The RAF Bircham Newton Memorial Project

Patrons:
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC DL
Sir Michael Oswald KCVO DSc MA

Trustees:
David Jacklin (Chairman), Keith Benn, Avril MacArthur and Denise Goff

Registered Charity Number 1111530

Following the publication of books on the history of the the former RAF airfields at Bircham Newton and Docking, this project was started with the aim of providing suitable memorials for RAF Bircham Newton and its main satellite airfield. The project was the brainchild of a former RAF Wing Commander, Neil Grant, who recruited other volunteers and lead the project during the first five years, when the major objectives were achieved. A trust was established and registered as a charity with the object of funding the provision of suitable memorials. Many organisations and individuals generously supported the project, including The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, The Lady Hind Trust, The Pennycress Trust, Waitrose plc (Swaffham Branch), CITB-ConstructionSkills, The National Construction College , Bircham Parish Council, Docking Parish Council, The RAF Administrative Apprentices Association, Diss & District Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Cromer and Sheringham, Aviation artist John Stevens and the County Gallery (Dereham), The Norfolk Military Vehicle Group, The Anglo-American Airfields Tour Group, The 221 Squadron Association, and The 206 Squadron Association.

The project group has erected stone memorials at Bircham Newton and its satellite airfield at Docking. The first of these memorials, dedicated to those who served at Bircham Newton, is situated outside the heritage room within the National Construction College. It was unveiled and dedicated on the 2nd of September 2006. The second memorial, remembering those who served at Docking, was unveiled and dedicated one year later, on the 8th of September 2007. The Docking memorial is situated about one mile outside the village of Docking along the Brancaster road.

Also, thanks to the generous provision of accommodation at the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, a Heritage Room has been established to conserve and display the memorabilia of the former RAF station and its satellite airfields. The Heritage Room was first opened on the 28th of July 2005, and has been opened to the public on a regular basis ever since. It has become a focus for the history of these former RAF stations as well as an important addition to the local heritage, available to the general public and to the staff and students of the National Construction College and its visitors. It is also available to school parties and students of aviation and local history, and as a venue for illustrated talks, thus providing an educational service.

Information is also available for access via the World Wide Web at this site, www.rafbnmp.org.uk, which was established in 2006. This allows access to information about the history of the former airfields and about this project, including opening dates and the latest news. It also allows remote users to contact the project group for information, to be included on the project mailing list, to pass on personal memories, to inform the group about people who have served at Bircham Newton, or for other reasons.

Although the main objectives of the project have been achieved, the project group continues to maintain and improve the Heritage Room and, with the support of the National Construction College, make it available to visitors and to the general public as often as possible. The group also continues to conduct research and answer queries submitted by member of the public It also promotes the history of RAF Bircham Newton and its satellites by giving illustrated talks, by generating literature, and by exhibiting at public events.

The latest project news is available via the Latest News button. Should you wish to communicate with the project team, please click on the Contact Us button.