Welcome to the online home of the Royal Air Forces Association in Torquay Coronavirus (Covid 19) and how it affects the RAF Association All branch activities are currently suspended due to the virus. No branch meetings or other events until further notice. Modified welfare support remains available by contacting the RAF Association's HQ on 08000182361 or via the main website www.rafa.org.uk Although no longer directly linked to the branch, the Raffles2 club on Scarborough Road in Torquay will be closed until 2nd December 2020 in line with instructions from HM Government.
NEW! Operation Connect during the current crisis - https://www.rafa.org.uk/operation-connect/operation-connect-entertainment/ https://www.rafa.org.uk/blog/2020/03/20/coronavirus-our-emergency-response/ The 2020 Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 14th March. The branch committee members elected can be found here - https://sites.google.com/site/rafatorquay/branch-and-club-committee
Torbay and Teignmouth Armed Forces Days. Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2019. The branch was represented with the branded gazebo and the fundraising car. Over £1100 raised
D Day 75th anniversary 6th June 2019 Beacon Quay Chairman Steve Colhoun carried the branch standard and a wreath was laid by branch member and Normandy Veteran Peter Spooner
This was held on Tuesday 19th March at 7.30pm in the branch premises at 7 Scarborough Road, Torquay, TQ2 5UJ. The branch re-elected a committee who will be in post until March 2020 and the names can be viewed here - https://sites.google.com/site/rafatorquay/branch-and-club-committee
2018 Birmingham International Military Tattoo 24th and 25th November. The branch standard was paraded by the Chairman, Steve Colhoun, along with 74 other association standards to mark 100 years of the Royal Air Force.
2018 Battle of Britain service incorporating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. This was held in St Lukes Church, Torquay on Sunday 16th September.       The RAF100 token has arrived in Torquay! This is a pull up banner transported in a decorated tube. It started it's journey at the area conference in Cheltenham back in March and has been making it's way between RAFA branches in the South West since then. The Torquay Branch will make use of it until Sunday 9th September when we hand it over to the Plymouth branch. It's journey will finish at the Birmingham Military Tattoo in November.    Torbay Armed Forces Day 2018 We were involved on Sunday July 1st and had our brand new gazebo in use for the first time. The branch standard was paraded through Paignton town centre along with other organisations standards in the parade of veterans and cadets. One of the main highlights of the day was the Red Devils parachute display team who dropped onto the pitch at the rugby and cricket club!
2018 Torbay Airshow The branch assisted with the Torbay Airshow, held on June 2nd and 3rd 2018. A mobile exhibition trailer came from Leicester and for the first time in Torbay, a half size replica Spitfire was on static display and proved very popular with children. Both days saw very good weather and the flying display was excellent. RAF involvement was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Lancaster and Dakota, a Chinook helicopter, the Red Arrows and a Eurofighter Typhoon. Other aircraft also took part.    
 The Royal Air Force centenary April 1st 2018. The Torquay Branch of the Royal Air Forces
Association and the Paignton Branch of the Royal British Legion teamed up to
commemorate 100 years of the RAF. A short wreath laying service took place at the Paignton war memorial on Palace Avenue. This was followed by a presentation about the RAF as well as live entertainment and light refreshments in the Paignton Conservative Club.    Battle of Britain service and reception Sunday 17th September 2017 The service was held in St Lukes Church, Sheddon Hill, Torquay. Veterans from all 3 services attended along with the Torbay MP and members of Torbay Council. Standards were paraded. A buffet lunch was provided in Raffles Club afterwards.  Skydive with the RAF Falcons parachute display team! 2 of the branch committee ladies, Angie and Claire, took part in a tandem skydive to raise funds for Wings Appeal. This took place at the end of August 2017 in Oxfordshire. Pictures were taken before and after the jump.         Top award for the Torquay Branch!  The branch chairman receiving the Sir Thomas Pike trophy from the National President. This was awarded for the highest amount raised in 2016 by a branch with an airshow (£17600) Lightning Mcqueen fundraising car Branch news and forthcoming events The Navy, Army and Air Force were all represented at the 2016 Battle of Britain service  Sunday 20th September 2015. Battle of Britain 75th anniversary reception in Raffles Club .   The anniversary cake was cut by the chairman of Torbay Council, Councillor Ray Hill The Club The club was leased out with effect from May 2015. It is now known as "Raffles". Visitors and holidaymakers are always welcome in the club. The branch and all Wings Appeal activities will continue as normal. Will appear here when known |
The first coffee morning of 2019 was held on Saturday 19th January in the branch premises. Guests included the MP for Torbay, Kevin Foster and the Chairman of Torbay Council, Councillor Ian Doggett
