Hiring Military Venues

[Agaricus bisporus]

I am an ex mil pilot looking for a venue for a dinner dance. Does the MOD make any/many venues available for hire? Any idea who to contact? Would this be via MOD or direct to each venue?
Any pointers gratefully received.

[Old-Duffer]

Whereabouts are you wanting to hold this event and is it 'appropriate' ie The Basingstoke CND not welcome at Odiham.

Are you a member of the RAF Club for example.

HMS Belfast, Warrior and (I think) Victory can all be hired but these are at commercial rates as is SS Great Britain. RAF Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum also good but expensive.

TA Centres can sometimes be used subject to the necessary vetting etc.

If you have any mates still 'In', would they sponsor/front up your dinner?

Is there a Service charity 'component' to the event - which can sometimes help

If you have a specific location in mind, write to top man, explain what you want and ask if he will give permission. Problems are; insurance, security issues, costs (no subsidised rates anymore), level of service can be variable. Most likely no accommodation overnight on base.

I organise a dinner every year which usually involves a visit to a military base before/after. I use civilian hotels and set down careful requirements which I want the hotel to follow and have learned the importance of close liaison with the hotel throughout (main need is to convince the hotel that you are not just a gash 'wedding party' but somebody for whom standards are important).

Hope this helps - I am available as a consultant and my fees are .........!!

Old Duffer

[Whenurhappy]

Within the RAF the most popular venue for external activity is the Officers' Mess at RAF Halton, a Rothschild Mansion. The Business Development Officer, or somesuch, is used to dealing with all sorts of requests for use (filming, fashion shows etc). Google the website, et voila!

[Evalu8ter]

The IWM hire out the Officers' Mess at Duxford for such events at reasonable rates. There can cater and provide bar services. There's loads of parking available too. Best of all, it's a standard expansion-era Mess so none of your RAF friends will get lost!!

[Sospan]

The RAF Museum (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/business_services.cfm) also provides such facilities if your budget allows.

[Diablo Rouge]

Yes is the answer and as stated it requires communication and the starting point has got to be the target of choice. ie A Mess manager if intent on using a Mess. I wanted to hold a Christening party at a Royal Marine establishment for no other reason then geography. The Stn Padre did the Christening and the Mess provided the location, staffing and food for the afternoons events. Whilst I am a serviceman, I do not have any relationship whatsoever with the RM nor a local sponsor, and they did me proud. Access to the unit by civilians was no issue although a little prior planning regards name, car type & reg no was required.
RM :ok:
Around the country Halton / Duxford / Cosford / Hendon are geared up for such occasions but costly. A call to the Mess Manager in question and a follow up formal letter to the Stn Cdr could well see mission accomplished at a more realistic price. Be advised though that most Mess' these days have civvie staffing and guest-staff ratio and min kitchen staff are mandated and can run up quite a bill. In short a finger buffet can be not much less then a 3 course meal. I was permitted on one such occasion to employ external caterers as this was much cheaper (daughters 21st birthday party) and the civvies quoted bollox regarding exclusive use conditions, and thankfully the uniformed staff put them back in their box. This took a little persistance to achieve though.
Hope that helps. You will probably get more appropriate specific advice if you make public your location of choice.

[It's Not Working]

AB

Where in the country are you looking to hold your shindig?

I have no idea what this place is like but it's another idea for you Corporate Events at RAF Museum Cosford in Shropshire (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/corporate_events/)

Edited to apologise to Sospan, just realised the RAF Museum also includes Cosford.:ugh: