Singer songwriter Kelly Peffers, who lives at RAF Odiham, is down to the last ten acts in the forces version of the hit TV series The X Factor.

The 24-year-old is at boot camp this week, where her singing and performance skills are being polished ready for the show-stopping showdown being held at RAF Cranwell.

But this isn't the pregnant mum's first brush with high profile talent competitions. This year she also got through to the second round of The X Factor.

Read more...

Published courtesy of Fleet People.

This is a private event and not open to the public however the countryside around the Base is ideal for viewing. Remember that harvest is underway and the lanes will have plenty of agricultural activity so please don't block gateways or impede the highway

Chinook Solo 1345
Apache 1400
Tutor 1425
Hawk 1430
An2 1440
Tornado Role Demo 1455
Skyraider 1510
Tucano 1520
BBMF 1530
Sea king 1550
King Air 1605
Jet Provost T3 1615
Jet Provost T4 1625
Sabre 1635
Aerostars 1650
Piper Cub Stunt 1705
RNHF 1715
B17 1725
Blades 1740

All images are © Cathy Griffiths please do not reproduce without permission

RAF Odiham Community Carol Concert

Featuring

The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Wednesday 15th December

7.45pm

In No.2 Hangar RAF Odiham

Ticket Admission only

Tickets are free of charge and are available from

The Chaplaincy Centre at RAF Odiham

Contact Mandy Huckle The Chaplain's Clerk on 01256 367497 or e-mail: ODIAdm-ChaplaincyClk@odiham.raf.mod.uk

You may or may not be aware that just over 18 months ago a new air cadet unit started at RAF Odiham. We were originally based in THE HIVE which is the community building on the married estate. We have recently moved onto the base itself into larger accommodation as our numbers have grown; with our new premises we have the ability to grow some more.

We are looking to recruit new young people from the local area from 13 - 16 years old.

For More information go to www.odihamaircadets.org.ukwhich has details about us and how young people can join. We have set up a joining evening of Monday October 25th at RAF Odiham and there is a form on the website to register an interest.

Last Tuesday we were honoured to witness the incredible skills of a Typhoon pilot as he completed his final test in front of RAF senior executives at the base in order to secure final approval for the 2010 display season.

Photographs courtesy of Matthew Trow and Councillor Richard Harris.

Most people when they reach a "big birthday" and are
due to become grandparents for the first time, celebrate with a party-not us.

We have just learnt that we have been selected to join the Band of Brothers Bike Ride to Paris in May.

This is to raise money for Help the Heroes, a charity
that raises money for our wounded servicemen/women

The ride has been timed to link with the anniversary of the allies liberation of France in 1945. It will begin in Cherbourg and take in the Normandy invasion beaches to Pegasus Bridge then SW to Villers Bocage then to Falais ending in Paris, a challenging 50-70 miles a day! The ride will end along the Champs Elysse laying a wreath at The Arc de Triomphe,
followed by a ceremony on our return to London at the Cenotaph.

We are both passionate about the need to support our servicemen/women and the pain we may feel is nothing compared to the sacrifices they continue to make.

We realise that this is a tough time as the credit crunch is biting hard.

We need to raise £4000 between us and £1000 by March 1st. If you feel you could sponsor us please visit www.justgiving/gillreeve or call me on 01252 850788. We sincerely hope that Odiham being home of the RAF
can dig deep and help us to help them.

Thank you Gill and Geoff Reeve

Hello, I am Rosie Gibbons and I work for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) as the new Regional Fundraiser for London and the South East of England. The RAFBF have recently expanded their fundraising Team by recruiting four new Regional fundraisers who are split across the UK, with me as one of them. Our roles are to drive forward the fundraising aspect of the charity, to increase awareness of the RAFBF alongside raising funds.

Recent research has suggested that many of those aware of the RAFBF, think that its work is mainly aimed at older service personnel and veterans. Additionally, a large proportion of our supporters are over the age of 60. With this in mind, the RAFBF aim to change its reputation by raising awareness of its work, which is by no means limited to older service personnel and veterans - far from it! Additionally, we aim to engage with age groups across the spectrum in an attempt to increase support and awareness from all ages.

