Inside this Issue: 207 Sqn • Final Operational Sortie • Integrated Training Centre • Cyprus Challenge Issue 1 2019 £Free The official publication of Royal Air Force Marham FREEDOM OF KING’S LYNN PARADE www.marhammattersonline.co.uk DOWNHAM PREPARATORY SCHOOL PUPILS 0-11. FROM SEPTEMBER 2019 PUPILS 0-13 YEARS NOW PROVIDING TRANSPORT FROM SWAFFHAM AND THE SURROUNDINGBarkers VILLAGES DBS “A proper shop, selling proper things” FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL PLEASE CALL 01366 388066 www.downhamprep.co.ukIRONMONGERY THE OLD RECTORY | STOW BARDOLPH | NR KINGS LYNN | NORFOLK | PE34 3HT PLUMBING SAND & CEMENT BarkersHOME & GARDEN DBS “A proper shop,ELECTRICAL selling proper things” IRONMONGERY“AHAND proper & POWERHAND shop, TOOLS & POWER TOOLS PLUMBINGPAINT AND DECORATIONPAINT AND DECORATION sellingSAND & CEMENT proper things”TIMBER HOME & GARDENTIMBERBATHROOM ACCESSORIES ELECTRICAL BATHROOMIRONMONGERY ACCESSORIES Open: Mon – Sat 8.00am to 5.00pm The Green, RailwayPLUMBING Road, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DY Telephone 01366 382 525 www.barkersdbs.co.ukSAND & CEMENT HOME & GARDEN ELECTRICAL HAND & POWER TOOLS PAINT AND DECORATION TIMBER BATHROOM ACCESSORIES Open: Mon – Sat 8.00am to 5.00pm The Green, Railway Road, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DY Telephone 01366 382 525 www.barkersdbs.co.uk MARHAM MATTERS CONTENTS EDITOR: Diane Wilson Ext: 6739 Email: diane.wilson704@ mod.gov.uk 07 RAF MARHAM WEB PAGE: www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham DESIGNER: Sherrie Bacarese Email: sherrie@ lanceprint.co.uk SALES MANAGER: Jayne Bailey Tel: (01536) 334219 Email: jayne@ lanceprint.co.uk PRINTER: Lance Print Ltd Tel: (01733) 390564 COVER IMAGE: Photograph by Cpl Tim Laurence 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 15 accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This REGULARS magazine is published by kind permission of the Station Commander. All Images © Crown Station Commander's Foreword IX Sqn Flying Officer Donald Copyright 2019, unless otherwise stated. ............................................................... 5 ............................................................ 11 'Mac' Macintosh STOCKISTS: The Surgery, Marham, Manor Farm Medical Community Support Final Operational Sortie ............................................................23 Centre, Swaffham, Plowright Medical Centre, Swaffham, The Surgery, Swaffham, Howdale ............................................................24 ............................................................ 15 The Community of Surgery, Downham Market, Hollies Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market, The Crossings Veterinary NEWS The End of an Era The Cross of Nails Clinic, Downham Market, The Grove Veterinary Surgery, Swaffham, Priory Centre, Downham Duke of York Visits ............................................................ 16 ............................................................27 Market, Lynn News, King’s Lynn, St Martin’s at Shouldham VA Primary School, Marham Infant ............................................................... 7 Tail Art Sortie Green Energy for School, Marham Junior School, Downham Market Academy, Nicholas Hammond Academy, 31 Sqn ............................................................ 18 RAF Marham Swaffham, Town Halls in Downham Market, Kings Lynn and Swaffham, BAE, Warton, Armed ............................................................... 9 Integrated Training ............................................................28 Forces Careers Office in Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough, Royal Air Force Association in 207 Sqn Centre Cyprus Challenge Downham Market, Downham Market Air Cadets, All other RAF bases. ............................................................ 10 ............................................................20 ............................................................29 4 MARHAM MATTERS ISSUE 1 2019 ‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’ STATION COMMANDER'S FOREWORD MARHAM MATTERS Station Commander’s 29 Foreword Plenty to reflect on as we have return to Marham when the final 3 started 2019 at pace with RAF aircraft landed on Tues 5 February. Marham continuing to transform. The Tornado Force is a family January saw our Station host and it was entirely appropriate our 4th Royal visit in a 12-month to see our families welcome back From the Editor period with HRH The Duke of York their loved ones from their final reviewing F35B Lightning and we Tornado overseas deployment. It By the time you read this The Families and Friends Day also hosted a major event attended was also appropriate for the whole