Calendar Event

2025: September - Lunch and AGM

Friday 19 September, 2025

19th September 2025 Lunch and AGM at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa.

This event was held at Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. The hotel was originally built as a private country home in a lavish Tudor and Jacobean style at the end of the nineteenth century where the owners entertained visitors using the fantastic grounds and rich decor as a draw for politicians and celebrated entertainers of the time. During WW1 it was used as a convalescent home, complete with hospital wards and an operating theatre, but after the war returned to being a private home and welcome retreat for many well-known guests.  During WW2 the house was again used to support the nation, this time being used as the Officer's Mess for, most notably, the 617 Squadron RAF, better known at the "Dambuster Squadron".  It therefore made an ideal meeting place for lunch and the AGM for the Association.

"41 members attended the AGM and luncheon, many staying overnight at this impressive and historic location. Once the officers’ mess of RAF 617 Squadron, this Lincolnshire country house remains a living archive of courage, ingenuity and hospitality; they offer a portal into the spirit of the Dambusters.

The AGM progressed smoothly with all committee members agreeing to stand for another year; also, one new member was co-opted on, Peter Morgan.

The main agenda item was a debate about the future of our Association. This was greatly enhanced and clarified by a detailed account of the recent Mailchimp survey results given by our Membership Secretary, Christine Ritchie. Unanimous support for the continuation of the Association came from the floor with members expressing how much they appreciated the Association and its link to their past professional life around the world. The Committee were asked to consider any further developments over the coming months.

Following a very good luncheon the membership received an outstanding and fascinating presentation by Malcolm Brooke, our web-master. Malcolm, with the help of a clear informative PowerPoint presentation, led us through his investigations, over many years, into the history of a Lancaster crew lost in the Second World War. His commitment to finding the resting places of the crew around the countries of Western Europe was most impressive."           Text by Walter Lewis, Chair