Oliver Peltier RAF Cottesmore
There will be a service of thanksgiving to commemorate the life and service of RAF Cottesmore at All Saints Church, Oakham invitation only so if you require sanctuary or a place of prayer you will have to wait until approximately 2.45pm the remaining two flights will perform an orderly procession down Church Street and on to High Street, Oakham to the Rutland County Museum where the march will end.
Residents and businesses are encouraged by Rutland and Oakham Councils, to come and watch the troops march through the town to say their last good byes and show their support.
Chief Executive of Rutland County Council, Helen Briggs said: “This will be the last time that the RAF Cottesmore troops march through Oakham as part of the Cottesmore station. It will be a chance to say good bye and show our support to the RAF on what will be a very short but poignant march. It is a sad time to see the base preparing for closure and the troops leaving, and I wish them all well on behalf of the Council.”
The base is due to close at the end of March 2012 this also coincides with the closure of HMP Ashwell. I have been told there are currently no prisoners resident. The remaining prison staff have been guarding a empty prison for some time now. Those on duty at night say they get very bored and can't even take a nap because all the beds have also gone.
