Staff at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford are preparing for a busy month ahead.
1st June – National Service (RAF) Association Parade
On Sunday 1st June the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota will be taking to the skies over Shropshire in honour of the thousands of National Service RAF veterans. This iconic aircraft will perform for visitors and guests at the National Service (RAF) Association Parade, taking place at the Museum starting at 11am. This event is expected to see hundreds of ex National Service men and women participate in the parade, led by The Band of the West Midlands Fire Service. Following a shortmarch the parade will form up next to the Museum’s Hangar 1 where Air Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton will be the reviewing officer. All veterans who served in the Armed Forces are welcome to participate, providing them with the opportunity to reunite with lost friends and colleagues.
8th June – RAF Cosford Air Show
RAF Cosford Air Show is one of the country’s top aviation events attracting thousands of people of all ages to a day full of excitement and entertainment with flying displays throughout the day. On the ground there will be aircraft for visitors to sit inside, plus hundreds of exhibits, stalls, trade stands, military demonstrations and children’s entertainment. Admission charges apply. (Free admission to the museum is not available on this date) Advance tickets cost £20.00 for an adult with children under 16 free, when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased via the Air Show website or during a visit to the Museum (cash or cheque only). Full details are available at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk. Air Show Office Enquiries – 01902 377922.
15th June – D-Day Afternoon Concert
6th June 2014 will mark 70 years since the invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord, which began the final stages of the Second World War in Europe. The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be marking the 70th anniversary of this event with a D-Day themed Orchestra Concert. The highly decorated Glebe Symphonic Winds, one of the UK’s leading wind orchestras will perform for visitors on Sunday 15th June at 3.00pm. Taking place in the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition auditorium with seating for 200 spectators, this intimate musical performance will include many well-known favourites and will last approximately one hour. Tickets cost £5 per person and are available to purchase via the museum website.
15th June to 18th July – The Great War Commemorative Exhibition
The Great War Commemorative Exhibition consists of two bodies of work in which the artist’s hope to slow the clouding of memories of World War One and in this way, pay their respect to those who paid the price for our freedom. This collection of work is brought to you by the Cheshire Artist Network, an organisation of over fifty professional visual artists who live and work in Cheshire. The exhibition will travel the country during 2014 and will be on display at Cosford from Sunday 15th June to Friday 18th July 2014 in the museum’s temporary exhibition gallery in Hangar 1. Entry to the museum and to view the exhibition is free of charge.
28th June – Armed Forces Day
On Saturday 28th June, events across the country will celebrate the contributions made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to our heroes past and present, including current serving personnel, service families, veterans and cadets. This special day will commence in Hangar One at 11.00am with refreshments, followed by talks, entertainment and access to the Conservation Centre including an update on the Dornier Do 17, salvaged from the English Channel a year ago. There will also be a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota (time tbc & weather permitting) Attendance to the event is free of charge and by advance registration only for current or ex-serving members of the armed forces, you will need to pre-register and places are limited. Please telephone 01902 376 200 or email cosfordarmedforcesday@rafmuseum.org.
For further information on any of the events taking place at the RAF Museum Cosford throughout June, please call the museum on 01902 376200 or visit the museum website at www.rafmuseum.org. Keep up to date with the latest news and event information by following us on Facebook – Royal Air Force Museum Cosford or on Twitter @RAFMUSEUM.