28th September 2025 - Rideout to Parham Airfield Museum - Ian Cain

Parham Airfield Museum is located on the site of a former World War 2 USAF station at Parham in Suffolk, not far from Framlingham. It pays tribute to the men of the 390th Bomber Group lost during the war and also has the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation, the story of Britain's secret army during the war.

Five of us set off from King's Lynn and we picked up another rider in Swaffham for a cross-country ride on very rural roads to Watton. I was completely lost on this bit of the ride, only the occasional road sign giving any idea of where we were. Luckily Steve Silcocks' sat nav knew where it was going.

From Watton more familiar roads took us to Diss where the main road through the town was gridlocked. There had been an accident involving a motorbike although fortunately no one seemed to be hurt. The ability to filter on our bikes got us through this but in the process we got split into two groups and each made our separate ways to Parham. We passed through some beautiful villages in Suffolk led by another sat nav, this time Ian Rodie's. As we passed through Framlingham, I didn't catch even a glimpse of the castle but it must be there somewhere. Impressive school there though which by the looks of it must be fee-paying.

After the obligatory tea/coffee/cakes we had a look round the museum which was pretty impressive given that it's all run by volunteers. The recreation of a barrack room in a Nissen hut gave some idea of how sparse the living accommodation was.

As we were getting ready to leave another group of riders arrived, including Roly Batchelor who had abandoned us that day to ride with a RoSPA group. He is one of our stalwarts so it was nice to see him.

Our ride back took us along different country roads back to Diss, and then on main roads via Thetford. We were blessed with good weather for the ride although as I got near home it started to drizzle. Thanks to all who joined, good company as ever.

Ian Cain