Service personnel and their families were honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to their wellness haven in the midst of busy service life when she visited RAF Leeming.
The Queen, Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming, was given a personal tour of the Station’s Wellness Area by Station Commander, Group Captain Paul Hamilton. Comprising allotments, a polytunnel, beehives, and runs filled with rare-breed chickens, the area has proven hugely popular with personnel and their families – many of whom are growing their own produce and experiencing the physical and mental benefits of being with nature for the first time. The Queen chatted with those who run and use the Wellness Area, as well as children from the Station’s ‘RAFA Kidz’ nursery and Leeming RAF Community Primary School, who live on the base.
Whilst at RAF Leeming, Her Majesty was introduced to members of 11 Squadron QEAF who train RAF and Qatari pilots on Hawk jets. She also met members of 90 Signals Unit, specialists in communications and cyber defence and No.2 CUAS who deliver training on Counter Uncrewed Air Systems.
The visit was concluded with a flypast of Hawk jets, piloted by the British and Qatari pilots of 11 Sqn QEAF, and the presentation of produce grown on base.
Group Captain Paul Hamilton, Station Commander RAF Leeming, said: “Today has meant a huge amount to everybody, not just the military serving members, but also the, the broader families. Planning and preparing for today has pulled the community together, which is so positive. Her Majesty is very interested in nature, and I think she really enjoyed seeing the polytunnel and wellness area.
“In the military we have to do some really hard things. And having wellness and welfare to support people to be able to do that operational activity is so important. The fact the Queen is so interested means a great deal.”
Flight Lieutenant Ben Stubbings and his wife Harriet spend many hours at the Wellness Area with their four-month-old daughter Rose. Ben said: “I think Her Majesty really cared about the area and spoke with the families on something she knows a lot about. It was such a privilege to meet her, and I hope this visit will bring more people to the wellness area so that we can keep going from strength to strength.”
