Old Buckenham Airfield delighted with café renovation works

Jimmy Stewart, Operations Officer with the 453rd Bombardment Group, pictured with colleagues at Old Buckenham Airfield, (Image: Archant)

The project to remodel the main building at Old Buckenham Airfield has seen a new control tower and increased seating capacity at Jimmy's Café

Completed in just three weeks,

the work means the café named after the Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart who was operations officer of the airfield during the Second World

War, can now handle more customers.

Airfield manager Matt Wilkins said: 'Three weeks was an extremely ambitious timescale for a project of this size and we are thrilled to have been able to accomplish a badly-needed improvement to one of the most important buildings at Old Buckenham.

'We are finally able to offer facilities worthy of the new museum and revitalised airfield, complementing the numerous developments since late 2013 under the new ownership. We're now working on ensuring that the airshow on July 30 and 31 continues to flourish.

'This latest success is only possible thanks to the support of a close-knit team of volunteers and friends without whom Old Buckenham could not have hoped to enjoy the success and developments of the last few years.'

The works were carried out by American interior stylist, Signature Hamilton, who donated both time and services to create a vintage feel to the café and a new operator, Tricia Clarey, will bring a new menu to the restaurant.

In November a new museum to the 453rd Bombardment Group, who served at Old Buckenham Airfield from 1943 until 1945, was opened.

The museum, which is in a Nissen hut, features the largest collection of 453rd memorabilia in existence –including original flying jackets decorated by crew members.

The café is now open for business.

For more information visit http://www.oldbuck.com/en/home/