§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives his Department is taking this year, at which (a) stations and (b) establishments, to mark the commemoration by the Royal Air Force of the sixtieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain. [127735]
§ Dr. MoonieThe RAF is very conscious that the year 2000 marks the 60th Anniversary year of the Battle of Britain and the RAF is participating in many events nationwide throughout the year to commemorate the Battle.
A Battle of Britain Service and Reception at Westminster Abbey on 17 September is the main official commemoration of the campaign. The Westminster Abbey service is held annually in September each year, but is enhanced on this occasion in recognition both that it is the 60th Anniversary and that it is likely to be the last major commemorative event of the Battle that many of the participants will be able to attend. Members of the Government, High Commissioners, the Air Force Board and representatives of the aviation industry attend each year and, in view of the importance of this particular anniversary, members of the Royal Family have also been invited.
A Battle of Britain Dinner at RAF Bentley Prior is being hosted on 15 September by the Air Force Board for members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association, ground crew and plotters. It is planned that Service personnel, aviation industry representatives and others with a connection to the Battle will attend. Members of the Royal Family and Defence Ministers will also be invited.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust Day will be held on 9 July. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust is arranging a ceremony at Capel le Ferne on the cliffs of Dover at the site of the Trust memorial to commemorate the Battle. The Lord Lieutenant of Kent will preside over the event, which will be fully supported by the RAF, with aircrew from the 13 extant Battle of Britain Squadrons, a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Bands of the RAF Regiment and Air Training Corps cadets. Members of the RauxAF will also be supporting the event. A short memorial service will be conducted by the Chaplain in Chief (RAF).
Finally, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is in high demand this year and will be representing the RAF at events throughout the UK and displaying for some of our WWII allies in Europe. The Battle of Britain Memorial 595W Flight have or will be taking part in some 41 events with a Battle of Britain 60th Anniversary theme during the period April-September.
Event Date 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain—Kenley, Surrey 3–4 June Battle of Britain Memorial—Purley Way, Croydon 3–4 June RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Cocktail Party 16 June Battle of Britain Service—St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh 17 June RAF Cosford Air Show—includes Battle of Britain theme 18 June RAF Waddington Air Day—includes Battle of Britain theme 24–25 June Battle of Britain Memorial Day—Capel le Ferne, Kent 9 July Royal International Air Tattoo—includes Battle of Britain theme 21–23 July Doncaster's 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain 5–6 August 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain—Kenley, Surrey 19–20 August RAFA Battle of Britain Concert 1–2 September RAFA Battle of Britain Service—York 3 September Propeller Service 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain—Lincolnshire 3 September 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain—Yorkshire 3 September Battle of Britain Pilots Memorial Garden Annual Service—Sussex 3 September DERA Fort Halstead Officer's Mess Battle of Britain Night Dinner 7 September Battle of Britain Cocktail Party—RAF Northolt 7 September Battle of Britain Cocktail Party—Keogh Barracks, Aldershot 7 September Battle of Britain Annual Reception—RAF St. Athan 8 September Battle of Britain Anniversary Event—Stapleford Aerodrome 9 September RAF Thatcham Battle of Britain Reception and Dinner 13 September Newark battle of Britain Commemoration Service and Parade 10 September RAFA Skipton Battle of Britain Parade 10 September Basilique de Sacre Coeur—Belgium 10 September 60th Anniversary of Battle of Britain—RAF Northolt (also 85th of RAF Northolt and 75th of 600 Sqn) 13 September HQ Strike Command Battle of Britain Night 14 September Northwood Officer's Mess Battle of Britain Dining in Night 14 September Battle of Britain Drinks—Bracknell, Berks 14 September RAFA Mount Batten Battle of Britain 60th Anniversary Air Salute—Plymouth 15–17 September Battle of Britain Commemoration—Plymouth 15 September Battle of Britain Ceremony, Paris 15 September RAF Fylingdales Battle of Britain Fly Past—N. Yorkshire 15 September RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Dining in Night 15 September Battle of Britain Tribute—Manston 15 September RAF Leeming Battle of Britain Guest Night 15 September Central Band of RAF—public concert outside Westminster Abbey with Battle of Britain theme 16 September RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain International Airshow 16 September Annual Wreathlaying Ceremony on Embankment preceding Abbey Service 17 September Annual Battle of Britain Service in Westminster Abbey plus Air Force Board Reception for Veterans 17 September Songs of Praise RAF Halton—BBC TV (TBC) 17 September Battle of Britain 60th Anniversary Service—St. Clement Danes' (Central Church of the RAF) 17 September Battle of Britain Commemoration—Waltham 17 September Battle of Britain Wings Appeal—Falkirk 17 September Battle of Britain Remembrance Day—Hadleigh Suffolk 17 September Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Day 17 September RAFA Sheringham Branch Battle of Britain Ceremony—Norfolk 17 September RAF Honington Battle of Britain Dinner 22 September In addition, most RAF stations will hold a Battle of Britain Guest Night to celebrate success in the Battle, with invitations to veterans who live locally. Also, most RAF stations hold a Battle of Britain Cocktail Party to host local dignitaries during September.