Information - NFF

HOMEPORT
The Naval Families Federation’s Official Magazine for Royal
Navy & Royal Marines Families
HOMEPORT is distributed free by the Royal Navy and Royal
Marines to all naval families throughout the world.
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a
division of Scottish Provincial Press Ltd, on behalf
of the Naval Families Federation.
Editorial Office
Editor: Sarah Woods
Naval Families Federation, Castaway House,
311 Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth PO2 8RN
Tel: 023 9265 4374 Fax: 023 9265 3862
E-mail: editor@nff.org.uk Website: www.nff.org.uk
Welcome to the Autumn 2011 edition of
Homeport
Contents
Editor, Sarah Woods
Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2011
Editorial Matter and Illustrations:
© Crown Copyright 2011 unless otherwise stated.
Articles are not to be reproduced without permission
from the Editor.
Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc
Advertisement Office (UK)
Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Golspie,
Sutherland, Scotland KW10 6RA
Tel: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876
E-mail: j.alker@methodpublishing.co.uk
CONTRIBUTIONS
HOMEPORT welcomes articles, letters and comments from
our readers. Text should be saved in Microsoft Word and sent
to us by e-mail or on disk. Alternatively, type your contribution
on one side of A4 or send it clearly handwritten.
All contributions are included at the NFF Chair’s discretion.
Anonymous contributions are not accepted.
HOMEPORT Editorial Deadlines
Edition: Autumn 2011 Deadline: 30th September 2011
Make sure you receive YOUR copy of HOMEPORT.
A free copy of every edition of HOMEPORT should reach
every naval family via the Service network. The Naval Families
Federation relies on Units and Headquarters to distribute
copies to all families as quickly as possible.
To make sure you receive your HOMEPORT contact
your Unit and ask for a copy.
Your Magazine
This is YOUR copy but why not pass it on to a friend, who may
not have a copy, when you have read it?
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Take out an annual subscription if you are not in a position to
obtain your copy of HOMEPORT through the usual Naval
Service channels, or if you or your spouse are leaving the
Service and would like to keep in touch.
Contact: Naval Families Federation, Castaway
House, 311 Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth,
Hampshire PO2 8RN.
E-mail editor@nff.org.uk or visit our website www.nff.org.uk
Small Print
Views expressed in HOMEPORT, unless otherwise stated, are
those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official
opinion of the Naval Families Federation or of the Ministry of
Defence.
No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised
in this magazine can be accepted by the Publishers, Printers or
by the Ministry of Defence. Advertisements are accepted on the
express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way
contravene the provisions of the Trades Descriptions Act 1968 or
any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom.
The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any
advertisement, either before or after receipt of copy, without stating
a reason.
FRONT COVER:
Members of Hasler Company (Royal Navy and Royal
Marines) with Kath Ryan of ‘Cakes 4 Casualties’ and Roly,
the Hasler Coy mascot (adopted from Hope Rescue).
Photograph by Paula Rowe.
If you want to be
considered for our front
cover, e-mail your photos to
Emma at
info@nff.org.uk.
Your Questions
meet the cake lady
NFF Visit Scotland
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE NFF
CHAIR
Questions and Answers...................................4-5
STRATEGIC DEFENCE & SECURITY
REVIEW
Redundancy Programme – Review..................6-7
Be the Boss Scheme........................................... 8
Jobcentre Plus Champions for Armed Forces.... 8
BREAKING NEWS
Defence Reform............................................... 11
Defence Equipment Budget Rises.................... 11
New Medal for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee....... 11
Operational Allowance Extended to Libya....... 12
Increase in Council Tax Relief........................... 12
ARTHUR, MARTHA OR MABEL
Cakes 4 Casualties.......................................14-15
Royal Naval Warship Air Crew....................14-15
DID YOU KNOW
The Armed Forces Covenant......................16-17
Armed Forces Community Covenant Scheme.. 17
ROYAL MARINES
Story Book Commando.................................... 19
Royal Marines Chefs Feed the Front Line........ 19
The Royal Marines Museum............................. 20
Go Commando................................................. 20
TWO SIX
Social Media – Stay Safe.................................... 21
Online Dating Scams........................................ 21
Armed Forces Legal Aid................................... 21
INFORMATION
Three Year Pause in Accommodation Funding.. 22
Changes in Gibraltar......................................... 22
Protect Your Family Home this Winter............ 23
NFF Survey: The Future of Accommodation... 24
Birmingham City Council Provides Housing .... 24
Homes for Heroes........................................... 24
HMS COLLINGWOOD................................... 25
HMS TURBULENT Deployment................... 26-27
Support for the Caribbean............................... 27
Having Your Say – the 2011 Families CAS........ 28
Payment of Bereavement Grants..................... 29
HMS HEROES.................................................. 29
SPVA – Removal of Agency Status.................... 29
14
Serving in Scotland – NFF Visit....................30-31
HMS PROTECTOR.......................................... 30
Olympic and Cinema Tickets........................... 30
Winter Driving.................................................. 33
YOUR MONEY
Pensions............................................................ 34
Money Saving Ideas.......................................... 35
Changes to Car Insurance Rules....................... 36
EDUCATION
Directorate Children and Young People.......... 37
CHARITIES IN ACTION
Help for Heroes Raises £100 Million................ 38
Toe in the Water............................................... 38
SSAFA – The Big Brew Up............................... 38
SW Scotland R&R for Injured Personnel........... 39
The Royal British Legion – Poppy Funds.......... 39
Hounds for Heroes.......................................... 40
READER OFFERS
Lots of Exciting Prizes to be Won...............42-43
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HOMEPORT AUTUMN 2011 3