Show support at RAF Boulmer parade

Almost 100 servicemen and women from RAF Boulmer will march through the streets of Morpeth on Thursday September 23 to receive the Freedom of Northumberland - the county's highest civic honour.

It is hoped that people from across Northumberland will turn out in force to pay their respects to all those stationed at the base who have provided such a valuable service to both the county and the country

The parade will start in Manchester Street at 12.35pm and will follow a route through Dacre Street to Bridge Street where civic leaders from around the county will be assembled outside the Town Hall and the Freedom Ceremony will take place at 1pm.

To mark the occasion, Boulmer's iconic yellow Sea King helicopter will also fly over the centre of the town just before the ceremony commences.

Northumberland County Council Chairman Marcia Bircham said:

" RAF Boulmer  has a very close association with the county and plays a vital role in the security of our country.  I hope that local residents will turn out in force to pay their respects and thanks to the servicemen and women and give them an extra special welcome. "

RAF Boulmer has been an integral part of the defence of Northumberland since 1940 and the base has developed significantly over the years.  It is now the Force Headquarters for the United Kingdom Airspace Surveillance and Control System that maintains a watch over our skies 24 hours each day, 365 days per year.

Their highly capable yellow Sea King helicopters provide round-the-clock Search and Rescue cover for a large part of the North-East.  The station  also provides essential training to our military personnel and those of coalition forces, who deploy on operations worldwide.

Is this the Region’s Top Locale?

WITH is tranquil countryside and friendly towns, Northumberland has always been a popular place to live. And now one rural North East beauty spot has been named as offering the best quality of life in the whole of Northern England.

The borough of Castle Morpeth – which boasts the picturesque communities of Morpeth, Ponteland, Stannington and Hepscott – came 29th in a national poll. People in the area enjoy significantly high levels of employment, health and a low crime rate, while children in the region snap-up some of the best GCSE results in the country.

The beaches around Northumberland’s stunning coastline have also been praised as among the most beautiful in the British Isles.
But, interestingly in a region famed for it’s heritage, the only other North Eastern region to feature on the list is Tynedale, which came 45th in the table, compiled by Halifax.
Paul Johnston, director of customer services at Castle Morpeth Borough council, said the accolade is a tribute to the people of the area, but he said they’re also very aware of the quality of life they enjoy.

“It’s always fantastic to get this kind of accolade, but is it a surprise? I don’t think it’s a surprise,” he said.

“If you were an outsider looking in, you would think whatever it is they’ve got going on there you would want to bottle it up and take it away.

“We’ve got massive attractions like Druridge Bay and the countryside right on our doorsteps, and we regard these highly.

“We’re flattered to be named above other parts of the region but we’re not really concerned about comparing ourselves, we just want to do the best with what we have here.”

However, Coun Harold Forster, leader of Tynedale Council, expressed surprise that Morpeth was flying the flag for the entire region.
He said: “I am surprised there are not more places in the North East being recognised in the report, as it's the vibrant variety of town, county, coast and river, that make North East England a truly great place to live, work, visit and do business.”
In Castle Morpeth, 73.9% of 16-year-olds achieved five or more GCSEs last year, the second highest figure in the poll.

The area also boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the country, with Castle Morpeth Borough Council posting a 17% drop over the last three years.
For overall quality of life, the borough was closely followed by Cheshire, which was 34th, and Hambleton, North Yorkshire, which was 35th. People living in Mid Suffolk have the best quality of life in rural Britain, according to the research. But people can expect to pay a premium to live in the majority of the top rural areas in the country, with homeowners paying an average of £50,692 or 25% more to live in the top areas. At the bottom of the table is Monmouthshire, in Wales, with lower levels of sunshine, income and increased traffic problems.

Source JournalLive