Inside this Issue: Remembrance at RAF Marham • The Phoenix has risen • 207 Squadron 2023 round-up • And more...
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Station Commander's Foreword EDITOR: Vacant Email: mrm-mcogroup@mod. gov.uk RAF MARHAM WEB PAGE: www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham
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NEWS
DESIGNER: Jo Glen Email: Jo@ lancemediagroup.co.uk
Remembrance
SALES MANAGER: Jayne Bailey Tel: (01536) 334219 Email: jayne@ lancemediagroup.co.uk
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PRINTER: Micropress
Christmas Boxes for Deployed Personnel
............................................................ 06 RAF Marham hosts local Veterans
World Vegan Day ............................................................ 07
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Firework Display 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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............................................................. 09 RAF Marham Emergency Control Centre ............................................................. 12 Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse visit ............................................................. 13 42F Kings Lynn Air Cadets Squadron visit Ypres, Belgium ............................................................. 14 207 Sqn 2023 Round Up ............................................................. 18 The Phoenix has risen ............................................................. 19 RAF Reign Supreme
From the Editor
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elcome to the final publication of Marham Matters. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the magazine over the years and hope that you have enjoyed reading all the stories about RAF Marham. We would also like to thank Lance Media Group Ltd for their support over the years. Last year definitely flew by and we saw a number of events take place. From His Majesty The King's Coronation and all the celebrations surrounding the occasion to our participation in the Royal Norfolk Show, aircraft and personnel deploying around the world and another successful Families and Friends Day. The magazine will be replaced by an in-Station newsletter but please keep a look out on our social media channels for news and stories about RAF Marham Happy New Year to you all.
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Station Commander’s
Foreword
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ell, we survived another year! My first thoughts go out to all those who were deployed and on duty over Christmas, and their loved ones who will have missed them over the festive period. To all of you, thank you for your commitment and for helping to keep this country safe. Our F-35B Lightning squadrons have been busier than ever this year, ramping up their flying rate and deploying with the Carrier Strike Group to deliver battlewinning air power overseas. The highlight to cap off the year will be the stand-up of our brand new unit, 809 Naval Air Squadron, on 8th December. We’ve had some serious challenges to deal with this year, mainly connected to our fragile buildings and heating systems,
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but we have overcome them and are stronger for it. Steadily, things are changing around here and this will accelerate in 2024: the Sandringham Centre will re-open very early in the New Year, the Platinum Patio and Queen’s Green Canopy garden will open fully and we will start work building brand new SLAM blocks. There is a lot to look forward to in 2024.
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MARHAM MATTERS NEWS
Remembrance
Red poppies were painted on the grass at RAF Marham ahead of Remembrance Commemorations. Local firm CGM Group, based in Downham Market, provide the gardening maintenance for the housing area outside of the Station, and offered to paint the poppies for Amey. Amey provides a housing maintenance service for all the Service Families housing at RAF Marham and other locations within the Central and North regions. The poppy outlines were painted by a remote controlled robot before the inside was completed by hand. On Station the poppy was located next to the Heritage Wall and Tornado Gate Guardian and the one outside the Station
was located on the corner of the grass near to the houses. Station personnel gathered behind the painted poppy, outside Station Headquarters for a short Remembrance service.
‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them’
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‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’
NEWS MARHAM MATTERS
RAF MARHAM HOSTS LOCAL VETERANS At the beginning of December RAF Marham hosted local veterans for a Christmas lunch and quiz in the Officers' Mess. The event was an opportunity for veterans to connect with the Unit, engage with serving personnel and gain an understanding of the operational commitments undertaken throughout the year.
Attendees were nominated by RAFBF, RAF Association (RAFA) and local charities Outside The Wire and Bridge 4 Heroes. Gp Capt Frederick Wigglesworth, Station Commander, who hosted the veterans remarked ‘It was great to welcome local veterans to the Station for this event. They are still part of the Forces Family and it is important to recognise the contribution veterans made whilst serving’. The guests, and station hosts, had a fantastic time with the SWO’s table winning the Padre’s Quiz. The lunch was funded by RAFBF, RAFA and SSAFA. Unfortunately some veterans were not able to visit RAF Marham so our personnel, both Regular and Reserve, travelled out to the local community and delivered festive hampers and treats.
