Marham Autumn 2023

Inside this Issue: Family & Friends Day 2023 • Annual Formal Reception • Battle of Britain Commemoration • And more...

AUTUMN 2023 £FREE

The official publication of Royal Air Force Marham

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MARHAM MATTERS 1 www.rafmags.co.uk

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EDITOR: Vacant Email: mrm-mcogroup@mod. gov.uk RAF MARHAM WEB PAGE: www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham DESIGNER: Amanda Robinson Email: amanda@ lancemediagroup.co.uk SALES MANAGER: Jayne Bailey Tel: (01536) 334219 Email: jayne@ lancemediagroup.co.uk PRINTER: Micropress

07 REGULARS Station Commander's Foreword ............................................................ 05 Community Support ............................................................ 21

16

NEWS Annual Formal Reception ............................................................ 06 Bull Community Team

ON THE COVER: Photo by AS1 Knox

............................................................ 08 Padre's Peace

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by the contributors to the Marham Matters are not necessarily those of the Editor, MoD, RAF or the publishers and do not reflect Station policy. All precautions are taken to ensure 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. All Images © Crown Copyright 2023, unless otherwise stated.

STOCKISTS: The Surgery, Marham, Manor Farm Medical Centre, Swaffham, Plowright Medical Centre, Swaffham, The Surgery, Swaffham, Howdale Surgery, Downham Market, Hollies Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market, The Crossings Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market, The Grove Veterinary Surgery, Swaffham, Priory Centre, Downham Market, Lynn News, King’s Lynn, St Martin’s at Shouldham VA Primary School, Marham Infant School, Marham Junior School, Downham Market Academy, Nicholas Hammond Academy, Swaffham, Town Halls in Downham Market, Kings Lynn and Swaffham, BAE, Warton, Armed Forces Careers Office in Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough, Royal Air Force Association in Downham Market, Downham Market Air Cadets, All other RAF bases.

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............................................................ 08 The RAF unveil their latest Fighter at RIAT ............................................................. 10 RAF Marham RAFA Branch support the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre Team ..............................................................11 Family and Friends Day 2023 ............................................................. 12 Battle of Britain Commemoration ............................................................. 14

From the Editor

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here has this year gone? In the last edition we were talking about the summer holidays and here we are now into Halloween and Bonfire Night season with, dare I say it, Christmas just weeks away. With this time of year also comes the bad weather and the shorter days so please take care when driving around the area, particularly with the lack of street lighting in villages nearby. Also for the cyclists and runners remember your High Vis vests and lights so you can be seen and stay safe. Keep a lookout for a number of events that will be taking place over the coming weeks both at Marham and in the local area.

ESS launches latest Beehive Project at RAF Marham ............................................................. 16 World Record Row

Deadline for Next Issue: 15th November Please send any articles to mrm-mcogroup@mod.gov.uk

............................................................. 18 ‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’

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Station Commander’s

Foreword

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ho can believe that the summer is now over (despite a strong attempt for early October to be included in ‘summer’), the leaves are falling off the trees and the nights are drawing in. I think we can look back over the year and see how active we’ve been with so many different events going on. One of the highlights for me has to be the Families and Friends Day. It was fantastic to see so many people out on the Station enjoying all the rides, activities, food and of course the fantastic flying display, topped off by the After Party . I know that a lot of hard work goes into planning the event so I would like to say thank you to the committee for putting on such a fantastic day.

It seems like we have seen every possible weather event just over the last few months and I’m sure we will soon have ice and maybe snow to contend www.marhammattersonline.co.uk

with. The roads around Marham and further afield can be treacherous so please can I ask that you all take care, add a bit of extra time when travelling to and from work and make sure that your cars are winter ready. Look out for details of a Road Safety event coming up in due course and please go along and support find out what you can do to take part.

There has been a lot of work going on at Marham over the last year and this will continue for the foreseeable future as we deal with long overdue upgrades to some of the old facilities and the building of some new ones. This will ensure that Marham can continue to operate well into the future.

Please bear with us whilst these works take place as ultimately it will make a better place to live and work in the future.

Group Captain Wigglesworth MARHAM MATTERS 5

MARHAM MATTERS NEWS

Annual Formal Reception RAF Marham hosted an Annual Formal Reception recently with attendance from local dignitaries and guests.

