October Half-Term: Halloween Biscuit Decorating
2022-10-28 11:00 - 15:00, 2022-10-29 11:00 - 15:00 UTC
Join us for Halloween themed biscuit decorating over October Half-Term.
Available between 11am – 3pm on our open days (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) between Saturday 22nd – Saturday 29th October 2022.

Included in Museum Admission or Annual Membership. This is a drop in activity – it’s not longer necessary to book for the Museum or family activities.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Friday Morning Talk: A Spitfire Named Connie - with Air Marshal (Retd) 'Black' Robertson CBE
2022-11-04 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday Morning Talk, when we will happily once again be joined by ‘Black’ to talk about the story behind his latest book, ‘A Spitfire Named Connie’.
Air Marshal ‘Black’ Robertson CBE BA FRAeS FRSA RAF (Retd)
A Spitfire Named Connie is an exciting, rollercoaster of a story. ‘Robbie’ Robertson begins his RAF training during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. As he learns his trade, he’s soon rubbing shoulders with Fighter Command heroes. Amongst these are Brian Kingcome, ‘Ginger’ Lacey and Bob Stanford Tuck.
Moving from 111 to 72 Squadron, he opens his account against the Luftwaffe in the spring of 1942. Six months later the action moves to North Africa, where he adds further to his score. But it’s here that tragedy strikes. He’s shot down by Erich Rudorffer, one of the Luftwaffe’s most celebrated Experten, who ended the war with over 200 victories. Despite his wounds, and barely able to see, Robbie somehow survives his Spitfire’s crash-landing.
Found lying near the wreckage by an Army patrol, he moves from casualty clearing stations to hospitals across Tunisia and Algeria as doctors try desperately to save his sight. Finally, unable to stand the pain any longer, he reluctantly agrees to the removal of his right eye. A slow recovery and eventual return home is no compensation for the end of his flying career.
Desk-bound for the remainder of the war, the second, more poignant phase of his RAF life begins. The young schoolgirl, Connie Freeman, with whom he’s been in regular correspondence since her evacuation, becomes his wife.
It’s literally hundreds of Robbie’s letters that form the basis of this powerful and moving story. Together with his own and Connie’s diaries, correspondence from RAF colleagues and his flying logbook, they bring a unique authenticity to this highly-charged tale.
‘Black’ Robertson joined the RAF in 1963, instantly acquiring the nickname that’s remained with him ever since. After 3 years at the RAF College, Cranwell, he spent the next 33 in flying, staff and command appointments including tours of duty in the USA, Germany and the Falkands. He flew all the RAF’s front line fast jet aircraft and also qualified as a helicopter pilot. After retiring he spent some 5 years with BAE Systems before establishing his own consultancy. A past Clerk to The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, he’s a trustee of the David Vaisey Library Prize and a Cranfield Trust mentor. His time is now devoted mainly to lecturing and writing: www.blackrobertson.com.

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Friday Morning Talk: The British Jewry Book of Honour - With Lola and Ronnie Fraser
2022-11-11 10:45 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk by Lola and Ronnie Fraser, who will be talking about the British Jewry Book of Honour – 100 years on. Please note this talk will start earlier than usual at 10:45, to incorporate the 2 minute National Silence marking Remembrance Day at 11:00.
The British Jewry Book of Honour was published 100 years ago and lists the names of approximately 50,000 Jews who served in the British Forces during the First World War. Of that number, more than 2000 Jews died fighting for Britain, in the conflict. Compiled from names given to the Jewish Chaplains, the most senior, Rev Michael Adler sent the names to be published weekly in the Jewish Chronicle. From this, the book was compiled and published after the end of the war.
To mark Armistice Day, Lola and Ronnie Fraser will be speaking about the book, how it came into being and then telling the stories of three Jews from the 2,500 who served in the RFC in the First World War and went on to serve with the RAF in the Second World War.
Please note this talk will start earlier than usual at 10:45, to incorporate the 2 minute National Silence marking Remembrance Day at 11:00.
This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Friday Morning Talks: The Royal Air Force Today - With Tommy Doherty (RAF Presentation Team)
2022-11-25 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk by Tommy Doherty and the RAF Presentation Team, who will be talking about the RAF and its role today.

The presentation is a blend of personal narratives from Team members, all of whom have operational experience and engaging video footage, depicting how the RAF contributes to the delivery of Air and Space Power.

