Autumn 2023 Newsletter | Reunion 2023

Reunion 2023

Once again we extend our thanks to Gp Capt Lorriman-Hughes, RAF Waddington’s Station Commander, who granted us access to the Officers’ Mess on Friday and Saturday evenings. The use of these facilities hung in the balance this year as the mess had effectively been closed for a number of weeks owing to staff shortages. Fortunately we were not denied our spiritual home despite these difficulties and a very convivial Meet & Greet, lubricated by a welcoming barrel of Abbot Ale, was followed by a very successful dinner the following evening in the anteroom opposite the bar. The fact that both these events seemed to go so well was a tribute to the contract caterers, the ESS-Compass Group, a small number of whom had travelled from their base at RAF Coningsby to bolster Waddington’s limited resources. Between them they executed a most enjoyable formal dinner under trying circumstances in unfamiliar surroundings.

The daytime event on Saturday was a visit to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby. This centre has evolved considerably over the years and now houses a unique collection of World War II aircraft, including the ground-running and taxiable Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ and an ultra-rare De Havilland Mosquito, which can also be taxied around under its own steam. The weather was sunny and warm and members enjoyed browsing at leisure the wide range of exhibits. Unfortunately, the planned fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster had to be cancelled at a late stage because of an unserviceability.

The Service of Remembrance on Sunday was held at Dunholme Lodge, under the direction of Reverend Paul Maple, assisted by Reverend Adam Watson. Members of the RAF Waddington Voluntary Band provided musical accompaniment throughout the service, as well as The Last Post and Reveille.

The weather was perfect, the setting ideal and, once again, we are indebted to the Wykes family for their extraordinary hospitality. They had erected a marquee as a precaution against inclement weather, cut out a full-sized outline of a Lancaster in the long grass flanking the memorial site and served coffee, tea and biscuits after the service. The icing on the cake was a spectacular overflight by a BBMF Spitfire. Rarely have I seen so many expressions of pure joy as the Spitfire thundered overhead.