This annual event held by the charity was a great success, despite the best attempts of the weather in the afternoon! Hundreds of people streamed into the old RAF West Raynham airfield to enjoy the wide range of activities, displays and craft stalls centred in and around the under-restoration Station Headquarters building.
There were opportunities to view or sit in a number of aircraft cockpits and learn from the hosts about these aircraft and their use; the new Hunter display was particularly popular. The military vehicle park included a great selection from World War Two to more recent times and kept visitors entertained. The nearby classic car area was well populated with a wide range of cars, including groups from two local car clubs. The impressive East Norfolk Militia provided a display of drill and answered questions on life in the 19th Century. Visitors were invited to take a turn in the axe-throwing range or trying one of the games in the Young Farmers/ Countrysiders zone.
The event attracted several veterans who had not visited SHQ before, and this was very much part of the reason for the event, to make veterans (military and emergency services) aware of the purpose of Veterans Central at SHQ. The event was also supported by several local military charities, such as The Bridge for Heroes, Walking with the Wounded, and RBL. There were several veterans who had served at West Raynham, or family members who had been children here, and they brought photos and items to share with our archive team. The archive team also put on a fascinating display looking at the lives of some of West Raynham’s wartime personnel, including our pre-war actress!
The historical display and events inside SHQ were well visited, especially when it rained, and the massive book sale attracted a great deal of interest, whilst our tombola, with over 200 amazing prizes, was voted the best anyone had ever seen. And of course there was food – a brilliant BBQ, our famous SHQ café with its home made cakes, and a food truck.
A spokesperson for Veterans Central said; “the event was our biggest yet and achieved the aims of spreading the word on the role of Veterans Central and providing visitors with an insight into the SHQ project – and, of course, to give them a entertaining and fun day. We would like to thank the organisations and traders for support of our Annual Activities and Open Day and the hundreds of people that came to join in. We look forward to welcoming people to SHQ on our normal opening days and at future events.”
Veterans Central West Raynham SHQ is open al year on every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 to 3.
Sunday 17th August: Event to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Displays and presentations.
For more information email: ops@veteranscentral.co.uk
