Community Activities
Here are some photos of our activities in the community.
How have we engaged the community?
In 2014, we asked the public to vote for their favourite version of the statue: either the standing-up or sitting down version at our D-Day+1 event, the Bingham Town Fair, the East Bridgford Show and the community day at Newton. The sitting-down version won the public vote.
Our exhibition in Bingham Library (1 - 30th April 2012) attracted much interest from the local community and helped get our message across to the general public.
Air-cadets of 1936 Newton Squadron ATC have also been included by learning about the history of RAF Newton via a PowerPoint presentation on Wednesday 18th April 2012.
The Aquila Colony of the 1st Bingham Scout Group listened to a Remembrance Day presentation on Tuesday 6th November by Tim O'Brien and also learned about the memorial.
Listeners of 103 The Eye, Melton Mowbray's Community Radio Station heard all about the work of the Memorial Fund during the Community Focus programme on Sunday 22nd April 2012.
Members of the Bingham Business Club were also treated to a PowerPoint presentation at their meeting on Tuesday 24th April, 2012. This is a shortened version of one that has been delivered to local history groups.
Messages of Support
A selection of the many messages of support received in favour of a memorial:
"As the last Commanding Officer of RAF Newton, I was interested to learn that there is a possibility that a memorial to those who served at the station could be incorporated into a future development of the site. Such a project would be fitting to those who served on the station in wartime to defeat the forces of fascism, particularly our gallant Polish allies, many of whose descendants still live in the local area. It would also commemorate the many thousands of men and women who served on the station in the post-war era helping to maintain the peace that was so dearly bought."
C B Adcock. Group Captain BA, FIMGT, RAF (Retired), RAF Newton Station Commander 1993-95.
"RAF Newton is held in very great regard in this part of the country, and the part it played not just during the Second World War, but in the decades afterwards should be reflected by a fitting tribute."
Sir Edward and Lady Helen Nall, Hoveringham Hall, Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire - via an email sent in 2010.
"I wish to add my weight to the suggestion for a memorial at the Newton site, especially as the University Air Squadron was resident at Newton for 59 years and still has its town HQ in Beeston, Nottingham."
David Gregory, Sqn Ldr (Retired). Former Officer Commanding, East Midlands Universities Air Squadron - via an email sent in 2010.
"Thank you for letting me know about the proposal for a memorial at the site of former, Royal Air Force Station Newton. RAF Newton contributed a huge amount to the life of the area around the villages and Bingham, not forgetting the local economy. I'm sure that local people will testify to its popularity over the years.
You have my wholehearted support for this project. I do hope your team can find funds for this very worthwhile enterprise, which, after all would be a National Memorial to a Station that contributed to British war and post-war history in a big way."
John A Francis OBE MSc FRAeS. Former Director of the RAF Museum, Cosford - via an email sent in 2010.