STATION CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

A contact list of Officers in Charge (OIC) of current clubs and activities is maintained by the Station Adjutant and published regularly in Station Routine Orders. Personnel can also find information from the Serving Personnel HIVE.

Air Training Corps

Open to young people aged 13-18 years, 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron Air Training Corps meet in Building 901, located on the left as you drive to Base Hangar. Parade nights are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 1900-2130 hrs.
Contact the Sqn HQ by BT answer phone on 01993 843771 or by email 227@Aircadets.org

Astra Bowl (with bar and café)

The Astra Bowl is a 12-lane ten-pin bowling centre, located near the Officers’ Mess, open at least ten hours per day from Monday to Saturday. Open to all Station military personnel and their families, civilian staff and social pass holders, it is also available for use by local civilian groups and organisations by arrangement.

Price reductions are offered to members of the RAF Brize Norton Sports Club; Station military personnel are automatically members, others can join for a small annual fee. An alcoholic bar and a snack bar offering light meals and refreshments are available during the majority of the opening times.

In addition to lunchtime leagues for Station personnel, there are thriving evening leagues running every weekday evening and new blood is always welcomed, no matter what the standard. In addition, the Bowl has special offers for children’s bowling on Saturday and during school holidays. The facility may be booked for private parties for all ages. For more information and bookings, contact the Manager on Extension 7289 or 01993 897289.

Flying Club

The Station has a thriving flying club, which owns and operates one Piper Cherokee and two Piper Warriors. Membership and flying charges are kept as low as possible and the club can offer training for all PPL requirements as well as instrument and night flying. Multi-engine, aerobatics and flying instructor courses for the more advanced can be arranged.

If you're looking for a professional flying school with years of experience as your guide through to PPL and beyond, look no further. With a combination of military and civilian instructors, Brize Norton Flying Club has over 25 years experience guiding pilots through to reach their ultimate goal!

Be it introductory lessons or full licences, flying for a hobby or as a professional career; BNFC can help you achieve your ambition!

Contact the Club Ops Manager on 07917 861950 for further details or view the website http://www.brizeflyingclub.com/

Guides

The Station is fortunate to have the following well supported Guiding activities available:

Millenium Activities Centre, opposite NAAFI on Stanmore Crescent

• 4th RAF Brize Norton Brownies Thursdays 6.15 - 7.45 pm
• 3rd RAF Brize Norton Guides Mondays 7.00 - 8.30 pm
• 2nd RAF Brize Norton Brownies Wednesdays 6.15 - 7.45 pm
• 1st RAF Brize Norton Rainbows Wednesdays 4.00 - 5.00 pm
• 3rd Carterton Rainbows Thursdays 5.00 - 6.00 pm

St Christopher’s Church, RAF Brize Norton

• 2nd Carterton Rainbows Thursdays 4.00 - 5.00 pm

Helpers for the above units are always welcome; previous experience not required. For further information on Brize Norton and Carterton District Guiding contact the District Commissioner on 01993 212465.

Hobbies Club

The Hobbies Club is located in Building T326 behind BB19 by the Sergeants’ Mess. The Club has excellent facilities for all forms of woodwork and carpentry and is open to all members of the Station. The Club may be used by personnel for other hobbies on application to the Officer IC. There is a modest annual membership fee of £5 (at time of publication).

Kart Club

The Kart Club is situated in Building S204 located on the right hand side of the road leading to Base Hangar, just before the paint facility. The club is open to all personnel and offers workshop facilities for competitors who own their own karts and advice for those that want to experience this exciting form of motor sport. There is no circuit at RAF Brize Norton, but club
members compete regularly at RAF Little Rissington on the first Sunday of each month. The club has recently received a new Prokart, generally used for Team Endurance events.

Kite Club

The Brize Norton Kite Club is an easy way into one of the fastest growing sports in Britain - Power Kiting. Whether you want to enjoy the rush of high speed over land or water, or the exhilaration of freestyle tricks and jumps as these kites literally fly you off your feet, our club members can help you – and membership is free! We have several instructors and excellent equipment available for beginners and more advanced members alike.

Model Aircraft Club

The Model Aircraft Club is located in Building S453 behind 501 Sqn, adjacent to the Sargeants’ Mess car park. It has a keen membership, building and flying a wide range of model aircraft. Fully equipped workshop and use of flying facilities on the other side of the airfield, adjacent to the helicopter landing area, on evenings and weekends. Membership is open to all station military and civilian staff for a small annual membership fee.

Motorcycle Club

The RAF Brize Norton Motorcycle Club, known as the Brize Bike Club or BBC caters for all types of motorcycles and motorcyclists. Its aim is to bring together the Station's Bikers, providing advice on riding techniques, servicing procedures, a clubhouse for social gatherings with an area for bike servicing and to organise regular ride-outs to bike related events. The Clubhouse, Building S204, is situated at the other end of the Kart Club, between the Centralised Painting Facility and the Structures Bay.

Music Club

The Music Club has a rehearsal room, with hireable PA system, in Building 72 – adjacent to the Sergeants’ Mess car park. Used by Station live music bands and talented individuals who often take part in club run charity gigs, the club is open to all Station military personnel, dependants and civilian staff. There is a small annual membership, worth it to crank up the volume without annoying others!

Parent & Toddler Group

This is a friendly and welcoming voluntary group which meets on Thursday afternoons 1300 – 1430 and Friday mornings from 0930-1130 hrs in the Millennium Activities Centre, opposite the old NAAFI Spar shop on Stanmore Crescent. It is very well equipped with toys for tots aged 0-4 years and also runs regular crafts and fun activities. There is fee of £1.00 per family per session (at time of publication) including refreshments for both tots and parents. Visiting friends and family are also welcome.

Scouts

There is a strong and active Scout movement in Carterton. The 2nd Brize Norton (RAF) Air Scout Group have their moved their Scout HQ off base and are now located in the old Scout Hut, Baldwin Mews (off Swinbrook Rd)(next to the Squash Courts). The section meeting times are shown below:

* Air Scout Troop - Wednesday, 1900-2115 hrs (age 10-14)

* Cub Scout Pack - Tuesday, 1830-2000 hrs (age 8-10)

* Beaver Scout Colony - Wednesday, 1800-1915 hrs (age 6-8)

* Explorer Scouts - Thursday, 1930-21.30 hrs (age 14-18)

Further details are available from the leaders at the Scout HQ, The Group Scout Leader Mr Andy Seekings (01993 843582) or via the Scout Information Centre 0845 3001818 / https://cms.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/rafcms/www.scouts.org.uk.

South East Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association

The SE RFCA offes support to the reserve forces and cadets in the region from all the Services. This includes recruit marketing and the maintenance of the estate of the Territorial Army and Cadet Movement, providing a vital link between the reservists, their employers and the local comunity. We also have close links with units and reservists of the Royal Naval Reserve, The Royal Marines Reserve and the Royal Auxillary Air Force. For more information view the website http://www.serfca.org/dnn/

Stargazers – The Brize Norton Astronomy Society

The subject of the stars comes to all of us at some point, whether it is knowing all the constellations visually and by name, or walking home from the local hostelry on a clear winter’s evening and being taken in by the beauty of the sparkling dots in the sky.

The main aim of the Society is to bring together any one who has an interest in the subject or science in general. Information will be passed through Stargazers, the newsletter for the Society, and monthly meetings that will include viewing evenings once an area dark enough has been found.

Everyone is welcome from experts to novices and young to old. If you wish more information please do not hesitate to contact Sgt Duncan Sanderson or Sgt John Crimes, both on Ext 7802.

Theatre Club

The Station has a very active Theatre Club located in Building 539, behind the Arena Club. Members meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 2000 hrs. The club performs three shows a year ranging from one act plays to a spectacular pantomime. Open to all station military personnel, civilian staff, dependants and members of the local community – no
previous experience is required. Opportunities exist to use your talents on stage, behind the scenes or front of house – contact the OIC for details. The club can also be contacted by email from the link on their website at http://www.brizetheatre.co.uk/.

Vehicle Maintenance Centre

The VCM (Car Club) is situated opposite 99 Sqn on the road towards Base Hangar. Excellent facilities – from doing a basic car service to a complete restoration. Friendly advice given, various tools and equipment available, including x2 car ramps. Annual or monthly membership available to Service and Station personnel. Visit Brizenet homepage – Station Information/Clubs/VMS for joining instructions or visit the club and pick up an application form.