Page 7 - BNVTA CAMPAIGN Summer 2020

Collation of a Digitised Library of Photographs and Stories
The BNTVA has begun purchasing specialist digitising equipment under the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant, to allow production of good quality copies of photographs and relevant documents.
This will be the start of creating a BNTVA Digital Archive, which Wesley Perriman, our Curator, will report on in the next magazine. We have started interviewing veterans about their experiences around the time of the British nuclear tests and hope to be able to share these on the website and at exhibitions as COVID-19 eases.
Project Fallout - Veterans’ Foundation
Project Fallout continues under a recently received second tranche of funding from the Veterans’ Foundation.
This enables the BNTVA to provide specific training to trustees and volunteers through the Volunteer Network, and purchase more Amazon Fire tablets for those who wish to connect online. Please contact 0208 144 3080 if you would like a tablet. The tablets don’t come with automatic internet connection, you will have to check and see if you have Wi-Fi available to connect.
If you are interested in volunteering for the BNTVA, we would love to hear from you. As part of the Volunteer Network that is being formed, we welcome a range of skills and experience, from becoming involved one-to-one with phoning matched members regularly, interest in helping at future events, preparing articles or letting us know any specific talents and skills that you may have. Safeguarding and specific training will be offered under Projects Fallout and Reunite at no cost to yourself. Please contact on info@bntva.com, by post or 0208 144 3080.
Fast Track War Pension Form
After discussion with Johnny Mercer MP, and the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), the BNTVA provided evidence for the new leaflet being produced concerning eligibility criteria for the British Nuclear Test Veterans War Pensions applications.
The initial leaflet stated that veterans had to provide film badge readings for the tests they had attended. After we were approached by the OVA, we provided documentation from veterans confirming that they were either not issued with a film badge or, for those that were, that readings weren’t taken. Since submitting this evidence, the OVA has changed the wording to ask if veterans were issued with a film badge or dosemeter.
The form is called the Nuclear Test Veterans (NTV) Priority Claim: Enquiries/Request Form. This is to fast track War Pension applications.
If you require assistance completing the form, please contact info@bntva.com. FORM OVERLEAF...
Remembrance and Reconciliation continued...
More to the point, in the case of a Charity, such actions are liable to bring the organisation into disrepute.
I began with one Veteran’s reflection on Remembrance, and his awareness of its significance. This is at the heart of our Association, because the costliness of injury and illness, ‘attributable to service’ in the official jargon, is so often denied or belittled. Our Veterans, their widows and descendants know better.
To remember is indeed to pay tribute. May our remembering help us to support the BNTVA in its work for the living; and, with God’s help, to make it our priority to build a more just, inclusive and peaceful world. Those who have gone before us would expect nothing less.
This comes, as always, with the promise of my thoughts and prayers, especially at this time for those who are in isolation and separated from family and friends. If any members would like to be in contact, an email to info@bntva.com will find its way to me.
With all good wishes
Very Rev. Nicholas Frayling KStJ BNTVA Chaplain
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