tickets and to the volunteers for giving their time to sell them.                                      

A note of thanks to the Mess Social Secretary, Chief Petty Officer CHRIS ‘JONAH' JONES for organising the event. The FVF also thanks Petty Officer ANDY HEYWOOD, Assistant Social Sec., who acted as the evening's host and for ensuring all went according to plan and smoothly on the night.

A special note of thanks to PAUL HOOPER of MOTAQUIP, Fareham, who generously boosted the evening's figure by the donation of an additional £500.00 for the purchase of LES HEYHOE's tie. 

. Click here to view pictures of the evening.

28 TH May 2005

HMS INVINCIBLE
  Warrant Officer's & Senior Rates
De-Commissioning
Spring Ball
RAFFLE

Chairman of the Organising Committee Warrant Officer 2 GEOFF HOWELLS and part of    his team comprising of Charities Co-ordinator Petty Officer MAZ MARRIOTT and Guest Liaison Officer Chief Petty Officer AL YUILL welcomed onboard a FVF delegation including Vice-Chairman of Trustees MIKE OSMAN and new office financial benefactor ex-paratrooper Falklands Veteran    ANDY WILLIAMS and partner JAN SORENSEN.     

Click here to view pictures of the evening.

25 TH May 2005 

Top Table
Fundraiser at
CHIVENOR

After 22 years service, Falkland Veteran Colour Sergeant BILL MANLEY was honoured by his peers at the Commando Logistics Regiment, 59 Commando RE.

FVF Treasurer & Company Secretary LYN HEYHOE accompanied by Les, collected the donation at HMS HERON / RNAS YEOVILTON at an invitation dinner.   

Click here to view a picture of the presentation

Courtesy of Landlady CAROLE LEWIS of The Glencoe Pub, Gosport, a large whisky bottle has been placed on the bar for customer's loose change and thanks to their generosity a collection of £85.00 has been donated.

Click here to view some pictures

By kind permission of Warrant Officer Claus ‘Geoff' Capes, the Mess President of the Warrant Officers & Senior Rates Mess, HMS SULTAN, Gosport, and the Mess Committee. Co-organised and Co-hosted by LES HEYHOE and Chief Petty Officer Chris ‘JONAH' JONES. For a write-up of this special evening and photographs,

Click here to view some pictures .

FVF Chief Executive DEREK ‘SMOKEY' COLE together with LES & LYN HEYHOE and accompanied by in-patient Mrs JAN BLOOR owner of “Elle J's” were invited by Mr CONSTANTINOS YIANGOU BSc FRCS Consultant of the Royal Hospital Haslar Breast Care Unit to view facilities.

Click here to view some pictures of the cheque handover and a vote of thanks from Mr Yiangou.

Held at Thorngate Hall, Bury Road, Gosport and attended by 150 guests in joint support of the Royal Hospital Haslar Breast Care Unit and the FVF. Co-organised by LYN & LES HEYHOE and ably assisted by raffle ticket sellers NICKI SMITH & VICKY FEATHERSTONE, guests of honour included THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF GOSPORT Councillor GRAHAM BURGESS & wife MARYLIN and RHH Breast Care Unit Consultant Mr CONSTANTINOS YIANGOU BSc FRCS.

For the Photographs and to read further about the evening. Click Here

Ex-HMS Sheffield Falklands Veteran Alasdair ‘GILLY' GILCHRIST has for the 3 rd year ‘running' (excuse the pun) participated in the 13 th year of this organised 10 mile course around Portsmouth and Southsea. This year 15,000 runners of all ages, male and female, pounded the course hampered by very wind conditions and the men's run was won by Hendrick Ramaala, finishing in a time of 47:14 – considering Gilly's age (sch we tell he's a young 43) he finished the 10 mile course in a time of 1hr 24 of 1hr 24 mins., a magnificent achievement and even more remarkable due to the fact he raised much needed funds for the FVF whilst doing it ……. many thanks again Gilly and let's hope you are an inspiration to others to pursue fundraising activities in support of the FVF.

Click here to see view ‘Gilly No. 8391' pounding the streets
of Portsmouth.

Home to the HQ of the tri-service Defence College of Electro-Mechanical Engineering and the RN School of Marine Engineering. An evening of boxing was held at the SARC between local RN Establishments i.e. SULTAN versus HMS COLLINGWOOD. Overseen by Lieutenant Jack Daniels and co-ordinated and arranged by Petty Officer Physical Training Instructor ‘Smudge' Smith and team. The event was held by the kind permission of Commodore N D Latham RN, Commodore HMS SULTAN. The FVF are extremely grateful to Lt Daniels & POPTI Smith for their agreement to provide the FVF with the opportunity to sell tickets prior to the commencement of boxing.