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AF Marham hosted an Annual Formal Reception recently with attendance from local dignitaries and guests. The guests started with a brief from the Station Commander and Execs about RAF Marham and its current role and future events. After a small reception, the guests were invited outside the Officers' Mess to watch a sunset ceremony.

RAF Marham personnel were on parade accompanied by the amazing sound of the British Army Band Colchester.

The event was topped off with a flypast by an F-35B Lightning from 207 Squadron.

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MARHAM MATTERS NEWS

PADRE'S BULL COMMUNITY PEACE TEAM The Bull Community Team, which includes serving Military, their partners and local civilians, runs events for the local community out of the Blue Bull at RAF Marham.

The event for September was a Brewery night coinciding with the start of the Rugby World Cup with England vs Argentina.

After several weeks of planning, Duration Brewery, based in nearby West Acre, arrived at the Blue Bull and set up with two of their most popular beers on tap along with a good range of their canned beer. The Duration team were on hand to serve the beer, give tasting notes and advise on beers to suit the taste buds of those present. The Brewery also donated two brewery tour tickets and a beer gift pack for us to raffle for charity

the golden boot of George Ford and three successful drop goals and 6 penalties, by the 80th minute the score was a 27-10 victory to England.

Outside the Blue Bull local artisan food van, Self-Made Food, served food to order for those present at the event.

The Bull Community Team are always looking for new committee members to help plan and deliver events for the community. If you are interested, please contact the OIC Flt Lt Garwood via MRM-MCOGroup@ mod.gov.uk

With raffle tickets selling rapidly, beer going down well, and the delicious food served, all that was needed was an England win! England vs Argentina kicked off with a nervous start, especially with Tom Curry sent off in the 3rd Minute! But, with

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The event raised £73 which has been present to the Station Charities Committee. Thank you to all those who purchased raffle tickets.

As the event was such a success, the Bull Community Team are already planning the next local brewery event, so look out for the advertisement in the coming weeks.

We are heading into winter, the sunny days of summer have ended, the days are shorter and the weather colder. Also, as I get older, I am becoming more and more like the TV character Victor Meldrew, life is becoming a catalogue of things that irritate or depress me. I suspect many of us are the same.

Marham can be a bit like that, some find it a very difficult place to be, joy is sometimes sadly lacking – Frustration with location, lack of hot water, accommodation, workload, staffing levels, progression, employment for families, dentists, childcare and many more! If we look at our world it is hard to find any good news either – War in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere, natural disasters, economic uncertainty, cost of living, inflation, interest rates, energy bills….

It is so easy to get overwhelmed, to become depressed, so weighed down that you ask what is the point? We wonder how we can change the narrative into something more positive. Somebody said to me today it is a 50/50 chance the toast will land butter side down, but we think more on the times it does.

Now I do not wish to belittle our concerns for ourselves,

our families, or the world we live in, I don’t expect us to skip into the sunset and to break into song, this is serious stuff. We continue in our thoughts and prayers for the world and practically show our concern to those who are less fortunate, care for others is very positive for our Mental health so keep it up!

But if you want some peace you need to balance this, so reflect on the positives, on the times the toast lands butter side up, contemplate the wonderful things that lift our spirits. Put to one side one thing that weighs you down, one negative thought about yourself or your situation. Pay attention to yourself, go for a walk, read a book, meet with friends, treat yourself to a piece of cake. Life is a balance of compassion and care, but also Joy. So today look for some GOOD news around you and may the peace of God fill your heart and mind today.

Padre Eddie MRM -ChaplaincyCentreGroup@ mod.gov.uk

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MARHAM MATTERS

Swaffham Golf Club

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Special Offer Winter Membership Available From November Please contact for further details

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MARHAM MATTERS 9

MARHAM MATTERS NEWS

The RAF unveil their latest Fighter at RIAT 2023 The 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo will see the first public appearance of the RAF’s newest fighter. But this one has no wings, no weapons and anyone can be the pilot.

The newest addition to the RAF’s fleet is a full rally spec Ford Fiesta ST and is designed to be fighting for victory piloted

by RAF personnel in rallies across the UK. The rally car is an investment in engineering skills, teamwork and competitive spirit and is part of a number of unique recruitment and retention opportunities in the RAF.

