Sustainability Column - Working in the Community
- 1st Dec 2025
Everything that we do starts with people so engaging with our local communities is something that we truly value and forms a key part of our sustainability efforts.
This year we had the opportunity to celebrate our home of RAF Fairford as 2025 marked 40 years since Air Tattoo first touched down in Gloucestershire and as part of this anniversary, our Marketing Department set out to capture the local community and its relationship with RIAT. After weeks of planning and a bit of luck with the weather, we were overjoyed with the resulting video which featured local businesses such as 7a Café, Andrew Butler’s butchers, Arkells Brewery and members of the local council.
Not only was this video shared on our social media channels, it was also beamed out across the showground on our digital screens. To watch the video visit:
As a large event, we are conscious of the impact we have on the local community and with this in mind, the festive period provides the perfect opportunity to give back to the people and businesses who are so supportive of our event. Looking back on 2025, this year we have committed to helping organisations within our area, such as Fairford Town Council, Kempsford Primary School and local charities.
Staying with Fairford, our PR & Engagement Officer has recently joined a local group called Business Connect and spearheaded a lot of our work in the area. This group provides a way for us to ensure we are aware of the need for support in the local community, whether that is financial through donations or offering our time to help with more physical activities.
One example where we have offered both types of support recently has been some activity where a group of staff members gave up some time to help Fairford Town Council decorate Christmas trees, which have since been displayed on the high street.
With Fairford sitting to the east of the airfield, on the other side of is Kempsford which represents another area to have benefitted from some support, in particular their local school, Kempsford Primary school who have seen financial support from us as we have supported their efforts to re-open a disused school building, as well as staff donating food and toiletries to their community pantry where people in need can access support in a free and anonymous way.
Being visible and supportive to our local community is crucial to the success of RIAT and with that being said, we’d like to thank the local community for 40 years of support.