You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F R A F M A R H A M<br />
the title of the articles<br />
will go here over two<br />
or three lines if needed<br />
Civic<br />
Reception<br />
For wg cdr dharamraj<br />
Thames<br />
diamond<br />
jubilee<br />
pageant<br />
Downham Market Cadets Triumph in<br />
Griffin<br />
Challenge<br />
Competition<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 8, 2012 £FREE<br />
Ethos,<br />
Core Values<br />
& Standards<br />
What is<br />
Service?<br />
inside: news from II (AC) Sqn • marham cadet presentations • community support from the raf police • plus much more inside…
29<br />
Contents<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 8<br />
2012<br />
Editorial team<br />
Editor<br />
Alison Smith<br />
10<br />
Ext: 7332<br />
Email: MRM-BSWAMCO@mod.uk<br />
Sub-Editor<br />
Clare Smith<br />
Ext: 6739<br />
Email: MRM-MCOA1@mod.uk<br />
RAF <strong>Marham</strong> Web Page<br />
www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham<br />
Published<br />
Lance Publishing Ltd<br />
1st Floor Tailby House<br />
Bath Road, Kettering, NN16 8NL<br />
Tel: (01536) 512624<br />
Fax: (01536) 515481<br />
Email: mike@lancepublishing.co.uk<br />
www.lancepublishing.co.uk<br />
designed<br />
Chris Keller<br />
Email: chris@lancepublishing.co.uk<br />
Advertising Sales<br />
Jayne Bailey<br />
Tel: (01536) 526677<br />
Email: jayne@lancepublishing.co.uk<br />
Printed<br />
Lance Print Ltd<br />
Tel: (01480) 492183<br />
8<br />
12<br />
20<br />
Front Cover credit:<br />
Cpl Andy Holmes<br />
Contents<br />
Stn Cdr’s Foreword ........................... 4<br />
Civic Reception for<br />
Wg Cdr Dharamraj ............................ 4<br />
Heavens Above ................................. 7<br />
News from II (AC) Sqn ...................... 7<br />
Griffin Challenge Competition ........ 8<br />
What is Service? ....................................9<br />
Catering, Retail<br />
& Leisure Activities ........................... 10<br />
Team RAFA Duchenne<br />
Rally Update ...................................... 10<br />
Air Cadet Liaison Officer (ALCO)<br />
Team & Summer Camps .................. 12<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Cadet Presentations ...........12<br />
42F (King’s Lynn) Sqn ATC<br />
Visit to Ypres ..................................... 13<br />
Community Support Squadron .......15<br />
Three’s a Crowd ................................ 19<br />
Paralympic Reunion ...........................19<br />
Thames Diamond<br />
Jubilee Pageant ......................................20<br />
SWO’s Summer Spree Update ...........26<br />
93 EAS Raise Money for<br />
Scotty’s Little Soldiers ..........................29<br />
Community Support from<br />
the RAF Police .........................................29<br />
stockists<br />
The Surgery, <strong>Marham</strong> • Manor Farm<br />
Medical Centre, Swaffham • Plowright<br />
Medical Centre, Swaffham • The<br />
Surgery, Swaffham • Howdale Surgery,<br />
Downham Market • Hollies Veterinary<br />
Clinic, Downham Market • The Crossings<br />
Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market • The<br />
Grove Veterinary Surgery, Swaffham<br />
• Priory Centre, Downham Market •<br />
Lynn News, King’s Lynn • St Martin’s<br />
at Shouldham VA Primary School •<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Infant School • <strong>Marham</strong> Junior<br />
School • Downham Market High School<br />
• Hamonds High School, Swaffham •<br />
Town Halls in Downham Market, Kings<br />
Lynn and Swaffham • BAE, Warton<br />
• Armed Forces Careers Office in<br />
Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough<br />
• Royal Air Force Association in<br />
Downham Market • Downham Market<br />
Air Cadets • All other RAF bases<br />
From the Editors<br />
Welcome to the September<br />
issue of <strong>Marham</strong> <strong>Matters</strong>.<br />
This month we have<br />
had lots of great<br />
articles and stories,<br />
so apologies if your<br />
article hasn’t made<br />
this issue, we will try and<br />
Deadline date<br />
include it in a future edition. We<br />
try to include a range of subjects<br />
and items which are topical,<br />
and we welcome suggestions<br />
as to what you would like to<br />
see included in the magazine.<br />
We have lots of news from the<br />
cadets this month as August saw<br />
visiting cadets enjoy a summer<br />
camp at RAF <strong>Marham</strong>. There is<br />
also news from the local cadet<br />
groups, and RAF <strong>Marham</strong>’s<br />
own group held their annual<br />
presentation of awards last<br />
month. We also welcome the<br />
new Youth Worker, Angela<br />
Caley who is working very<br />
hard with her team to continue<br />
organising lots of fun and<br />
exciting activities for the<br />
young people at <strong>Marham</strong>.<br />
WeDnesday 12th September 2012, please submit all entries for the next issue by the date stated.<br />
The views expressed by the contributors to the <strong>Marham</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> are not necessarily those of the Editor, MoD, RAF or the publishers and do not reflect Station policy. All precautions are taken to ensure<br />
accuracy. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This magazine is published by kind permission of the Station Commander.<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk issue 8 marham matters 3
Stn Cdr’s Foreword<br />
& Civic Reception<br />
station commander’s<br />
foreword<br />
We have seen RAF <strong>Marham</strong> in all its splendour with the Station looking tidier after the<br />
Summer Spree and a lot of work on the grounds. I hope that you managed to find some<br />
sun wherever you spent August; the weather at <strong>Marham</strong> itself was glorious at times! The<br />
local coastal towns were packed – there is still time to head 45 minutes or so north if you<br />
need to give the dogs a good walk, need some fish and chips, or want to try crab-fishing.<br />
Although August traditionally sees a<br />
lot of people taking leave we were<br />
still busy both here and abroad.<br />
II(AC) Squadron have settled into<br />
life being away and I hear good<br />
reports of what they are achieving out east.<br />
We must not forget them as they carry on the<br />
excellent work at TORDET. 31 Squadron managed<br />
to cram in a couple of weeks leave in advance<br />
of a short-notice exercise. By the time that you<br />
read this they will be ready to step out of the<br />
door. IX(B) Squadron are now in full flow for<br />
pre-deployment training as they prepare to take<br />
over from II(AC) Squadron later in the Autumn.<br />
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Wing<br />
Commander Steve Dharamraj, the out-going<br />
OC BSW. He did a fantastic job in his time here<br />
which included superb support to the Station<br />
during Operation ELLAMY last year. I wish<br />
him well in his next post at RAF Wittering.<br />
I’d also like to give a warm welcome to Wing<br />
Commander Neil Tomlin, the incoming OC<br />
BSW, and wish him all the best for the next two<br />
years. It is also really good to see our Senior<br />
Padre Andrew Jones back from a four month<br />
detachment in the Middle East – welcome back.<br />
We are continuing our focus on improving<br />
Community facilities and support. The<br />
Sandringham Centre should be open soon and<br />
we have a new Youth Worker in place. Angela<br />
has already braved Thorpe Park with a coachload<br />
of teenagers – an excellent day out! For<br />
the Community, we are actively looking for<br />
good ideas, especially with regard to how we<br />
might better communicate our services to<br />
you. Any suggestions would be very welcome.<br />
I have also written my next instalment of<br />
the series on RISE – our core values. This<br />
month I look at Service on Page 9. Talking<br />
of Community Support, I was delighted<br />
with the DIY efforts aimed at <strong>Marham</strong> Infant<br />
School with the painting project. A huge<br />
thank-you to all who gave their time to help.<br />
You will read an article on speeding later<br />
in the magazine. This is a subject that I take<br />
very seriously indeed. Whether you are<br />
driving on or off-base, in your own car or in<br />
MT, driving at sensible speeds is an absolute<br />
must. Driving within the limits and taking<br />
into account the conditions around you is a<br />
firm foundation for safety. We have noticed<br />
an increase on base of those driving without<br />
seatbelts – once again I urge you to stick to<br />
the law, for your own good. As we approach<br />
autumn and winter we will continue to look<br />
at the safety of drivers, passengers, cyclists,<br />
runners and pedestrians. Please play your<br />
part. I hope that you have a good September.<br />
Civic<br />
Reception<br />
for Wg Cdr Dharamraj<br />
Wg Cdr Steven Dharamraj (Officer<br />
Commanding Base Support Wing)<br />
and his family were formally invited<br />
by the Mayor of the Borough Council<br />
of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk,<br />
Cllr Geoffrey Warham, to attend<br />
a civic reception at the King’s<br />
Lynn Town Hall in recognition<br />
of his outstanding commitment<br />
in forging local relationships<br />
throughout his tour of duty.<br />
Wg Cdr Dharamraj was<br />
accompanied by his<br />
wife Sue and their two<br />
children on a sunny<br />
afternoon of July 25th<br />
2012 to the Mayor’s Parlour. There they<br />
were met by the current Mayor and two<br />
former Mayors, Cllr Colin Sampson and<br />
Cllr Zipha Christopher, all of whom had<br />
worked with Steve at various junctures<br />
and events over the last two years. Also<br />
in attendance was the Chief Executive<br />
of the Council Mr Ray Harding and other<br />
departmental heads he had worked closely<br />
with on various projects. The Council Chief<br />
Executive Ray Harding spoke of Steve’s<br />
commitment in forging mutually beneficial<br />
links between RAF <strong>Marham</strong> and the<br />
Borough and the positive impact he had<br />
made on both communities. The afternoon<br />
was rounded off with the Wg Cdr being<br />
presented with a small commemorative<br />
memento on behalf of the people of<br />
the Borough of King’s Lynn and West<br />
Norfolk and his wife was presented with a<br />
bouquet as a present to signify their 20th<br />
wedding anniversary which was being<br />
celebrated on the day. Wg Cdr Dharamraj<br />
replied with a similarly resounding speech<br />
thanking the people of West Norfolk for<br />
their kindness and support throughout<br />
his time at RAF <strong>Marham</strong>. Steve assured<br />
the audience that the new incumbent in<br />
post Wg Cdr Neil Tomlin will build upon<br />
the relationships already developed<br />
and forge ahead with bringing the two<br />
communities even closer together.<br />
Come and meet<br />
your Swaffham<br />
Sure Start<br />
Team<br />
We offer exciting activities and<br />
information in and around<br />
Swaffham including <strong>Marham</strong>.<br />
For further details please contact us on 01760 721101,<br />
email childrencentre@swaffham.norfolk.sch.uk or visit our website www.swaffham.childrencentre.org<br />
LITTLE OAKS PRE-SCHOOL<br />
AND HOLIDAY CLUB<br />
01366 502150<br />
www.little-oaks-preschool.ik.org<br />
A warm, friendly welcome is waiting for you!<br />
School Term Time: children aged 2 to 5<br />
Holiday clubs for<br />
2 - 8 year olds<br />
15 hrs a week funded places for children ages<br />
3 & 4<br />
Places available for Special Educational Needs<br />
Tasty hot meals provided<br />
Four trained staff: NVQ2, NVQ3, NVQ4,<br />
BA(Hons), EYPS awarded<br />
OFSTED Inspected<br />
Open 50 weeks a year<br />
Parent quote: “…it has a great reputation and being<br />
able to take our son to a local, well respected<br />
pre-school is fantastic.”<br />
Sessional childcare : Monday to Friday<br />
Pre-School Manager: Debbie Sammons, 47 Wretton Road, Stoke Ferry,<br />
01366 502150<br />
Email: littleoakspreschool2002@yahoo.co.uk<br />
