20/04/12….Thame children getting ready for Royal visitor

SCHOOL children from across Thame heard this week that a Royal guest will be visiting the town when RAF Halton is awarded Freedom of Entry to Thame.

May 2, will see a large number of airmen and women from RAF Halton marching through Thame, to the War Memorial and back to the town hall, to the strains of a military band, whilst bearing arms – a sight never before seen in the town.

Hundred of local people and visitors, young and old, are expected to join in the celebrations and line the streets of Thame from the town hall and along Upper High Street, to see the spectacle.

Mum, Jana Hesford, who has two daughters at Barley Hill school, said: “We are all very excited to find out which Royal is lucky enough to visit our lovely little town. I?ll certainly be out there with my girls.

“They are hoping it will be Her Majesty herself as it is her special year, or if not, of course if it was Kate, that too would be wonderful!”

Which royal personage it will be on the day, is shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, but for sure, George the goat, or Aircraftman George as he is officially known, will make an appearance as the mascot of the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton.

Deputy Station Commander at RAF Halton, Wing Commander Borthwick, told town councillors at a recent meeting: “It is a pleasure to have a formal link outside the county (RAF Halton is in Buckinghamshire)although we recruit from all of the UK, and an honour to receive such public recognition of the bond that exists between our two organisations.”

PHOTO: (Courtesy of Crown Copyright/MOD 2010] shows Aircraftman George, the latest in a long line of mascots at RAF Halton that dates back to World War Two.