Former RAF base becomes veterans' support hub

A former RAF station headquarters is being restored to help support veterans in Norfolk.

RAF West Raynham closed in 1994 and its buildings became derelict until the Veterans' Service took over the building in 2023.

Volunteers have begun to restore the Grade II listed 1930s block and surrounding gardens, which are now used to help reduce social isolation and provide activities.

Ken Delve, chair of trustees of the Veterans' Central, said: "We were looking for a veterans' hub, somewhere where veterans can come together for a breakfast, work together and socialise, removing social isolation and giving a sense of purpose."

Mr Delve, who served as an RAF navigator on the Canberra and Tornado aircraft, said he and other volunteers at the RAF Marham heritage centre decided to restore the West Raynham station headquarters.

"Once it closed it went into a ten year period of care and maintenance, which meant no care and no maintenance, so all the buildings and the base started deteriorating," he said.

"Thirty years on it's been overgrown, things stolen and broken windows - that was the condition of what was a very important airfield in Norfolk for many years.

"When we first opened the door in late 2022, putting the live and dead animals to one side; the broken glass and water running down the walls, the veterans went: 'This is really good. We can do this', and in March 2023 we started."

Mr Delve estimated that some 26,000 hours of volunteer labour put the group six months ahead of what he said would be a seven-year project, transforming buildings and clearing gardens that had been 12ft (3.6m) high with vegetation.

But he said they relied heavily on volunteers for labour and local businesses with materials, including a new kitchen and a greenhouse provided by firms that operate on part of the West Raynham site.

An average working day would see between 15 and 20 volunteers on site - and about a third had no military connection but wanted to join the team.

He said he "got to know a lot of the old boys and girls from way back" through his interest as a squadron historian.

"I found their stories very interesting and had a passion for RAF history," he added.

"But [it is] the people involved - it's not about aeroplanes or buildings, it's about people. It's very much a people-driven project to make it work.

"One of our aims is to give veterans a purpose, a reason to get up that day, go and do something, work with a team, have a bit of banter and a few slices of cake and a couple of cups of tea and feel you've achieved something with the day instead of sitting there doing nothing.

"The other is social isolation, so we do a monthly breakfast and a monthly lunch for veterans and they are all free at the point of delivery.

"We are very lucky that local companies are starting to sponsor those lunches and breakfasts."

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