Royal Air Force Bircham Newton Memorial Project

Heritage Room and Memorial to those who served at RAF Bircham Newton from 1918-1962

OPEN DAYS 2011

Our last Open Day of the Year!
Sun 25th September

Open 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
AT National Construction College
Bircham Newton
Signposted off the A148 & B1454

Admission FREE!!!!!!!

Under the guidance of its first Chairman, Neil Grant, and two other trustees, David Jacklin, the present Chairman and Secretary and Brian Hall, the project was launched in April 2005 and registered as a charity. The Chairman and trustees had all served in the Royal Air Force. Three new trustees also have Royal Air Force connections. The patrons are Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Michael Beetham, a former Chief of the Air Staff, and Sir Michael Oswald, currently Honorary Air Commodore of No 2620 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment.

The aims of the project are to commemorate the distinguished history of Royal Air Force Bircham Newton and its satellite airfields. The Construction Industry Training Board, now known as ConstructionSkills, generously provided accommodation within the National Construction College, and a Heritage Room was established, displaying archive material in the form of stories, memorabilia, photographs, maps and drawings from Bircham Newton's past.

Two permanent stone memorials have also been erected and dedicated to those who served at Bircham Newton and the main satellite airfield at nearby Docking.

Several illustrated talks about the project and the history of the airfields have been given to clubs and other interested parties around East Anglia. Such talks can be arranged upon request and in return for a small project donation.

The project maintains a website, which can be accessed at http://www.rafbnmp.org.uk/ .

David Jacklin has produced a number of books relating to local airfields: “Whin Close Warriors”, about the WWI aerodrome at Sedgeford; “Up in all Weather”, about the WW2 satellite airfield at Docking; and several others relating to Bircham Newton. These are on sale in the Heritage Room. All profits from these book sales are donated to the project. Books can also be obtained from David directly. He can be contacted on 01379 741884 or by e-mail at djacklin@aol.com .

Alternatively, you may write to him at:
2 Fairways, Stuston, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4AB.
He is also the contact for talks.