World Vegan Day
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o raise awareness of World Vegan Day, AS1 Adams from RAF Marham held a coffee morning to show people a number of sweet treats that could still be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. Those attending were treated to tea and coffee with a variety of plant based milks along with cakes and biscuits that can be bought in your local supermarket.
The hampers were extremely well received and, on their travels, provided an excellent opportunity for personnel to visit Veterans Central, West Raynham, to understand the work they do and meet some of their members. These deliveries were undertaken in conjunction with Community Engagement Workers from RAF Benevolent Fund. The hampers delivered to veterans were kindly funded and facilitated by Amey Defence Services, through their Social Venture Manager and their local Customer and Community Engagement Officer
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MARHAM MATTERS NEWS
Christmas Boxes for Deployed Personnel RAF Marham personnel deployed overseas over the Christmas period will have received a bit of festive cheer this month as their Christmas boxes arrive.
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he boxes were put together by the Community Support staff with assistance from a couple of helpers, the Station Commander and Station Warrant Officer. Gifts in the box included sweets, biscuits, hot chocolate and games. Funding for the boxes came from Community Support, Royal Air Force
Association, Naval Families Federation and Royal Naval Association with discount for some of the gifts given by B&M’s store in Kings Lynn. The team put together approximately 170 boxes that were then posted out across the world to deployed personnel who will be away from their loved ones over the festive period.
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Firework Display
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AF Marham’s firework display took place a week late after it had been postponed due to Storm Ciaran. The weather stayed dry as the crowds gathered on the field to watch the Bonfire being lit followed by the fantastic firework display. A family of Guys had been made by the children of Cherry Tree Academy and they looked over the firework starter as 8 year old Alfie, from Cherry Tree Academy pressed the button to start the display. Guests also enjoyed a variety of funfair rides and games as well as food, cake and sweet stalls.
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MARHAM MATTERS NEWS
RAF Marham Emergency Control Centre At the end of October an external fault with the Severn Trent Services water supply caused a Major Water Outage that affected the water supply to RAF Marham and also to some of the houses within the Upper Marham area. When an incident like this happens the Station stand up the Emergency Control Centre (ECC) to look at the incident and work through the actions to rectify the problem, and crucially, maintain flying output.
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he ECC can be stood up for a number of reasons such as loss of utilities, damage to a building, fuel leak or even an aircraft crash. The ECC is located within the Operations building and is made up of a number of key individuals who are the subject matter experts within their field, led by the ECC Co-ordinator. The ECC Co-ordinator brings together all of the information and actions which is regularly briefed upwards to the Duty Executive. Once activated the ECC is generally fully manned within 30 minutes and is a hive of activity as the areas get started working through their plans. Every 30 minutes or so the individuals all come together to brief their updates so the overall picture is captured and co-ordinated. During the water outage each member of the ECC had their own role to play such as liaising with Works Management Flight to keep updated with the course of action that was being taken by the contractor dealing with the water outage. There was the co-ordination of the lists of all areas affected followed by messaging sent out across the Station. Others dealt with
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ordering bottled water and then organising escorts to distribute the water around the Station and to the local community. A number of portaloos were
rented and the delivery to camp organised so that personnel had toilet facilities. Three of the Welfare Houses outside the camp were opened for use by the families whose houses were experiencing loss of water. Officer Commanding Estates Management Squadron worked alongside the ECC Co-ordinator to oversee all of the actions and decide which were the priorities and the actions that were required next. Throughout all of this work communication was maintained with Air Traffic Control, Fire Section and the flying Squadrons to ensure that they could continue to operate safely so the 207 Sqn flying training output could be maintained. A fantastic effort by the team in the ECC and support from the wider Station and external contractors meant that the water supply was starting to be restored by 2030 hrs that
evening with contingency plans in place should there be any further issues. Through the resilience displayed by the team at RAF Marham, no flying output was lost.
‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’
NEWS MARHAM MATTERS
Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse visit Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse, Director of Force Generation at Navy Command recently visited RAF Marham to meet with the Royal Navy personnel based here and to have a tour around some of the facilities.
H
e met personnel at 207 Squadron, the Operational Conversion Unit, before heading over to the Integrated Training Centre where he presented certificates to RAF Marham’s newest Royal Naval Engineers to graduate their training. The awards ceremony saw certificates given to 22 Air Engineering Technicians, 5 Leading Hands and 1 Chief Petty Officer who, after a culmination of studying, exams and practical assessments, had completed the course to maintain one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. Rear Admiral Moorhouse then attended a ‘Splice the Mainbrace’ ceremony in the Officer’s Mess attended by all Ranks. The main brace was a long and heavy rope that was used to trim the main yard on which hung the main sail. If it broke, or was shot away in battle, it had to be unreeved from its blocks, brought down on deck and spliced together. This was heavy and highly skilled work and was rewarded with an extra tot of rum. The order ‘Splice the Mainbrace’ later came to mean
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that all the crew were awarded a tot of rum on a special occasion. On this occasion it was awarded to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The last time that ‘Splice the Mainbrace’ was ordered at RAF Marham was 10 years ago on the birth of Prince George.
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42F Kings Lynn Air Cadets Squadron visit Ypres, Belgium From Saturday 21 October to Wednesday 25 October 2023, 42F King’s Lynn Air Cadets Squadron visited the city of Ypres, Belgium.
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he squadron, who meet twice weekly in Kings Lynn for training, regularly take part in community events across the country, ranging from charity work, to parades and civic events. Throughout the year, the squadron also organises trips to war graves in France and Belgium, much like this one to Ypres, which are referred to as Battlefield Study Trips. Ypres, also known as Leper, is a town in the Belgium province of West Flanders. It is surrounded by the Ypres Salient Battlefields, and now homes a number of cemeteries, memorials and war museums which honour the battles that took place in the area, and the lives that were
lost during the First World War. Those in attendance, consisting of cadets, volunteer staff, civilian instructors, and RAF Marham personnel, visited a number of locations in and around Ypres, including Lijssenthoek British Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cemetery, Cloth Hall Museum, Hooge Crater Museum, Hill 60, Izjer Tower, Trench of Death, and Tyne Cott CWGC Cemetery. On the journey back towards the Eurotunnel on the final day, the Squadron also made a stop at RAF Memorial St. Omer in France to each lay a memorial cross and pay their respects. The First World War, which took place from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918, saw the
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mobilisation of more than 65 million soldiers, and the deaths of almost 15 million soldiers and civilians combined. Approximately 8.8 million of these deaths were military personnel. The largest cemetery for commonwealth forces in the world is Tyne Cott, which was a key location to visit on the trip, with 11,956 commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated there. A staggering 8,369 of these are unidentified. Within the town of Ypres lies the famous Menin Gate, officially known as the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing. The memorial bears the names of more than 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the First World War, and whose graves are sadly not known. Every evening at 8pm, the traffic around the memorial is halted and crowds gather to witness the buglers play their daily tribute. On the third night of their trip, the Cadets participated in a parade and wreath laying ceremony at the memorial. Even with the weather taking a turn for the worse and a consistent downpour of rain, the Cadets proudly and
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professionally completed the ceremony in front of the large crowds, and a wreath was laid on behalf of the Squadron. Throughout their trip, several cadets were chosen to deliver a short brief to the rest of the party, not only encouraging
them to learn more about the history of the locations, but to build on their confidence in speaking in front of a group. Visits to historically significant locations such as Ypres solidifies the aims of the Air Cadets; promoting and encouraging an interest in the history of
the Royal Air Force, fostering the spirit of adventure and developing the qualities of leadership and citizenship. By AS1 Adams
MARHAM MATTERS 15
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207 Sqn 2023 Round Up Alongside the main focus of producing skilfully trained pilots for the Front Line, this year 207 Sqn has taken part in National and International Exercises, Royal Flypasts and Friends and Families Days all over the country.
