Guest speaker at our 2025 Christmas Buffet is Peter Merrifield, who will be speaking about what it was like to fly the iconic Vulcan bomber
Our 2025 Christmas Buffet will take place on Saturday 6 December at Hawkwell Village Hall, Essex SS5 4EH
The event is open to both VRT Members and non-members
We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker Vulcan Pilot Peter Merrifield, who will be speaking about what it was like to fly the Vulcan in the 1970s Royal Air Force
Peter joined the RAF on 4 April 1968 (just three day’s after its 50th anniversary!) and flew the Vulcan B2 from 1970-75, based at RAF ScamptonHe was initially with 617 Squadron before moving to the Radar Flying Squadron, part of 230 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), also at Scampton
Following the Vulcan, Peter did an operational tour in Germany before converting to the Nimrod MR1, joining 42 Squadron at RAF St Mawgan in 1977After four years at the Cornwall base, he was posted to the other end of the country to RAF Kinloss to take up Nimrod crew training dutiesThe following year, 1982, Peter joined 201 Squadron flying the improved Nimrod MR2P from KinlossIn 1985, he joined the Nimrod AEW Joint Trials Unit before moving to 18 Group at Northwood the following year, where he was a Maritime Air Controller
Peter returned to flying in 1990, again on the Nimrod MR2P with 201 Squadron at KinlossHe retired from the RAF in October 1994He then became a commercial airliner pilot flying the MD 83, followed by Airbus 320,321 and 330, before his retirement from flying in 2014
In his talk, Peter will cover the history of the Vulcan, what it was like to fly (including some of the handling issues it threw up for pilots), as well as taking a look back at his time at Scampton with 617 Squadron and 230 OCU
It is sure to be a fascinating afternoon and one which will also include our famous Christmas Buffet, plus dessert, tea and coffee (included in the ticket price)
There will also be a licensed pay bar
The timetable for the afternoon is:
11.30: Doors open 12:00: Bar opens 12.30: Christmas Buffet Lunch 13:30: Flying the Vulcan with Peter Merrifield (part 1) 14:15: Break for Coffee and Mince Pies 14:45: Flying the Vulcan with Peter Merrifield (part 2) 15:15: Vulcan XL426 Annual Prize Draw 16:00: Annual General Meeting and A Look Back at 2025 17:00: Close
Admittance to our Christmas Buffet is by ticket only; there will be no ‘on the door’ salesFor clarity, one ticket per person is required
Adult (Public): £33.00 Adult (VRT Member): £28.00 Adult (VRT Member Accompanied Guest): £28.00 Under 16: £20.00
Booking fees apply
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Category: Attractions | Talks and Lectures
Hotels near Hawkwell Village Hall,
Staying overnight in Hockley?
Wondering where to stay that's close to Hawkwell Village Hall,? We've teamed up with Booking.com to provide the best room rates for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs near the Christmas Buffet event in Hockley.
The Rochford Hotel
This hotel is situated in the picturesque Essex village town of Rochford, less than a mile from the airport and 200 yards from the mainline railway station..
Skylark Hotel
Just 1 mile from London Southend Airport and its rail station, this hotel offers free private parking. Leigh-on-Seas old high street with its quaint seaside pubs is only 15 minutes drive away..
Premier Inn Southend Airport
Providing comfortable, good value accommodation, Premier Inn Southend Airport has excellent access to local bus links and is 2 miles from Southend Airport..
Holiday Inn Southend
Located at Southend Airport, Holiday Inn Southend features an on-site fitness suite and a sound-proofed rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views of the airport..
Airport Lodge
Located 1.6 km from Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation , Airport Lodge offers accommodation in Southend-on-Sea. The holiday home is 1.
Premier Inn Basildon -
With free parking, family-friendly en suite rooms and an on-site Harvester restaurant, this Premier Inn hotel is just off the main A127 road..
View all hotels near Hawkwell Village Hall,
WebsiteVisit website
VenueHawkwell Village Hall,
AddressMain Road, Hockley, Essex,
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