Welcome to the web page of the

86th Entry

No. 1 School of Technical Training - RAF Halton

About us - a brief history: The Entry was formed in 10th May 1957 at Royal Air Force Halton, Buckinghamshire, the original strength being some 283 members. After three years of intensive training in aircraft trades the Entry graduated on the 13th April 1960, with nearly one third lost by transfer to junior entries or to lower trade levels. A notable achievement was that the 86th Entry had the 30,000th Apprentice to pass out since the introduction of the Apprentice scheme.

 
The Entry Representatives:

 

Hello and welcome to this page of the 86th Entry. If any members of the Entry find their way onto this site and have lost touch since graduation and would like to contact their old mates who trained with them at RAF Halton, please get in touch with Phil Stephens telephone: 01202 841780 email: philferret@tiscali.co.uk. Phil, over the years, has done sterling work keeping members in touch with one another. If you want to know where an old mate is located, contact him; he will be pleased to hear from you and help you out.
 
40th Anniversary - The weekend of 14/16th April 2000 saw members of the Entry assembled at the Aylesbury Post House Hotel to mark the 40th Anniversary of their Graduation. A total of 57 members attended with 31 ladies. The guests were Ian and Jean Blunt, Chairman of the The Royal Air Force Halton Aircraft Apprentices Association.
The dedication service of the 86th Entry Window was held in St George's Church on the morning of 16th April 2000. The service was conducted by Padre Long and during the service bright sunshine streamed through the stained glass. It was agreed by all that the Window was a fitting addition to the windows already in place.
     
    Photograph courtesy Bill Kelley 55th Entry
     
     

 

 
The Whittle Window - To commemorate the achievement of Sir Frank Whittle a window was sponsored and masterminded by the Entry members, led by our Entry Representatives Phil Stephens, Chris Russ and Ray Helliar. As well as financing the window, with the help of donations from other Entries, the Entry also provided the Order of Service booklets and bookmarks. Both these items were given to everyone attending the Dedication Service which had the picture of the window on them. The balance of the Whittle Window fund was donated to the "Musicians' Window" fund, which was a most welcome gesture.
 
Please note that Ray Helliar has some encapsulated bookmarks with both window designs. They can be obtained from Ray direct at £1.25 each or £5 for 5. It is also possible to "mix 'n' match". Ray's address is Flat 15, Winton Lodge, Imperial Ave., Westcliffe on Sea, Essex, SS0 8NF. email: ray.helliar@tiscali.co.uk
 
 
Latest News - The weekend 11/13th April 2003, 55 members of the Entry and their ladies gathered at the Aylesbury Holiday Inn to mark the 43 years since the entry marched off the Henderson/Groves Squares. During the pre-dinner drinks on the Saturday evening it was discovered that the 135th Entry had the temerity to hold their reunion at our venue. They proved to be the cordial companions at the bar, proving that, irrespective of Entry Number, ex-brats are a Brotherhood. The guest speaker at the evening dinner was Min Larkin with tales that put him in a new light!
 
Another 'practice' Reunion weekend is pencilled in for 2005, before the Half-Century Celebration in 2007. Details nearer the time!
 
 
 
 
Part of the Graduation March-Past on 13th April 1960, RAF Halton, Bucks
 
 
 
This page was created and is maintained by Bernard Horton. bernard@horton.co.uk
 
 
Page created 1st August 2000.
 
Last updated 17th August 2004