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ollowing Ex PANTHER FURY, which saw the whole Sqn deploy on HMS Queen Elizabeth for two weeks in February, the Sqn worked tirelessly to support three Transition pilots graduate their course early in the year so that they could then dive straight into the Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) Course. As a consistently growing Force, trained QFIs are vital to the continual development and progression of new pilots. Over the 2023 period, 207 Sqn has seen five new QFIs graduate and begin training the next generation of Front Line F-35B pilots. The Qualified Weapons Instructor Course (QWIC), which ran from February through to September, took part in the Joint Fighter Integration Mission in May. This involved the largest number of Typhoon, USAF and Draken assets ever achieved for a single sortie on the Lightning Force. In total, 30 aircraft flew two back-to-back sorties in a single day. May also saw QWIC join 617 Squadron on Exercise in Alaska offering Mission Command support. The busy summer period also brought the excitement of His Majesty the King’s Coronation and Birthday Flypast. Weeks of planning and preparation for the momentous occasion took place on 207 Sqn. The engineering team worked night and day to ensure seven jets were serviceable and ready to take part in the much-anticipated flypast. It was intended to be a glorious spectacle, featuring
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a fleet of military aircraft including the well-loved F35Bs, soaring through the skies in synchronised formation. After a very successful rehearsal over RAF Cranwell, the Sqn were looking forward to the big day. However, Mother Nature unfortunately had other plans and inclement weather conditions posed significant challenges to the scheduled flypast. Hoping that the low clouds over London would clear, seven of Marham’s F-35s took off but were ultimately forced to turn back once organisers made the difficult safety decision to reduce the scale of the flypast. Instead of the grand formation initially planned, only a limited number of aircraft were able to participate, namely rotary assets that can operate in lower cloud conditions followed by the Red Arrows who have extensive experience operating in formation during poor weather. While the Coronation celebrations may not have unfolded as planned for the Squadron, the weather on the 17th of June was much more forgiving to celebrate Trooping the Colour. This time, a 70 strong flypast of various military aircraft made its way down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace to celebrate The King’s Official Birthday. Six F-35Bs took their place in the parade behind a formation of a Poseidon P8 flanked by two Eurofighter Typhoons and brought an incredible roar of air superiority to the streets of London. The flypast was a great success thanks to
the tremendous work by all involved (pilots, engineers, mission support flight and many more). The six display jets and one observer jet arrived safely back at Marham glad to have been permitted, thanks to the forgiving weather, to salute the King and represent the UK’s 5th generation multirole stealth capability over the Capital. Over the Autumn period, 207 Sqn focussed on their output of fully qualified F-35B pilots. Along with the three Transition (TX) pilots who graduated early in the year, the Sqn had two more graduate in August with
a third Initial Qualification (IQ) pilot successfully completing their course and joining the Front-Line Sqn when they deployed. New IQ, TX, Conversion, Refresher, QFI and QWI courses have been starting and running simultaneously throughout the year with the first ever Lightning Force QWI graduating in September – a huge achievement for the Force. 2024 is set to be an even busier year for the OCU as the new Front Line Sqn, 809 NAS, stands up at RAF Marham and we continue our support in growing the Lightning Force.
‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’
MARHAM MATTERS
The Phoenix has risen
The Phoenix has risen at RAF Marham with the second F-35B Lightning Squadron joining the frontline.