4 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 5
Large selection of clothing fabrics.<br />
Burda, Simplicity & Butterick patterns in stock.<br />
Extensive range of haberdashery items.<br />
Alterations & repairs to clothes undertaken.<br />
Sewing Machine Sales & Service.<br />
Having trouble finding clothes you like, or that fit?<br />
We make garments to order from any of our fabrics.<br />
1 Lynn Road<br />
Downham Market<br />
(by the traffic lights)<br />
Telephone: 01366 387147<br />
Open: 9am to 5.30pm<br />
closed Wed & Sun<br />
Taxis Up to 8 seats<br />
Minibuses 8-16 & 21 seats<br />
Get around safely and<br />
book early to avoid disappointment<br />
BISHOPS TRAVEL<br />
Call Gary or Denise<br />
01366 324307<br />
Mobile 07767 304684<br />
07789 724366<br />
Gill’s Boutique<br />
• 4 English Pool Tables<br />
• 15 Snooker Tables<br />
• 5 American Pool Tables<br />
• Big Screen TV All Sky Sports<br />
Stocklists of Casual Fashion<br />
& Evening Wear<br />
4 Market Place, Swaffham,<br />
Norfolk, PE37 7AB<br />
Tel: 01760 724 642<br />
Fax: 0845 8337 375<br />
• 20% discount to Service<br />
personnel on all tables<br />
• Families Welcome<br />
• Licensed Bar<br />
• Food available all day<br />
Open 10am - Midnight 7 days a week<br />
Page Stair Lane, King’s Lynn<br />
Tel: 01553 691081<br />
Written By: Padre Mike Hall & The Chaplaincy Team<br />
The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are becoming a distant<br />
memory, although if the current performance is anything to<br />
go by – we will probably be revelling in the glory of our medal<br />
count for a long time to come and rightly so. Our athletes<br />
have proved in so many ways that they are world class.<br />
One question that<br />
I guess will be<br />
pored over again<br />
and again in the<br />
coming months<br />
will be, ‘Has our hosting of<br />
the Games this year made a<br />
difference to our lives, either<br />
personally or as a nation?’ The<br />
sports promoters will tell us<br />
that there has been an increase<br />
in the number of people taking<br />
up cycling, rowing, swimming<br />
(and many of the other Olympic<br />
events), although the cynic in<br />
me says that this enthusiasm<br />
may be short lived – well, when<br />
the pain kicks in anyway.<br />
If there is one thing<br />
that the Olympics<br />
do show us, it’s that<br />
despite the trials of<br />
life, the human spirit<br />
is incredibly strong<br />
and has the capacity<br />
to do great things<br />
when so motivated.<br />
Local communities will<br />
tell us that they have gained<br />
valuable, state of the art venues<br />
for sports events, which<br />
if they are maintained will<br />
provide great opportunities for<br />
young people to participate in<br />
sport in the coming years.<br />
The tourist industry will tell<br />
us that we have experienced<br />
a rise in visitors to the UK and<br />
a gained a greater national<br />
profile as a result even if<br />
the numbers in the high<br />
street don’t back this up.<br />
This is all well and good<br />
for now, but has anything<br />
changed long term as a result<br />
of the games. Well, we have<br />
certainly seen a difference<br />
between the headlines of this<br />
summer and the news stories<br />
of last summer’s riots. Why is<br />
this? How has there been such a<br />
dramatic change in the nation’s<br />
mood in this short space of time?<br />
One commentator recently put<br />
our success down to the loyalty and<br />
commitment that our athletes have<br />
to their own individual sport, and<br />
another has said that it is because<br />
of the investment that has been<br />
made in helping sports women<br />
and men reach their full potential.<br />
I guess that it is a combination of<br />
all these factors that has given us<br />
the phenomenal medal successes<br />
(to date). All of this has inspired<br />
and encouraged others to seek<br />
something of this<br />
feeling of success<br />
for themselves.<br />
If there is one thing<br />
that the Olympics<br />
do show us, it’s that<br />
despite the trials of<br />
life, the human spirit is<br />
incredibly strong and<br />
has the capacity to<br />
do great things when<br />
so motivated. We<br />
know that very well<br />
through the energy<br />
and commitment<br />
of everyone in the<br />
Armed Forces.<br />
Whether working in the UK, on<br />
special projects or on operations,<br />
the loyalty and commitment<br />
that our men and women are<br />
showing in their field of work<br />
proves that we can make a<br />
difference not only in the short<br />
term but the long term too.<br />
The teachings of Christianity<br />
reveal that those who have<br />
self discipline, commitment<br />
and determination will get ‘the<br />
prize’. Saint Paul tells the early<br />
church believers to ‘run in such<br />
a way as to get the prize… a<br />
crown that will last forever.’<br />
We may not be Olympic<br />
athletes, but we each have<br />
opportunity to get the ‘prize’ of<br />
success and make a difference<br />
for good where we are.<br />
News from<br />
II (AC) SQN<br />
It has already been an extremely busy year for Royal Air Force<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> based Number II (Army Cooperation) Squadron.<br />
The year began with a<br />
deployment to North<br />
America on Exercise<br />
RED FLAG in February,<br />
following on from this<br />
the Squadron celebrated their<br />
Centenary in May, involvement<br />
with hosting the BBC’s Antiques<br />
Road Show also in May, and<br />
currently the Squadron’s<br />
deployment on Operation HERRICK<br />
in Afghanistan. The Squadron, or<br />
Shiny Two as it is affectionately<br />
known, has embraced these<br />
challenges in addition to their very<br />
busy day to day role. Arguably<br />
one of the most ambitious<br />
challenges it will face, aside from<br />
its crucial role on operations;<br />
saving the lives of ground forces<br />
and Afghan civilians, will be the<br />
charity fund-raising target Shiny<br />
Two has set itself during its<br />
operational tour in Afghanistan.<br />
To tie in with the Squadron’s<br />
Centenary, it’s personnel have set<br />
themselves an ambitious target of<br />
completing 1,074 km every day for<br />
100 days, by either rowing, running,<br />
x-training or cycling the distance<br />
during their valuable downtime.<br />
Why 1074 km? Well this is a<br />
significant figure for Shiny Two as<br />
Heavens above<br />
& II (AC) Sqn Update<br />
this was the distance that each<br />
of the Squadron’s BE2 biplanes<br />
flew on Shiny Two’s first ever<br />
deployment from Farnborough<br />
to Montrose in 1913, albeit<br />
over a period of six days!<br />
The Squadron is raising<br />
funds for the charity ‘Scotty’s<br />
Little Soldiers’, which is based in<br />
King’s Lynn and provides days<br />
out for children whose mother<br />
or father has made the ultimate<br />
sacrifice while serving in the<br />
Her Majesty’s Armed Forces<br />
on military operations. The<br />
donation page can be found at<br />
www.bmycharity.com/2sqn.<br />
After only the first week<br />
of this challenge and despite<br />
the considerable operational<br />
demands, the Squadron was<br />
well on track to complete the<br />
distance. This is a huge task,<br />
but one that the Squadron<br />
is determined to complete<br />
as it is in aid of such a good<br />
cause - and a local cause<br />
too. The competitive spirit<br />
is already flowing amongst<br />
Squadron personnel and we<br />
look forward to providing<br />
an update on the progress<br />
made in reaching the total!<br />
6 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 7
Griffin Challenge<br />
Competition<br />
Ethos, core values<br />
& Standards<br />
Downham Market Cadets Triumph in<br />
Griffin<br />
Challenge<br />
Competition<br />
Cadets from all over Norfolk travelled to RAF <strong>Marham</strong> on Saturday 28 July for the<br />
annual Griffin Challenge competition. Hosted by local RAF Reserves unit, 2620 (County<br />
of Norfolk) Squadron, Griffin Challenge was created to promote the RAF Reserves and<br />
develop cadet leadership and teamwork through a quick-fire round of military style tasks.<br />
“Ethos, Core Values & Standards”<br />
What is<br />
Service?<br />
I have written in the past couple of months about the Royal Air<br />
Force’s Ethos, Core Values and Standards and explained that<br />
the subject is looked at in four areas: Respect, Integrity, Service<br />
and Excellence (RISE). I promised that I would look this month at<br />
Service. The Royal Air Force source of information on this is AP1<br />
and, as I have mentioned before, it is a short booklet that is simple<br />
to read and easy to apply to many areas of your Service life.<br />
This year some of the challenges had<br />
a distinctive Olympics theme with<br />
cadet teams tasked with launching<br />
a football from a hastily constructed<br />
catapult (instructions not included!),<br />
a shoot in the Station’s rifle range simulator,<br />
Top Right: The Cadet<br />
teams with the Griffin<br />
Challenge Trophy.<br />
Pictured: Cadets<br />
compete in a timed race<br />
over the assault course.<br />
Right: Fakenham<br />
cadets fire their hastily<br />
constructed catapult.<br />
a chariot race, a mountain biking obstacle<br />
course (with points awarded for the slowest<br />
time) and a race over the Squadron’s assault<br />
course. The cadet teams from Norwich,<br />
Fakenham, Dereham, Wymondham,<br />
Swaffham, Downham Market, Diss, <strong>Marham</strong><br />
and Caister also tackled challenges that saw<br />
them building a bridge over an imaginary<br />
shark infested river, had their knowledge<br />
tested in an aircraft recognition quiz as well<br />
as completing a first aid assessment run by<br />
volunteers from Norfolk’s First Responders.<br />
Once again I’ve been<br />
impressed with<br />
the leadership and<br />
teamwork shown<br />
by all the teams and<br />
while there can only<br />
be one winner, I am<br />
confident that all<br />
of the cadets will<br />
have got something<br />
out of the day…<br />
Flt Lt James Pettit<br />
At the end of the competition the cadets<br />
from Downham Market Squadron emerged<br />
as the champions having beaten off a<br />
strong challenge from the Caister cadets<br />
who finished second and the Diss team<br />
who finished in third place for the second<br />
year running. After the presentation Deputy<br />
Squadron Commander, Flt Lt James Pettit,<br />
said ‘Once again I’ve been impressed<br />
with the leadership and teamwork shown<br />
by all the teams and while there can only<br />
be one winner, I am confident that all<br />
of the cadets will have got something<br />
out of the day and can be proud to have<br />
represented their respective Squadrons.’<br />
To find out more about a career<br />
in the RAF Reserves, call 2620<br />
Squadron on 0800 783 1915<br />
or search for 2620 online.<br />
Service<br />
We view service as an act of selfless<br />
commitment. The military life is one<br />
of service to the Nation. It is about<br />
professional duties taking precedence over<br />
personal interests, the willingness to serve<br />
other people before ourselves – ‘Service<br />
before self ’. Service incorporates the<br />
values of loyalty, commitment, teamwork<br />
and physical courage. The same can be<br />
said of living in a Community such as ours.<br />
Physical Courage<br />
All those in the Royal Air Force, and those<br />
who work closely alongside, are focussed<br />
on the ultimate delivery of air power. In<br />
doing so, we will be involved in tasks<br />
that either directly involve or contribute<br />
to the use of force. We must face and<br />
take risks, but still continue with the task<br />
in hand. This requires physical courage<br />
and the support of our colleagues.<br />
Loyalty<br />
Royal Air Force personnel are each<br />
committed to an unswerving loyalty to<br />
defend, uphold and preserve the Crown.<br />
Colleagues must show professional<br />
