Athena Care Homes Customer Relations Manager Kerri Rasberry and resident of Goodwins Hall Michael Forster MBE were recently invited on a guided tour of RAF Marham.
Having recently invited RAF Marham officer Mo Howard into Goodwins Hall Care Home to deliver a talk on RAF Marham, it was discovered that officer Mo actually used to work with our resident Michael! After lengthy discussions about Marham and Michael’s time there, a private tour was then arranged for Michael and Kerri, for the day before his birthday making it 52 years since he left the forces on his 49th Birthday!
Kerri Rasberry said; “We always try to make unique moments for our residents at Goodwins Hall. When we saw Michael and Mo bonding during the talk at our home, we knew we had to find a way to get Michael back to base and he was truly in his element!”
During the private escorted tour, Michael and Kerri visited the heritage centre, which Michael – a former ‘sooty’ (slang for working on the fighter jet engines), actually helped to create, through contacting old squadrons.
Kerri and Michael had the chance to see the state-of-the-art facilities during the tour and learn more about the capabilities of the F35 aircraft, which is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Given that the F35 is a cutting-edge aircraft, the tour was undoubtedly an informative and awe-inspiring experience for both Kerri Rasberry and Michael Forster MBE.
They also got insights into the daily operations and activities of the RAF personnel stationed at Marham, as well as Michael learning a thing or two about classified items during his service, as well as more about the nuclear bomb site!
Michael’s thoughts about the day: “Altogether an excellent, informative and interesting day. Many thanks to Mo Howard who organised the whole tour for us and for Kerri for making it happen”
The tour was certainly a trip down memory lane for Michael and Athena would like to pass on their thanks to Mo Howard and RAF Marham for making this tour happen.