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09 Naval Air Squadron, known as the Immortals, has a long and distinguished history and has been recommissioned as the nation’s second frontline fighter unit operating the F-35B Lightning stealth fighter. At the parade at RAF Marham, Norfolk, Commander Nick Smith formally received the Squadron Crest from his predecessor, Cdr (Ret’d) Tim Gedge, close to 41 years to the day since 809 NAS decommissioned as a Sea Harrier squadron. In common with the Sea Harrier, the B variant of Lightning is equally at home operating on land or from the decks of the Royal Navy’s QUEEN ELIZABETH class carriers. Of the more than 100 historic Fleet Air Arm units whose numbers are currently dormant, 809 was selected more than a decade ago as a F-35 Lightning formation, largely due to its illustrious history as a strike and attack squadron having received battle honours from operations in the Arctic, Mediterranean, Burma, Suez and South Atlantic over a 41-year period. Commander Nick Smith, Commanding Officer 809 NAS said: “It is an honour and privilege
to be afforded the opportunity to command 809 NAS and lead the workup to Full Operational Capability. The Squadron has a rich history of Royal Navy / Royal Air Force integration from the days of operating the Blackburn Buccaneer at RAF Lossiemouth in the 1960’s and 1970’s, to the Falklands Conflict in 1982 and this is set to endure well into the future.
“The latest re-incarnation of “Phoenix Squadron” will see
this joint service approach deliver a world-leading 5th Generation combat air capability, deployable from both land and sea.” The recommissioning sees the number of UK squadrons operating the Lightning expand to four, 809 joining 617 Dambusters Sqn, 207 Sqn (Operational Conversion Unit) and 17 Test and Evaluation Sqn. All are operated by both RAF and RN personnel and the commanding officer and senior pilot also alternate between the two Services. Thank you to BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, MBDA, Draken International, Inzpire and Northrop Grumman for sponsoring the event.
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MARHAM MATTERS 19
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RAF Reign Supreme! Ex JOINT CATERER 2023 is a Tri-service catering competition where chefs and stewards from all 3 services compete against each other to be crowned the best service overall.
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eams were selected based on previous experience and to those individuals who have shown promise throughout their training phases. This year the competition took centre stage amongst the Public Sector Catering Expo 23 at NAEC Stoneleigh. Four chefs from Catering Flight, RAF Marham were selected to be part of the RAF team for the competition and competed in the following events. Cpl Barton – Armed Forces Senior Chef of the Year 90 mins – 3 course menu - Silver Medal Cpl Barton – Open Pasta Dish 35 mins – Gold Medal A/Cpl Gurung – Open Vegan Dish 35 mins – Gold Medal AS1 Bailey – Decorated Celebration Cake – Silver Medal AS2 Rose – Junior Decorated Birthday Cake – Silver Medal AS2 Rose – Open Fish Dish 35 mins – Silver Medal
I competed in the class Open Celebration Cake (not tasted) and the Junior Omelette Challenge for Ex Joint Caterer. I achieved a Silver Medal in the Open Celebration Cake, with this being my first time competing I was very happy with the result. To gain experience with live classes I entered the Omelette Challenge, with this also my first time, I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere that came with the competitiveness between the three services was amazing. I was part of a great team. AS1 Bailey I personally think it went well, even though my mackerel ended up being a bit smaller than expected once it was grilled. There was a moment where I thought I wasn’t going to be able to serve my dish on time but luckily, I manged to beat the clock. For my cake class it went well. Achieving a silver medal for my first attempt amongst strong competition was a great result. AS2 Rose My pasta dish went as planned even only after having one single practice, I had a moment with
the pasta as the dough became to sticky, however having the experience to deal with that situation under time pressure I was able to re-do the dough and get the completed dishes out still with 2 mins to go. For the Senior chef class, I felt that throughout the 90 mins I had complete control and executed my menu exactly how I wanted to, the 3 dishes were the best version of what I had practiced over two occasions. Although other competitors were serving their dishes well before I served mine, I wasn’t fazed as I had a full and well executed plan to deliver my 3 courses within the time limit. I was happy with all my flavours. I was very disappointed
on not receiving a gold medal and being crowned senior chef for 2023. However, this strives me to beat all opposition next year!! Cpl Barton Being there for the first time competing against the other services, it was exhilarating. I was proud to be able to showcase my skills as part of RAF Marham on such a big stage. With such commendable results from everyone in the team, my energy and excitement was through the roof till the very end. I look forward to the next one where we possibly go against each other. A/Cpl Gurung
Overall, the achievements reached from Team Marham was outstanding, with the points gained from these results helped the RAF to a convincing win overall. With excellent mentorship and support from all of Catering Flight, the talented chefs and stewards we have at Marham are looking forward to 2024 when they can compete at the International Salon Culinare at Hotelympia. 20 MARHAM MATTERS