and social loyalty to each other. Those<br />
who are placed in positions of authority<br />
must be loyal to their subordinates,<br />
representing their interests faithfully and<br />
dealing with complaints thoroughly and<br />
fairly. Subordinates must be loyal to their<br />
leaders, the RAF, their team and do their<br />
duty. Such loyalty is expected, but it must<br />
also be earned through commitment,<br />
self-sacrifice, example and courage.<br />
Commitment<br />
For individuals, commitment means a<br />
dedication to serve wherever and whenever<br />
required, whatever the discomfort or<br />
dangers, and to do their best at all times.<br />
This commitment is reflected in the wording<br />
of the loyal oath taken on attestation or<br />
commissioning, when we agree to put our<br />
interests below those of the unit, Royal Air<br />
Force and Nation, as represented by the<br />
Crown. For those in command or leadership<br />
positions, it requires that we always meet<br />
in full our responsibilities to subordinates.<br />
We share common bonds of identity, loyalty<br />
and responsibility for each other. We accept<br />
that the needs of the Service are put before<br />
our own. In return, the Royal Air Force<br />
has a commitment of duty of care to its<br />
people and for the welfare of their families.<br />
Important areas to which it is committed<br />
are: ensuring that we are properly prepared<br />
for operations; ensuring that the Royal Air<br />
Force has sufficient trained people to meet its<br />
commitments; working to provide sufficient/<br />
decent standard of accommodation, high<br />
standards of health and welfare care and<br />
effective terms and conditions of service.<br />
Teamwork<br />
Teamwork is essential in every area of our<br />
activity. Teamwork means working in harmony<br />
with every member of our Service, with the<br />
other Services, civil servants and contractors.<br />
Equally, we need to be able to work with the<br />
citizens and armed services of other nations.<br />
Core Values are important to us in all aspects<br />
of our lives – they stay with us at all times<br />
and we should work hard to live by them.<br />
Our value of Service is a foundation that<br />
can appear to distinguish us from those<br />
not in the military environment. But, the<br />
principles discussed above can be applied<br />
to many areas of life, including your<br />
relationships with family and friends.<br />
Next month I will finish this series<br />
of articles by looking at Excellence.<br />
8 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 9
CRL Activities & Team<br />
RAFA Duchenne<br />
Rally Update<br />
Team RAFA<br />
Duchenne<br />
Rally Update<br />
Written By: SAC (T) Hawthorn<br />
Our Puppy and Kitten<br />
Vaccination Packages<br />
Proud to work alongside RAF <strong>Marham</strong> Police Dog Section<br />
Catering,<br />
Retail &<br />
Leisure<br />
Activities<br />
In what has been a relatively quiet month<br />
at RAF <strong>Marham</strong> the Catering, Retail &<br />
Leisure Partnership has been very active.<br />
The changeable weather has not<br />
deterred the continuation of<br />
functions, the biggest being the<br />
Junior Ranks Heroes & Villains<br />
Summer Ball. Corporals Phil<br />
Harrison and Paul Leonard led the Grafton<br />
Club Committee in producing a memorable<br />
night with live entertainment in The Grafton<br />
Club with a Pink tribute act, and DJ Paddy<br />
and fun & games on the grassed area<br />
with various forms of inflatables, which<br />
were all well used despite the weather.<br />
The same weekend saw FS Gargett, Sgt<br />
Woollett & Cpl Blows of the Junior Ranks Mess<br />
supporting the <strong>Marham</strong> Village Fete by working<br />
on the barbecue and raising £383.69 for the<br />
Chemo Ward in the Queen Elizabeth II<br />
hospital in King’s Lynn. A presentation was<br />
made to Olga White a former Steward 1<br />
from <strong>Marham</strong>, who was the driving force<br />
behind the fete, in the servery area of<br />
the new Junior Ranks Mess kitchen.<br />
As this was happening the Station<br />
Commander Group Captain D J E Cooper<br />
ADC MA BEng (Hons) was in the new Kitchen<br />
familiarising himself with the work of Catering<br />
Flight at RAF <strong>Marham</strong>. Dressed in chefs<br />
protective clothing the Station Commander<br />
spent the morning being guided by LAC<br />
Dan Scott who explained the production,<br />
preparation and presentation of food offered<br />
to the diners for Pay As You Dine. A break in<br />
his practical familiarisation saw the Station<br />
Commander being given a tour of the new<br />
facilities by WO Martin English, who on<br />
his last working day in the RAF was being<br />
“Marched Off” Station during the afternoon.<br />
Martin has served 39 years as a cook, chef<br />
and for his last four years as the Catering<br />
Warrant Officer at RAF <strong>Marham</strong>. He has<br />
been a major influence in his role as Deputy<br />
General Manager for the ISS-RAFCRL<br />
partnership, his experience and positive<br />
attitude towards his role has ensured a<br />
smooth transition to PAYD and helped in<br />
making <strong>Marham</strong> one of the leading Units<br />
in Super CRL. Martin will be missed but we<br />
wish him all the best in his new career as<br />
Kitchen Manager at Wymondham School.<br />
August 13th saw the re-launch of<br />
the ISS-RAFCRL Website, in addition to<br />
giving information about all CRL Units<br />
in the RAF, the website will give the<br />
opportunity to give your feedback directly<br />
to ISS, it will also be the focal point<br />
for the ISS Loyalty Card which will be<br />
introduced here in the coming months.<br />
For more details please visit us on:<br />
www.iss-rafcrl.co.uk/marham.<br />
In two weeks I will start the long<br />
journey from RAF <strong>Marham</strong> to Venice<br />
that will take my family and me<br />
through seven countries in five days.<br />
When I began planning the<br />
event it was all about the<br />
journey that we would<br />
undertake through<br />
Europe. Looking back<br />
now, the journey for me really started one<br />
evening last year in December when my<br />
father, grandfather, my brother and I started<br />
thinking about doing something a little<br />
different to raise money and awareness<br />
for two charities that mean a lot to us.<br />
Throughout the year we have been trying<br />
to raise money and awareness for RAFA<br />
and Action Duchenne and we would<br />
like to continue after the rally as well.<br />
Most recently, we were lucky enough<br />
to be able to hold a charity dinner at Pure<br />
Wine Bar near Portsmouth. The owner was<br />
kind enough to put on a three course meal<br />
for the occasion of which all the proceeds<br />
less the cost would go to charity. To raise<br />
additional funds at the venue there was<br />
a local raffle held. Representatives from<br />
both charities attended to help with the<br />
raffle and also to tell people what they<br />
were all about and the work they do. All<br />
in all it was a successful evening and a<br />
significant amount of money was raised.<br />
On the 1st of September I will start the<br />
rally to which I have raised considerable<br />
sponsorship through friends, family and<br />
colleagues. At the end of September my<br />
brother, who is an active member of the<br />
Air Cadets will be doing two collections<br />
at Waitrose in Petersfield. I will in turn<br />
be doing a collection at Morrison’s in<br />
Downham Market who have been kind<br />
enough to allow us to collect at their<br />
store in November. We have also been<br />
sponsored by Crown Bingo in Portsmouth.<br />
I would like to thank everyone for their<br />
support this far and remind everyone<br />
that although it is great to raise as much<br />
money as possible, my main goal is to<br />
raise awareness for these two charities.<br />
Summer<br />
Sale<br />
now on<br />
Fresh local grown produce<br />
and delicious fine foods.<br />
Flowering Trees, Shrubs,<br />
Herbs, and Alpines<br />
Pansies, heathers and Spring<br />
flowering bulbs now available<br />
Beautiful Outdoors Pots,<br />
Furniture and Garden Features, Gifts,<br />
Country Clothing and Hampers.<br />
Come Fishing! 5 well stocked Fishing Lakes<br />
for the pleasure Angler. £6 day ticket<br />
Open 7 days a week<br />
OPENING TIMES: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 4.30pm<br />
find us on the A10 BYPASS HILGAY<br />
5 MILES SOUTH DOWNHAM MARKET 01366 385661<br />
Kitten Package<br />
• Free nurse clinic<br />
• Advice on worms, fleas, diet,<br />
neutering, general care<br />
• Free wormer<br />
• Free flea treatment<br />
• Voucher for Half price microchip<br />
• Money off voucher for Pet Food<br />
• 4 weeks free pet insurance.<br />
• Free exclusive Kitten pack<br />
• £10 off Spay or Castration<br />
• Full health check with<br />
Veterinary Surgeon.<br />
• Vaccinate against Flu<br />
Enteritis & Leukaemia<br />
•Free Nurse Clinic at 6 months-<br />
Pre neutering check<br />
Puppy Package<br />
• Free nurse clinic<br />
• Advice on worms, fleas, diet,<br />
neutering, general care<br />
• Free wormer<br />
• Free flea treatment<br />
• Voucher for Half price microchip<br />
• Money off voucher for Pet Food<br />
• 4 weeks free pet insurance.<br />
• Socialisation CD<br />
• Free exclusive Puppy pack<br />
• Full Health Check with<br />
Veterinary Surgeon<br />
• Vaccinate against Distemper,<br />
Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza<br />
and Leptospirosis,<br />
• Free 6 month adolescent check<br />
All for £59.50 All for £46.30<br />
Both packages are available at either branch.<br />
Hollies Clinic, Paradise Road, Downham Market 01366 386655<br />
London Road, 25 London Road, Kings Lynn 01553 773168<br />
Ample free parking at both sites<br />
www.makeyourpetsmile.co.uk<br />
The Berney Arms, Barton Bendish<br />
Open 7 days a week<br />
For Traditional Beers, Good Food and a Warm Welcome<br />
Open from Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to 11pm<br />
& Sundays from 12 noon to 10pm<br />
A selection of Hot & Cold Home Cooked Food served<br />
from Monday to Thursday 12 noon to 9pm<br />
Friday & Saturday 12 noon to 9.30pm<br />
Sunday from 12 noon to 8pm<br />
Afternoon Cream teas, plus a wide range<br />
of Teas & Nestlé Gran Cru Coffee<br />
Check out the website for details of all the menus<br />
and the diary of events - www.theberneyarms.co.uk<br />
or call 01366 347995<br />
Phil, Sue and the team will be happy to help with any<br />
enquiries<br />
See us in the Daily Mail Review -<br />
‘An Inspector Calls at...<br />
the Berney Arms in Bartons Bendis, Norfolk’<br />
www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1353798/The-Berney-Arms-Barton-Bendish-Norfolkreview.html<br />
10 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 11
ALCO Team, Summer<br />
Camps & Cadet<br />
Presentations<br />
42F (king’s lynn) Sqn<br />
AtC Visit to Ypres<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Cadet<br />
Presentations<br />
Written By: Flt Lt Tony Hall<br />
42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC<br />
Visit to Ypres<br />
Air Cadet Liaison<br />
Officer (ACLO) Team<br />
& Summer Camps<br />
Written By: Cpl Harry Harrison<br />
For those of you who have wondered what the ‘tent city’ behind Station Headquarters has been<br />
used for over the summer period (well, what we have seen of summer), I can tell you that it has<br />
been host to the Air Training Corps (ATC) and Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) summer camps.<br />
RAF <strong>Marham</strong> once again<br />
rose to the challenge<br />
during what has been<br />
another busy year and<br />
agreed to facilitate<br />
the cadets and volunteer staff<br />
for a period of nine weeks,<br />
whereby cadets and staff alike<br />
were subject to life under canvas<br />
for the duration of their stay.<br />
The camps ran from Saturday<br />
to Saturday sticking to a<br />
programme which gave the cadets<br />