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Saturday Scramble Club: Festive Baubles
2022-11-26 10:00 - 16:00
Free family activities each month during term time, for children of all ages.
Saturday 26 November: Festive Baubles: Create your own festive decoration to put up at home.
Included in Museum Admission or Annual Membership.

Children must be supervised by an adult.

Meet Father Christmas - SOLD OUT
2022-12-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-10 10:00 - 16:00
EVENT SOLD OUT. Get into the festive spirit with a fun family visit to Meet Father Christmas!
(Advance booking required)
Father Christmas will be joining us and will have a special gift for each child!
Come and have a go at our festive craft activities too!
Tickets (Include Museum Admission & Craft Activities):
Adult: £5
Child: £9 (includes gift)
The museum is open 10:00am – 4:00pm with the café serving festive treats and craft activities available all day. Families will meet Father Christmas 1 group at a time within the booked hour timeslot.
Admission is by advance booking only.
Amendments to bookings can be made by contacting at enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or by calling 020 8950 5526
Please note that the museum is open to event ticket holders only.

Harrow Apollo Male Choir Festive Concert
2022-12-11 14:00 - 17:00
We will be welcoming back Harrow Apollo Male Choir on Sunday 11th December for their annual Festive Concert at the Museum.
Harrow Apollo Male Choir will perform festive favourites in the Museum’s spectacular Operations Room.
Tickets include a mince pie and mulled wine/juice at the interval.
Ticket costs:

Adults: £15
Concessions: £12
Children (Aged 6-16) £6
Under 5’s: £3

The concert starts at 3pm. The Museum will open at 2pm to allow time to look around the Museum galleries.
Book Online Here or call 020 8950 5526.

Festive Closure
2022-12-15 - 2023-01-17
The Museum is closed throughout the Festive Period and will re-open on Wednesday 18th January. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Our opening days and hours can be found here:
https://bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk/visit-us/opening-hours-admission/

RAF Photographers
2023-01-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-25 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-27 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-02-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-02-03 10:00 - 16:00 and 9 more dates
Join us to see a selection of the captivating photographs from the recent RAF Photography Awards.
Temporary Exhibition Gallery.
Included in Museum Admission and Membership.

Friday Morning Talks: PAFMC 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Commemorative Film - With Richard Kornicki
2023-02-03 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where we will be showing the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee’s 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Commemorative Film.
Chairman of the PAFMC Richard Kornicki, returns following his well attended and successful talk in September on the Polish Air Force in the West. Richard, Son of the late gen. bryg. Franciszek Kornicki who flew in the battle with the legendary Polish 303 Squadron, will introduce the film and take questions afterwards.
The film was produced to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Covid prevented the annual Commemoration of the Polish Air Force in 2020, so this filmed virtual Commemoration was produced in its stead and to stand as a permanent record. The film includes unique footage of the RAF Northolt Sector Control room, fully staffed by re-enactors, bringing back to life the operations of 15 Sept 1940. Tributes are paid by the Chief of the Air Staff and the Mayor of Hillingdon, and Polish folk singers add their own poignant tribute.
This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Women In Aviation Day
2023-02-11 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday 11 February: International Day of Women and Girls In Science.
Join us in marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with special events exploring women’s roles in aviation today and in the past.
We’re delighted to be joined by The Aviatrix Project for this special event.
11am & 1pm: Battle of Britain Plotting Activity, Learning Centre
12pm & 2pm: Aviatrix Project Flight Planning Activity, Operations Room
Included in Museum Admission or Annual Membership. No pre-booking required.
Activities will last approx. 30 minutes.
11 – 18 February: NEW WAAF Trail of the Galleries available for families.

Friday Morning Talks: Operation Frugal - With Aldon Ferguson
2023-02-24 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday morning talk, where Aldon Ferguson will be telling the story of the little known, but highly important ‘Operation Frugal’.
Operation Frugal was the support of Prime Minister Churchill and his advisors when he met with Stalin in Moscow in October 1944. It involved the delivery and collection of the diplomatic bags to and from Moscow by the Mosquitoes of 544 Squadron based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. Flying over enemy territory these flights were fraught with danger from both the Luftwaffe and the Soviet Air Force when strange aircraft appeared in Soviet skies. This is the story of how these flights took place and the problems they faced from mistrust and a total lack of co-operation from the Soviet authorities and how the photo reconnaissance trained pilots succeeded.

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.
Reserve Your Place
