Photo from the Sanctuary Awards ceremony – From left to right:
Flt Lt Gary Mennell (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Display Wing)
Barbara Young (Church Warden – Scampton Church & RAF War Graves Heritage Centre)
Anna Hartley (Learning Manager – Heritage Lincolnshire)
Group Captain Neill Atkins (No 2 Group Safety and Assurance & former OC RAF Scampton)
Scampton Church & RAF War Graves Heritage Centre wins two awards!
Scampton Church & RAF War Graves Heritage Centre scoop awards for ‘Keeping Their Stories Alive’ at coveted Ministry of Defence Sanctuary Award Ceremony held at The Historic Dockyard Portsmouth on 19th March 2024.
The Sanctuary Awards have been recognising outstanding heritage, sustainability and conservation efforts across the MOD estate in the UK and worldwide since 1991. The Awards celebrate and encourage group and individual efforts that benefit heritage conservation, sustainable development; environmental utilities and resource saving measures; sustainable construction and procurement; or community engagement.
THE PROJECT
Adopting the motto ‘Keeping Their Stories Alive’, the journey towards creating a unique place of remembrance, history and heritage for RAF Scampton began.
The project took a major leap forward when grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and FCC Communities Fund were awarded to make the church more suited to the modern visitor.
Once a welcoming and comfortable environment had been created, the team worked with RAF Scampton, Heritage Lincolnshire, West Lindsay District Council and The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to maintain this often forgotten rich vein of RAF Heritage.
Building on 20 years of research by Flt Lt Gary Mennell from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Display Wing, the stories of all 107 servicemen buried at Scampton were recreated and digitalised on touch screens. Lesson plans and resources were created and primary schools invited to take part in interactive lessons. Recognising that issues surrounding war and death can be frightening to young children, it was decided that each of the stories should be told in the first person, with the children’s allocated ‘fallen friend’ explaining their background, what they did in the RAF and what ultimately happened to them.
Scampton is now a thriving centre of remembrance, one which tells the stories of those who died from generations ago in a way which is relatable to those who will carry those stories forward for generations to come.
SCAMPTONS’ AWARDS
As well as securing 2nd place in the heritage category, Scampton Church and RAF War Graves Heritage Centre won the coveted innovation award given to those who have who have exemplified innovative behaviours by championing the adoption of new ideas, innovative ways of working and continuous improvement.
JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
‘We were really impressed by the nature of the project which manages to support the historical nature of the site at Scampton, ensuring the rich history is shared widely. What has been achieved is a class leading venue delivered through collaboration, innovative thought and community spirit.’
Support for the project is welcome – click here to visit Scampton Church’s Just Giving page
Click here to watch a short video shown at the award ceremony