logo
Restoration of RAF West Raynham will support veterans

Restoration of RAF West Raynham will support veterans

BBC News13-04-2025

A former RAF station headquarters is being restored to help support veterans in Norfolk.RAF West Raynham closed in 1994 and its buildings became derelict until the Veterans' Service took over the building in 2023.Volunteers have begun to restore the Grade II listed 1930s block and surrounding gardens, which are now used to help reduce social isolation and provide activities.Ken Delve, chair of trustees of the Veterans' Central, said: "We were looking for a veterans' hub, somewhere where veterans can come together for a breakfast, work together and socialise, removing social isolation and giving a sense of purpose."
Mr Delve, who served as an RAF navigator on the Canberra and Tornado aircraft, said he and other volunteers at the RAF Marham heritage centre decided to restore the West Raynham station headquarters."Once it closed it went into a ten year period of care and maintenance, which meant no care and no maintenance, so all the buildings and the base started deteriorating," he said."Thirty years on it's been overgrown, things stolen and broken windows - that was the condition of what was a very important airfield in Norfolk for many years."When we first opened the door in late 2022, putting the live and dead animals to one side; the broken glass and water running down the walls, the veterans went: 'This is really good. We can do this', and in March 2023 we started."
'It's about people'
Mr Delve estimated that some 26,000 hours of volunteer labour put the group six months ahead of what he said would be a seven-year project, transforming buildings and clearing gardens that had been 12ft (3.6m) high with vegetation.But he said they relied heavily on volunteers for labour and local businesses with materials, including a new kitchen and a greenhouse provided by firms that operate on part of the West Raynham site.An average working day would see between 15 and 20 volunteers on site - and about a third had no military connection but wanted to join the team.
He said he "got to know a lot of the old boys and girls from way back" through his interest as a squadron historian."I found their stories very interesting and had a passion for RAF history," he added."But [it is] the people involved - it's not about aeroplanes or buildings, it's about people. It's very much a people-driven project to make it work. "One of our aims is to give veterans a purpose, a reason to get up that day, go and do something, work with a team, have a bit of banter and a few slices of cake and a couple of cups of tea and feel you've achieved something with the day instead of sitting there doing nothing."The other is social isolation, so we do a monthly breakfast and a monthly lunch for veterans and they are all free at the point of delivery. "We are very lucky that local companies are starting to sponsor those lunches and breakfasts."
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former RAF officer from Cardiff becomes Tower of London Beefeater
Former RAF officer from Cardiff becomes Tower of London Beefeater

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Former RAF officer from Cardiff becomes Tower of London Beefeater

A former RAF Warrant Officer from Cardiff has been selected as a Yeoman Warder (YW) at the Tower of Harris served in the RAF for more than 36 years, during which time he was deployed for tours to Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Cyprus. Nicknamed Beefeaters, it is a position introduced by Henry VII in 1485 to help guard the fortress and YW Harris is thought to be the first Welsh Beefeater in more than a decade. YW Harris described his appointment as an immense honour, and said he was "extremely proud to represent Wales". As one of 35 who live and work at the tower, YW Harris said he has enjoyed settling into his "quirky new home within the tower's vibrant community". He said he left Cardiff in 1988 and has worked at stations all over the UK with the RAF, but it means an "awful lot" to him to be able to represent the national heritage."At the end of my career it's great to be allowed to continue the historical elements of service life," he said. Describing what it was like to put on the uniform, YW Harris said you just "cannot imagine" the feeling. "It was immense" he said, adding it was "such an immensely proud moment". "I have a lot to learn and will be focused on learning the tower's history and legends before I am ready to share these with our visitors, so the next few months are going to be incredibly exciting."Part of the criteria for becoming a YW is a minimum of 22 years' service with the military, to hold the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and to have reached the rank of warrant officer or equivalent, before being selected for the coming months, YW Harris will learn "the story" – the script of the famous Yeoman Warder tour, in verbatim, before he can lead his own tours of the Tower of London. He will also be required to learn the 21 separate duties conducted by the Yeoman Body each day, including the Ceremony of the Keys, a closing ceremony that has taken place every single night for at least 700 years.A devoted sportsman, YW Harris is known to be a supporter of Welsh rugby, Cardiff City FC, and the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey club, having coached the RAF Ice Hockey team to four successive inter-service championships during his previous career.