Wing Commander Teasdale, the project officer explains, “There are so many shared benefits between competitive rallying and the demands of operations in the RAF. Intense teamwork forged by competition with precise engineering, all done under challenging circumstances applies equally to operations and rallying.”

Rallying involves a crew competing against the clock in austere terrain where every second counts and the crew only have their bravery, courage, technical abilities and wits to survive and prevail. The RAF Rally car, known as the ‘T Car’ is aimed at all RAF personnel who have always wanted to try rallying but have not been able

to afford the high start up costs.

Based at RAF Marham, the T Car enables RAF personnel to train and develop the skills required through mentoring and eventually compete in a full UK stage rally. The car is excepted to see its first ‘action’ in the tri-service Conningham Cup later in the year.

Photo by AS1 Knox

www.militarymags.co.uk 10 MARHAM MATTERS

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NEWS MARHAM MATTERS

RAF Marham RAFA Branch support the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre team Recently, the RAFA Marham Branch funded the purchase of polo shirts for the Centre volunteer staff. The polo shirts bear both the Heritage Centre logo and also the RAFA logo.

The Heritage team had been seeking support to enable them to have an identity within the Centre so that visitors could identify members of staff and also to give the volunteers pride in what they do.

The help RAFA Marham provided has greatly enhanced the way we are viewed by the public whilst promoting the Centre and raising the profile of RAFA with the many Veterans who visit the Centre.

Here we see Mr Edwards (exSWO) the President of the RAF

Marham RAFA Branch and Mr Roberts (ex-SWO) the Curator of the Heritage Centre sporting the new polo shirts when they were recently presented to the team.

A massive thank you to the Royal Air Forces Association on behalf of the entire team of the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre.

Also great thanks to Personalised Gifts for You for producing these excellent shirts, a great local company and again we are supporting our local businesses.

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Family and Friends Day 2023 Another fantastic Families Day was held in August this year with personnel, their families and friends and invited guests from the local community attending.

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he flying display started with everyone’s favourite, The Red Arrows, and continued throughout the day with displays from a variety of aircraft. The highlight, for those lucky enough to be chosen by ballot, was a flight on the impressive A400 aircraft.

On the ground guests were treated to a number of free rides and activities from the very popular dodgems and inflatables, to facepainting and www.marhammattersonline.co.uk

the array of activities within the industry zone. With a static aircraft display, classic cars and a number of different stalls there was plenty to do and see throughout the day. The food village was also extremely busy with a large choice of food and beverages from a number of vendors.

After the day event guests were treated to a Rugby match between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel on

station followed by an After Party on the football field with live music and DJ’s.

YOU to the following sponsors, whose generous donations made this day a fantastic success.

Another brilliant event which was only made possible by the hard work of the committee that had worked tirelessly over the months to pull this event together. Also a massive THANK

BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Aquila, Pratt and Whitney, Armed Forces Covenant, Rolls Royce, Lotus, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

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Battle of Britain Commemoration Personnel from RAF Marham took part in Battle of Britain commemoration events at Norwich and Kings At Tower Gardens, in Kings Lynn, Lynna last month. wreath was laid at the memorial alongside members of the local Air Cadet unit, veterans and members of the Royal Air Force Association.

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n Norwich a flight of personnel from RAF Marham were joined by The Band of the RAF Regiment as they commemorated the Battle of Britain and exercised their Freedom of Norwich. The parade marched past RAF Marham’s Station Commander, Group Captain Wigglesworth, the Lord Mayor of Norwich and other local dignitaries who had gathered on the steps of the City Hall. Sqn Ldr Spencer attended a ceremony at Norwich County Hall to commemorate the Battle of Britain, laying a wreath on behalf of the personnel from RAF Marham.

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MARHAM MATTERS

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ESS launches latest Beehive Project at RAF Marham The Defence, Marine & Aerospace sector of ESS, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has officially opened the latest beehive project on its Defence estate at RAF Marham. Guests including Station Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Squadron Leader David Bliss joined a special event to celebrate the sustainability project which has been delivered in collaboration with the site and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

ESS established its first bee colonies in 2020 at Brompton Barracks in Chatham and has since launched similar initiatives across its estate to support bee populations and promote biodiversity.

