The Committee

Sir Michael Berry Savory (born 1943) was Lord Mayor of London for 2004-05. He was elected to Common Council in 1980 and as an Alderman in 1996. He served as Aldermanic Sheriff in 2001 - 02 and Lord Mayor in 2004-05. He is currently Managing Partner of the Muckleburgh Collection in North Norfolk. 

Knighted in the New Year Honours 2006 for "services to the City of London", Sir Michael was a City Stockbroker for forty years and has been Master of two Livery Companies

Sir Michael’s father Berry Savory had long links with RAF Coltishall flying Hurricanes during the Second World War. Sir Michael is thrilled to have a link back to his father through the Spirit of Coltishall Association.

In his letter of acceptance Sir Michael states that he will do his best to attend Association events.

Sir Michael Savory, the Managing Partner of the Muckleburgh Collection comes from a family with a long history of military service. Michael's Father, Berry, who jointly founded the Collection and sadly died in 1998, served in the RAF in WWII as a Squadron Leader and was on the planning staff for Op OVERLORD, the D-Day invasion of mainland Europe.

Sarah Hanna, owner of The Old Flying Machine Company, was delighted to be asked and after due consideration she accepted. The daughter of Ray Hanna, the founder of The Old Flying Machine Company at Duxford, Sarah is also passionate about all aspects of aviation and will provide SoCA with a professional view on related matters. Sarah also looks forward to meeting SoCA members at our various functions.

Sarah’s Spitfire MH434 has a somewhat tenuous link with RAF Coltishall, in that in 1943 it was delivered from the Castle Bromwich factory to 222 Sqn and was allocated as the personal aircraft of South African born pilot Flt Lt Henry (Pat) Lardner-Burke DFC. On posting, he parted company with MH434 and went on to become Wing Commander Flying at RAF Coltishall in late 1944. He subsequently moved to RAF Horsham St Faith (as you know, is now Norwich airport) as Station Commander in 1945. 

01692 405800

Chairman@spiritofcoltishall.com

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I joined the RAF in 1956 as a Boy Entrant and retired as a Warrant Officer in 1994 after 38 years of service. My first posting was to RAF Tangmere on Hunter jets. I was a Belvedere Corporal Crewman at RAF Odiham and in Aden.

We put the spire on Coventry Cathedral, flew two helicopters from El Adam to RAF Khormaksar, took part in the Rhadfan war and inserted Royal Marines into Dar-E-Salaam barracks during the Tanganyika uprising. On my return to the UK I served 7 years with the Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit specialising in Salt Ingestion of Gas Turbine power units.

After an accompanied tour in Oman in 1973, I returned to 240 OCU at Odiham where I first met MALM Bullock. In 1974 I was posted to the Helicopter role office at HQ Strike Command until 1977 when on promotion I was posted into the SAR world in as a Flight Sergeant. This a year with the RCT who now owned Leconfield but I knew that my next unit would be RAF Coltishall. In 1981 we were deployed to the Falkland Islands and on my return I was posted to RAF Swanton Morley.

On promotion to WO, I spent 18 months in the Spey office at High Wycombe as an engine specialist before finally taking on an MoD role that was delegated to Swanton Morley. I retired in 1994 for employment as a Planning Officer by AirUK Engineering at Norwich airport and is now KLMuk Engineering, for 11 years and eventually took up the role of Production Controller.

I married my wife Diane in 1961 and we finally settled in North Walsham as my son Paul was due to begin an apprenticeship with Busseys in Norwich.

.I was invited to be Chairman in 2007 and became a founder member of the Spirit of Coltishall Association (SoCA). I have endeavoured to promote the SoCA by joining in with local activities and attending Fetes and Shows. The Road Show has served as a marvellous catalyst and we have always attracted a following. Especially at places like the Old Buckenham Air Show, Marsham Agricultural Show and many school and town fetes. We have ensured that traditional and typically service support has been provided in the form of Memorial Services, Funerals of Members and attendance at ceremonial services such as the annual Battle of Britain service at County Hall.

It was SoCA who insisted on laying a wreath in 2007 at County Hall as Chairman I believe that my role must be to promote and preserve the faith and trust that the Constitution has committed us to support. We can only pursue the task together so let us ensure that everyone knows 'us' and not just the individuals. We come from a strong team background where we look after the needs of society, both local and regional. Credit should be distributed where deserved and encouragement should be for the efforts and not necessarily the result.

treasurer@spiritofcoltishall.com

I joined the RAF in Dec 73 and served for nearly 37 years. I initially trained as a vehicle mechanic and worked my way up through the ranks. During my service, I was posted to most of the 'RAF Norfolk' stations including two tours at RAF Coltishall. I planned to end my career there too when the closure date was set for 2010, but the MoD spoilt that by closing it early. I did also venture away to RAF Holbeach, RAF Honington and RAF Coningsby ending up at RAF Wyton. For excitement the RAF sent me on detachments to Ascension Island, Falklands, Kuwait and Iraq the latter two of which I cannot recommend for a summer holiday.

01263 673733

Secretary@spiritofcoltishall.com 

My passion for the RAF began at an early as my Father was serving in the RAF at Hornchuch at the time.

I joined the Air Training Corps at thirteen and had six happy years learning about aircraft engines and airframes and doing drill.

I'm a Fully Qualified Motor vehicle Engineer with 44 years’ experience with HGV, PSV, LGV and Cars, including 18 years with the MG/Rover Brand. I have gained membership to various professional organisations throughout my career. In my spare time I enjoy building and flying radio-controlled models and operating radio-controlled model boats and cars.

Information Technology, Digital Video and Photography and DIY, are some of the things I also enjoy.

Joined as Boy Entrant at Hereford in 1962. Although I was at Coltishall for only18 months Lynne and I liked Norfolk so much we moved back to Old Catton

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I joined the RAF in Jan 1961 as a Direct Entry aircraft Instrument fitter and retired in April 2002 after 41 years service. I served at RAF Coltishall for 9 very enjoyable years (1990 to 99) initially as WO EES and then as WO ENG HQ.

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I left Secondary School at the age of 15 and began work on an arable and stock farm. I did a variety of jobs on the farm from building grain Silos, welding and repairing farm machinery, to single and three phase electrical installations in the farm buildings.

I then joined the RAF as a Ground Communications Technician and later converted to an Electronics Technician (Airfields). During my 22 years of service I was involved in 3rd line servicing and Navigation Equipment Installations on airfields.My postings included North Luffenham, Chivenor, Henlow, Neatishead, Benbecula, Wyton and Valley to name but a few. My last posting was to RAF Valley as the Ground Radio Chief Technician, maintaining Airfield Radar. Navigation Aids, Ground and Air comms and Air traffic Control Systems.    

I have worked on over 30 stations doing installation work, some odd ones like Newcastle Airport, Tain Bombing Range, Boscombe Down, Thorney Island, Farnborough etc.

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01263 673733

I have always been a supporter of our Armed Forces, but obviously living so close to Coltishall, it was top of the list.  School friends of mine and my daughters have lived there so we had visits, particularly the Theatre 101 Pantomimes.

Now as a member of SoCA, I have thoroughly enjoyed helping with Social events, and the Roadshow outings, then as fundraiser.

Joined as a Boy Entrant at 4 S of TT, RAF St Athan in April 1963.  Ended my RAF career at RAF Coltishall in April 2001 after 11 years at Colt as FS Workshops and WO GEF.