Flint sculpture unveiled at RAF West Raynham veteran centre

The Veterans Central Trust is restoring the Grade II listed Station Headquarters at the former RAF West Raynham base.

Former West Raynham station commander, Ed Durham, left, and RAF Marham station commander, group captain Fred Wigglesworth, unveil the sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

The trust has now unveiled The Raynham Stone, a custom-created artwork created by Drew Edwards.

Group Captain Fred Wigglesworth, station commander at RAF Marham, unveiled the sculpture in the site's memorial garden.

Ken Delve, chair of Trustees Veterans Central, takes a close look at the unveiled sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

As part of his creative process, Mr Edwards spent time meeting the project team and getting a feel for the space and then selected flint that "enabled him to bring out aspects that would be appropriate to the location".

Ken Delve, chair of trustees, said: “We are delighted at being able to represent the serving RAF and military community at this important occasion, as remembering those who had served was important to current personnel, relatives and the local community in this area of Norfolk.”

RAF Marham station commander, group captain Fred Wigglesworth, speaks before unveiling the sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

The ceremony took place in the presence of representatives from RAF Marham, RAF Mildenhall, Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, the  Norfolk Constabulary Ceremonial Association, military and emergency services charities, and numerous veterans.

RAF West Raynham was an active airfield throughout Second World War and the Cold War, until its closure in 1994.

Sculptor, Drew Edwards, left; and Ken Delve, chair of Trustees Veterans Central, with the sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Veterans Central team took over the building in March 2023 and so far the volunteers have completed over 11,000 hours of work on the building and the gardens.

The memorial garden, with its slate memorial plaques on the wall and associated rose garden, is one of four garden spaces under development, the others being a sensory garden, a wild garden, and a 'dig for victory' therapy garden.

The sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham Veterans Central SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

Veterans Central runs several activities for veterans, which cover military and emergency services, as well as being open to the public. If you would like to know more about Veterans Central and the project you can follow the project on Facebook.

Police and fire crews at the unveiling of the sculpture in the Memorial Garden at the West Raynham SHQ (Image: Denise Bradley)

The West Raynham SHQ, home of the Veterans Central group (Image: Denise Bradley)