RAF Halton

Editor's Note: Many of the stories included on pages 28-29 were taken from the RAF Halton Facebook page www.facebook.com/ RoyalAirForceHalton. Accompanying images crown copyright unless noted.

Christmas Cards of Kindness

After a tough year this year, staff from the Airmen’s Development Flight (ADF) along with a section of SATT’s (Servicemen awaiting Trade Training) stationed at RAF Halton decided they wanted to give something back to the local community this Christmas by taking part in a project called ‘Christmas Cards of Kindness’. At the end of November staff member Cpl Michelle Jones from ADF and a team of SATT’s took it upon themselves to craft various letters, poems and homemade Christmas cards all to go to residents at local care homes this December. Cpl Jones said: “The SATT’s thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in this project and produced some very heart-warming and thoughtful homemade cards, which were very much appreciated this Christmas.”

Alzheimer’s Society Charity Collection

Personnel Management Squadron (PMS) staff at RAF Halton have been collecting money for the Alzheimer's Society dressed as Christmas elves. Collecting money on the gates in the chilly weather, they brought a bit of festive cheer to the station and received lots of laughs and some money too!

The Alzheimer's Society has encouraged people throughout the UK to ‘unleash their inner elf’ to help raise funds to support people with Dementia who have been cut off from their families during the pandemic.

Sergeant Kelly Loder, (Personnel Support Flight) said: “I’m grateful for everyone who dressed up and braved the cold, as well as all those who contributed to our fundraising. The charity is very close to my heart as my uncle has been diagnosed.”

The PMS staff have raised £200 so far which will go towards the Alzheimer's Society’s response to COVID; funding calls from Dementia advisors to sufferers, maintaining the Dementia support line as well as combating loneliness, with over 1,500 volunteers.

Station Commander's Coins

Many teams and individuals received Station Commander's Coins in December. Among them:

The Community Support staff at the Trinity Community Centre

have been awarded with a Station Commander’s Coin for their dedication to supporting Royal Air Force Halton staff and families over the COVID Pandemic. Group Captain Dan Startup praised Mrs Fern, Mrs Smith and Mrs Holdsworth and said "This team is a key part of the Station and the very anchor that holds everyone together with endless community spirit. These coins are very well earned and are just a small token of my appreciation".

Mrs Tracey McNulty, who is part of the Contract Monitoring Team.

Tracey has gone above and beyond these last few months with her unwavering support to the Station Catering Liaison Officer during the pandemic. Along with her normal tasking for the Contract Monitoring Team she has assisted in ensuring the collection of RO-RO skips and medical waste, provided assurance checks of all the retail outlets and much more. Most importantly, she has provided the team with high levels of energy and morale. Warrant Officer Sarah Hammond, who nominated Tracey, said: “Tracey has been an invaluable member of the team with her ‘can do’ attitude”.

Sergeant (Sgt) Paul Topping, Station Management Squadron,

for his services to the Station delivery and output. His citation was delivered by Group Captain Startup, who commented: “Sgt Topping is a natural deliverer, from making displays for the front of SHQ including reindeer antlers for the Hunter gate guard and silhouettes for Remembrance, to making stands for the Medals and Awards to sit on during Honours and Awards Ceremonies, which he does the majority of in his own time. He is always ready to help out whether it be shopping for colleagues isolating or picking up a coffee to make someone smile.” Sgt Topping also played a key role in the facilitating of the Covid-19 response. His efforts have drawn praise from Wing Commander Hough and Public Health England who visited the facility and signed it off for use saying they were: 'Impressed with what Sgt Topping had produced'.

Sergeant Adam Bayfield, Sergeant Charlotte Elson and Sergeant Benjamin Hawes,

who were nominated for their support to the Station's Covid Response. Aside from providing the real-life support for the Covid Isolation Support Cell (CISC), they have constantly worked with different sections of the Station to boost the morale of the isolating recruits. They organised meetings and chats between recruits and padres, liaised with gym staff to coordinate workout plans for asymptomatic isolating recruits, which helped them to keep up their fitness levels while isolating.

Flying Officer Suman Garewal, Second in Command of Station Management Section (SMS), who nominated them, said: “I have worked with them for four weeks and they have consistently impressed me with their pro-activeness and productivity; especially for Sgts who have only been out of Phase Two training for eight weeks. They have been crucial in the running of CISC, which has provided real life support to Personnel in isolation providing sections on Station with the capacity to focus on their key outputs and peace of mind that their personnel were supported. It was an absolute pleasure to work with all three of them and they have inspired me and other team members of CISC to go above and beyond.”

Sally Phillips

who works in the RAF Halton Station Workshops. Sally is someone who encapsulates the epitome of professionalism with her consistent attention to detail and management of the throughput of the Station Workshop taskings. Station Warrant Officer Andrea Culley, who nominated Sally, said “Sally is always a pleasure to deal with and no task is ever too great. Her ability to work seamlessly within the Workshops team is testimony to her positive work ethos and in my opinion she is well deserving of a RAF Halton Commanding Officer's coin.”

Santa Run

Wednesday 16 Dec was the annual Santa Run at RAF Halton! The wet and windy weather didn’t deter the 8 teams of 6 runners and lots of four legged racers joined in the fun too! (See photo above.)

Although this year there were limited spectators, the spirit of the race was very much alive – especially with the promise of mulled wine at the finish line. Station Commander, Group Captain Dan Startup, who was there to cheer them on, commented “I am so impressed with the efforts this year and especially with the choice of fantastic Christmas jumpers.”

RAF Halton Community Food Collection

The RAF Halton Community Team have been hard at work again supporting a community food collection. Leading the way, Cpl Vicky Taylor said “I decided to arrange and coordinate this community project because of the way this year has gone for everyone due to COVID-19. My aim is to help support any Military families who may need a helping hand over this festive period. Christmas is always an expensive time for everyone, so if I can help just at least one family have a little bit of enjoyment instead of stress, then the aim of this project has been fulfilled”.

Bridgerton House or Halton House?

Have you watched the latest number one blockbuster from Netflix yet? Bridgerton is a period drama series based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency London when high society's debutantes are presented at court. But not all of the drama was filmed in London, those eagle eyed of you may well have recognised our very own Halton House as the interior of the Bridgerton family home!

RAF Halton are incredibly proud that their grand hall could be featured in this fantastic production which has now been viewed in over 63 million homes worldwide.

Photo courtesy Liam Daniels and Netflix.