an insight into life in the Royal<br />
Air Force, taking into account<br />
numerous visits to sections<br />
throughout the Station. Where<br />
possible, cadets were also given<br />
the opportunity to undertake work<br />
experience if they had a particular<br />
interest in a specific trade.<br />
So who makes all this<br />
happen? Well, it’s a keen bunch of<br />
volunteers from various sections<br />
on Station, who for the past 9<br />
weeks have given up a good<br />
majority of their weekends and<br />
evenings to ensure the camps<br />
ran smoothly and all ATC and<br />
CCF cadets as well as staff had<br />
a full action packed programme.<br />
Under the command of Flt Lt Dan<br />
Marsh of 31 Sqn and delegated<br />
down to his deputies, (myself) Cpl<br />
Harry Harrison RAF Police & Cpl<br />
‘Hodge’ Hodgson, PTI, we ensured<br />
that any issues were dealt with<br />
and the wheels kept turning.<br />
The cadets enjoyed a wide<br />
variety of extra evening activities<br />
outside of the regular programme<br />
laid on by the ACLO team and<br />
these included SAT range shoots,<br />
staffed by Cpl ‘Razor’ Ruddock,<br />
RAF Regt Flt and an extra visit<br />
to SES where SAC’s Joe ‘Paddy’<br />
Palfreyman and Jules Whitehouse<br />
entertained the cadets in the art<br />
of all things survival. Another<br />
popular event was Go-Carting<br />
on a Monday evening and a<br />
big thank you must go out to<br />
the entire Go-Carting club who<br />
ensured that the cadets had a<br />
fantastic time at the Cart Club.<br />
It is standard that all ATC and<br />
CCF cadets alike are treated to<br />
the ultimate highlight of their<br />
camp - the NITEX, which for the<br />
past 2 years the ACLO team has<br />
set up, staffed and takes place off<br />
Station within Shouldham Warren.<br />
They are given instruction on<br />
basic field craft and how to move<br />
around tactically whereby they<br />
are given a scenario and all<br />
cadet staff and ACLO team play<br />
a major part in what is a very<br />
enjoyable exercise. It is even<br />
more enjoyable to hand back<br />
the weary cadets to their staff<br />
at the end, if only to deal with<br />
the issue of removing camcream<br />
from very tired faces.<br />
All the ACLO team who<br />
have taken part this year will<br />
testify what a great experience<br />
it has been, themselves<br />
benefitting from a rewarding<br />
and enjoyable time, as well<br />
as the cadets. So, if you’re<br />
reading this and fancy getting<br />
out in the evening, maybe<br />
you could bring something to<br />
the party and pass on some<br />
of your service experience to<br />
the future ranks of the Royal<br />
Air Force. See you next year?<br />
Last month, Cadets from<br />
<strong>Marham</strong>’s Air Cadet Unit<br />
had the opportunity to meet<br />
the Station Commander in<br />
both a formal and informal<br />
setting at a presentation<br />
parade. On this occasion,<br />
they were receiving<br />
certificates and badges for<br />
First Class, Leading and<br />
Senior Cadet classifications.<br />
To achieve these<br />
awards, cadets had<br />
to study for and<br />
pass exams in a<br />
number of technical<br />
subjects including Principles<br />
of Flight, Aircraft Operations,<br />
Propulsion, Radio Comms,<br />
Aircraft Recognition, Navigation<br />
and RAF History. Those<br />
achieving Leading Cadet status<br />
also received the first stage<br />
of their BTEC qualification<br />
in Aviation Studies.<br />
After the formal<br />
presentations and photo call,<br />
the Station Commander sat<br />
down with the cadets for an<br />
informal question and answer<br />
session over a cup of tea.<br />
Group Captain Cooper said:<br />
“It was a great pleasure as<br />
usual to meet the cadets from 864 Sergeant’s stripes from the<br />
(<strong>Marham</strong>) DF, this time to present a previous Station Commander<br />
number of certificates for a variety – Group Captain Rochelle.<br />
of tremendous achievements, and The cadets’ Commanding<br />
also to announce a promotion Officer – Flt Lt Tony Hall<br />
for one cadet to Flight Sergeant. said: “Once again, it was our<br />
I was impressed with the turnout<br />
and the warm welcome.” Station Commander to one of<br />
privilege to welcome the<br />
The lucky recipient of his<br />
our events. The cadets found<br />
Cadet Flight Sergeant’s stripes it most inspiring to engage<br />
from the Group Captain was 17 with Group Captain Cooper<br />
year old Matthew Denyer from on a personal level and as a<br />
Heacham. This is becoming<br />
result I am sure that we will<br />
something of a habit for Flt<br />
have a few more thinking<br />
Sgt Denyer as he received his about a career in the RAF.”<br />
Boys and girls over the age of 13, from service and civilian<br />
families, who are interested in joining in the fun at <strong>Marham</strong><br />
Air Cadets should contact Flt Lt Hall on 07900 518153<br />
or by email at oc.864df@aircadets.org. Due to recent<br />
postings, we also have vacancies for adult staff. If you<br />
are interested in helping out then please get in touch.<br />
The King’s Lynn based Air Cadet Squadron, which is<br />
affiliated to TIW, recently travelled across to Belgium<br />
to visit the historic Flemish town of Ypres, the scene<br />
of so much fighting during the First World War.<br />
The visit was intended<br />
to allow the Cadets<br />
to both study and<br />
pay homage to<br />
the activities of<br />
the British Forces in what<br />
was known then as the Ypres<br />
salient, where so much<br />
fierce fighting took place<br />
and where so many British<br />
servicemen were killed or<br />
wounded during the fighting.<br />
For some it was their first<br />
journey abroad, just as it would<br />
have been for many of those<br />
who travelled out in much less<br />
comfortable circumstances<br />
nearly 100 years before.<br />
Although the town of<br />
Ypres, which was commonly<br />
known by British troops as<br />
‘Wipers’ appears to be very<br />
historic, with many fine old<br />
buildings appearances can<br />
be deceptive, as the Cadets<br />
were to find out when they<br />
saw the photographs of the<br />
utter devastation that the<br />
town was in at the end of the<br />
war. It was remarkable that<br />
it was able to rebuild in the<br />
same style as it was, before<br />
the fighting took place.<br />
With Maj Gary Walker<br />
our tour guide out in front,<br />
we took in each of the major<br />
battles of the salient and<br />
sites where the fighting took<br />
place although it is very hard<br />
to imagine now the scenes of<br />
utter carnage and destruction<br />
that would have met those<br />
marching up to the front when<br />
the fighting took place. However,<br />
the reminder of those days in<br />
the form of monuments and the<br />
multitude of CWGC cemeteries<br />
was never far away and are a<br />
constant reminder of what did<br />
take place and the sacrifices that<br />
so many made on our behalf<br />
in the cause of freedom.<br />
We were also able to pay<br />
homage to those who died<br />
during the fighting planting a<br />
number of crosses at the graves<br />
of individuals, whose history had<br />
been studied prior to the visit.<br />
The highlight of the visit was<br />
undoubtedly being able to take<br />
part in the Last Post Ceremony<br />
which is conducted at the Menin<br />
Gate Memorial each evening at<br />
8pm. This symbolic ceremony<br />
is always well attended and<br />
in front of a large audience,<br />
the Sqn paid its respects to<br />
the fallen by laying a wreath,<br />
this followed by a faultless<br />
rendition of the Exaltation.<br />
Unfortunately, but having<br />
had an excellent visit it was all<br />
too soon that we were boarding<br />
the coach for the return journey,<br />
each no doubt with their own<br />
memories of that significant part<br />
in our history, which we, as a<br />
nation, promised never to forget.<br />
12 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 13
A FRESH TASTE OF THE SEA<br />
DONALDSONS<br />
S. & D. Williamson<br />
Licensed Game Dealer<br />
Proprietors<br />
For all your fresh, smoked & shellfish,<br />
visit your local friendly fishmonger!<br />
OPEN: Tues: 7-4 Wed 7-4 Thurs 7-5 Fri 7-5 Sat 7-3<br />
Visit our deli counter for a<br />
selection of British cheeses,<br />
Italian olives, ham on the<br />
bone and patés.<br />
AUSTIN FIELDS, KING’S LYNN<br />
TEL: 01553 772241<br />
20% OFF ANY SERVICE AT<br />
JOHNSON CLEANERS, DOWNHAM MARKET<br />
Johnson Cleaners, the UK’s No. 1 Cleaners are able to provide a Dry Cleaning Service<br />
for virtually all items of clothing, whether everyday wear or specialist garments such as<br />
wedding dresses or formal wear. You can also have your household items cleaned from<br />
curtains, duvets and rugs and as an added service, Johnsons also offer an alterations &<br />
repair service by highly experienced staff.<br />
Enjoy the convenience of our services and so much more……..<br />
• DRY CLEANING<br />
• SPECIALIST WEDDING &<br />
• LAUNDRY & IRONING<br />
EVENING WEAR CARE<br />
• ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS<br />
• DUVET CLEANING<br />
• SUEDE & LEATHER CLEANING<br />
• CARPET & RUG CLEANING<br />
• SKI WEAR CLEANING<br />
• CURTAIN CLEANING<br />
Why not call into the following Johnsons branch<br />
and take up our special offer of 20% off any service.<br />
Johnson Cleaners, 4 Market Place, Downham Market, Norfolk<br />
VOUCHERS<br />
(Terms & conditions for voucher)<br />
Excludes Priority Club membership, retail products and Rug Doctor<br />
hire & detergents. Extra charge for pleating.<br />
Only one voucher per order. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer<br />
Community<br />
Support squadron<br />
Community<br />
Support Admin<br />
Jane Murdoch,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446136 or on<br />
base 95951 6136<br />
Email: MRM-CSSSCSA@mod.uk<br />
DEWHURSTS TROPHIES<br />
EST 1968<br />
Large Range Of Trophies In Stock<br />
Squadron crests engraved<br />
Crystalware & Engravable Glassware<br />
Discounts<br />
Free engraving on most items<br />
Pewter Tankards & Hipflasks<br />
Sale Trophies always in stock<br />
101 Norfolk Street<br />
King’s Lynn, PE30 1AQ<br />
01553 773355<br />
sales@dewhurststrophies.co.uk<br />
www.dewhurststrophies.co.uk<br />
THE OLD GRANARY<br />
ANTIQUES CENTRE<br />
King’s Staithe Lane<br />
KING’S LYNN<br />
Tel: 01553 775509<br />
Selling antiques<br />
and collectables<br />
Open Mon - Sat 10am to 4.30pm<br />
BY APPOINTMENT<br />
TO HM QUEEN<br />
ELIZABETH II<br />
WASTE DISPOSAL<br />
CONTRACTORS<br />
• Licensed Transfer Station<br />
• Skip Hire 2 cubic yards to 16<br />
cubic yards<br />
• Roll on/Roll off 16 cubic<br />
yard to 40 cubic yards<br />
• Wheelie Bin Service - Trade<br />
Commercial<br />
• Septic Tanks & Cess Pools<br />
• Interceptors<br />
• Cardboard & Paper<br />
Merchants<br />
• Plastic & Wood Merchants<br />
MATTHEWS MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANCY Ltd<br />
Waste<br />
Disposal<br />
www.baco-compak.com<br />
01553 630247<br />
BACO COMPAK (NORFOLK) LTD<br />
Innisfree Trading Estate, Bawsey, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE32 1EX<br />
BOOK-KEEPING AND ACCOUNTANCY<br />
• Tax Returns<br />
• VAT Returns<br />
• Self Build VAT Claims<br />
• Monthly Management Accounts Preparation<br />
• Sage, Excel and Manual Systems Advice<br />
• Property Rental Income<br />
• Home/On Site Visits Available<br />
If you would like to find out more, any initial consultation will be free of charge,<br />
so please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange an appointment using the<br />
details below:-<br />
Call Keith Matthews A.C.M.A C.G.M.A.<br />
Landline: 01366 347848 Mobile: 07818 438066 e.mail: keithjmatthews@aol.com<br />
NEW HORIZONS<br />
IN KINGS LYNN<br />
New Horizons is an holistic therapy<br />
centre that specialises in stress<br />
reduction and relaxation using a<br />
variety of therapies.<br />
To make an appointment or for an informal chat please<br />