 Many thanks to Raffle Co-Ordinator / Seller LES HEYHOE and volunteers, NICKI SMITH and VICKY FEATHERSTONE.

Click here to view a selection of the evening's raffle winners and pictures of the event.

The 1/6 th UK Collectors Club under the leadership of Chairman ADE PITMAN adopted the FVF as their ‘Charity for 2004' with the aim of raising £150+ for the specific purpose of buying kitchen equipment for the new FI building. This has been achieved (see earlier article) and the FVF thanks members for their support.

Kindly supported by Warrant Officer Claus ‘Geoff' Capes, the Mess President of the Warrant Officers & Senior Rates Mess, HMS SULTAN, Gosport, and the Mess Committee. A particular note of thanks and recognition to the Mess Social Secretary, Chief Petty Officer Chris ‘Jonah' Jones, for his continued support and involvement in making the evening such a success. Whilst not compulsory fancy dress, 75% of the 200+ attendees were in an array of different 70's & 80's costumes to watch a medley of 70's songs by the newly formed three girl group “NO ANGELS” , who generously donated a percentage of their evening's performance fee. ALEX GIORDANO and partner of ‘Deja Vue' Fancy Dress Hire at 91 Stoke Road, Gosport, kindly gave 20% off all their costume hire and were the sponsors of special ‘star guest – Yoda'; who was that?   4

Click here to see just a very small collection of the 100+ photos taken on the of ‘No Angels', the Female & Male Fancy Dress Winners and so on!

Personally sponsored by Alex, the main aim was to have fun, create local awareness and in addition raise funds. Everything was achieved and a very successful evening was had by all. The venue was the Hardway, Elson & District Community Association (HEDCA) main hall, Gosport. The evening's winners were a father and daughter pair, MARTIN & WENDY BROMBLEY, who travelled around from Portsmouth to take part. Amazingly they who won all of their 6 matches against 6 different pairs over 121 holes without losing. Runners-up were NORMAN ‘TOMMO' THOMPSON of Gosport, and newly acquired partner BRIAN HEYHOE, who travelled from Norfolk with his wife Myrtle specifically to enter (parents of Les). Thanks to volunteers Paddy Erskine and Nicki Smith for assisting with the registration of players and the sale of raffle tickets.   

 Click here to see a picture of the evening's sponsor, additional write-up and pictures of the winners and runners up etc.  

Real Ale drinkers were spoilt for choice at the Pompey Beer Festival with 101 beers and 25 ciders for people to try at the festival held in the Guildhall. Organised by Festival Director, SHEP WOOLLEY, an ex- matelot and well known entertainer, Shep ( http://www.shepwoolley.co.uk ) granted the FVF the use of some space to set up a couple of games alongside the Cider Bari.e. 'Play Your Cards Right' and 'Putt For Points'. Thanks to Shep for the OK to be there , very much and financially appreciated!

Click here for Photographs of the event and a further write-up about those who were involved and who supported the FVF.

ADRIAN ( Ade ) PITMAN of DARA, S. Wales with UBEL the Westie and  friend JON PRINCE from Aberdare braved the elements and set-off up highest of the Brecon Beacons, Pen-y-fan, 2907' / 886m. An area and range often used by the SAS for their rigorous training. The weather initially was good for them but over half way up they were into the clouds and they did see the rescue helicopter fly by but fortunately not for them!Well done lads (and Westie ) the FVF appreciate your effort and thanks to those that also donated their financial support.

ADE is the Chairman of the 1/6 th UK Collectors Club and he along with its members have adopted the FVF as their 2004 Charity – checkout their website of http://www.onesixthcollectors.co.uk. The 1/6 th Club campaign in support of the FVF finishes in September / October so watch out to see and read more of their support and anticipated donation.

Click here to see photos of Ade , Ubel & Jon plus the 1/6 th UK Collectors prototype Falklands Veterans figure that is to be manufactured for its members.

CAROL LEWIS, Landlady of The Glencoe public house, San Diego Road, Gosport, showed a few of the Gosport locals how to successfully predict the scores of the 1 st Round games or how many goals were going to be scored  in the match. Organised by Les Heyhoe at £5.00 an entry, Carol was glad hat Les called in to collect her entry form as Carol proved to those footballing male football experts & pundits that when it comes to sport, at the end of the day it can all be down to luck!

Click here to see a photograph of Carol with her ‘Certificate of Congratulations' plus the £50.00 cash prize which made it even more worth entering.

Mid 2003 to 17 th April 2004

Collection of Change in a large Whisky bottle

Les Heyhoe, FVF Voluntary Fundraising & Events Manager, visited his parents Brian & Myrtle in his home town of East Dereham , Norfolk, for their weekend of Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations. Les continues to remain a member of ‘The Churchill Club', 14/16 Market Place and in mid-2003 asked the owner, BRIAN MULLARNEY, if he would ‘place a bottle on the bar'. A member of the club also had his head shaved and raised an additional £50.00. Many thanks to Brian and all Churchill Club members who donated their loose change.

