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Dear Editor,

Re: Partnership fun day - a 'slur on the memory of those who fought and died'

I'm disappointed by Bob M's comments about the Fun Day, and they merit a reply to clarify a few facts.

The annual Fun Day has been successfully run since 2004 by the Community Events Group which I chair. Although we get some funding and administrative support from the Hawkinge Partnership, we operate independently.

The Battle of Britain theme (BOB) has been adopted for this year's event as 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the making of the film of that name, and our chosen date of 13 September is very close to the official BOB day on the 15th.

Our intention is to celebrate and commemorate Hawkinge's part in that epic and decisive battle.

Previous Fun Days have included Inflatable attractions for the younger visitors, and refreshments and food for all. That is quite normal for such an event. However, the local Parish Council and Partnership attended, as did youth, sports, special interest and religious groups.

The term "Fun Day" is generic - it was called that in 2004 and the name has stuck, It could equally be called a gala, fête, summer day or a host of other names, but we've stayed with the "brand" that everyone knows.

To promote the BOB theme and to encourage education about the period, we plan to invite aeronautical museums, the British Legion, the RAF association, the RAF careers unit, the Land Army, the Air Training Corps. There is no better way to engage and educate young people than to put them face to face with serving or former servicemen and women. I've explained our aims to a former RAF pilot who co-wrote "The Narrow Margin", the book on which the BOB film was based, and he's keen to help. We also hope to arrange a flypast of some of the magnificent aircraft of the period. Last year the Army Cadets attended and provided activities and a display which were extremely popular with everyone. What better way to learn about what the army does.

Yes, we can encourage people to visit the BOB Memorial, but they can do that any day. I've taken my own children there, as well as to Commonwealth cemeteries in Flanders and France. A poignant visit was to the cemetery in Evreux where a member of my family is buried. He died in a Lancaster in 1944 just one month before his 21st birthday. It was a privilege to research his history and meet a member of his former crew. I do understand service, sacrifice, loss and gratitude.

I'm disappointed that our aims and efforts have been misrepresented so badly by Bob M. The presence of so many people at the Fun Day is a perfect opportunity to educate them as well as to entertain. I'm not going to continue the debate in this web site. If Bob would like to clarify any further points with me he can contact me through the Partnership Office. Alternatively he can come and help the Group - our next meeting is at 1900 on Wednesday 27 February at the Partnership

Yours faithfully,

Chris Johnson