UK Aviation Museum News – Page 25

In memory of ‘The Few’: Hurricane 80K Challenge

Hurricane 80k Challenge Medal

Date: 21 April – 10 July 2020 (registration now open)
Cost: £20 per person

To commemorate 80 years since the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force Museum has launched the Hurricane 80K Challenge, encouraging keen runners and novices alike, to run 80K in 80 days.

The Hurricane 80K Challenge is a virtual race that commences on 21 April 2020 and runners have exactly 80 days to run, walk, swim or bike 80K in a location of their choice. Participants will have access to a downloadable log sheet to record their 80K before being rewarded with a bespoke, commemorative 80K Challenge medal.

As a virtual race, the 80K challenge can be completed anywhere in the world. Online registration is now open and runners from across the UK and as far as Germany and Norway have already signed up. Participants have 80 days until 10 July, poignantly the start of the Battle of Britain, to complete the challenge.

Entry costs £20 per person and all proceeds from the Hurricane 80K Challenge will go towards the RAF Museum, registered charity 244708. Limited edition Hurricane 80K Challenge t-shirts are also available to purchase when registering online.

RAF Museum London Public Events Manager, Ella Hewitt said:
“The Hurricane 80K Challenge is an opportunity for people across the globe to challenge themselves and pay respect to ‘The Few’ who served and lost their lives during the Battle of Britain 80 years ago. 80K in 80 days is quite a task, but it can be completed anytime, anywhere, and we’ve already had lots of interest from abroad and RAF bases across the UK. It’s great to see people getting behind the challenge.”

The Hurricane, often overshadowed by the Spitfire, was the number one fighter plane during the Battle of Britain, inflicting the most losses and causing the most amount of damage to the Luftwaffe during the engagement. Having fought in all major theatres of the Second World War and playing a crucial role in protecting Britain during the summer of 1940, the Hurricane 80K Challenge is giving the aircraft the spotlight it deserves.

To register for the Hurricane 80K Challenge visit www.rafmuseum.org. Entry costs £20 per person, or £32 per person with the souvenir t-shirt. Additional booking and postage charges apply for overseas participants.

The annual Spitfire 10K will also be returning to the RAF Museum London on 29 August and RAF Museum Cosford on 30 August 2020. All runners will be given the name of a Battle of Britain RAF pilot to wear with their race number, in memory of those who defended our skies during the summer of 1940. Spaces are limited and filling up fast. For further details or to register you place visit www.rafmuseum.org.

2020 Events @ RAF Museum London

RAF Museum London

RAF Museum London is proud to announce it’s events listing for 2020:

JANUARY

Wednesday 8, 15, 22 and 29 January
Fly High Yoga
Yoga underneath the Sunderland Flying Boat in H1, with Yogi Rakhee
7.30pm
£45

Friday 17 January
Vulcan and Cold War: Pilot Edition
Andrew Brookes will be sharing his story under the Vulcan he flew and operated. This is a chance to do the VCW experience in a very special way!
4.00pm – 8.00pm
£8 / £50

Tuesday 28 January
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

Saturday 8 February
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm – 4.00pm
£50

FEBRUARY

Thursday 20 February and Friday 21 February
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Tuesday 25 February
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am
£50

MARCH

Saturday 7 March
Pillows and Pilots (SOLD OUT)
Sleepover for groups with activities, a film and the chance to spend the night surrounded by our collections – now sold out.
6.30pm – 9.00am
£35

Wednesday 18 March
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Thursday 26 March
First World War Flying Machines
Explore our First World War Aircraft and collections after hours and don’t miss your chance to step over the barriers
6.00pm – 9.00pm
£10 / £15

Tuesday 31 March
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

APRIL

Saturday 4 April
Pillows and Pilots (SOLD OUT)
Sleepover for groups with activities, a film and the chance to spend the night surrounded by our collections.
6.30pm – 9.00am
£35

Saturday 4 April to Sunday 19 April
Easter Animal Trail
Trail through the Museum to find all the animals in our collections – there’s a tasty treat at the end!
10.00am – 3.00pm
£3

Wednesday 8 April Thursday 9 April
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Wednesday 15 April Thursday 16 April
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

