RAF Marham

Campaigning to keep the base open in Norfolk

RAF Marham is one of the UK's largest and busiest stations operating four squadrons of Tornado GR4 aircraft in both attack and reconnaissance roles.

As part of the strategic defence review, it was announced that the Tornado fleet would be scaled down and based at one location. Marham and Lossiemouth in Scotland, are currently the two bases in question. It is believed a decision will not be made until Spring 2011.

Norfolk's business community and politicians are lobbying hard to ensure that the base at Marham is not lost.

The base is the largest employer in the borough of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, representing around one in 12 of the employed jobs and contributes in excess of £130m per annum directly into the local economy through salary payments and the purchase of goods and services from local businesses. 

On the 30 November, the online petition (visible here) and paper petition were handed in to 10 Downing Street. In all there was a staggering 36,940 signatures handed in- which is tremendous for two weeks worth of campaigning. 

View the letter sent by businesses to the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne, Chief Secreatry to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable.

View the letter sent by the Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership to the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox.

View recent news stories on the campaign

Campaigners call for government to end uncertainity over RAF Marham’s future - 24th June 2011
RAF Marham is in a “commanding position” to stay open, Norfolk MP claims - 8th June 2011
RAF Marham: King's Lynn asked to support parade - 31st May 2011
No Marham decision - 13th May 2011
Why Marham Means The World To Us - 10th May 2011
Final flypast for Marham’s XIII Squadron - 4th May 2011
MoD reveals decision day for RAF Marham in Norfolk - 31st March 2011
Cameron describes RAF base as ‘vital’ - 23rd March 2011
No change over Marham - 14th March 2011
Hope for talks over the future of RAF Marham - 2nd March 2011
Minister hints that Norfolk’s RAF Marham is saved - 1st February 2011
Speculation that RAF Marham could stay open - 28th January 2011
RAF Marham decision delayed until summer - 27th January 2011
PM praises Make it Marham campaign - 12th January 2011
Norfolk MP is back on offensive to save RAF Marham - 10 January 2011
MP Truss makes Marham plea - EDP, 17th December 2010
Fight for RAF Marham ‘must go on’, campaigners say - EDP, 1 December 2010
A look back at a fortnight in which Norfolk found its voice - EDP, 30 November 2010
Make it Marham campaign takes off for London - EDP, 29 November 2010
Marham could matter even more to Norfolk’s economy - EDP, 29 November 2010
Marham and Lossiemouth commanders meet up - EDP, 27 November 2010
Veterans add their support to campaign - EDP, 26 November 2010
RAF Marham closure would hit Norfolk charities, community groups and schools hard - EDP, 25th November 2010
Norfolk celebrities and sporting heroes back campaign to save RAF Marham - EDP, 25th November 2010
Closing RAF Marham will ‘hit services for decades’ - EDP, 24th November 2010
Canaries’ fans support for Marham campaign - EDP, 21st November 2010
Why it makes sense to Make it Marham - EDP, 19th November 2010
Make it Marham gathers strength - EDP, 19th November 2010
Make it Marham campaign lands in Downham Market - EDP, 19th November 2010
Your comments backing campaign to Make it Marham - EDP, 16th November 2010
Thousands show their support for Make it Marham - EDP, 15th November 2010
Norfolk unites to make it Marham - EDP, 14th November 2010
RAF Marham is key to lives of many in community - EDP, 14th November 2010
Campaign aim to keep Tornado base at RAF Marham - BBC News, 13th November 2010
Confusion over RAF Marham decision - EDP, 12th November 2010
MP seeks to keep Marham as key Tornado base - LynnNews, 10th November 2010
Truss carries RAF Marham fight to Prime Minister- EDP, 3rd November 2010
RAF Marham is "indispensible" to the region's economy, say MPs - EDP, 1st November 2010  
Why Marham matters, minister - EDP, 27th October 2010
RAF Tornadoes in Norfolk spared but numbers may reduce- BBC, 19th October 2010

Visit the official RAF Marham website