NEWS RELEASE FROM RAF SHAWBURY

 FANTASTIC TURNOUT FOR VETERANS CELEBRATION

 Royal Air Force Shawbury, in association with the Assault Glider Trust, held their Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day celebration on Sunday 5^th July at the airbase. 

The weekend was an outstanding success with over 500 people attending.  The audience included veterans from all over the region as well as many members of the general public.  After an initial downpour the weather brightened for everyone in attendance that enjoyed displays of the Assault Glider Trust aircraft; the Airspeed Horsa, WACO, Dakota and Tiger Moth.  Further stalls and displays were provided by the Royal British Legion, RAFA, Help for Heroes, Combat Stress, St Dunstan's, Forces Pensions Society, SSAFA, RAF Benevolent fund, War Widows Association and vehicles of the Military Vehicle Trust organised through Peter and Darren Bick and Chris Brown.  A Spitfire flown by Squadron Leader Al Pinner of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby performed a fantastic display and members of the Model Aircraft Club at the Station provided some excellent displays of their models.

Music for the event was provided by the Pipe Drum and Bugle Band of the 1^ST Royal Irish Regiment from Clive Barracks at Ternhill and band of the 1119 Squadron Shrewsbury Air Cadets and 2497 Squadron Cosford Air Cadets.  Also attending were members of 24 Squadron Market Drayton Air Cadets, Telford Sea Cadets and 230 Squadron Air Cadets.  Eighteen Squadron Standards were paraded and many local dignitaries and personnel associated with the Assault Glider Association were present.  The Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Alan Townsend and his wife Judy, Lord and Lady Livsey, Viscount Montgomery and the honourable Henry Montgomery and the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner and her husband Jonathon.  The Deputy Mayor of Telford and Wrekin, Mr Dennis Allen was also present as was the Lord Lieutenant Mr Algernon Heber-Percy and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Neil Barclay.  Also in attendance were the President of the British Legion for Shropshire, Sir Charles Soame, Chairman of Shropshire Council, Councillor Malcolm Pate and MP for North Shropshire, Mr Owen Patterson.  Previous Presidents of the Assault Glider Trust, Group Captains Dick Allen and Paul Cunningham were also present.  

As with all events of this size, it is the work of those behind the scenes who ensure success.  Tracy Roberts of the Coffee Shop at Shawbury provided refreshments throughout the event whilst personnel of the St John Ambulance brigade were present but fortunately not required.   At the end of the event a commemorative church service was led by the Station Chaplain Richard Dunston-Meadows.  The event organisers, Wing Commander Tim Owens and Flight Lieutenant Duncan Pope were very pleased with the day.  Wg Cdr Owens said, 'RAF Shawbury was delighted to be able to celebrate the achievements of the Armed Forces.  It was good to see so  many members of the general public as well as many veterans of previous and current conflicts at the event enjoying what was a very successful; day. 

The Assault Glider Trust was the central setting for the weekend and

is a charitable organisation, which is rebuilding a Horsa and Waco glider, a Tiger Moth and Dakota.  These aircraft saw active service during World War 2, and were involved in the D-Day landing, Operation MARKET GARDEN over Arnhem, the Rhine crossings and the war in the Far East.  The work is being completed by volunteers at the trust who willingly give up their spare time to complete this part of the nation's history.  The trust are always looking for volunteers to assist in their work.  For more information on how to volunteer please see the Assault Glider website at http://www.assaultglidertrust.co.uk  Furthermore, this event would not have happened without the volunteers of the Assault Glider Trust and the efforts of Ed Gibson and the 2 hard workings full time workers, Mr Tim Jenkins and Miss Rachael Abbiss, without whom the Trust would not happen.