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You are right, ESS did make RAF Leuchars the Flagship and there were aspects of the development that pushed through irrespective of cost. However, that said, it is a fantastic improvement to the quality of life.
As for life in the Mess, well I think that is dying anyway. The old days of having a dozen formal events a year for 10 shillings is long gone. It is time to try and bring the Service Community back together.
Pay As You Dine may not be the answer, but the question was lost a long time ago.
The Officers' Mess is a mixture of public and non-public money. Yes the Members contribute to the runnig of the Mess (non-public) but the building, staffing and maintenence is picked up by the public purse. The same as the Sgts' Mess. The Junior Ranks Mess is all public.