contact: 01553 679453 or mobile 07817 693867<br />
www.lindelph.com<br />
To advertise in<br />
the next issue<br />
for as little £15*<br />
per month call:<br />
Jayne Bailey<br />
(01536) 526677<br />
*price refers to the business<br />
directory only, please call to find<br />
out other advert sizes & prices<br />
SPECTRUM FINANCIAL PLANNING<br />
Independent Financial Advice for all your financial needs<br />
Contact: Peter Oddey APFS Tel: 01366 348037<br />
Chartered Financial Planner www.spectrumfinancialplanning.co.uk<br />
Address: Fodderston Mill, Mill Road, Shouldham Thorpe, Kings Lynn, PE33 0EA<br />
Spectrum Financial Planning is authorised and<br />
regulated by the Financial Services Authority<br />
Housing at RAF <strong>Marham</strong><br />
You will all be aware of the shortage of Service Accommodation and the impact it is having on<br />
families, not only those posted in, but those needing to move to a bigger property for welfare reasons.<br />
At <strong>Marham</strong> there are<br />
many different types<br />
of SFA ranging<br />
from 2 - 4 bed Ex<br />
Officers and lots in<br />
between; we would all like to<br />
be in the biggest with loads of<br />
space, but unfortunately this will<br />
not always happen and you will<br />
be offered what is available.<br />
We know in some cases<br />
this will not be the ideal and<br />
circumstances may mean you<br />
will need help with the HASC to<br />
resolve any issues; do be sure<br />
to speak to the SCSO before<br />
The Station<br />
Youth<br />
Worker<br />
Angela, the new<br />
Youth Worker, is<br />
situated in the<br />
CS Hub at the<br />
moment; her office<br />
will be in the Sandringham<br />
Centre, which is due to reopen<br />
on 25th September.<br />
Angela can be contacted<br />
in the CS Hub or call<br />
01760 446136 or drop<br />
her an Email: angela.<br />
caley@4children.org.uk<br />
refusing the property as, once<br />
you have refused a property, you<br />
may have to wait several months<br />
before being offered another.<br />
For those posted into<br />
<strong>Marham</strong>, you may be offered<br />
Substitute Service Families<br />
Accommodation (SSFA); at<br />
present families are being<br />
offered properties in local<br />
villages within 10 miles of<br />
the Station which can mean<br />
some of the support normally<br />
available will be limited; but<br />
we will always endeavour to<br />
provide support where we can.<br />
All we ask is that if posted<br />
from another unit and you<br />
were fortunate in that you<br />
were in a property which<br />
was an Ex Officers and had a<br />
garage, remember you may<br />
not be fortunate enough to<br />
get the same at <strong>Marham</strong>;<br />
our properties are at least<br />
50 years old and this is<br />
reflected in their layout.<br />
Please speak to the<br />
Station Community Support<br />
Officer (SCSO) if you feel<br />
that the property offered<br />
may not suit your needs.<br />
Save a Life<br />
Give<br />
Blood<br />
A Mini Bloodmobile will<br />
be at RAF <strong>Marham</strong> in<br />
the Car Park behind the<br />
CS Hub on Monday 15th<br />
October 2012 from 10.30<br />
to 12.45 and 14.30 to 17.00.<br />
To book an appointment<br />
call 0300 123 23 23<br />
and quote postcode<br />
PE33 9NP. 37 units<br />
were donated<br />
on the last visit in June, a<br />
brilliant effort, thank you!<br />
Community<br />
Support website<br />
www.marhamhub.co.uk<br />
HIVE Information<br />
Stevie Lewis,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446121 or 01760<br />
337261 Ext: 7425<br />
Email: MRM-CSSHIVE@mod.uk<br />
SCSO<br />
Flt Sgt Terry Norman,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446052,<br />
on base 95951 6052<br />
Email: MRM-CSSSCSO@mod.uk<br />
Community Development<br />
Rita Broomfield,<br />
Tel: (01760) 337261 Ext: 7491<br />
or 07899 908372<br />
Email: MRM-CSSCDO@mod.uk<br />
Safer Neighbourhood<br />
Team, Watlington<br />
Tel: 0845 456 4567 or 101<br />
MODern Housing<br />
Solutions (MHS)<br />
Help Desk,<br />
Tel: 0800 707 6000 Option 4<br />
Housing Allocation<br />
Service Centre (HASC)<br />
Tel: 0800 169 6322 / 94510 8000<br />
Email: DIOOpsAccn-<br />
HASCTeam2@mod.uk<br />
(Eastern Region)<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Lodges<br />
Bookings<br />
Tel: Community Support<br />
Hub or (01760) 446136<br />
SSAFA<br />
Tom Smith,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446051 Ext: 6051<br />
Liz Smith,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446900 Ext: 6900<br />
SSAFA Volunteer<br />
Co-ordinator<br />
Tel: 07984 908622<br />
OC PSF<br />
Flt Lt Joanna Chubb,<br />
Tel: (01760) 337261 Ext: 7489<br />
youth worker<br />
Angela Caley,<br />
Tel: (01760) 446136 CS Hub<br />
Email: angela.caley@4children.org. uk<br />
14 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 15
Community<br />
Support Squadron<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Infant school<br />
Food and<br />
Craft Fair<br />
Community<br />
support squadron<br />
2nd annual celebration of local<br />
food and craft produced by local<br />
people. To be held at <strong>Marham</strong><br />
Infant School on Saturday 29th<br />
September, free entry to the<br />
public from 11am. There will be live music,<br />
cookery demonstrations and much more!<br />
The event aims to raise money for two<br />
children’s charities; The QEH, Rudham<br />
Children’s Ward and Scotty’s Little<br />
Soldiers, both based locally in King’s Lynn.<br />
Parking near the schools<br />
Station<br />
Youth<br />
Worker<br />
Discounts<br />
BLUE LIGHT Card:<br />
Similar to Forces Rewards, offers discounts to<br />
the emergency services; members of the armed<br />
forces can also take advantage of them to get<br />
some great discounts. Offering discounts for<br />
fashion, days out, entertainment and much<br />
more, go to www.bluelightcard.co.uk<br />
to take advantage of these deals.<br />
TICKETS FOR TROOPS:<br />
Tickets for Troops was founded in 2009<br />
and has teamed up with a wide range of<br />
organisations to offer the Armed Forces free<br />
tickets to a huge number of high profile events<br />
such as England games and West End shows.<br />
Tuesday 11th September 2012<br />
Occupants Consultative<br />
Group meeting (OCG)<br />
The OCG will be held in St. Andrew’s Church in the Chaplaincy at 3.30pm<br />
Please come along to hear the<br />
latest news on what is happening<br />
within your community; we will be<br />
discussing how the renovations<br />
to the Sandringham Centre are<br />
progressing, what ISS are doing and any<br />
improvements they have introduced.<br />
Fancy seeing your favourite football<br />
team or comedian? Then go to www.<br />
ticketsfortroops.org.uk and the only<br />
cost is how much you wish to donate.<br />
VIRGIN HOLIDAYS ELY<br />
MOD DISCOUNT:<br />
Virgin Holidays are offering 5% off<br />
Virgin Holidays booked at their store<br />
in ELY (Ground Floor of Sainsbury’s<br />
Lisle Lane); if you are interested<br />
in this offer or would like any<br />
information, contact the following:<br />
01353 669248 or Ely@virginholidays.<br />
com and quote Ministry of Defence.<br />
Modern Housing Solutions and DIO<br />
Housing will be available to discuss any issues.<br />
An update on the housing issues RAF<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> is experiencing at present will<br />
be given. Please come along and get the<br />
latest news and pass on any ideas that<br />
may help improve your community.<br />
Fitting of<br />
Water<br />
Meters<br />
in SFA<br />
You may have heard that DIO Ops<br />
Housing and Modern Housing Solutions<br />
are fitting Water Meters to SFA at<br />
other units and have some concerns.<br />
The reason for fitting Water<br />
Meters is to bring Service<br />
Accommodation (SFA) in<br />
line with the private sector<br />
and to take advantage of<br />
government incentives to reduce waste.<br />
The majority of homes in the UK are<br />
now fitted with Water Meters to encourage<br />
households to save water and reduce waste.<br />
It’s nearly the end of the school<br />
holidays and your little treasures<br />
are going back to school.<br />
The rush of getting everyone into<br />
the car, remembering their lunches,<br />
their PE kit, looking round to tell<br />
them to stop fighting and BANG!<br />
Yes - you’ve hit someone’s<br />
car, or worse, a child. Parking around the<br />
schools is a major problem especially<br />
if cars are parked on the path or double<br />
parked outside the school gates.<br />
Those meters fitted to SFA are<br />
not billed for usage, as part of your<br />
rental covers water and sewage; so<br />
there will be no change and you can<br />
use water as you have been doing;<br />
but remember to use water wisely.<br />
Once we know when this work will<br />
be carried out we will inform you of<br />
the dates and how it may affect you.<br />
There is additional parking at the rear<br />
of the Infants School; you can also park in<br />
the Ash Road Garage area, but remember<br />
not to block the garages themselves.<br />
There are also parking spaces on the<br />
corner of Elm and Fen Road which can<br />
be used and are close to the schools.<br />
If you have children attending<br />
the Junior School in the village<br />
then you can take advantage of the<br />
track which runs from the back of<br />
quarters, rear of the garages on Fen<br />
Road, to the side of the school.<br />
Modern Housing<br />
Solutions (MHS)<br />
fitting new<br />
Boilers<br />
DIO Ops Housing and MHS<br />
are replacing 50 Back<br />
Boilers (these are the type<br />
in the lounge behind the<br />
gas fires) with new, more<br />
efficient models which will be located<br />
in the kitchen or utility rooms.<br />
The Gas Fires in the lounge will<br />
be removed and replaced with an<br />
electric fire and new surrounds.<br />
Hopefully there will not be too<br />
much disruption whilst this work is<br />
being carried out and contractors<br />
will leave your home tidy.<br />
You will have had a letter from<br />
MHS explaining what will happen and<br />
when; if you have not received a letter<br />
then it may be that you are not on the<br />
programme but if you have a back<br />
boiler in the lounge and have NOT<br />
received a letter, then please contact<br />
me in the CS Hub or call 01760 446052<br />
and I will pass on your details to MHS.<br />
Hi! I’m Angela Caley – the new Station<br />
Youth Worker for RAF <strong>Marham</strong>. I’m<br />
really excited to be in this post and<br />
am looking forward to working on the<br />
Airplay project for 8-18’s. I live locally<br />
with my husband and children, and<br />
prior to moving here I was a full time<br />
youth worker for The Salvation Army<br />
in Bradford for nearly seven years.<br />
Although I’ve only been in post<br />
since July there has already<br />
been a lot going on and<br />
Airplay has been busy over the<br />
summer! At the time of writing<br />
this we have had a trip to High Lodge in<br />
Thetford, an Emergency Services Event and<br />
also an Arts Day, which have all been great<br />
events, and are looking forward to a trip to<br />
Cromer, Thorpe Park and a Station BBQ!<br />
As we are preparing for the refurbished<br />
Sandringham Centre to reopen in<br />
September I am really keen to hear any<br />
ideas from the young people on what they<br />
would like to do once the building is up and<br />
running. I have even created a questionnaire<br />
for Airplay aged young people to complete –<br />
just visit the <strong>Marham</strong> Hub website and click<br />
on Youth Centre. You can then download<br />
a copy of the questionnaire, fill it out and<br />
bring it over the The Hive. Alternatively,<br />
just email me with any ideas: angela.<br />
caley@4children.org.uk. I would also love<br />
to hear from parents, with any suggestions<br />
or concerns, so please feel free to contact<br />
me. I only work 18 hours so I apologise in<br />
advance if it takes me a while to reply!<br />
Bye for now, from me and the<br />
rest of the Airplay Team!<br />
