What is the Royal
Observer Corps Association?
The
Royal Observer Corps Association was formed in 1986 for past and
serving members of the Royal Observer Corps. A provisional committee
met at Bentley Priory and formulated a constitution which was
agreed by all Group Associations. In 1987 the Central Committee
was formed, the first Chairman was Obs Captain Gerald Brown and
the first Secretary was the former DGC of No 11 Group Truro, Geoff
Paine.
National membership was between
1000 and 1500 at first but with the virtual stand down of the
Corps in 1991 the membership rose sharply to over 5000. Since
then membership has declined to the current level of around 2600.
Average membership per Group is
100 to 150 and some Groups are sub divided into branches whilst
others have none.
The main administrative structure
is Central down to Groups to Branches. There is also a loose Area
structure. Re-unions are held normally annually and are attended
by some 300 people.
The
Aims of the Royal Observer Corps Association
-
To maintain esprit
de corps and comradeship amongst all Corps members, to keep
them in touch, and to be a link between all areas of the Corps.
-
To promote social
activities for the benefit and enjoyment of members.
-
To provide financial
assistance, when needed to all ex members of the Corps and
their families, through the Royal Observer Corps Benevolent
Fund.
-
Membership is
open to all former members of the Corps. Associate membership
is open to any person who has been connected with the Corps.
Truro Branch
Beginnings
The Truro Branch of the ROCA was
formed in 1991 following the general stand down of the Corps.
Membership commenced at a high of 45 members and is now steady
at twenty five.
Meeting Times
The Branch meets on the
Second Monday
in the month at 1930hrs and meetings
normally finish at 2130hrs. Indoor meetings consist of talks on
a variety of subjects, recognition tests and videos etc. Special
trips and visits are also held to places of local interest.
Meeting Venue
Royal British Legion in St Marys
Street only 200 metres from the famous Cathedral.
Park in the public
car park just behind the Legion and enter by the rear door. But
please note that parking charges apply in the evenings here!
The Truro Branch is heavily engaged
in the preservation and recording of all aspects of ROC life.
Projects include the restoration of an ex ROC Post, the recording
of all posts, operations rooms and NRCs in Cornwall and Devon
and the collecting of ROC related publications and films, as well
as individual unit histories.
The Truro Branch
hold a lease on the ex ROC underground nuclear post at Nare Head,
designated Veryan No 67 Post. The post has been fully restored
and equipped as a living museum. There are several open days per
year and last year the post had over 300 visitors including many
from overseas. Group visits can be arranged.
Planned Programmes
for 2008
| January |
|
| February |
Film Night on 'Test Flying'
& 'Farnborough Head Above & Beyond' 40 Mins. |
|
| March |
Branch AGM.
Plus PowerPoint talk by Geoff Paine 'From Paris to Prague' |
| April |
'The Story of the
Alamo' by Lawrence Holmes. Includes PowerPoint |
| May |
The history of
St.Eval Airfield. Slide show and talk by Denis Ellery |
| June |
'The Life and Times
of the ROC' by Lawrence Holmes |
| July |
No Meeting |
| August |
Branch trip to
Veryan Post Open Day |
| September |
A talk by Bernie
Porter |
| October |
'From Pike to Peak
without a bike!' by Lawrence Holmes |
| November |
Talk by Jeff Carson
on the Naval Propellant factory at Caewent |
| December |
Christmas Nibbles
and quiz by Brian Stoddern |
|
|
| January/09 |
Video & talk
on "The Building of the Severn Tunnel" |
| February |
"Zulu
War" - The Battle of Isandlwana 1879. Film & talk |
| March |
Branch AGM followed
by a talk. (details TBA) |
| April |
|
N.B.
All programmes subject to change in circumstances beyond our control.
Last
update18/08/2008
Click on dial for Culdrose
Weather
Check
the National ROCA Site, first link at the top of this page, for
Newsletters from various Groups including 10 Group.
