Royal visitor leads Shawbury celebrations
HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO visited RAF Shawbury yesterday to officially open the new Jubilee Hall Sports and Fitness Centre and present the unit with the Firmin Sword of Peace for 2010.
The visit also included a Medals and Awards Ceremony and the 15th Anniversary celebrations for the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
The Prince met with Physical Education staff at the Jubilee Hall before officially opening the building. The first event in the new building was an arrow shot the length of the new sports hall by Olympian, Alison Williamson, from Church Stretton. Alison was joined at the opening by the golden couple of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Robbie and Anne Brightwell (nee Packer) and Olympic Coach, Frank Dick. Many service personnel and families were also present at the opening which was lead by the Station Commander, Group Captain Chris Luck. Other dignitaries included Air Member for Personnel, Air Marshal Andy Pulford, Tony Kelly and David Jones of Firmin Sword & Sons, the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Tony Durnell and Tracie Howells representing Shawbury United Juniors Football team. The Sports Hall has been planned for over 10 years and is designed to provide physical training facilities for phase two trainees at the base.
After the Jubilee Hall opening Prince Michael stopped and chatted with children and staff at St Marys Primary School before enjoying lunch with personnel from the Station who were involved in the events which concluded in the award of the Firmin Sword of Peace 2010. Also at the luncheon were personnel who were to be awarded medals and honours including some who have recently served in Afghanistan.
The Firmin Sword 2010 presentation and Medals and Awards ceremony was held in the Station Briefing Facility. The sword is presented to the unit which has been deemed to have done the most for charitable and community efforts over the year. During 2010 personnel from RAF Shawbury and the Defence helicopter Flying School raised over £44000 for national and local charities, of which £33000 was split between the 3 service Benevolent funds. The 70th Anniversary of the RAF bike ride from RAF Kinloss to RAF Northolt visiting over 70 World War II units raised over £10000 whilst the unit continued to run the hugely successful Taking Football to Africa and beyond appeal.
The Prince then presented medals and awards to Station personnel. Included within the presentations were 4 Operational Service Medals for Afghanistan, 2 Accumulated Campaign Service Medals and a Royal Warrant.
The Prince completed his visit to the airbase by visiting the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) to celebrate their 15th Anniversary. During his visit he was accompanied by the Commandant DHFS Captain Paul Shawcross RN. The visit included a visit to the Part Task Trainer (Squirrel Helicopter Simulator) and the cutting of the 15th Anniversary Birthday Cake.