foreword the Tornado Force planning has started and by the Secretary of State for Station to welcome back the Force will be entering it’s final month. you will find a small ‘save the Defence. The UK has declared its as Marham has been an integral As I type the preparations date’ note within this edition. Lightning Force as having achieved part of Tornado Force success for for flypasts across the Tickets will be available an Initial Operating Capability 37 years. As I write, we still have country are almost finished. for station personnel and and, whilst there is plenty to do the final tranche of 31 Squadron People across the country their families nearer the to ‘deepen’ this initial capability, engineers preparing to leave are contacting us on a daily date, please note this is a it is clear to me that the whole Akrotiri and, whilst our engineers basis to find out more about private event, not open Station is steadily increasing its and support staff may not get the how they can view a Tornado to the general public. Last ability to generate Next Generation grandstand welcome home, their before the retirement date. year’s event was brilliant, Combat Air Power. As we focus on contribution is as important as the we are all looking forward the generation of aircraft for local aircrews who flew back this week. The disbandment parades to it, but hopeful that it is sorties, the Station is preparing Our celebrations will continue with of IX(B) Squadron and 31 a little cooler this year! for a training deployment in a series of FINale Flypasts planned Squadron are just around the the Spring and for our first to overfly locations associated with corner and the final planned Please keep sending in embarkation on HMS QUEEN the Tornado, a Hangar Party on 28 sortie will be advertised to your stories, it’s great to see ELIZABETH in the late autumn. February and the Disbandment the Station shortly. I hope what everyone is getting We are already seeing personnel Parade and Dinner on 14 March. you all take a moment to up to. If you have anything from 207 Squadron starting to watch her fly over, we are else you would like to see arrive with the main body of the Whilst we must rightly celebrate certainly going to miss covered in Marham Matters Squadron due to arrive in mid-July. the imminent retirement of her when she has gone. please drop me an email. Tornado, we must remain Whilst the Lightning Force focused on ensuring we retain capability builds, it only right that an operational capability our attention in the early part until 31 March 2019. Deadline for Next Issue: of 2019 focuses on our superb Tornado Force. Having flown their Cab Townsend Please submit all entries for the next issue final Operation SHADER mission on Station Commander, by 6th March 2019. 31 January 19, it was an emotional RAF Marham. www.marhammattersonline.co.uk ISSUE 1 2019 MARHAM MATTERS 5 MARHAM MATTERS Giving you total peace of mind If you have suffered an injury, if you’re going through a relationship breakdown, or if you are involved in a legal dispute, it can be difficult to focus on anything else. We can help you. Fraser Dawbarns, a leading local law firm, are at the Hive on the second Wednesday of every month, from 9am to 12pm, giving free legal advice on issues including: Family Matters • Landlord and Tenant Disputes • Employment Issues Legal Disputes • Wills, Trusts and Probate • Commercial Advice Call the Hive on 01760 337261 ext. 7425 to arrange 30 minutes of free legal advice Spaces are limited, so call to arrange an appointment today Janet can help you with: Rebecca can help you with: • Clinical Negligence • Relationship Breakdown • Wills and Probate Disputes • Divorce • Property Disputes • Access to Children • Landlord and Tenant Disputes • Custody Issues • Contract Disputes • Prenuptial Agreements • Building Disputes • Cohabitation Agreements • Personal Injury • Financial & Property Claims If your matter is urgent or you would like more information, contact one of our offices King’s Lynn Downham Market March Wisbech Ely 01553 666000 01366 383171 01354 602880 01945 461456 01353 383483 [email protected] www.fraserdawbarns.com 6 MARHAM MATTERS ISSUE 1 2019 ‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’ DUKE OF YORK VISIT MARHAM MATTERS Easter at Oxburgh Hall Join in with our Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, discover new skills in the woodland with our outdoor games and activities, or enjoy the Easter traditions of the Catholic DUKE OF household. There's lots to do this Easter at Oxburgh! In partnership with Call 01366 328258 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall for details YORK VISIT oxburghhall DMK2590792 x 1 On 21 January His Royal Highness The Duke