RAF Odiham staff took time out from military operations for a spot of gardening to launch their Britain In Bloom campaign.
Base staff and their families turned out on March 25 to plant flowers, building bird boxes and insect hotels, which were dotted around the base.
Station commander Group Captain Steve Shell formally launched the campaign at a tree planting ceremony.
He said: “It’s the families that are more important than any cockpit or number of Chinooks, it doesn’t matter how brave or enthusiastic the guys and girls are in uniform, if they don’t have the support and consent of their families they won’t do it for very long. Events such as this bring together the RAF Odiham community.”
The In Bloom project is part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) In Your Neighbourhood campaign.
The day was masterminded by station chaplaincy clerk Mandy Huckle. She said: “We need projects like this to enhance our sense of community and bring us together not only as families but also as part of the RAF family as a whole.
The base will be judged by the RHS in July and will be assessed on community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement. Judges choose 70 regional winners who go through to the UK Finals.
