Old Friends, New Memories: Jalan Kayu and RAF Seletar Residents to Reunite This April
SINGAPORE — The nostalgia of the old Kampong days and the roaring engines of the former British airbase are set to come alive once again. On April 25, 2026, former residents of Jalan Kayu and RAF Seletar will gather for their highly anticipated annual reunion, continuing a tradition that has survived both time and a global pandemic.
The "Jalan Kayu and RAF Seletar Ex-Residents Get-Together" first took flight in 2015, launched to coincide with Singapore’s Golden Jubilee (SG50). What began as a one-off celebration of shared heritage quickly grew into a beloved annual fixture, drawing hundreds of former neighbors who once lived in Seletarville off St Martin's Lane and the villages of Jalan Kayu.
The event faced a hiatus following its 2019 edition, as the twin challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns and extensive renovation works at the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre forced organizers to put the tradition on hold. However, the spirit of the community remained unbroken. In 2022, the event made a triumphant return, proving that the bonds formed decades ago in the "north of Singapore" remain as strong as ever.
The 2026 Reunion: The April 25 gathering was more than just a meal; it was a vital link to a disappearing era. For many, it became a warm chance to reconnect with childhood friends and trade stories of the "good old days" in a rapidly changing city-state.
"We celebrated annually until 2019," noted one of the organizers. "After the pause for the pandemic and renovations, resuming in 2022 felt like coming home. The 2026 gathering continued that same spirit of return."
As Jalan Kayu continues to evolve into a culinary and aerospace hub, these ex-residents serve as the keepers of its original soul. Whether you were a resident of the airbase or a regular at the prata shops of the 1960s, the gates are open once again for a trip down memory lane.