We have arranged what we hope will be an attractive day out for members, their friends and families at Biggin Hill.
Programme:
10 am – a visit to “the church that moved” St Mark's Church, Biggin Hill.
11.30 am – move on to the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum. A light lunch can be taken in the Nightingale Café at noon. Sandwiches for a group need to be pre-ordered, so the menu will be sent to those registering interest.
1pm – a tour of the museum, followed by a talk in St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
From around 2pm we will free to further explore the chapel, museum and grounds.
The museum closes at 5pm.
The entry fee, payable on the day and including the accompanied visits to the museum and the chapel, is £7.80. There are reductions for children and under-fives are free of charge. There is a further option of including a cream tea served between 3 & 4pm at an all-inclusive price of £11.
There is plenty to be explored on this day. The Moving Church is just that - the church that moved. How All Saints Church, North Peckham, became St Mark's Church, Biggin Hill, has been called a fascinating story of determination, endeavour, faith and, of course, answered prayers. We will learn about the inspirational vicar, Rev Vivian Symons, who personally moved much of the stones, bricks and timbers, and see his beautiful engravings and metalwork. We will be shown around by the Vicar, Rev. Alison Newman.
The Biggin Hill Memorial Museum tells the story of Britain’s most famous fighter station through the personal experiences of those who served there and the community that supported them. Replica Hurricane and Spitfire ‘Gate Guardians’ are visible from the road. The museum in an innovative new building is situated on the same site as St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, built in 1951 to preserve the legacy of those who served and died at Biggin Hill during the Second World War.
The site also incorporates a consecrated Garden with the interred ashes of RAF personnel, the original airstrip behind the Chapel and an active RAF Squadron sharing the same site – Biggin Hill ATC.
A new exhibition spotlights the women of Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Visitors of all ages will be able to engage in interactive displays such as an operations table as used during the Battle of Britain and a “Fly a Spitfire” virtual reality experience. For children learning about the Second World War and adults alike, this promises to be an informative and memorable day out.
To book a place please phone 01732 461462, email or print and return the form here.