To find out about upcoming<br />
Airplay events visit www.<br />
marhamhub.co.uk/youth-centre<br />
16 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 17
Cinema Film listings<br />
for September 2012<br />
RAF <strong>Marham</strong><br />
Three’s a Crowd<br />
WEDDINGFEATURE<br />
catering | venues | photography | Flowers<br />
Film listings for…<br />
Sept<br />
Sunday 2nd<br />
A cinderella story:<br />
Once Upon a song<br />
PG, 88mins<br />
Katie Gibbs is overworked and<br />
terrified of being put back in<br />
foster care. However, vocally<br />
gifted Katie finally gets upset<br />
when she is forced to sing tracks,<br />
so her untalented stepsister<br />
can win a recording contract.<br />
Monday 3rd<br />
The hunger games<br />
12a, 142mins<br />
Set in a future where the Capitol<br />
selects a boy and girl from<br />
the twelve districts to fight to<br />
the death on live television.<br />
Sunday 9th<br />
Beverly hills<br />
chihuahua 3<br />
u, 89mins<br />
When Papi & co move into a<br />
Monday 17th<br />
Avengers assemble<br />
12a, 143mins<br />
Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D.<br />
brings together a team of<br />
super humans to form The<br />
Avengers to help save the<br />
Earth from Loki and his army.<br />
Sunday 23rd<br />
Avengers assemble<br />
12a, 143mins<br />
Synopsis as above.<br />
Monday 24th<br />
the dictator<br />
15, 83mins<br />
The heroic story of a dictator<br />
who risks his life to ensure<br />
that democracy would<br />
never come to the country<br />
he so lovingly oppressed.<br />
Sunday 31st<br />
Spy kids: All the<br />
time in the world<br />
pg, 89mins<br />
A retired spy is called back into<br />
action, and to bond with her<br />
new step-children, she invites<br />
them along for the adventure<br />
to stop the evil Timekeeper<br />
Grand Opening<br />
Sandringham Centre<br />
To celebrate the grand opening of the newly refurbished<br />
Sandringham Centre, the RAF <strong>Marham</strong> community<br />
are invited to come along and enjoy the occasion.<br />
The Sandringham<br />
Centre will be<br />
formally opened at<br />
11am on Tuesday<br />
25th September 2012,<br />
by AVM Atha, AOC No 1 Gp<br />
after which the centre will<br />
be open for business.<br />
Please come along<br />
to support this fantastic<br />
and unique community<br />
facility where the new sensory<br />
room, training kitchen, music<br />
room, youth group and<br />
internet facilities (plus much<br />
more) will be open to view.<br />
Outside activities will<br />
include a bouncy castle,<br />
children’s entertainer and the<br />
BFBS ice-cream van making<br />
the opening a real family event.<br />
We hope to see you there!<br />
‘Three’s a Crowd’ is a charity event that has been set<br />
up to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund which<br />
will run from the 1st to the 30th September 2012,<br />
which will involve SAC Lou Lyons, SAC Jo Hunt and<br />
SAC El Davies completing a triathlon together.<br />
Lou will be completing<br />
1,000 miles on the bike<br />
the equivalent of Land’s<br />
End to John O’Groats,<br />
Jo will be running 140<br />
miles the equivalent distance<br />
from RAF <strong>Marham</strong> to RAF Brize<br />
Norton, the distance <strong>Marham</strong><br />
personnel travel before they<br />
deploy and El will be swimming<br />
30 miles the equivalent<br />
of the 1.5 times the Dover<br />
Strait. This will be completed<br />
PARALYMPIC<br />
REUNIOn<br />
along side their normal duties.<br />
Thank you for your support!<br />
If anyone wishes to<br />
donate, please see link<br />
below for just giving<br />
website or contact any of<br />
the individuals at PSF on<br />
Ext 6649 or 6650. www.<br />
justgiving.com/teams/<br />
RAFBFThreesACrowd<br />
In <strong>Marham</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> we have been following the progress<br />
of our resident champion Powerlifter Sgt Ann Thomas.<br />
Well, Sgt Thomas is set for, what is likely to be an<br />
emotional reunion with a young GB athlete who she<br />
talent spotted four years ago during a school visit.<br />
Cakey Bakey King’s Lynn<br />
For your Classic wedding<br />
cakes & Groom cakes<br />
Creative • Affordable<br />
• delicious<br />
Also Birthday Cakes, &<br />
Scrumptious Cheese Cakes<br />
Contact Julie on 07904508444<br />
Email: julie652@btinternet.com Find us at qype.co.uk<br />
Paul Witt Catering - 01553 676169<br />
• Weddings and catering for all occasions<br />
• 25 years experience<br />
• Mobile: 07946 178085<br />
Email: rich@heron73.freeserve.co.uk<br />
www.paulwittcatering.co.uk<br />
HONEYMOON,<br />
CRUISE & HOLIDAY<br />
SPECIALIST<br />
luxurious hotel, his youngest pup<br />
Rosa feels neglected and he must<br />
show her how special she is.<br />
Monday 10th<br />
American Reunion<br />
15, 113mins<br />
Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and<br />
from taking over the world.<br />
how to find us…<br />
Located in the refurbished Louis Bar<br />
Function Room (Grafton Club) shown<br />
on the large screen in a relaxed,<br />
comfortably seated atmosphere.<br />
Medal hopeful<br />
Zoe Newson<br />
was playing<br />
badminton<br />
when she was<br />
spotted by Ann and asked<br />
if she had ever considered<br />
Powerlifting as a sport. Zoe,<br />
again in London. Ann, who was<br />
selected as a Flag Bearer for the<br />
RAF due to all of her own success<br />
over the last seven years in the<br />
sport of powerlifting, which is<br />
not an Olympic sport for able<br />
bodied athletes, is part of the<br />
victory ceremony for Zoe’s event.<br />
With many years experience let Ultimate Destinations make your<br />
Honeymoon extra special, we have lots of ideas to discuss -<br />
Tel: 01603 891879 or corin.germany@ultimatedestinations.co.uk<br />
Indian Ocean - Safari - UK Hot Tub Lodge -<br />
Caribbean - Mediterranean - Far East - Cruise<br />
their friends reunite in East<br />
Great Falls, Michigan for<br />
their high school reunion.<br />
no membership<br />
is required<br />
who suffers from dwarfism,<br />
had previously taken part<br />
in the dwarf games but<br />
Ann said “It is such an honour<br />
to there in the first place but now<br />
to see it all come full circle and<br />
ROYAL MARQUEES<br />
Sunday 16th<br />
pirates in an<br />
adventure with<br />
scientists<br />
u, 88mins<br />
Pirate Captain sets out on a<br />
mission to defeat his rivals Black<br />
Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the<br />
Pirate of the year Award. The<br />
quest takes Captain and his crew<br />
from the shores of Blood Island to<br />
the streets of Victorian London.<br />
A small donation of £1 per person<br />
would be gratefully received upon<br />
entry, to help maintain this service.<br />
Opening times<br />
Sunday film<br />
Doors open at 2pm and<br />
the film starts at 2:30pm<br />
monday film<br />
Doors open at 7pm and<br />
the film starts at 7:30pm<br />
in athletics and football.<br />
Her transition to weights<br />
was remarkable and she<br />
demonstrated an immediate<br />
talent for the sport and has<br />
gone on to compete at World<br />
Championships as a junior<br />
and the Commonwealth<br />
Games in Delhi and now<br />
the 2012 Paralympics.<br />
Zoe credits Ann for her start<br />
in the sport and in an amazing<br />
twist of fate the pair will meet<br />
not only meet up with Zoe again<br />
but potentially be part of a medal<br />
ceremony that could feature<br />
her is just amazing. To think<br />
it all started with her playing<br />
badminton; it is great to see<br />
how well she has progressed.”<br />
Zoe recently sent Ann a<br />
message on Facebook following<br />
her selection for the Paralympics<br />
saying it would not have been<br />
possible without her. Powerlifting<br />
starts on the 30th August.<br />
Marquee hire for wedding and parties.<br />
Marquees to suit all styles and budgets.<br />
Royal marquees can provide marquees for<br />
any event summer and winter and size.<br />
Framed and Traditional marquees.<br />
We also do Barn/Hall linings and out door lighting... and much more.<br />
www.royalmarquees.co.uk 01366 324292<br />
18 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 19
Thames diamond<br />
jubilee pageant<br />
The RAF Sailing Association have three Safety Boats in total; two are based in RAF Henlow and the other based in RAF Odiham,<br />
which are used by the RAFSA Safety Team to provide Safety and Rescue cover to Military and Civilian waterborne sporting events.<br />
The organisers of the Thames<br />
Diamond Jubilee Pageant requested<br />
RAFSA Safety to provide personnel<br />
and assets to assist with the<br />
Manpowered fleet as the Pageant<br />
made its way down the Thames from the<br />
muster points to the dispersal area. It was an<br />
honour to be involved in this historic event.<br />
Back in mid 2011, I received along with<br />
a few other personnel from RAF <strong>Marham</strong> a<br />
request from the RAF Safety team co-ordinator<br />
a tasking to participate in and help manage<br />
the safety element of the manpowered fleet<br />
for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.<br />
We were asked if we could provide a number<br />
of boats and crews, and contribute to the<br />
planning and team briefings leading up to the<br />
event. The safety team managed to organise<br />
the use of eight boats in total one of which<br />
was the RAF <strong>Marham</strong> Dive RHIB (Rigid Hull<br />
Inflatable Boat) a 5.5 metre Rib craft boat with<br />
115hp engine on the back to push it along.<br />
The boat itself has been sat dormant for a<br />
number of years so after a good brush down<br />
a test drive I had the confidence that it would<br />
do its job during this prestigious event.<br />
Friday 1st June - the gathering began,<br />
the two RAFSA RHIBs housed at Henlow<br />
were joined by another from Rutland, then<br />
late evening one from 38 Bde NI. Saturday,<br />
three more boats arrive including me with<br />
the RAF <strong>Marham</strong>’s Dive Club Boat and thus<br />
four RHIBS became seven. At 13:00hrs the<br />
convoy of seven boats rolled out of Henlow<br />
for a three hour journey round the M25<br />
bound for Richmond on the outskirts of<br />
London. Our base for the next three days<br />
would be Thames Young Mariners (TYM),<br />
a Surrey County Council Outdoor Centre.<br />
By 16:30 seven safety boats became sixteen<br />
as more RHIBs arrived at our base camp. We<br />
now had a total of eight RAFSA crewed and<br />
eight civilian boats from other organisations<br />
at the campsite. The first priority was to get<br />
the tents up and a brew on, then prepare<br />
the boats for launching. The launch site was<br />
nearly two miles away and needed careful<br />
coordination to get the boats on the water<br />
and then trailers recovered back to TYM.<br />
The launch operation took over four hours,<br />
but by 9pm we were back at the campsite<br />
just in time for the rain to start and to get our<br />
heads down for some well deserved rest.<br />
After a good rest, the following morning, the<br />
team started to assemble; kit check, id, security<br />
passes, spare clothes, food, and fuel. Half an<br />
hour later 16 boats slipped their moorings and<br />
started downstream. The mist rising slowly<br />
off the water adding to the eerie quiet as the<br />
boats motored at a leisurely four knots.<br />
Once past Richmond lock we started to<br />
come across a flotilla of motorboats, canal<br />
boats and motor cruisers all moored ready<br />
for mustering later in the day. We travelled<br />
past Putney Embankment where Dragon<br />
Boats and Gondolas were preparing to launch;<br />
the crowds were already starting to build.<br />
Our first stopping point was at Wandsworth<br />
River Quarter Pier where 16 safety boats now<br />
became 55. With the Safety Fleet briefing<br />
imminent, we first had to go through security<br />
checks, collect accreditation flags and briefing<br />
packs. The briefing gave us the expected<br />
number of boats, security considerations<br />