Caerphilly World War Two veteran turns 100 on D-Day anniversary
Caerphilly World War Two veteran turns 100 on D-Day anniversary

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • BBC News

Caerphilly World War Two veteran turns 100 on D-Day anniversary

An RAF veteran has said he would not change a thing about his life as he celebrated his 100th birthday on the anniversary of 'Ted' Carter from Caerphilly turned 19 on D-Day, 81 years ago on 6 June was deployed in India at the time, a memory he described as "wonderful".Reflecting on becoming a centenarian, Mr Carter said he had had "a very, very happy life". "I think we should all live a peaceful, happy life, helping people as much as we can, give back as much as we can," he said. After leaving school at 16, Mr Carter joined the railway and said his father told him "you won't make much money"."I didn't want to work anywhere else," he initially worked in the signal boxes, then "on the trains",When he was called up to serve in the war effort, he did not want to join the Army."And I couldn't swim, so I thought the air force was best for me," he four-and-a-half years, he served in the Royal Air Force as an engineer, working on Wellington and Lancaster bombers."You had to learn in six months what in peace time would take you three years."Reflecting on the conflict, Mr Carter said: "I think, I hope, the world has got a better place."All we want is a quiet, peaceful life." When he left the RAF, he joined what is now Great Western to Wales in 1946, home became the cottage he shared with his late wife met as teenagers, and married aged 22 and 23."I'm so glad I met Margaret when she was 15," he said."We had 61 years of a lovely life together."With savings of £380, they spent £320 on their cottage in Bedwas and £11 on solicitors fees and went on to raise three children there – Paul, Sharon and fact, the letter he recently received from the King, marking his big birthday, was actually his second correspondence from a monarch, having also had one for his 60th wedding anniversary from Elizabeth II. "[Our dad] taught us to be hard working, kind," said added: "He's been an exceptional human being. He's terrific."At 98, Mr Carter was still regularly seen tending to his beloved garden at the cottage, particularly its orchard with pear, apple and plum trees."We grew everything," he now lives at Castle View care home in Caerphilly, where staff and residents threw him a birthday party."All my life I've had very good luck and health. What can you ask for more than that?"If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change it."

'Explosion' mystery deepens as US Air Force issues 'sonic boom' update
'Explosion' mystery deepens as US Air Force issues 'sonic boom' update

North Wales Live

time3 days ago

  • North Wales Live

'Explosion' mystery deepens as US Air Force issues 'sonic boom' update

The mystery behind what caused a huge "explosion" which rattled windows and shook the ground has deepened. A ground-rattling "boom" was heard in the sky above Gwynedd and Anglesey on Tuesday afternoon. People ducked for cover thinking there had been a "gas explosion" or "plane crash" after the blast was heard. It sparked widespread debate as to what caused the sound. You can read more about that here. After the British Geological Survey confirmed no earthquakes had taken place, and the fire service said they were not called to any explosions, the leading theory online was that the incident had been caused by a "sonic boom". Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone This would have happened if an aircraft reached supersonic speed, breaking the sound barrier. While the RAF said they had no flights in the area at the time, the theory was strengthened when the US Air Force said they were looking into the reports. A spokesperson said they had been made aware on Wednesday morning of a potential "sonic boom" over North Wales, and were analysing the report. However, the mystery has now deepened after the US Air Force issued a fresh statement. A spokesperson told North Wales Live: "The 48th Fighter Wing had two F-15E aircraft in the area of North Wales at the time in question, but neither aircraft had a supersonic event." Gwynedd county councillor Arwyn Roberts was in Caernarfon at the time and described it as "one hell of a bang". He said: "You could feel the ground shaking. It has got everyone talking. People are talking about it everywhere."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store