In the latest project at RAF Marham, a beehive has been introduced in an area of the site preserved for nature that also includes a bird-watching shelter and pond for use by the whole Defence community. Three ESS team members, one RAF 16 MARHAM MATTERS

colleague and a member of the site team have completed an eight-day course in beekeeping delivered by the West Norfolk and Kings Lynn Beekeepers Association and are now qualified to care for the bees.

The team plans to harvest their first honey next year.

The bee project is a part of a wider sustainability programme that ESS is driving at RAF Marham where it has also started a food growing initiative. The company has

an allocated allotment on site where it grows potatoes, onions, rhubarb and leeks. Produce is donated to team members and was showcased during a recent event where ESS chefs designed a special menu for the site command.

Beekeeping is also a recent addition to ESS’ contract at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Here the apiary is located within an organic garden built on site by ESS to grow ingredients for use in its menus.

At the original ESS apiary in Brompton Barracks, the project is going from strength to strength. The team won first place in the Medway & County Kent Beekeepers Association Honey Show during their first year of production and are now supporting three hives containing 135,000 bees in total!

Bees are being introduced elsewhere in the ESS business too, with the Government Services sector recently introducing hives at one of its

‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’

MARHAM MATTERS

police training centre contracts.

Gp Capt Fred Wigglesworth, RAF Marham Station Commander said “It’s fantastic to be able to support another environmental initiative at RAF Marham, with the introduction of our very own beehive within our Ladywood area. This was great work by ESS at RAF Marham to support a sustainability programme and we look forward to producing our very own ‘Buzz Lightning’ honey next year!”

Jill Tinsey, West Norfolk and King's Lynn Beekeepers' Association, commented: “West Norfolk and King’s Lynn Beekeepers are delighted to be part of the Marham bees project.

We became involved last year when we provided a taster session about what would be involved and what equipment they would require. This year we have delivered a beginners course to train five people to look after the bees and will provide ongoing support so the project can continue to grow." www.marhammattersonline.co.uk

Anthony Edwards, Medway Beekeepers Association, commented of ESS’ original project: “The RSME bee project is so important because there are simply not enough honeybees in the UK to pollinate our fruit and vegetable crops. If every large organisation followed the example of RSME and made land available for similar beekeeping projects, we would be going some way to addressing this problem.”

Bob Gray, Managing Director – ESS Defence, Marine & Aerospace commented: “It’s great to be working with our clients to maximise the potential of the land available on the Defence sites where we operate. I’m proud to see the team at RAF Marham following in the footsteps of other ESS sites to support bee populations and wider biodiversity. These are important elements of our sustainability commitments as we work towards Climate Net Zero by 2030.”

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World Record Row Flt Lt Siely, age 28, Training Officer based at RAF Coninsgby. (Previously at RAF Marham when the project started) In July this year, Flt Lt Siely and two friends accomplished a world record, self-sufficiently rowing from Monterey Bay in California to Kauai Island, Hawaii.

Their extraordinary journey across the Mid-Pacific Ocean took 38 days, 16 hours, and 19 minutes, making them the first male trio to take on the route and the fastest recorded trio!

This adventure like no other was part of ‘The World’s Toughest Row – Pacific’, a race that consisted of 14 teams from all over the world, all taking on the extremely vast, erratic, and powerful Pacific Ocean.

Flt Lt Siely, 28, along with his two crew mates, Luca Feser and Cutu Serruys, also both 28, arrived in the beautiful setting of Hanalei Bay, Kauai, on the evening of the 20th July, having conquered one of the world’s most challenging endurance feats. The crew named themselves Team HODL (Hold On for Dear Life) and set off from California at the start of June in their aptly name ocean rowing vessel, Spitfire.

Spitfire is a 23ft long Rannoch 45 ocean rowing boat consisting of two cabins and three rowing positions. Two solar panels charge lithium batteries on board that power navigational and communication equipment, a water maker, and an electric bilge pump. Keeping the boat moving across the ocean is solely

down to the power of the rowers on board and the team adopted a rowing routine of two hours on, one hour rest throughout the whole excursion, only getting a little more sleep at night as one of the crew sat on deck rowing alone under the stars!

