Sir Christopher Coville
8 Jul 2025
A note for members
Dear Cranwellian,
At the recent CA Annual General Meeting at Cranwell, I presented to those present the options for the future of our Association. Despite maintaining a healthy financial position and steady membership, the numbers attending the Annual Reunion have declined and, despite the best efforts of the trustees, recruiting of post-cadet era officers has been patchy. Faced with considerable turmoil at the College, which from next year will undergo significant restoration and modernisation in advance of a move of Halton courses to Cranwell, it was considered timely to take an in depth look at how best to adapt to changes, or indeed to allow a graceful decline. Accordingly, the trustees agreed that we had the following broad options:
Option One: Do nothing and quietly fade away as the final flight cadets numbers decline;
Option Two: Do more, and re-energise our efforts to attract new members into the CA as it is now;
Option Three: Take a radical look at our future, addressing the need for a fundamental change in our structure, mission and processes, involving greater involvement in the Association by the RAF leadership.
At the AGM, the general consensus was to support Option Three, which in essence would bring us into line with the RN and Army, who both have service wide officer alumni organisations, employing several paid staff. But until the support from the RAF necessary to deliver such an enterprise had been guaranteed, it was agreed that we should pursue Option Two, strengthening our trustee team to re-energise our recruitment of younger members.
The trustees support his approach, and I should be grateful for your endorsement of the proposed way ahead before 14th July 25, by email to membership@cranwellianassociation.org.uk. Nil responses will be taken as agreement.
I should take this opportunity to mention that Project Portal, the move of Halton to Cranwell, has uncertain timelines. Until the situation has been clarified, the trustees will consider a few options for our Conference and Reunion next year, planning to announce a date and location by the end of the year.
Finally, at the AGM I handed over as Chairman of the CA to Air Marshal Philip Sturley, who many of you will know well. Philip has asked me to assist with the transition arrangements over the next few months, at least until the way ahead has been agreed.