RAF Spadeadam to be awarded freedom of Carlisle

RAF Spadeadam, which was built in the late 1950s as part of the Blue Streak missile programme, will be awarded the honour in recognition of the historic connection between itself and the city.

A ceremony will be held to commemorate the event next year to coincide with the RAF's centenary celebrations.

A recommendation to grant RAF Spadeadam the freedom of Carlisle was backed by members of the city council at a meeting this week.

The base currently provides a training and trials environment for numerous operational capabilities, such as time sensitive targeting, close air support and combat intelligence.

However, being granted the freedom of Carlisle is not the first honour that it has received. Earlier this year scores of people lined the streets of Brampton as RAF Spadeadam was awarded the freedom of the town.

A report given to all members of Carlisle City Council outlining why the air base should be given the freedom of the city, said: "RAF Spadeadam is the only full-time military establishment in the north west of England.

"Headed by a Wing Commander, there are approximately 180 personnel based at RAF Spadeadam comprising of 106 military personnel, 12 civil servants and 62 contractors.

"For over 41 years, RAF Spadeadam's personnel and their families have lived among the civilian community in Brampton, all of the civil servants and the vast majority of the contract staff are employed from the Brampton and Carlisle area.

"Carlisle is recognised as the station's main centre of amenities and many of its personnel support various volunteer organisations in the city.

"RAF Spadeadam is an appreciated and significant part of the whole of the council's area, both urban and rural."

Lee Sherriff, who represents Harraby on Carlisle City Council and is the authority's armed forces champion, told The Cumberland News: "We're grateful to have the RAF based here in Cumbria.

They're the ones that keep us safe and we're really grateful to them for that. I know from meeting people myself how the people that are based there have integrated into the Carlisle community.

"From a personal perspective, my grandfather was killed in a Lancaster bomber in the Second World War. My dad, who spent 22 years in the Navy, was just two years old at the time.

"I think for him, it means a lot and it's an honour to see that the RAF get this recognition."

Steve Layden, who represents Brampton on Carlisle City Council, added: "I think it's a positive thing.
"Spadeadam has very much been part of the community in both Brampton and Carlisle for many years.

"The community in Brampton has been very supportive of Spadeadam, going right back to the 1950s when Blue Streak was being developed. When that ended, a lot of people who were based at RAF Spadeadam stayed in the local area because they liked it so much.

"I only came here in the 1970s but I've been told that before then, Brampton was quite quiet but they moved in and became part of the community, not just in Brampton but in Carlisle as well.

"My wife actually worked at Spadeadam for 15 years as a civil servant and during my time as mayor I had a number of visits there. People in north Cumbria have been very supportive of the base."

*Those who served in the Battle of Britain will be honoured at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday.

Guests, including civic dignitaries, will be present at the annual service.