Out on the ocean they were faced with tropical storms, 30ft waves and numerous technical obstacles in their boat caused by the extremely adverse conditions. This all whilst adapting to the marine environment, suffering from sleep deprivation, and only

The skills and link to Military Training:

’’

An expedition such as this is extremely dangerous and requires extensive preparation, something that the RAF is no stranger to. I adopted many of the skills I have gained in my career so far to appropriately train and ready myself and the team for all eventualities. Having gone through military training as well as competing in several endurance events in the past, I was also able to know how I reacted under pressure and in adverse conditions, adapting appropriately. I knew I was as prepared as possible, despite having the inherent fear that I was pushing my body to limits I potentially hadn’t witnessed before!

’’

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being fuelled by dehydrated ration packs as nutrition.

The preparation for such an event took two years and brought together several skills obtained by Flt Lt Siely in the RAF, along with providing lessons that he hopes to take back into his role. Mental and physical resilience was key in achieving Team HODL’s goal to set a world record and their training consisted of rigorous sea survival, weather, navigation and first aid courses. They also spent over two hundred hours off the coast of the UK acclimatising to the boat and strengthening their capability as a group.

The team have raised £15,000 for The Ocean Clean Up charity, their chosen cause to represent during their journey.

The organisation, based in the Netherlands, has created systems to remove plastic pollution from our Oceans.

The team chose this charity when they became aware of the Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of pollution measuring three times the size of France that would be due North of them as they crossed from the mainland of USA to the Hawaiian Islands. The team

witnessed and photographed the plastic rubbish they came across along the way and were shocked at the vast amount.

During the project they have spoken at schools and events spreading awareness about the cause. In addition to this, the team went on Sky News to discuss the challenge and were also fortunate enough to meet Princess Anne at the Norfolk show who was keen to learn more about the project.

The tough conditions gave the crew an experience they will never forget, completely immersed in nature, leaning on their training and preparation to aid their survival. During the expedition, they were completely isolated, with only the company of a couple of cargo ships in the distance passing. They experienced bitterly cold temperatures in the early stages of the row that dramatically transitioned to blazing heat as they neared their destination. Adapting to these conditions brought substantial teamwork, grit, and determination as the team overcame their setbacks and pulled away as leaders of the trio class, beating the current record by 22 days.

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MARHAM MATTERS The Ocean environment

’’

It is obvious why this is one of the toughest endurance events existing.

The marine environment, the solitary confinement and the relentless rowing contribute to an expedition that takes you to a very tough place physically and emotionally! However, once you have mastered a routine and your team is functioning like a welloiled machine, you begin to enjoy what a privilege it is to be able to enjoy the ocean and its beauty. It is also surprisingly pleasant to have nothing else to concern yourself with other than to row and survive!

’’

Despite the gruelling conditions, the team were also able to witness some of the extraordinary wonders the Pacific had to offer, with humpback whales jumping around them as they left the bay in California. They also experienced incredible sunsets and sunrises, with the night sky filled with stars above them.

Returning to work, Flt Lt Siely will be using his experience in his role as a Training Officer, working to enhance the

development and capability of RAF personnel. The first-hand experience of building a fully prepared and resilient team to carry out this successful adventure will help him to

enable our working environment to encourage our people to fulfil their full potential and carry out their roles as effectively as possible. He will also be supporting a team of three air

cadets, aiming to complete the Atlantic crossing in 2025. Flt Lt Siely will lean on his experience to assist ‘The Three Flying Fish’ in their training for their once in a lifetime opportunity!

The charity

’’

The team and I were so shocked at the vast amount of plastic pollution we saw whilst out there, with something passing alongside us every hour or so. Knowing we were just a small spec in the vast ocean, made us realise just how much more there must be and how much damage we are doing to nature. It has been our aim throughout the project to raise awareness for a problem that is not going away unless initiatives like The Ocean Clean Up are supported and we adjust our own habits. Through the row, hopefully we have brought this issue affecting future generations closer to home.

’’

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT SUPPORT MARHAM MATTERS COMMUNITY

SSAFA PS&SWS Here to Help SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is always working to recognise the changing needs of the military community and adapt our service to assist Regulars, Reserves and their families.

We have been delivering our Personal Support & Social Work Service for over 30 years and our considerable experience has taught us that problems which occur in service life can feel very different for each individual.

Whether you’re single and living alone, or struggling to balance work and family commitments, we are here to help.

We are an independent service so anything we support you with is confidential and outside the chain of command.

Our professionally trained and knowledgeable staff are on hand to advise, signpost and support you no matter what the situation.