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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 obsolete
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
24 MARHAM MATTERS
‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future Operations’
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
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
Website www. pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk
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
www.marhammattersonline.co.uk
Facebook.co.uk/ atjohnsonretailstore 46 - 48 Bridge Street Downham Market Tel: 01366 383407
Horsleys Fields Kings Lynn Tel: 01553 760962
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
GORDON’S SCHOOL
Boarding schools have come a long way since the tales of cold showers, uncaring, strict staff and huge dormitories filled with rows of home sick children. These days the emphasis is on patience and guiding students as they navigate social interactions, mental health issues and meeting the high expectations of the school, all that while being away from home for the first time, starting in a new school and living with 30 other peers. In an increasingly uncertain world, boarding provides a balanced, consistent constant. Nowadays, boarding is often described as ‘one big sleepover’ by students, who regard it as very much a ‘home from home’: secure, friendly places where not only can they flourish academically, but also learn tolerance, resilience, discipline, independence - and make life-long friends in the process. Evenings and weekends are packed with activities, both external and in-house, and as well as large grounds and facilities, children can enjoy the company of perhaps hundreds of others every day and weekend. Gordon’s School, built over a century ago at the express wish of Queen Victoria, as the national monument to General Gordon, is listed as one of Britain’s outstanding schools by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. A non-selective, co-educational state day and boarding school, set in some 50 acres of Surrey parkland close to London, the School is in the top 5% of all schools in England and Wales for progress at A Level.
However, Gordon’s is so much more than its academic results. The School’s ethos is that high performance without good character is not true success. So it’s not just the classrooms where students excel. Successes are also achieved in drama; the arts; debating; public speaking; dance and sport and in the enviable record of Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The Boarding House is run as an extension of their home – the kitchen door is always open and their children and dog running around. Saturday morning pancakes in their kitchen are a weekly treat! Students feel comfortable, safe and secure - it’s their term time home and their aim is to make them feel that way. While extra support may be provided in the classrooms to make up for any gaps in their education or to stretch and challenge the children, Mr and Mrs Cooper see their job as keeping the atmosphere in the boarding house positive, upbeat and fun, as well as helping their charges to become more independent and organised. All students are encouraged to ‘have a go’ at sport, whether for their House or School and the school provides every opportunity to progress in their chosen field through the extensive facilities and coaches, many of whom have played on the international arena. A new sports hub and additional all-weather pitch have been added to the Surrey site and the school partners Harlequins, providing a pathway for talented rugby players to achieve their potential both on and off the pitch. There are also partnerships with Superleague netball club Surrey Storm, Vanarama League Football Club Aldershot Town FC and the National Shooting Centre. As well as sport, there are over 128 co-curricular choices for students every week, from Brazilian Jujitsu to Robotics Club and every child experiences the thrill of outdoor pursuits through the Combined Cadet Force, a tri-service offering students training in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force services or through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Over 70 per cent of the boarders at Gordon’s are from Service or Diplomatic families, attracted to the school by its experience and expertise in looking after these children, who may have been uprooted from many schools and countries before their arrival. Boarding offers these children a constant, a place away from perhaps the worry of a parent on active service.
While the individual is celebrated, the whole School unites for parades. Since its inception, as a national memorial to General Gordon, students have marched and there has always been a Pipes and Drums band. Dressed in their Blues uniform, the students parade around eight times a year and the school is the only one permitted to march along Whitehall - an annual tradition in remembrance of General Gordon.
There are three main admission points – at 11 and 13 years old and for Sixth Form. Those coming into the school in Year 7 as residential boarders, are housed together for the first year, becoming part of the extended Woolwich family, headed by Houseparents Sam and Daisy Cooper.
The real judgement of Gordon’s is the students. Visitors are struck by the friendliness, discipline and vibrancy throughout the school and by the family atmosphere, exemplified by the special rapport between staff and students.
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