The part that I play in this grand plan, is to start generating support and awareness within my region by organising events, placing counter collection boxes, giving talks, engaging with RAF stations, meeting volunteers, attending events and much much more….

WHY ODIHAM?
There are 3 very very good reasons: -

1. RAF Odiham is a key (if not THE key) RAF Station within my London and South East remit.

2. I have recently moved to Crondall, so I am personally local to the area

3. I work from home

Odiham is an ideal place for me to start. I have already made links with RAF Odiham, with a couple of visits, good contacts and other potential activities on the horizon. As a town that is so close to the RAF station, I would like to be able to raise awareness of the RAFBF within the local community surrounding it.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
I am looking for 3 main areas of support:-

Counter Collection Boxes.
If you own or manage a shop, bar or restaurant, it would be great if you are able to place one on your counter

Tombola, Raffle or Auction Prizes.
I have a tombola that I take to air shows, families days and various other events across my region, therefore any prizes that you are able to donate will be welcome indeed. Additionally, we hold auctions and raffles at other events such as golf days, lectures, dinners etc. where larger prizes could be donated.

Volunteer support
I aim to increase the number of events for us to attend; therefore any help and support for these events would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, if there is anyone who would like to hold their own events, then I would be very pleased to hear from you. I live and work locally, therefore can easily supply all relevant materials for events.

THE RAFBF
The RAFBF provide welfare to current and former Servicemen and women. Sadly, not enough of these men and women are aware of the level of welfare we can provide for both them and their families. It is my job to both promote the Fund and help those in need, whether they are 18 or 118 years old!

The Benevolent Fund is running a ‘Reaching Out Campaign’ this year, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The campaign appeals to any member of the RAF family in need, to step forward and seek support. The charity wants to let serving and retired members of the RAF, their partners and dependants, know that they could be missing out on much-needed welfare assistance - because they don't realise they are eligible for help.

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
I am available on 07525 800 138 or rosie.gibbons@rafbf.org.uk if you are able to help in any way or would like to talk to me about any fundraising ideas.
Additionally, if you would like me to attend an event or come and speak to a group, then please just call me or email me.

Thank you!

Rosie Gibbons
Fundraiser - London and South East
Direct Line: 07525 800 138

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
To find out more about the work of the RAF Benevolent Fund please visit www.rafbf.org.

From: The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,LONDON SW1A 0AA

Community Praise for Local Heroes

Yesterday in the House of Commons, James Arbuthnot, Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire, spoke about Saturday’s RAF Odiham Heroes Parade and highlighted the outstanding work of the local Chinooks crews that are returning from Afghanistan.

The home coming parade was the result of 9 months collaboration between the RAF, Odiham Parish Council and the Odiham Town Manager Group. Celebrations started with a Chinook flypast along Odiham High Street, followed by the procession which included a tank, armoured vehicles and marching band. There was a parade in The Bury and festivities continued later into the day with the Blues and Booze music event.

James said:

“The people of Odiham showed a huge degree of appreciation for the wonderful work of the local Chinook crews that are coming back from Afghanistan. They were lining the streets three deep to welcome home members of the armed forces, and I know that everyone involved with RAF Odiham appreciates this fantastic level of community support. But thank you also to Peter Fountain and Odiham for giving us all the opportunity to say thank you.

“I spoke to many people during the day and there was unanimous agreement with the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt, who says that we need to have a debate about the priority that we give to our armed forces. The work that those people are doing is second to none and we need events like this to remind us of the outstanding job that they do.”

(end)

17 June 2008

The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P. Speaking at the Houses Of Parliament.

A few memories of the day from Blues And Blues in the Bury 2008 and the RAF Odiham Heroes Parade. You can also find photo's from the day on Bob Longs Website

Or click here to see the Thames Valley News Report on the day.