Caption: Mr Peter Kingston, Chairman RAFA Downham Market presenting Group Captain Phil Osborn, RAF Marham Station Commander with a cheque for £1,000.


RAFA (Downham Market Banch) Donation to RAF Marham Lodges

On the 24th July 2007, Mr Peter Kingston, Chairman of the Downham Market RAFA presented Group Captain Phil Osborn with a cheque for £1,000. Mr Kingston said “Due to our close relationship with RAF Marham we are only too aware of the demands on the Lodges. They have an excellent welfare facility, used by Service personnel and their families on overnight visits to the Station and it gives us great pleasure in supporting this project”. The money was raised through various events held throughout the year and will be put towards the upkeep of the Lodges.

On the 9th February 2007, the Station Commander at RAF Marham, Group Captain Phil Osborn officially re-opened the newly refurbished Marham Lodges. Due to a high demand and constant use, the two original lodges needed some modernisation. The properties were fully refurbished in September 2005 with new doors, windows, bathrooms and installation of all white goods in the kitchen, along with new carpets and furniture. The effect was instantaneous and the demand for the facilities soared. Consequently, two more houses underwent the same treatment in October 2006. The next phase in this ongoing project is to install a community play area in the back garden.

The Marham Lodges provide short-term accommodation for family or friends of personnel at Marham. This includes parents maintaining contact with children from a previous marriage, families requiring housing during domestic difficulties, or some people whose parents or nearest relatives are visiting

Corporal Neil Coussell and his wife Gemma have recently used the facility. Gemma gave birth to twin girls in June 2007. Neil said “The Lodges were ideal for accommodating all our family who wanted to come and visit the new arrivals. Becoming parents for the first time is such a life changing experience, it made our lives easier knowing that we could concentrate on caring for the girls, and not worry about looking after or entertaining our visitors. The Lodges’ facilities were of a very high standard, with everything provided from cooking equipment complete with a fridge full of the basics to Bedding; fresh from the laundry. Everything has been thought of, from Entertainment and Gaming systems, through to toys to keep and children occupied”.

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