RAF Marham Office: Visit us at:

4 Woodview Road, Upper Marham PE33 9JX

We are contactable Monday-Friday between 08.30 -17.00 either in the office or via phone / email using the details below: Telephone:

07825340211

Email:

Teresa.smyth@ssafa.org.uk Adele.berryman@ssafa.org.uk Carol.bullas@ssafa.org.uk Helen.layfield@ssafa.org.uk

Please don't use any previous landline numbers as these are now obselete

Or contact our Single Point of Contact: Email:

psswsRAF@ssafa.org.uk (monitored Monday – Friday, 8.30-17.00)

Telephone:

03000 111 723 (available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)

N.B. During working hours (Monday-Friday, 08.30-17.00), calls will be answered by our Admin team who will be able to signpost you to the best source of support.

Webform: https://www.ssafa.org.uk

20 MARHAM MATTERS

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT MARHAM MATTERS

COMMUNITY marham

hub COMMUNITY SUPPORT MANAGER Maydie Smith Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 6136 Email: Maydie.smith594@ mod.gov.uk COMMUNITY SUPPORT ADMIN OFFICER Zara Murfitt Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 6136 Email zara.murfitt515@ mod.gov.uk HIVE INFORMATION OFFICERS Sam Alexander Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 6136 Samantha.Alexander119@ mod.gov.uk STATION YOUTH WORKER Ian Savage Mobile: 07850 973228 Email: ian.savage@ actionforchildren.org.uk COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Jocelyne Newman Tel: 0300 1635 185 Email: jocelyne.newman395@ mod.gov.uk SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM, WATLINGTON Tel: 0845 456 4567 or 101 RAFP COMMUNITY OFFICER Ext: 7214 Tel: 0777 395 8067 (this phone is manned 24hrs 7 days)

HOUSING SCSO FS Chris Daykin Tel: 01760 446052 Mob: 07747 472048 Twitter: scsomarham PINNACLE SERVICE FAMILIES National Service Centre 0800 031 8628 Option 1 - Repairs open 24/7 365 days a year Option 2 – Applications and Allocations Option 3 – Planned Maintenance Option 4 – Complaints

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WELFARE SSAFA PERSONAL SUPPORT & SOCIAL WORK SERVICE RAF Marham Office 4 Woodview Road Upper Marham PE33 9JX

General Motor Factors & Retail store Visit our store for a wide range of Toys, Gifts, Household goods, Cycles, Car parts and Accessories.

Teresa Smyth (Administrator) Tel: 07825340211 Email: Teresa.smyth@ssafa.org.uk Single Point of Contact Out of Hours Tel: 03000 111 723 Join our retail store ‘loyalty card’ scheme

VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR TEL: 07984 905622

Free local delivery

WO PERSONNEL SUPPORT VACANT Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 7231 PADRES Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 7550 07876 395920 mrm-chaplaincycentregroup@ mod.gov.uk

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MARHAM MATTERS

Father Christmas Nov 30th - Dec 17th (Thu-Sun) Dec 19th - 23rd Open Daily

Nativity Scenes with Real Animals Father Christmas Christmas Gift Shop & Mini Market Delicious Homemade Cakes & Lunches Large Indoor Treehouse Play Lots of Christmas Fun & Activities

Tickets must be booked online

A magical Christmas experience 10am-5pm

01366 382162 www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk 22 MARHAM MATTERS

‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’

Drive away with a

10% online discount*

Scan to find out more

Car Insurance Tailored car insurance to meet the needs of the Military family Full cover on and off the base Laid up cover Compatible with BFG/GEO VLO & DVLA requirements Our insurer accepts No Claims Discount earned outside of the UK T&Cs apply. See policy documents towards the bottom of the forcesmutual.org/car webpage.

Call 0151 363 5290 Visit forcesmutual.org/car Lines are open: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

Forces Mutual Car Insurance is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.

*The 10% discount is available online only. It is applied to the basic premium when you buy a new car insurance policy. The discount is not available on optional extras and minimum premiums apply.

The discount will be automatically applied to your quote. The offer applies to new car insurance policies purchased online. The discount can be withdrawn at any time and is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. PMGI Limited, trading as Forces Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942.

Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL. With effect from 11 April 2023 the Registered office will be: 80 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BY. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

ADV CI P 0079 Lance O 0423

Lancemedia Group Ltd

Gong Sound Baths

Lance Media Group provides a range of Sales, Marketing and Design services.

Barton Bendish Village Hall Thursdays - 6.30pm start 12th & 26th October 9th & 21st November (Tuesday) 7th and 21st December

WE PRODUCE: • Magazines

• Journals

• Commemorative Programmes

• Newsletters • Calendars

AND MUCH MORE… Contact us to discuss your design and marketing needs:

Arrive by 6.15 to get settled £12 cash on arrival.

Call, DM or email to book your place Please bring a sun-lounger cushion or yoga mat to lie on, blanket & pillows for comfort as needed.

If you are on holiday and need me to provide these, please call directly on 07873 558 175.

Arrive early to allow time to get settled. Unfortunately, children under the age of 14 are not permitted Further info www.soulstarstories.com

E: info@lancemediagroup.co.uk T: 01536 334 221 W: www.lancemediagroup.co.uk

Instagram @soulstarstories

Mobileservice trophyfor&all engraving serviceschools for all & Mobile clubs, leagues, in Kings & the&Fens individuals in Lynn, Kings West Lynn, Norfolk West Norfolk the Fens Find out more at

www.dewhurststrophies.co.uk Contact us on

01553 773355 or 07557 272514 email - sales@dewhurtstrophies.co.uk

Trophy & Engraving Specialists Established 1968 Pu b

To Advertise in this publication please contact Emma on 01536 334219 or email jayne@lancemediagroup.co.uk

24 MARHAM MATTERS

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28/32 King Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1HQ 01553 778100 www.mcp-law.co.uk

Also at Thetford, Wisbech, Ely (01353) 6667075 Peterborough and Ely Isleham (01638) 780170 ‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’

VISIT • EAT • DRINK • SHOP Coffee Shop • Restaurant • Large Beer Garden • Children’s Outdoor Play Area Bar Taproom • Ample Parking • Takeaway Breakfast Menu Available Open Late Friday & Saturday Evening • Fantastic NEW Evening Menu

Treasures from the Past

Featured on...

Antiques • Collectables • Jewellery • Books • Vinyl • Vintage ShabbyChic • Retro • Militaria • Coins • Medals A single floor showroom with a truely huge stock of fascinating, high quality goods on display

Treasures for the Future

The Shop

East Anglia’s largest Selection of Steiff Bears & Animals PLUS a stunning collection of Stieff ‘future heirlooms’ + Fabulous Premium Quality Toys and Puzzles

Britain’s Biggest Beer Shop

With a huge selection of Beers, Craft Beers, Spirits, Wines, Ciders & Gluten Free Beer

All Under One Roof! Bring the family, there is something for everyone!

Open 7 Days A Week • Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm • Sundays & Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm

Tel: 01553 812000 Email: sales@beersofeurope.co.uk Garage Lane, Setchey, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 0BE (Turn at JSW Car Sales) Wheelchair Friendly. Well behaved dogs Welcome in Antique & Steiff Shop

TheWarehouseAntiques.co.uk thewarehousenorfolk.co.uk thewarehousetaproom.co.uk www.marhammattersonline.co.uk

MARHAM MATTERS 25

BOARDING IN SURREY

GORDON’S SCHOOL www.gordons.school

YEARS 7, 9 AND 12 BOARDING PLACES AVAILABLE Students who attend the boarding school provision exceed their predicted outcomes and consistently reach, and further, their potential OFSTED BOARDING INSPECTION REPORT 2019

BESPOKE RESIDENTIAL BOARDING HOUSE FOR YEAR 7 STUDENTS

BOARDING FROM UNDER £800 PER TERM WITH CEA

NON-SELECTIVE LOWER SCHOOL • PRIORITY PLACES FOR FORCES

For Open Events please visit www.gordons.school

New Three Squirrels EAST HARLING

A contemporary development of two, three, four and five bedroom homes designed with modern living in mind. They’re A rated for energy efficiency and come with solar PV panels, garaging and generous sized plots.

For latest availability & full list of features visit abelhomes.co.uk call us on 01953 884486 or email sales@abelhomes.co.uk

Now launched Showhome open Thurs to Mon, 10am to 4pm Street scene image is computer generated and for illustrative purposes only. 14964-0923-2