Fairford community news with Chris Roberts

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing was just one of the aircraft that landed at RAF Fairford during the Baltic Trident Exercise, which took place at RAF Fairford and across several Baltic countries from March 15-19.

The primary goal of the exercise is to strengthen the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

ACE enables US forces in Europe to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the full spectrum of military operations.

Approximately 150 active duty personnel, civilians and local nationals are supporting this exercise at RAF Fairford.

420th EABS Airmen are deployed from around the world.

They have all joined together to support the 100th Air Refueling Wing during this exercise.

Exercises and deployments that utilise ACE concepts ensure forces in Europe are ready to protect and defend partners, allies and US interests at a moment’s notice, and generate lethal combat power should deterrence fail.

The new bespoke designed brochure for the Hyperion House Care Home very much features the community of Fairford including pictures of local butcher, Andrew Butler, as well as many more delightful views of the historic Cotswold market town.

The new brochures show the home-from-home feel that is offered at Hyperion House – the outstanding care and delicious home-cooked food.

If you would like to request a brochure, please call 01285 712349 and ask for Becky.

Alternatively, email Rebecca@divacare.co.uk with your name and address and a brochure will be sent out to you.

If you have any questions at all, the team at Hyperion House are always very happy to assist.

A beautiful carved bench by talented Andy O’Neill and depicting bees, butterflies and sunflowers as part of his ‘pollinator’ brief has been gifted to Fairford’s Walnut Tree Field.

Andy carved the bench for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to be a feature in the new sensory garden created by Fairford Town Council and the ERDF Wild Town Project.

The ERDF Wild Towns project will also improve access to green spaces around Fairford through installation of accessible paths.

Biodiversity will also be improved through planting of wildflowers and management of waterways for species such as otter, kingfishers and water voles.

A group of volunteers from Fairford Rugby Club recently planted around 2000 saplings to create a 400m length of hedge at the Junior Rugby Pitches on Leafield Road.

The saplings were given to the town as part of the Hedge & Tree Planting Grant supported by the Woodland Trust, The Environment Agency and FWAG (the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and will be a great addition to the biodiversity of the town.

Jenix Fitness outdoor classes will be held on Fairford Football Club Cinder Lane pitch until indoor classes are allowed again commencing May 17.

The outdoor classes will start from Monday, March 29, with Hitstep on Mondays and Wednesday at 6.30pm; Clubbercise on Tuesdays and Thursday at 6pm and Dance2fit at 7pm.

Under 16s are welcome free of charge with a paying adult.

All classes are £5 per session (pass use will resume once gym re-opens). Booking is essential on: https://app.gymcatch.com/provider/936.

The Forest School 6-week course is back on Friday, April 2, until Friday, May 7, from 10.30am - 12 noon.

The course is designed for early years children of mixed ages under 5 to enjoy Macaroni Woods – a beautiful biodiverse 13-acre woodland near Fairford.

Sessions are subsidised by The National Lottery Community Fund, who have donated funding to Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture with the aim of engaging more young people in nature and enhancing mental wellbeing.

Activities will include exploring the woodland, cooking on an open fire, nature investigating, shelter building, crafts, mud kitchen, story-telling, games and more. T

o book your place, visit: https://bookthatin.com/BookingWidget?id=109.