April 21 – 10 July
Hurricane 80K Challenge
Walk, run, cycle or even row your way to 80K! Commemorate the Battle of Britain 80th anniversary with our new challenge. Enter and when you complete you will be sent one of our unique medals.
£20

Wednesday 22 April
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Tuesday 28 April
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
£50

MAY

Saturday 2 May
Pillows and Pilots (SOLD OUT)
Sleepover for groups with activities, a film and the chance to spend the night surrounded by our collections – sold to one group of brownies
6.30pm – 9.00am
£35

Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May
VE Day Party **
Join us at our street party to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day. Book your celebratory tea and join in on all our fun activities!
11.00am – 3.00pm
Free – picnics available in advance

Wednesday 13 May
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Friday 15 May and Saturday 16 May
Spitfire Adventure (Museums at Night edition)
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure after hours for Museums at Night. Bring a group of friends and play the game, find the clues and solve the escape room challenges.
7.00pm
£18

Tuesday 26 May
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May
The Hendon Pageant
The Hendon Pageant is back, this year we will bringing to life the 1940s. Living History, Talk, tours, Fairgrounds and Music all weekend. Possible flypast
10.00am – 5.00pm
Free

JUNE

Wednesday 17 June
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Saturday 27 June
Armed Forces Day Service
Service and Parade in partnership with London Borough of Barnet. With flypast
10.00am – 11.00am
Free

Tuesday 30 June
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

JULY

Saturday 4 July
Night Flight
Spend the night at the Museum and get the chance to see our collections up close, food, drink a film and loads of activities all night!
7.00pm – 9.00am
£75

Friday 10 July
Battle of Britain at Night
Explore our Battle of Britain era Aircraft and collections after hours and don’t miss your chance to step over the barriers. It’s also the chance to see our new exhibitions after hours.
6.00pm – 9.30pm
£15

Saturday 11 July
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Tuesday 28 July
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

Thursday 30 July Friday 31 July
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

AUGUST

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August
Family Festival of Flight
Annual festival working with the Access and learning team to deliver activities based around STEM.
10.00am – 5.00pm
Free

Thursday 6 August Friday 7 August
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Thursday 13 August and Friday 14 August
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Thursday 19 August Friday 20 August
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Wednesday 12 August
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August
The Big Tea Party (VJ Weekend)
Family tea party with loads of activities, storytelling and more! Includes flypast
11.00am – 2.00pm
£8

Tuesday 25 August
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

Saturday 29 August
Spitfire 10K and Family Run
Chocks away for the annual Spitfire 10K and Spitfire Family run to commemorate 80 years since the Battle of Britain. Includes flypast
8.00am – 12.00pm
£22.50

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
Battle of Britain Festival
Vintage, food, drink, and much more! This festival will be great fun for the whole family. Includes flypast.
10.00am – 5.00pm
Various (adult admission at £7)

Wednesday 16 September
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Tuesday 29 September
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

OCTOBER

Saturday 17 October
Vulcan and Cold War Experience (SOLD OUT)
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Saturday 24 October
Pillows and Pilots (Family Edition)
A chance for families to spend the night at the Museum with activities, games and a film!
6.30pm – 9.00am
£45

Tuesday 27 October
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

Wednesday 28 October and Thursday 29 October
Spitfire Adventure
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure! Play this interactive game and discover all the clues hidden around the museum. If you’re lucky you will graduate from the Spitfire Academy.
11.00am & 2.30pm
£12 / £15

Thursday 29 October and Friday 30 October
Spitfire Adventure (Museums at Night edition)
Join us for the Spitfire Adventure after hours for Museums at Night. Bring a group of friends and play the game, find the clues and solve the escape room challenges.
7.00pm – 10.30pm
£18

NOVEMBER

Sunday 8 November
Remembrance Service
A remembrance Sunday service set in front of our Fighter Four with readings from local schools, poppy displays and a performance from the North London Military Wives Choir.
10.00am – 11.30am
Free

Wednesday 18 November
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
12.00pm -4.00pm
£50