and most importantly the weather forecast,<br />
overcast to start, and then rain, rain and<br />
more rain to follow. It also gave the crews<br />
a chance to group into their squadrons and<br />
go through individual action plans relevant<br />
to the fleet that they were managing.<br />
With the briefing over, and the Safety<br />
boats dispersed to pre arranged locations to<br />
cover the launching and muster of Waterman<br />
Cutters, Viking Longboats, Gigs, Skiffs,<br />
Kayaks and Trinity 500s and many more. RAF<br />
<strong>Marham</strong>’s RHIB Coxwained by me and another<br />
RAFSA team member were tasked to cover<br />
the lead pack of rowing boats these being the<br />
Waterman Cutters a long rowing boat crewed<br />
by 10- 15 rowers. The muster area stretched<br />
from Battersea Bridge to Putney with the<br />
powered boats mustering from Putney to Kew.<br />
At 14:30 on Chelsea Bridge, with the steam<br />
locomotive Princess Elizabeth giving a long<br />
blast on its whistle and generating a great<br />
cloud of steam, 325 boats started rowing,<br />
interspersed with Safety and Marshall boats<br />
to make sure there were no mishaps. The<br />
task was to maintain a steady four knots and<br />
keep moving until<br />
the dispersal point<br />
after Tower Bridge.<br />
The banks of the<br />
river were lined with<br />
thousands of people,<br />
more looking on from<br />
balconies and roofs<br />
of high rise buildings.<br />
TV cameras were<br />
mounted on bridges,<br />
tall buildings and<br />
on cherry pickers<br />
swaying in the wind<br />
(not a job for the<br />
faint hearted).<br />
As the first<br />
boats passed under<br />
Albert Bridge they prepared to salute HM The<br />
Queen who was on The Spirit of Chartwell<br />
moored at Cadogan Pier. Abeam Her Majesty<br />
the first boats ‘raised oars’ in salute, but very<br />
quickly the following squadrons were bearing<br />
down and couldn’t maintain separation.<br />
As more boats raised oars, Gigs mixed<br />
with Cutters, Longboats with Kayaks and<br />
Dragon boats, very quickly seven squadrons<br />
became one big squadron. Not quite what<br />
was planned but it still looked spectacular.<br />
Further back in the fleet was the last section<br />
to pass HM The Queen was the Trinity 500s,<br />
a section of 55 craft manned by Sea Cadets<br />
from all across the country. After all the<br />
manpowered fleet had passed Her Majesty’s<br />
boat they then moved out into the centre of the<br />
As we approached Tower Bridge<br />
the light rain that had been with<br />
us for most of the journey became<br />
a downpour, the wind increased<br />
further making it harder for the<br />
rowers to make any headway.<br />
river and followed the fleet through the centre<br />
of London. Each time The Spirit of Chartwell<br />
neared a bridge, the Royal Marines Band on<br />
the Herald Barge would play a Royal Fanfare.<br />
The assembled crowds on the river banks and<br />
bridge would respond with a massive cheer.<br />
As we approached Tower Bridge the<br />
light rain that had been with us for most of<br />
the journey became a downpour, the wind<br />
increased further making it harder for the<br />
rowers to make any headway. After Tower<br />
Bridge, at HMS President, The Spirit of<br />
Chartwell docked for Her Majesty The Queen<br />
to take the Salute from the 500 or so powered<br />
craft that were following behind. It was also<br />
the start of the dispersal for the manpowered<br />
fleet. Dispersal points were situated on the<br />
North and South banks at St Katherine’s Marina<br />
and South Dock. Boats had to then try and<br />
navigate through the flotilla to get to the correct<br />
side and at the same time try and maintain<br />
a corridor for the powered boats passing<br />
through. Very quickly boats started queuing at<br />
locks and docks from Shadwell basin to Poplar<br />
Sailing Club, the safety boats maintaining<br />
order as the now cold and wet rowers were<br />
trying to get ashore as quickly as possible.<br />
Our job now complete, it was time for the<br />
Safety boats to regroup at Wapping for the<br />
return up the Thames. The main bulk of the<br />
powered fleet was prevented from returning<br />
upstream due to Port Of London Authority<br />
‘roadblocks’ at Canary Wharf until the back<br />
markers had safely passed downstream. The<br />
Trinity safety boats slipped past the blocks<br />
with an official nod and proceeded upstream<br />
to meet with the rest of the pack. After a long<br />
wait in the rain the call came that the River<br />
was now open again time for the safety fleet<br />
to go home. A PLA launch, its blue lights<br />
flashing, escorted the RHIB fleet back through<br />
the centre of London towards Richmond.<br />
Forty plus boats created quite a choppy<br />
surface for those following which made the<br />
ride back much more fun. People were still<br />
out on either side of the River, balconies and<br />
bridges cheering and waving as we passed.<br />
Once past Wandsworth bridge the PLA<br />
launch broke away and left us to make our<br />
own way back at a more sedate pace of the six<br />
knot speed limit. At Putney we said farewell<br />
to the rest of the RHIBs and the original fleet<br />
of 14 headed for Richmond. At 22:00, in the<br />
darkness, we moored the last boat and got<br />
the kit and crew ashore. A brew and bed<br />
were calling and we didn’t care which order.<br />
Each member of the team had spent over 15<br />
hours afloat and each boat had travelled a<br />
total distance of approximately 50 miles.<br />
The next morning we recovered the boats<br />
said our farewells and headed for home with<br />
thoughts that will be with me for a number of<br />
years. The next event for the RAFSA Safety<br />
team sees us manning the safety boats for the<br />
Paralympics down in Weymouth and Portland.<br />
A big thank you must go to RAF <strong>Marham</strong>’s<br />
Dive Club for allowing the RAFSA Safety<br />
team the use of their Dive rib for this event.<br />
If you are interested in joining the team,<br />
please drop CT Duncan Cooper a line<br />
or ring Henlow 7789. We are always<br />
looking for new volunteers and can<br />
provide training for RYA Powerboat<br />
and Safety Boat certificates.<br />
20 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 21
WEDDINGFEATURE<br />
catering | venues | photography | Flowers<br />
Providing fully licensed bars<br />
for all occasions including<br />
weddings, private parties<br />
We provide a number of services which can vary according<br />
to your event. Our main services include:<br />
•Fully Licensed Bars<br />
Complete Package. Free<br />
Of Charge<br />
• Drinks On Arrival.<br />
• Wholesale Wine,<br />
Champagne & Sparkling.<br />
• Cocktail Bar.<br />
• Wine Bar.<br />
• Real Cask Ale.<br />
• Glass & Equipment Hire.<br />
• Full Bar Equipment<br />
Rental - Do It Yourself.<br />
• Professional Bar Staff &<br />
Waiting Staff Hire.<br />
13 Salters Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 4HF<br />
Telephone (01553) 671861 Mobile 07880 558 402<br />
Fax (07092) 311481 Email : info@premierbars.co.uk<br />
www.premierbars.co.uk<br />
Take a Break<br />
from Planning...<br />
Memberships,<br />
spa sessions available<br />
Gym - Swim - Spa<br />
Get in shape for<br />
your special day<br />
Great Ketlam Farm Pentney<br />
01760 338933<br />
www.energise-pentney.co.uk<br />
Contemporary Wedding Photography in Downham Market<br />
Telling Stories One Picture at a Time<br />
www.PixBeatPhoto.com • info@pixbeatphoto.com<br />
07732 456853 • 01366 858426<br />
Mix of Reportage and Traditional<br />
Packages to Suit All Budgets<br />
Engagement Sessions<br />
Trash the Dress<br />
Telling Stories One Picture at a Time...<br />
A contemporary photographic<br />
company in Downham Market<br />
run by American born owner<br />
Chris Biele. Chris spent<br />
nearly ten years of his life<br />
on the Costa del Sol where<br />
he refined his talent for<br />
capturing stunning images.<br />
His time as a photographer<br />
in Spain allowed him to<br />
explore many different facets<br />
of the art, from weddings<br />
and portraits to events and<br />
commercial shoots.<br />
Chris recently relocated to<br />
Norfolk with his English wife,<br />
Ellie and their three kids to<br />
be closer to family. Although<br />
he enjoyed the Spanish<br />
lifestyle he appreciates the<br />
stability the UK offers and<br />
the familiarity of the culture.<br />
Starting as a new brand,<br />
PixBeat Photo has proved<br />
a great success so far,<br />
as Chris is able to cover<br />
a wide range of different<br />
jobs and events, although<br />
his true passion is wedding<br />
photography. Of that he says,<br />
“I absolutely love sharing the<br />
magic of a wedding day with<br />
all of the couples I work with.<br />
The best part is knowing that<br />
my art will form such a large<br />
part of how they and their<br />
families remember those<br />
special moments for the rest<br />
of their lives.”<br />
PixBeat Photo also offers<br />
stunning family, maternity<br />
and children’s photo<br />
sessions. Whether you’re<br />
seeking a bump to baby<br />
photo package or you just<br />
want a few images of your<br />
newest addition to the family,<br />
they have a package to suit<br />
any budget. With a mobile<br />
portrait studio they can<br />
come direct to you.<br />
To get the most out of your<br />
upcoming wedding or event,<br />
get in touch with PixBeat<br />
Photo or find them on<br />
Facebook for details about<br />
one of their free portrait<br />
sittings.<br />
Contact Chris Biele on:<br />
07732 456853<br />
01366 858426<br />
chris@pixbeatphoto.com<br />
www.PixBeatPhoto.com<br />
DENVER GOLF CLUB<br />
Floodlit & heated driving range and 18-hole golf course<br />
Denver Golf Club Specials!<br />
Lessons available from £15.00 per 30 minutes with Jason E Groat - our PGA Professional<br />
New grips fitted to your clubs while-u-wait from £4.00 per grip<br />
We have a fully stocked Golf Shop Regular Seasonal Sessions<br />
Thursdays 5.00 pm - Juniors’ Golf Lessons - £6.00 per person per lesson<br />
Come and Play 9 Holes on the Big Course and get a bucket of golf balls for<br />
the range and a FRESH COFFEE and a BACON SANDWICH for just £12<br />
Membership available from £1.00 per person per day!<br />
Golf rounds starting from £5.50 per person per round!<br />
Come and enjoy a fresh coffee and something to eat in our wonderful café!<br />
WHEELCHAIR GOLF LESSONS AVAILABLE<br />
Weddings and functions available, in a fabulous marquee from just £300<br />
Sluice Road, Denver, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 0EG<br />
Tel: 01366 385716 www.denvergolfcentre.co.uk<br />
photo supplied by Royal Marquees<br />
22 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 23
Weddings at Timbers<br />
Each and every wedding at Timbers<br />
Hotel & Restaurant can be planned<br />
to be as individual as you are, let<br />
our dedicated wedding co-ordinator<br />
assist you with every stage of your<br />
special day.<br />
The planning of your celebration<br />
should be a pleasure and at Timbers<br />
we pride ourselves in our traditional<br />
hospitality and professionalism.<br />
01366 347747<br />
Timbers Country Hotel & Restaurant, Lynn Road, Fincham, Norfolk, PE33 9HE<br />
weddings@timbersevents.com<br />
Norfolk’s best kept secret...<br />
Timbers is a lovingly<br />
restored barn complex<br />
incorporating a family<br />
restaurant, hotel,<br />
bar and function facilities.<br />
We are located in Fincham,<br />
close to Downham Market<br />
and King’s Lynn.<br />
<br />
Our food is lovingly prepared<br />
daily using fresh ingredients<br />
sourced as close to home<br />
as possible.<br />
Timbers restaurant offers a<br />
wide and varied menu, using<br />
locally sourced produce from<br />
small local suppliers whenever<br />
possible. We offer traditionally<br />
cooked food with the option of<br />
eating in the bar, beside the log<br />
fire or in the restaurant.<br />
Food is served daily; we have an<br />
