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, a small group of interested people was formed with the aim of providing suitable memorials for RAF Bircham Newton and its satellites. Also a trust was set up and registered as a charity with the object of funding the provision of suitable memorials. Charity registration allows the trust to operate the Gift Aid system and reclaim tax paid by individual donors. 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 to remember those who served at Bircham Newton and its satellite airfield at Docking, particularly those who lost their lives in the course of duty. 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 has become a focus of interest in the history of these former RAF stations as well as an important addition to the local heritage, open to the public at certain times and available to the staff and students of the National Construction College and its visitors. It is also proposed to provide access to school parties and students of aviation and local history, and to give illustrated talks, either in the Heritage Room or in other venues, thus providing an educational service.

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 to interested clubs and organisations, by generating literature, by maintaining this website 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 or to be added to the project mailing list, please click on the Contact Us button.