Fairford news with Chris Roberts

TWO years ago, the Ministry of Defence agreed to relocate the US RC-135 Rivet Joint mission to RAF Fairford from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

Now that decision has been reversed and RAF Mildenhall will remain open and the RC-135 Rivet Joint mission will stay at its existing base.

This means there will be no changes to RAF Fairford’s status as a Forward Operating Location for USAF strategic aircraft and the base will continue to host regular deployments of aircraft and personnel.

However, there is likely to be some growth at RAF Fairford over the next few years to support the strategic mission.

There are plans over the next five years for construction projects of around $200 million and some increase in military personnel.

For more information on RAF Fairford, contact Jenny Collyer, community relations adviser on 01285 714965 or jennifer.collyer.2.gb@us.af.mil.

FAIRFORD Rugby Club’s (FRFC) players, coaches and supporters have embarked on a 25-day challenge to Race to the North Pole, which comprised 92 competitors of all ages split into two groups – the ‘Badgers’ (males) and the ‘Beavers’ (females).

The two teams had to log how many miles they were able to complete either by running, walking or cycling.

The overall winning team was the Beavers, but head coach, Danny Briggs said: “The real winner was the charity we were supporting.”

In total, the club raised £1,420 after deducting the JustGiving fees and this will provide Christmas present boxes to 64 local children from Farmor’s School, Fairford Primary, Lechlade Primary and Carterton Schools.

In addition, the FRFC are donating £100 to Shine Bright Support and £100 to the Swindon Rotary Club.

FRFC would like to thank each and every competitor as well as all those people and companies who have provided sponsorship again.

THE Patient Participation Group (PPG) at Hilary Cottage Surgery, Fairford would like to ask patients not to contact the surgery to enquire about receiving a Covid-19 vaccination.

The PPG will be contacting all eligible patients individually with invites to attend their vaccination appointment, which will be delivered initially at Cirencester Hospital.

The vaccination programme will last well into 2021 as there are many patients to vaccinate, so please be patient as the surgery staff work through the vaccination programme.

Updates will be provided on www.fairfordsurgery.co.uk.

THE process for requesting a driver for transport to and from appointments is changing.

Going forward, this will be done directly through Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities.

You will no longer need to request a driver through either Hilary Cottage or Lechlade Medical Centre receptionists.

If you require transport to and from your hospital/doctor/dental appointments, please contact Friends of Fairford & Lechlade Communities direct on: 07540 798226 between 10am-1pm Monday-Friday.

If the line is busy, you will be able to leave a message and a member of the patient transport team will call you back.

Or you can email voluntarycarservicelof@gmail.com.

COLOSSEO Ristorante in Fairford’s Market Place said goodbye recently to Zeus and Guiseppe, the popular managers of the Italian restaurant for over six years.

Salvatore, the chef at Colosseo, is still at the restaurant and has created a new menu.

Zeus said: “It was a wonderful six and a half years in Fairford. Please support our friend, Christian, who is taking over and make the only Italian restaurant in the area a great success.”