RAF Shawbury’s annual reception – in pictures

Friday 2nd September 2011, 12:10PM BST.

A Hurricane in the flypast at RAF Shawbury

RAF Shawbury held its annual reception for members of the community to thank them for the support they have given the airbase over the last 12 months.

The event took place last night and was attended by local dignitaries, business leaders, youth workers and charitable services.

It featured a talk by Station Commander Warren James, a parachute display from the RAF Falcons, and a flypast by a Hurricane plane.

Guests also got to find out more about what work takes place at RAF Shawbury and the facilities it provides. Lieutenant Commander David Pickles, said: “We organise the event to thank people across Shropshire, including local dignitaries, business leaders, landowners for the support they give to the airbase over the past year.”

A spokesman for RAF Shawbury said yesterday’s event went very well.

Last year the airbase held a similar event to make the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Hundreds of people gathered at the north Shropshire airbase to see the Spitfire fighter plane in action.

The sunset flight, timed at 1945 hours, was the climax of the base’s annual reception, which marked the anniversary of the RAF’s ‘finest hour’.

The evening began with a 24-minute display of precision formation flying by the Red Arrows, and ended with a performance by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The display took place at the station’s massive One Hangar. Inside, various planes were on display, from a Tiger Moth of the 1930s to modern helicopters.

There were also displays on air force history.

By James Pugh

View more: RAF Shawbury news.