ORAC
30th Nov 2006, 12:27
going, going.....and gone....
EDP - 30 November 2006 09:18
Station bosses at RAF Coltishall have managed to close the base millions of pounds under budget and a month earlier than originally planned.Although the exact figures have not been revealed, the underspend was significant according to station commander Sqn Ldr Jason Hughes.
As preparations were finalised yesterday for today's final turning of the key in the lock today, Sqn Ldr Hughes praised the hard work and dedication of his 'draw down' team.
"In terms of the way this base has been closed, it is a real success. We are several million pounds under budget and after being given eight months to do this, it has been finished in seven," he said. "The people in the draw down team have worked incredibly hard and the project has been completed in a pragmatic way."
All those involved in today's closure will be determined to ensure a fitting conclusion to the life of the site as an RAF base.
Today's events will be open to all - as long as they have photo identification.
Gates open at 9.30am via the Filby Road entrance and not the usual main gate entrance.
At 9.45am a Hurricane will land for a static display, weather permitting, leaving again at 10.30am.
A display of marching and music by the City of Norwich Pipe Band will be held outside station headquarters at 10.45am, followed by the guard of honour and band marching on.
A general salute will be given at 11am before the reviewing officer as a Hurricane and three Jaguars perform a flypast - again weather permitting.
After an address by the reviewing officer, the RAF ensign will be lowered for the last time at 11.08am.
As the guard of honour and band march off there will be another flypast by the four aircraft, then a solo display by the Hurricane.
At 11.20am there will be a ceremonial closure of RAF Coltishall at the main gate......
and now the fight starts over it becoming a detention centre: Battle stations around Coltishall (http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/content/northnorfolknews/news/story.aspx?brand=NNNOnline&category=news&tBrand=NNNonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED30%20Nov%202006%2010%3A12%3A36%3A180)
EDP - 30 November 2006 09:18
Station bosses at RAF Coltishall have managed to close the base millions of pounds under budget and a month earlier than originally planned.Although the exact figures have not been revealed, the underspend was significant according to station commander Sqn Ldr Jason Hughes.
As preparations were finalised yesterday for today's final turning of the key in the lock today, Sqn Ldr Hughes praised the hard work and dedication of his 'draw down' team.
"In terms of the way this base has been closed, it is a real success. We are several million pounds under budget and after being given eight months to do this, it has been finished in seven," he said. "The people in the draw down team have worked incredibly hard and the project has been completed in a pragmatic way."
All those involved in today's closure will be determined to ensure a fitting conclusion to the life of the site as an RAF base.
Today's events will be open to all - as long as they have photo identification.
Gates open at 9.30am via the Filby Road entrance and not the usual main gate entrance.
At 9.45am a Hurricane will land for a static display, weather permitting, leaving again at 10.30am.
A display of marching and music by the City of Norwich Pipe Band will be held outside station headquarters at 10.45am, followed by the guard of honour and band marching on.
A general salute will be given at 11am before the reviewing officer as a Hurricane and three Jaguars perform a flypast - again weather permitting.
After an address by the reviewing officer, the RAF ensign will be lowered for the last time at 11.08am.
As the guard of honour and band march off there will be another flypast by the four aircraft, then a solo display by the Hurricane.
At 11.20am there will be a ceremonial closure of RAF Coltishall at the main gate......
and now the fight starts over it becoming a detention centre: Battle stations around Coltishall (http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/content/northnorfolknews/news/story.aspx?brand=NNNOnline&category=news&tBrand=NNNonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED30%20Nov%202006%2010%3A12%3A36%3A180)