Saturday 14 November
Photography Workshop
Learn how to take photos of our collection in this one day workshop with Lee Chapman, Airscene photographer.
10.00am – 5.00pm
£75

Saturday 21 November
Night Shoot
Photographers are given the unique opportunity to take photos of our collection. We’ve teamed up with Threshold Aero.
5.00pm – 10.00pm
£25

Tuesday 24 November
Vulcan and Cold War Experience
Unique cockpit tour of the Vulcan, Phantom and a ground crew tour of our amazing Cold War Aircraft.
10.20am – 2.00pm
£50

28 November – 3 January
Christmas Trail
Complete our Letter Home and get your chocolatey reward.
10.00am – 3.00pm
£3

DECEMBER

Friday 4 December 2020
Christmas Gin & Swing
After hours event with music, dancing and lots of gin!
6.30pm – 10.30pm
From £10

Saturday 18 – Sunday 20 December 2020
Christmas Grotto
Your chance to meet Father Christmas at the RAF Museum!
10.00am – 5.30pm
£8

www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/events.aspx

RAF Museum Spitfire receives Engineering Heritage Award

Heritage Award

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 K9942 displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford has been presented with a prestigious ‘Engineering Heritage Award’ by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The awards, established in 1984, celebrate the contribution of mechanical engineering past and present, recognising artefacts, sites and landmarks of significant engineering importance.

The Spitfire was recognised for the contribution and vital role it played both in terms of protecting our nation and its pioneering engineering. The award was presented to RAF Museum CEO Maggie Appleton by current Chair of IMechE’s Engineering Heritage Committee John Wood, with fellow IMechE members in attendance.

Built in Woolston, Southampton in 1939 this early Mark 1 is the world’s oldest surviving Spitfire. Designed by R J Mitchell, the Spitfire combined strength, lightness and streamlining with the powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. From the beginning pilots recognised it as a thoroughbred combining a perfection of design with superb handling characteristics.

RAF Museum Cosford Curator, Tom Hopkins said:
“The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history. It won immortal fame during the summer months of 1940 by helping to defeat the German air attacks during the Battle of Britain. Although Hurricanes outnumbered Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, it was the Spitfire which captured the imagination of the British public and enemy alike. The Spitfire was developed into many subsequent variants and continued to serve with the RAF until well after the end of the Second World War.”

Chair of IMechE’s Engineering Heritage Committee, John Wood said:
“The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is delighted to present this award to the Spitfire to recognise the huge contribution, its designers and pilots made during the Battle of Britain. The UK’s large aerospace industry is built on the rich heritage of engineering innovation which is a legacy of aircraft such as the Spitfire.”

Spitfires first went into service in August 1938 with No.19 Squadron and by the outbreak of war, a year later, nine squadrons were equipped. Production rapidly built up and by July 1940 there were nineteen Spitfire Mk 1 squadrons available. 1,566 Spitfire Mk 1’s were built and the example on display at RAF Museum Cosford is the oldest surviving example of its type. The aircraft can be viewed daily from 10am in the Museum’s War in the Air hangar. Entry to the Museum is free and further details can be found at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.

This is the 129th Engineering Heritage Award to be presented by IMechE, which has over 120,000 members across the UK and overseas, with over 400 members based in Shropshire. By holding events and working on engineering initiatives, they aim to raise the profile of engineering across a broad spectrum of industries and offer practical guidance and support to engineers. Further details can be found at www.imeche.org.

RAF Museum Cosford 2020 Events Diary

RAF Museum Cosford conservation centre

Forthcoming events taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford during 2020:

RAF Museum events 2020

Visitors can expect to see all the big favourites making a return, including the Cosford Food Festival, Outdoor Cinema, Spitfire 10K and Large Model Air Show as well as new events including a VE Weekend Street Party taking place over the first May bank holiday weekend.

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Executive, Nathan Davis said:
“2020 promises to be another big year for the RAF Museum Cosford with the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain being a big theme running through this year’s events line-up. Not only will we commemorate this important milestone in Royal Air Force history with a brand new display arriving in the Spring, I’m excited to announce we will be holding a Proms in September with musical acts suitable for all the family, marking 80 years since the Battle of Britain.”
The busy schedule of events caters to the Museum’s wide and diverse audience and begins the year with a Photography Night Shoot where the British Aircraft Corporation TSR2 and British Aerospace Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) will be wheeled out of the hangars. Displayed outside and lit with LED lighting, this evening event will give photographers and aviation enthusiasts alike the exclusive opportunity to capture images of the aircraft like never before (limited places remaining).

The summer months will see many of the biggest events in the Museum’s calendar take place. Held on the airfield in July will be the Large Model Air Show packed with flying displays and family entertainment, followed by the popular Cosford Food Festival which this year will feature 2019 Master Chef: The Professionals winner Stu Deeley from Birmingham. The Vintage and Handmade Festival will be back for a third year in August and September will see two more Outdoor Cinema screenings where hundreds of films fans can enjoy watching classic movies under the stars and surrounded by aircraft.

Nathan Davis continues:
“We look forward to welcoming back repeat visitors, along with those just discovering us for the first time. Tickets are already on sale for many of our events and they’re filling up fast. The first Pillows and Pilots Sleepover date is already fully booked and we have just half the places remaining for the second date in March. One of our most sought-after events is the Spitfire 10K and over half the 1,500 places available have already been snapped up by keen runner’s eager to get their hands on the bespoke medal and the chance to race across the airfield.”

Later in the year visitors can expect to see much more of the aircraft on display during the Open Cockpits Weekend in October and the annual Conservation Centre Open Week in November where aviation fans can go behind the scenes and speak with the team who carries out the work.

Organisers are confident the RAF Museum’s great offer, combined with an exciting events programme will make a visit to remember!

For further information on the events taking place throughout 2020, visit the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford. Admission charges apply for some events and activities. Events may be subject to change and additional events may be added during the year. The Museum is open daily from 10am and entry is FREE of charge.

Keep a look out in 2020 for the RAF Museum’s Spitfire tour of the West Midlands, details coming soon…!

2020 Events at Newark Air Museum

Cold War Call Up at Newark Air Museum

4 April, 2020 – Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation & avionic sale

48 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire.

Open 9am to 2pm
{Special discount admission rates apply, open to everyone to attend.}

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16 & 17 May, 2020 – Cold War Call Up 20

An event to celebrate the diverse range of exhibits at the museum from both sides of the Cold War period of history; it will feature open aircraft cockpits, visiting displays and is open to the public.

Open 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
{Normal admission rates apply}

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20 & 21 June, 2020 – Cockpit-Fest & Aeroboot

This annual gathering provides the perfect opportunity for the public to view a diverse range of visiting aircraft cockpits.

Open 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
{Normal admission rates apply}

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3 & 4 October, 2020 – Autumn 1940s Weekend

This 1940s event will feature under cover 1940s entertainment and give re-enactors the chance to wear your winter period clothing {Normal admission rates apply}

Open 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm)
{Normal admission rates apply}

Newark Air Museum
Drove Lane
Winthorpe
Newark
Notts
NG24 2NY
Tel: 01636 707170
Email: enquire@newarkairmuseum.org
Website: www.newarkairmuseum.org

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Full details about these and other museum activities can be found on the news & event pages of the website, which are regularly updated www.newarkairmuseum.org

Adults £9.00, Over 65s £8.00, Children £4.50 and Family ticket [2 adults & 3 children] £24.00

Eurofighter DA4 Update

Newark Air Museum Eurofighter Update

During a visit to the Imperial War Museums (IWMs) site at Duxford on Wednesday 4th December, 2019; volunteers and staff from Newark Air Museum undertook the first de-panelling work on Eurofighter Typhoon DA4, ZH590. This work is in preparation for the eventual dismantling, move and basic reassembly of ZH590.

To help meet some of its charitable aims around this particular project the museum has just launched a Just Giving page to help raise the funds required to provide temporary undercover accommodation for the final reassembly of DA4.

The museum hopes that ZH590 will arrive at their site in eastern Nottinghamshire, in late January 2020 where the airframe will be reassembled. Due to the potentially changeable weather at that time of the year, this work will need to be carried out in a large temporary marquee that will be hired for this part of the project.

The stated aim is to raise £6,700 to meet the hire costs for the 20m x 20m aluminium structure, covering and support weights to tether the structure to a new hardstanding area that will be laid on the Southfield Site, behind the new Museum Cafe.

Contributions can be made via this weblink.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Newark-Air-Museum-DA4-reassembly-cover

Winter Fest this Christmas at Brooklands Museum

Xmas at Brooklands Museum

Sunday December 8th 2019

Put on your winter woollies and head to Brooklands Museum on Sunday 8th December for a day of Christmas-themed fayre and entertainment.

Against the backdrop of the iconic Clubhouse, the Paddock will be transformed into a wintry scene, illuminated with festive lights and a Christmas tree and stalls selling hot mulled wine, winter coffees and mince pies to keep you warm.

Throughout the day there will be performances from the Weybridge Male Voice Choir and a brass band, with sing-along-carols around the tree, as well as a Christmas craft workshop for visitors to make their own decorations to take home.

Soak up the nostalgia as you walk through the motoring village adorned with wreaths and festive décor and get up close to some fabulous classic cars brought out from the collection especially for the day. The organisers also plan to start up the famous Napier-Railton, a giant racing car built in 1933 that broke 37 world records.

There is also a chance to pick up a few presents for friends and family. The Museum Shop is always stocked with exclusive lines of memorabilia all with a Brooklands twist but for this season they will also be showcasing some perfect Christmas gift ideas. Additionally, Brooklands Members will receive 10% off all purchases in the Shop during December.

The site will be open as usual which always includes a warm welcome from the Brooklands Volunteers so make sure you explore the Award-winning Aircraft Factory, go on board Concorde and wander through the motoring sheds to discover Brooklands’ rich and varied past.

For directions, entry details and information about more upcoming events, visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Writing home for Christmas…

letter home at Christmas

Date: 30 November – 5 January 2020 / Time: 10.00am to 3.00pm / Cost: £3 per person

Join us at the Royal Air Force Museum this festive season and take part in the Letters Home trail, inspired by letters sent during the war from personnel serving overseas, to their loved ones back at home. Families will be given a letter created using real extracts, but to read the letter in full, youngsters will need to search the hangars to find all the missing words. With nine words to find across huge hangars packed full of aircraft, it’s no easy task and will require lots of eagle eyed youngsters!

To assist with the search, which takes place from 30 November 2019 – 5 January 2020, the Museum has produced a Letters Home trail sheet so you can fill in the gaps as you make your way around the hangars in search for the missing words. For everyone who successfully manages to find all the missing words, get your letter stamped with the RAF badge and then receive your chocolate reward.

RAF Museum Public Events Manager (London), Ella Hewitt said:
“The Letters Home trail uses real letters from the RAF Museum’s archive, sent during the First and Second World War from serving personnel in the Armed Forces to their family, friends and loved ones over the Christmas period. They talk of their Christmas experience whilst deployed overseas, some are sad other are humorous, but all are sent with great fondness. By combining extracts from several letters, the Museum has created its own ‘letter home’ and now requires the help of families to complete it.”

RAF Museum Public Events Manager (Cosford), Abi Betteridge said:
“Families will also have a rare opportunity to wish those serving abroad this festive season a very happy Christmas by writing a ‘Bluey’ to serving RAF personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falklands or Cyprus (RAF Aktrotiri) for them to open in the New Year. Our specially designed Bluey is inspired by the Armed Force’s Aerogrammes, known as Bluey’s, which are a way of sending letters and messages for free to Force’s personnel on operational duty. Children can choose which base they would like to send their letter to by adding one of our special stamps and posting it in the Museum’s post box. In the new year all the letters will be posted by the Museum to the four RAF bases across the globe for the personnel to read.”

Families can purchase their Letters Home trail on arrival for just £3 per person and they have until the Museum closes to complete the trail and collect their chocolate reward. The trail is suitable for children of all ages, but younger children may require some assistance. Writing a Bluey is a free activity for all Museum visitors wishing to take part. Before you head home, why not pose for a photo with one of the giant Christmas pudding and Christmas Tree selfie boards as a fun memento of the day.

Each participant will also get a 10% discount in the Museum shop on the day of their visit by showing their trail sheet when making a purchase from the Museum Shop.

The Museum is open daily from 10.00am and entry is free of charge (excluding 24-26 December and 1 January). For more information on the Christmas activities taking place at the Museum visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Brooklands Museum WINS Surrey Business Tourist Attraction of the Year Award

Surrey Tourist Attraction Award

Brooklands Museum in Weybridge has been named ‘Tourist attraction of the year’ at the prestigious Surrey Business Awards 2019 for its unique visitor experience and community initiatives.

Presented by the award-winning broadcaster and comedian, Mark Dolan, the evening held at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 21st November recognised many start-up companies, charities and professional services for their work.

Alongside Brooklands Museum, other well-known venues across the county competed for the Tourist Attraction of the Year award, including Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Painshill Park, Cobham and the Silent Pool Gin Distillery in Albury.

Tamalie Newbury, Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum said:

“We are so very excited that we won this award! Our nomination covered every element of what we do that not only makes Brooklands Museum such a great place for visitors, but which also gives something back to many people in our community and inspires people to shape their futures through the stories we tell of what people accomplished here.

This is an award for our team, our volunteers and everyone else who helps and supports the Museum, it’s great that our efforts have been recognised. We have a lot planned over the next couple of years that will make Brooklands Museum an even more exciting place to visit, you should all come and see it for yourselves!”

Chairman of Brooklands Museum, Sir Gerry Acher said:

“I’m thrilled to hear that we have won the Surrey tourism award. I’d like to congratulate Tamalie, her team and our volunteers in making Brooklands such an outstanding place for all to visit. Well done all.”

The major transformations at the Museum in recent years have almost certainly contributed to this achievement. In 2017 the WWII hangar was relocated and re-interpreted on site as the Brooklands Aircraft Factory. This significant, large-scale exhibition space won the Museums and Heritage Award for best new permanent exhibition the following year.

As well as the vast collections of cars, motorcycles, aircraft and the dynamic events programme that runs throughout the year, there are opportunities to learn a variety of skills, join a 7,000-strong Volunteer force or participate in one of the many motoring events on site. Brooklands also welcomes families on the autism spectrum with special openings, hosts a reminiscence café for those affected by dementia and welcomes over 15,000 school children from in and around the County on organised trips.

Together with a refreshed brand and logo design complemented by a new introductory film and interpretation, the visitor experience has been invigorated. Brooklands was known for its pioneering sense of adventure and people returning to the Museum after a gap of some years are noticing the changes.

The Museum is open all year round and details of its work, collections, events and how to become involved in many opportunities can be found by visiting www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Newark Air Museum #ThanksToYou

Newark Air Museum Thanks To You

A big #ThanksToYou thank you …..

We have now come to the end of our involvement with 25th Birthday of The National Lottery #ThanksToYou campaign.

Despite some indifferent weather we have welcomed more than two hundred (200) National Lottery players and members of their family for a free visit to our Gateway Aviation Site this weekend. These visitors have come from many different regions including, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and of course Nottinghamshire.

This was our second year of participating in the scheme and we are pleased to report that more people took up this free offer than they did in 2018.

We would like to say a special thank you to various people who helped make the weekend a success; this includes the museum staff working away in the café and shop; the dedicated team of aircraft openers and volunteers who helped over the weekend; and all of the visitors who came along. We would also like to give a special mention to the staff at the National Lottery Promotions Unit for all of their ideas, support and encouragement, during the campaign.

“Despite the damp conditions during the weekend we saw increased visitors taking part in the #ThanksToYou campaign,” commented Museum Trustee, Howard Heeley, he continued…

“As someone who was involved in the original project team that helped to implement the Heritage Lottery funded Hangar 2 building at the museum back in 2003/4; it was really nice to see the visitors exploring the twenty five (25) aircraft and cockpits that are now displayed in there.”

He concluded, “The poor weather conditions this weekend, helped to illustrate why Hangar 2 is so important to the museum. Not only does it help to protect the exhibits, it also provides a dry location where visitors can enjoy looking at the exhibits and displays.”