RAF museum awarded grant for new exhibition

The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands has received a £1m grant for a new exhibition.

RAF Cosford in Shropshire has been given the money from the Biffa Award to support the development of an exhibition called The RAF: 1980 to Today, which is part of a wider development at the site.

The exhibition will show the role of the RAF over the past 40 years, inviting visitors to discover the RAF's role today and how it is adapting to the future, including responsibilities for space and cyber defence.

"This exhibition will help us connect with new audiences, reflect contemporary service life, and inspire visitors to think about the RAF's future," Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said.

The museum said the new exhibition formed part of a sit-wide transformation of the RAF Museum Midlands, with funding coming from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Royal Air Force, as well as RAF Museum's own investment.

The redevelopment is set to deliver a state-of-the-art learning centre, a collections hub and expanded green spaces, along with a community engagement programme.

The new spaces are set to be available from summer 2027.

Rachel Maidment, grants manager at Biffa Award, said of the new exhibition: "We are delighted to support the RAF Museum Midlands with this significant grant through the Landfill Communities Fund.

"At Biffa Award, we are committed to funding projects that inspire, educate and strengthen communities, and we are proud to help bring this important exhibition to life".

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