| Local Man Honoured With Award |
 An Abbots Langley resident has been recognised for his services to the Royal Air Force Association with the presentation of its most prestigious award.David Francis, of Castano Court, was awarded the Royal Air Force Association President’s Award last year, and went down to Bournemouth a few weeks ago to collect the honour.
David was one of five to receive the prestigious award, which is handed out in association with the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The Abbots resident has been a member of the association for 40 years, and in that time has held titles such as chairman, treasurer and welfare officer.
He said: “I don’t know who it was who put me up for the award, but the powers that be decided that I was a worthy nominee and said I was a deserving winner.
“I was shocked and surprised to receive the award and it has come at the end of what has been a hectic year.”
David and fellow members of his association went down to a national conference held in Bournemouth, which is attended by members from all over the world. They were put up in a hotel free of charge and having an awards reception thrown for them on the night before the conference.
The conference took place on Saturday before a civil ball held by the Mayor of Bournemouth. The band of the Royal Air Force played before those in attendance were able to dance the night away.
A parade was planned for the Sunday, but the heavens opened and this had to be cancelled.
David said: “The funny thing is, by the time the parade was supposed to start, the rain had stopped. We were also supposed to have the battle of Britain Memorial Flight fly over the parade, but the service ended up being held inside.”
David’s award was presented by President of the Royal Air Force Association, Phillip Sturley, with a total of ten awards being handed out on the day.
This award came soon after he was recognised with an award by the Air Training Core, for whom he has been a member since 1962.
He was awarded the top accolade in November, but visited the Watford Air Training Core HQ in Leavesden a few months previous to hand out prizes to cadets.
David said: “I was asked to hand out these awards and then unveil a plaque.
“I wasn’t told what the plaque was for, and when I unveiled it, I found that they had renamed the headquarters after me.”
David and wife Edna are still heavily involved with the Abbots Langley RAFA and “enjoy doing it”. While he has pondered retirement, the 85-year-old still carries on regardless.
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