Click here to see pictures

March -April 2004

Nick' Carter, Stores Supervisor of Flagship Training Ltd based at                  HMS COLLINGWOOD, Fareham, continues the good work during his own 50 minute break at lunch time to volunteer to tie cap tallies for ratings not confident enough to make a good job of it and charging them a £1 for doing so; the ‘voluntary' donations are then accumulated and presented to the FVF.

£220.00

Tuesday 27 th April 2004

Pubs & Clubs
Golf Team
Challenge Day

Organised by publican STEVE BODENHAM of the Rose & Crown public house, Gosport, teams also included entrants from Haslar Radiology & Nelsons. Held at the Cams Hall Estate Golf Club, Fareham, the event was held to raise and increase the local awareness of the FVF. Steve obtained an                                                            autographed Leeds v Portsmouth match ball and match shirt, which will be up for raffle and auction in the Rose & Crown. Thank you to all the individuals and teams who participated together with JOHN ‘JOE' ERSKINE, Chairman of the Survey Ships Association and member of the South Atlantic Medal Association '82 (SAMA'82) who was invited to present the tournament trophies .

Click here to view the photographs of the tournament

Saturday 8 th May 2004

Royal Navy Style Charity Horse Race Evening, Raffle & Disco

Held at the Warrant Officers & Senior Rates Mess HMS SULTAN (Gosport), the FVF wishes to acknowledge the support of Warrant Officer 1 Claus ‘Geoff' Capes, President of The Mess, for permitting the event to take place. Thanks and gratitude to all the racing sponsors and in particular TONY PERRIS. The event would not have been a success without the support of the co-organisers and volunteers .

Click here to see pictures of the evening, the sponsors, attendees and an acknowledgment to those who made the evening such a success !

£2,222.20

Monday 17 th May 2004

Singles Cribbage
Tournament

Held at the Hardway , Elson & District Community Association (H.E.D.C.A.) main hall, Coombe Road, Gosport and organised by Les Heyhoe, the event was supported by 40 various entrants, league and non-league, experienced & novice players from Gosport & Fareham. Our thanks to DAVID McBRYDE Chairman of HEDCA for the use of the hall, facilities and obtaining a bar extension. The evening's catering was kindly supplied by proprietor PAUL BOYES of THE BROADWAY FRYER ,  50 Palmyra Road, Gosport. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their chicken & chips meal, so again FVF thanks.

The FVF Singles Cribbage Tournament 2004 Champion is CYRIL AYLING who plays for The Glencoe Public House, San Diego Road, Gosport .

Click here to read more about the Champion, the Runner-Up, Prize Winners, Attendees and to view photographs taken during the evening.

Wednesday 31 st March 2004

General Knowledge Team Quiz
& Grand National Draw

Held at The Park Tavern public house, Edinburgh Road, Gosport and hosted by Miss Lisa Williams . The evening was a great success with 12 teams entering.
Winning Team: “Martha Farkers” – Jim, Philip & Mark ………

The Grand National Draw followed the quiz.

Members of the public drew out the ticket stubs circulated by FVF Chief Executive, Smokey Cole and independently witnessed by Falklands veteran, John ‘Joe' Erskine

Since January, supported by Lisa, and instigated and co-ordinated by:                          Bob & Jamie Mullen, Park Tavern customers entered a weekly Friday blackout with  a percentage being donated to the FVF. A magnificent achievement.

Click here to read an update about the quiz and view photographs of the evening

February

Courtesy of new Franchisees, Norman ‘Tommo' & Wendy Thompson of ‘AllDays' at San Diego Road, Gosport, their customers have donated their change in the bottle on display on the counter.

£216.00 has previously been donated – see Fundraising Events 2003 for further details.   

February

Courtesy of Dawn Fildes & Martin Gentry of The Junction Inn at St Denys, Southampton, the Junction Inn customers have donated their change in the bottle on display behind the bar.

In 2003, £116.17 had previously been collected so many thanks.  

17 th January 2004

Saturday

‘Gentlemen's Evening'

Organised by Clive Percy , past Captain of the Southwick Park Golf Club, a fine     evening of entertainment was provided by ‘Clubline Promotions' Entertainment Agency (Tel. 01329 317285) and a Grand Raffle Draw was arranged.

December 2003

‘Nick' Carter, Stores Supervisor of Flagship Training Ltd based at HMS COLLINGWOOD, Fareham, volunteers to tie cap tallies during his own time for the young ratings providing they make a donation towards the FVF. A very unique way to obtain donations, congratulations.

Click here to see photograph