As you may well be aware, the RAF Shawbury Helicopter Liaison Group were holding a meeting two or three times a year aimed at informing Parish Councils (PCs) and Town Councils (TCs) as to the helicopter flying training activity conducted out of RAF Shawbury. The aim of the Group was also to discuss any questions or issues arising from our communities as raised through PCs and TCs across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. The Group was previously coordinated by Shropshire Council, with RAF Shawbury acting as the host and presenters. Shropshire Council recently requested that the responsibility for coordination of the Group be passed to RAF Shawbury. We are pleased to accept this, given that communicating with our neighbouring communities remains one of our highest priorities.

There were some limitations to the previous model, primarily  that it relied on PC and TC representatives being available to travel and attend meetings at RAF Shawbury. With attendances becoming very low, we have been thinking how best to proceed with the Group, particularly in terms of how we maximise reach and flexibility. Shropshire Association of Local Councils has kindly agreed to distribute our communications and hence we have decided to send out two newsletters per year to the some 200 addresses to reach all PCs and TCs across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. The newsletters will be issued in September and March and will cover our flying and engagement intent for the next 6 months, as well as reporting on flying and complaint statistics for the preceding 6 month period.

In terms of reciprocal communication from PCs and TCs into RAF Shawbury, then our newsletters will clearly show our dedicated flying complaint email address and telephone number, as well as our general enquiry engagement multi-user email. These are shown at the bottom on this email and are open at any time for PCs/TCs, or anyone from the communities they represent, to contact us on. Finally, we will be offering through our newsletters to attend any of the six Area Meetings held by Shropshire PCs/TCs, should your PC or TC wish to have a dedicated Q&A session with RAF Shawbury Executives, or to directly discuss any specific issues.

I hope the above all makes sense with respect to how RAF Shawbury intends to engage with PCs and TCs across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin going forward. We look forward to issuing our first newsletter to you all in September 2024.

• Low Flying Complaints Email:                                                      SHY-LowFlying@mod.gov.uk
• Low Flying Complaints Telephone:                                            01939 251712
• Engagement and Media General Enquiries Email:

SHY-EngagementMediaTeam@modgovuk.onmicrosoft.com