Royal Air Force News Friday, December 26, 2025 P17
News
CAMARADERIE: There was a slap-up Christmas lunch and a chat for veterans at RAF Cranwell
EAT AND GREET: RAF Brize Norton event
True spirit of Christmas at RAF stations
BRIZE: Party was a cracker
Tracey Allen CHOIRS, VETERANS’ lunches and even a penguin have all featured in RAF stations’ seasonal celebrations, helping to forge community spirit, bring Christmas cheer, and raise funds for charities. RAF Brize Norton hosted its annual veterans Christmas lunch in the Officers’ Mess. The day is organised by the team from People & Families Support at Brize and included a tour of the Oxfordshire station, where visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the modern-day role of the RAF, meet those currently serving, and enjoy a Christmas lunch with personnel, including the Station Commander, Gp Capt Louise Henton and Commander Air Wing, Gp Capt Andy McIntyre. Kate Coats from People & Families Support said: “We have a great team who’ve pulled together to lay tables and polish glasses to get ready to welcome the veterans to Brize this year. Alongside our People & Families team we’ve had volunteers from across the station helping too, which has been great. It’s fantastic to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.” Gp Capt Henton said: “It’s a really good opportunity to bridge generational gaps by inviting veterans to speak with
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE: Singers at RAF Shawbury carol concert, attended by over 850 people
our current Service personnel as they tell stories about what life in the RAF today is like. “It’s also important for our people to hear about what life was like for our veterans, so it’s a real two-way street that everyone benefits from. People & Families Support have done a fantastic job, and I’d like to thank the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy for their support in making the event possible.” RAF Cranwell hosted a veterans’ Christmas lunch with entertainment
from vocalist Miss Sarah-Jane singing 1940s classics, and Cranwell Primary School Choir. And RAF Shawbury singers were in fine voice for one of the biggest carol concerts. More than 850 people were at St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury for the event, heralded by the entry of the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and the station commander, Wg Cdr Paddy Durnin, to a fanfare played by the Band of the RAF College. The RAF College Band, the Spitfires Choir and Shawbury’s own soloist, Sqn
Ldr Andy Smailes, all took part, along with St Mary’s Primary School Choir. More than £2,600 was raised for charity and Cosford’s Pipe Major David McRobb brought the concert to a stunning conclusion. Spare a thought over the holiday period for members of 78 Sqn hard at work at NATS Swanwick, where they provide air traffic services for all military aircraft within UK airspace. Personnel from Area Radar, Distress & Diversion, and the Military Airspace Management Cell will be continuing to ensure the safety of UK airspace during the festive season. The squadron organised a Christmas card drive to send cards to local hospitals and care homes, helping to engage with vulnerable members of the community. Personnel also ran a fundraising stall within NATS to raise money for both the RAFBF and Sophie’s Legacy, a local charity supporting families dealing with cancer and providing vital childhood cancer research. The fundraisers were delighted to be joined by Promise the Penguin, the charity’s mascot (pictured right).