extensive all day menu and an A<br />
la Carte menu which is available<br />
most evenings. We also have our<br />
chef’s specials!<br />
On Sundays we offer a home<br />
cooked Carvery, with a selection<br />
of four meats or nut loaf and<br />
salmon for vegetarians, served<br />
with lashings of vegetables,<br />
traditional roast potatoes and<br />
Yorkshire pudding.<br />
Join us for a relaxed breakfast<br />
in the Forge, a light lunch with<br />
a chilled glass of wine, or enjoy<br />
our fabulous seasonal and local<br />
food and fine wines in one of our<br />
restaurants. Our restaurant is<br />
situated in the heart of Fincham,<br />
close to Downham Market.<br />
With 2 traditional beamed rooms to<br />
choose from for your ceremony - 3 very<br />
different style rooms for your wedding<br />
breakfast and evening reception.<br />
<br />
Our Marquee is draped with ivory linen,<br />
featuring grand chandeliers for that classic<br />
white wedding feel.<br />
Flower Corner<br />
49 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1AG<br />
Telephone: 01553 774544<br />
www.flowercornerfloristry.co.uk<br />
At Flower Corner and Elizabeth the<br />
Florist we specialise in wedding floristry.<br />
We offer a personal, professional<br />
service to all our brides and are<br />
always on hand to offer advice.<br />
We cater for all budgets<br />
however large or small and are<br />
very competitively priced.<br />
We have a wide selection of<br />
glassware/candelabras for hire.<br />
We offer a complete service from<br />
bridal bouquets, buttonholes,<br />
church and function flowers.<br />
We do not charge to set up at your<br />
chosen venue or to deliver your bridal<br />
bouquets (*within a local radius).<br />
We suggest booking an appointment<br />
so one of our florists can spend time<br />
going through your requirements and<br />
then we send you a personalised quote.<br />
Elizabeth the Florist<br />
23 Bridge Street, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DW<br />
Telephone: 01366 384414<br />
www.floristdownhammarket.co.uk<br />
24 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk
SWO’s Summer Spree<br />
update & marham<br />
infant school<br />
DIY SOS<br />
<strong>Marham</strong><br />
Infant<br />
School<br />
On Monday 23rd July a<br />
group of 35 eager volunteers<br />
undertook the role of<br />
painters and decorators for<br />
the <strong>Marham</strong> Infant School.<br />
The planned event<br />
was to conduct<br />
a redecoration<br />
programme<br />
over two days<br />
whilst the school’s children<br />
were on holiday. Having<br />
acquired donations of<br />
magnolia paint, brushes<br />
and rollers, the volunteers<br />
arrived at 8am prompt.<br />
After a short brief<br />
from Head Teacher Mrs<br />
Michaela Webb the<br />
team set about turning all walls to magnolia<br />
whilst adding gloss to doors, doorframes<br />
and skirting boards. It should be noted that<br />
some team members clearly missed the brief<br />
and concentrated on painting themselves.<br />
Concurrently other team members were either<br />
painting or reroofing outside sheds, gardening<br />
and in one case a bit of welding was needed<br />
to enable trolley wheels to function correctly!<br />
I am extremely proud to be able to write<br />
that the event was a total success. On<br />
behalf of the school, my sincere thanks to all<br />
those willing volunteers who participated<br />
in the two day voluntary event. Please<br />
note, amongst the volunteers where a<br />
selection of individuals who in essence<br />
have nothing to do with the school but were<br />
purely willing to support the community.<br />
As a result of a short yet effective<br />
Summer Spree it’s obvious that<br />
we “Team <strong>Marham</strong>” all hold our<br />
unit in high esteem. Indeed, our<br />
standing with the local populace<br />
could not be better, and long may it last.<br />
The Station continues to professionally and<br />
diligently demonstrate it’s abilities through<br />
both continued support to Operations around<br />
the world and more recently the ongoing<br />
Thanks to: Lee Colwell, Andrea Culley,<br />
Richard Wakeman, Chris Medley, Jodie<br />
Clarke, Emily Burns, Craig Longden, Luke<br />
Garrett, Phil Terant, Mark Farrar, Shuna<br />
Bonnar-Ford, Adrian Young, Jack Gane,<br />
Jake Gane, Dan Mustafa, Dave Brettel,<br />
Andy Turk, Dave Lamacraft, Jason Trigg,<br />
Stu Aikman, Josh & Jacob Day, Caroline<br />
Williamson, Lynne Martin, Ruth Pedley,<br />
Nicola Marson, Glynn McAlister & Padre<br />
Burns. Finally If I’ve missed your name<br />
“sorry” I know I’ve missed a few. You know<br />
who you are and that’s what counts…<br />
To quote the BBC’s ‘DIY SOS’ presenter<br />
Nick Knowles at the end of his programme:<br />
“Isn’t it great to see what a community<br />
can do when they pull together!”<br />
Grabbing the Bull by the Horns<br />
As I prepare to depart and take my turn on Operational duties, I feel it only<br />
fitting to highlight a few observations since my arrival in January.<br />
Olympic commitment. As we approach the<br />
autumn, the Station will conduct an array of<br />
ceremonial parades, I kindly ask you support<br />
these prestigious events and help maintain<br />
the superb reputation of RAF <strong>Marham</strong>.<br />
I finally ask that in my absence, you<br />
will collectively act on my behalf by<br />
upholding the finest Ethos and Traditions<br />
along with maintaining those all<br />
important Core Values and Standards.<br />
A THANK YOU FROM<br />
MARHAM<br />
INFANT<br />
SCHOOL<br />
Written By: Michaela Webb, Headteacher of <strong>Marham</strong> Infant School<br />
The 2011 – 2012 academic year at<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> Infant School was exciting,<br />
busy, full of fun and learning, helped<br />
enormously by the involvement<br />
of our fantastic community.<br />
During the year our learning<br />
extended beyond the school, into<br />
the community and further afield.<br />
From <strong>Marham</strong> to London we have<br />
been out and about to sing and<br />
enjoy lots of different experiences. At home<br />
we have worked on the allotments and been<br />
involved with a number of charities all of<br />
which have helped to develop the children’s<br />
growing understanding of commitment<br />
and sense of pride in their community.<br />
With each passing term I have been<br />
continually amazed at the enthusiasm<br />
and kindness shown by the families and<br />
community towards the school. From baking<br />
and ‘camo’ fundraising days to sports and<br />
painting the efforts of families and the local<br />
community have ensured the children feel<br />
part of a bigger society, something which<br />
they have told me they really enjoy. We have<br />
also been in receipt of money raised during<br />
events such as the <strong>Marham</strong> Bake Off and the<br />
Jubilee Picnic. We will be investing most of<br />
the money by purchasing equipment for the<br />
children, however we will also be reinvesting<br />
some of it back into the community by<br />
helping with community projects.<br />
By the time this article appears we will be<br />
enjoying the start of a new academic year.<br />
The school has grown considerably and<br />
necessitated the installation of a new modular<br />
building. The aging school interior has been<br />
completely re-decorated thanks to the efforts<br />
of the Station Warrant Officer and everyone<br />
who came into school to help us during the<br />
first two days of the summer holidays, I<br />
was completely at loss for words (for those<br />
who know me will understand that this is<br />
unusual!) and have been humbled by the help<br />
and kindness shown by so many during this<br />
project and others like it throughout the year.<br />
So, as we head into another busy and<br />
exciting time here at <strong>Marham</strong> Infant School<br />
I would like to invite you to visit your<br />
community school and should you wish to be<br />
involved in any way (reading with children,<br />
playing games, team sports, gardening<br />
etc) please do not hesitate to contact us<br />
for a chat, we would love to see you.<br />
Once again, thank you to everyone who<br />
has made our school what it is today.<br />
26 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 27
Insurance Approved • Accident Repairs<br />
Restoration • Windscreens • Body Kits<br />
Chris Brown (Downham Market) Ltd<br />
Sovereign Way, Trafalgar Industrial Estate,<br />
Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9SW<br />
Tel: 01366 386608 Fax: 01366 386005<br />
www.chrisbrownuk.com<br />
Motorcycle servicing, repairs, spares,<br />
tuning, modifying, restoration.<br />
For more info please see our website<br />
www.icenimotorcycles.co.uk<br />
Now moved to new premises at,<br />
Narborough Garage, Main Road,<br />
Narborough PE32 1TE<br />
Tel: 01760 444359<br />
93 EAS raise money for<br />
“Scotty’s<br />
Little<br />
Soldiers”<br />
Written By: Chief Tech Evans<br />
93 EAS have chosen to raise money for “Scotty’s Little<br />
Soldiers” a King’s Lynn based charity, who provide<br />
days out for children whose mother or father has<br />
made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Her<br />
Majesty’s Armed Forces on military operations.<br />
A<br />
total of £450 was<br />
raised through<br />
donations to the<br />
Squadron T-Bar by<br />
Squadron personnel<br />
and visitors. We have also<br />
donated £250 this year raised<br />
through a charity golf and<br />
auction day “The Webb Charity<br />
Open” which was held this<br />
year at “Tydd Saint Giles GC”<br />
on the 22nd August 2012.<br />
93 EAS Raise money for<br />
Scotty’s little soldiers<br />
& THe RAF Police<br />
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FROM<br />
THE RAF POLICE<br />
Written By: Cpl Cowley, RAF Police<br />
I am Cpl Cowley a JNCO<br />
of the RAF Police Flight<br />
and I would like to<br />
give you an insight<br />
into why we are<br />
here and what we<br />
can do for you.<br />
The RAF Police<br />
are here in a<br />
security role<br />
and as a law<br />
enforcement<br />
team for RAF <strong>Marham</strong>.<br />
The Norfolk Constabulary<br />
has Police jurisdiction over<br />
Upper <strong>Marham</strong> however,<br />
we are a Policing<br />
agency and are here<br />
to help if you need us.<br />
As a resident of Upper<br />
<strong>Marham</strong> we want you to know<br />
that if you witness a serious<br />
incident, you should call<br />
Norfolk Constabulary on 101.<br />
Alternatively, you can also call<br />
the RAF Police on 01760 337261<br />
Ext: 7227 and we can attend<br />
the scene within minutes. We<br />
can offer assistance ranging<br />
from support when dealing<br />
with pushy salesmen to<br />
reacting to serious crime.<br />
With the arrival of our<br />
SNCO I/C RAF Police, FS Close,<br />
he would like to introduce a<br />
new road safety campaign.<br />
The wearing of seatbelts<br />
is compulsory at all MoD<br />
establishments and the<br />
discovery of this offence<br />
can result in the removal<br />
of your RAF <strong>Marham</strong><br />
vehicle pass for up to<br />
seven days regardless<br />
of your working location<br />
or employment position.<br />
You will also see in the<br />
near future, life size cut<br />
outs of a RAF Police NCO<br />
carrying out speed checks.<br />
These will be positioned<br />
in speeding hot spots<br />
and will occasionally be<br />
accompanied by a RAF<br />
Police NCO carrying out<br />
speed checks. This should<br />
highlight to all unit personnel<br />
and visitors, the need to obey<br />
the 25mph speed limit on the<br />
domestic site and the 30 to<br />
40mph ring road speed limit.<br />
Remember, we are here for<br />
your safety and security, if<br />
you have any concerns do<br />
not hesitate to give us a call<br />
on 01760 337261 Ext: 7227.<br />
28 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk<br />
issue 8 marham matters 29
30 marham matters ISSue 8<br />
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk