RAF Wittering and Stamford mark Battle of Britain and Freedom of the Town
The event was held on Sunday (19 September)
Royal Air Force Wittering and Stamford marked the Battle of Britain and the Freedom of the Town over the weekend.
The event was held on Sunday (19 September), and included a mayoral procession and service at the United Reformed Church.
The procession was led by Civic Officer Mark Murtagh, who carried the ceremonial mace, and Pilot Officer Jeorgia Carr, who carried the Freedom Sword.
It marked the sixtieth anniversary of the granting of the Freedom of Stamford to RAF Wittering.
Pilot Officer Carr said:
"Apart from graduation at RAF College Cranwell, this was my first ceremonial event.
"It was an honour to represent the Station in this way, particularly on an anniversary year, and carry the Freedom Sword, which symbolises our relationship with Stamford."
Reverend Dr Peter Stevenson led the service in the United Reformed Church, while RAF Wittering Station Commander Jez Case gave a reading.
There was also a recitation of a poem on the Battle of Britain by Rob Elks, Stamford’s Poet Laureate.
After the service, hundreds of people lined Broad Street, where a series of tunes were played courtesy of The Band of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
There was also a display of precision drill, before wreaths were laid at the war memorial outside Browne’s Hospital.
Sunday’s parade was the first public engagement for Wing Commander Jez Case as Wittering’s Station Commander.
He said:
"The Battle of Britain was arguably our finest hour, and being able to remember our forebears that fought in the Battle whilst exercising our Freedom of Stamford was a fantastic occasion.
"Stamford is our hometown, and we are a part of the community, as the community is part of us and whom we serve.
"I hope the people of Stamford enjoyed the occasion, the music and the drill - judging by the reaction of the crowd, I think they did!"
The bond between RAF Wittering and Stamford is said to be of particular importance to Wing Commander Case, who added:
"Today we received the warmest of welcomes from the Councillor Gloria Johnson, the Mayor of Stamford, and the townspeople.
"They have shown tremendous loyalty to the Station over the years.
"Today we recognised not only the sacrifices made by the RAF during the Battle of Britain, but how Stamford continues to support RAF Wittering today as our personnel deploy on operations all over the world."