The 2025 Reunion 9th - 11th May
 
The 2025 Reunion will take place over the weekend 9th, 10th and 11th May. Coach transport will be available from Damons Hotel, on the southern outskirts of Lincoln, to reunion events on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. When booking hotel accommodation, members are advised to mention their attendance at the 44 Squadron Reunion.
 
As in previous years, the Meet & Greet on Friday evening will take place in the Officers’ Mess at RAF Waddington, as will the annual dinner the following evening. The expected programme of events is outlined below:
 
Friday 9th May

The first event of the weekend will be a  Meet & Greet in the bar of the Officers’ Mess, starting at 8 pm. Although there will be no shortage of drinks, snacks will be not be provided, so members are strongly advised to line their stomachs before coming. Transport will leave Damons Hotel at 7:30 pm, arriving at the Officers’ Mess by 8 pm. Return transport will leave the Officers’ Mess at 10:30 pm.
 
Saturday 10th May

Daytime events will include a guided tour of the International Bomber Command Centre from 10 am, for those who may wish to do so. If  you would like to take advantage of this option, please indicate numbers attending on the separate reunion booking form, included with this newsletter. The Saturday afternoon plan is to visit  RAF College Cranwell to witness the laying up of the 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Standard in St Michael’s Church. There is, however, an element of doubt here. Presently there are ongoing repairs to the roof of St Michael’s and the laying up ceremony is dependent on completion. Assuming this ceremony can go ahead, it will be followed by an escorted tour of the College before coaches return members and guests to Damons. If work on the church roof should preclude laying up the Squadron Standard, the intention is to go ahead with the Cranwell visit anyway and enjoy what will be an interesting guided tour of the College.
 
The annual Association Dinner will be held in the Officers’ Mess at RAF Waddington on Saturday evening, at 7 for 7:30 pm. Arrival drinks will be served in the entrance foyer followed by a three-course dinner in the Dining Room. Red and white wines will accompany dinner, along with port and coffee served afterwards. Coach transport will also be provided to and from this event.
 
Sunday 11th May

A Service of Remembrance will be held at Dunholme Lodge Farm on Sunday at 11 am,  conducted by the Reverend Paul Maple. Musical accompaniment will be provided by members of the RAF Waddingtom Voluntary Band. We are, yet again, indebted to the Wykes family for hosting us at Dunholme Lodge Farm. Their continuing support to our Association is invaluable. For anyone unfamiliar with our Service of Remembrance, this Sunday morning event is an enjoyable and fitting conclusion to the reunion weekend. If you can afford the time, I would urge you to come along. The address is Dunholme Lodge Farm, Lincoln Road, Dunholme, LN2 3QA.
 
The final event of the reunion weekend will be a pay-as-you-go lunch in the IBCC cafe. The IBCC caterers have requested that those intending to take lunch pre-order their meals by emailing Phil Davies on phildavie@aol.com.

The following link will enable lunch-goers to preview the IBCC’s menu: https://internationalbcc.co.uk/about-ibcc/the-hub-cafe/

***Please note that the Sunday Roast options will not be available***