NEWS RELEASE

 SHAWBURY HOSTS HANGAR PARTY

          An aircraft hangar has been utilised to host a hugely successful Sixties and Seventies themed party.

          Hangar one at RAF Shawbury, was transformed into a Sixties and Seventies ‘Top of the Pops’ style set decorated with large screens showing adverts and psychedelic backdrops for the audience of 400 guests who were mostly in period dress.  The event, raised funds for the Station Charity, Help for Heroes and the Shawbury based Assault Glider Trust.

          The hangar was designed by the Project Officer, Lieutenant Commander Kev Woolsey, an Instructor with the CentralAirTrafficControlSchool.  The hangar was then expertly built by Warrant Officer 2 Ed Gibson of the Defence College of Engineering at Cosford and Rachael Abbiss, the Curator at the Assault Glider Trust.  The other organisers were Squadron Leader Neil Hope, the Community Relations Officer at the unit and Flight Lieutenant Kim Surman, of the FlightOperationsTraining School at Shawbury.  Food for the evening was prepared and served from by ESS from the Messes at Shawbury.   On the evening music was provided by 2 local bands, The Greens and Top Banana.  Advertising and all tickets and posters were expertly produced by Angie Clarke.  Sponsorship to assist with the costs of the event came from Landrover and FBHeliservices whilst the backdrop for the photos was an original 1963 E-type Jaguar, kindly donated by Nick Goldthorpe. 

          The event was a huge success raising close on £4000. £500 of that raised will go to the Assault Glider Trust with the rest adding to the years Station tally for Help for Heroes.  The audience consisted of a wide range of Station personnel, local Shawbury people and guests from across the region.  The event was opened by RAF Shawbury Station Commander, Group Captain ‘Bunny James’.

          Squadron Leader Hope said, ‘the event has been a huge success. It was excellent to see all the guests dressing up for the evening and having a great time.  It is nice for RAF Shawbury to be able to have a large scale event open to the general public.  We are pleased to raise such a large amount of money for two excellent causes. I would like to pass on the thanks of the Station Commander to all those who assisted in organising the event and to the students of the various CATCS courses who provided assistance for the event’

 For further information please contact Squadron Leader Neil Hope on 01939 250351 Ext 7572

Below: Members of the Central Air Traffic Control School

 Above: Stn Cdr, Gp Capt 'Bunny' James opens the show

 Above: The Greens

 Above: Top Bananas