the The Voice of the Innsworth imjinStation Community Spring 2018 Covering HQ ARRC, HQ 1 (UK) Sig Bde, DBS, Ashchurch, ARRC Sp Bn, 252 Sig Sqn COMARRC’s Introduction Welcome to the spring edition of the Imjin Magazine. As ever with life at the ARRC, the start of 2018 saw us bid a fond farewell to a number of families but I am delighted to welcome their replacements. To the new arrivals, thank you for volunteering to serve at HQ ARRC. I’m confident you will enjoy your time here, not least due to the broad array of activities and events on offer in Gloucestershire. It’s a cause for pride amongst the HQ that these are so often organised, assisted and enabled by members of the Imjin Community, as you will see in the pages that follow. The winter season saw the ARRC continue on its journey of recalibration and learning – something which I know means a lot of hard work from all of you. As always I extend my sincere thanks to you and your families; it’s due to your commitment and professionalism, as well as the huge support of your families, that the ARRC is so well regarded across NATO. It’s also down to you all that our environment is a happy one in which to work. I hope you enjoy this edition of The Imjin. The production team have done a fine job once again in making it informative and useful, full of ideas to exploit this interesting part of the world. Lt Gen Tim Radford CB DSO OBE Commander, Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps CONNECT WITH HQ ARRC Words from ON SOCIAL MEDIA the Editor Find HQ ARRC on Facebook for the latest news updates. As the weather is improving and the days are Browse HQ ARRC’s online photo albums using getting longer, the opportunities for experiencing Flickr’s HQ ARRC’s photostream. everything the local area has to offer are ever more Follow HQ ARRC on Twitter and stay informed on current present. events using tweets, video links The team and contributors to this edition of the Imjin and other information. Magazine have once again provided superb reviews Find more in depth information about the and information on a wide range of events and activities ARRC on our website. to help you get the best possible enjoyment from the For staff and families of the ARRC there is a private area. I am hugely grateful to our contributors for their Facebook group. Search for ARRC Community and ask to join the group. submissions, and it’s because of their efforts that this edition of the community magazine provides a wealth of information on local activities, sports clubs, local attractions, up-coming local and community events and welfare information to help you find the right person to speak to, should you need to. The ‘What’s On’ section on pages 18-19 will provide you with local events taking www.flickr.com place all the way into July. The Welfare centre have www.facebook.com/al- www.arrc.nato.int provided information about Easter events at the local liedrapidreactioncorps Search for HQ ARRC’s Photostream attractions to which they offer discounted tickets on page 17, and on page 15 you can find details of local clubs for your children to get involved with. Should you need to refer to any of the information within the magazine whilst you’re out and about, it’s available at www.arrc.nato.int and is mobile friendly. www.twitter.com/#!/HQ www.youtube.com/ www.facebook.com/ ARRC user/HQARRC groups/arrccommunity Enjoy the magazine, Maj Ben Ford Email: [email protected] Editor Telephone: +44 (0)1452 718500 2 theIMJIN SPRING 2018 Contents 4-5 Around Imjin 4-5 Family View Point 6 Local Charity Work 7 The ARRC International Club 8 Pass the Pen 8 9 Postcard from Wimberley 9 Hamper Scamper 10 Local Activity 10 Lost in Translation 10 Cultural Club 11 AIC Walks 11 14 Military Wives Choir 12 Coffee Mornings 13 Welfare Activities 14 Local Club Notice Board 15 Discount Tickets 16-17 What’s On 18-19 1 Signal Brigade 20 16 Support Battalion 21 Defence Business Services 23 Station Padre 24 News from Station Headquarters 25 Welfare Office Update 26-30 Recipes 32-34 Useful Telephone Numbers 35 20 Editor’s Notes The publication of an advert, article or photo in the Imjin does not necessarily reflect the views of the ARRC, Partner nations or UK (MoD). The editor reserves the right to omit, amend or edit any advert, article or photo at the discretion of the HQ without liability. Should you wish to include an article or photo in future editions, please contact the Public Affairs Office on 01452 718007 or email [email protected]. Cover image: HRH The Prince of Wales visiting Imjin Barracks in February 2018. Taken by WO2 Tom Robinson RLC. The next edition of the Imjin will be issued in July 2018. The Imjin is designed and printed by Manor Printing Services www.manorprinting.co.uk 33 theIMJIN SPRING 2018 3 Around Imjin Officers and senior ranks of Imjin Barracks serve the soldiers a Christmas Lunch ahead of Christmas leave as a show of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. ARRC Health Fair. Service personnel and invited guests held stands with a view to promoting health, fitness and general well-being. Officers from Imjin Barracks enjoying the festive tradition of singing Officers and soldiers competed in the first event of the 2018 Imjin Cup; carols to members of the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. a gruelling 5km Gun Run event. Service personnel and members of the Imjin Community gathered together at Gloucester Cathedral for the annual Christmas Carol Local WW2 veteran Les Middlecote was presented with the Order National de la Legion Service. d’Honneur by French Army Officers from HQ ARRC, for his participation in the D-Day landings. 4 theIMJIN SPRING 2018 HQ ARRC hosted the NATO Command Senior Enlisted Leader conference. It brought together senior enlisted leaders from across the NATO force structure. Its aim was to strengthen the leadership network and development efforts across NATO. In February, HQ ARRC was honoured by a Royal visit from HRH The Prince of Wales. He was welcomed upon his arrival by a Flag Ceremony and Honour Guard outside the HQ. The Non-Commissioned Officers of HQ ARRC held their second NCO leadership seminar at the Imjin Briefing Centre. The seminar focused on personal and professional development and education. As part of his visit to HQ ARRC, HRH The Prince of Wales discusses the ARRC’s experiences as lead Land Headquarters for the NATO Response Force in 2017 and the security challenges facing the UK and NATO. Major General Chris Tickell, Director Capability at Army Headquarters, HRH The Prince of Wales met military and civilian staff and their visited the headquarters, receiving a briefing from the Command families at an informal reception during his visit to HQ ARRC today. Group about the HQ and our capabilities as a NATO High Readiness Chatting for well over an hour, the Prince clearly enjoyed his visit, and Force (Land). those he met were equally enthusiastic. Exercise ARRCADE LIONHEART welcomed senior officers from across the UK Armed Forces and NATO to discuss defence-related matters. As part of his visit, HRH The Prince of Wales met local school children. This year’s conference focused on ‘21st Century Warfighting at Scale in They joined military and civilian personnel and their families, who were the Land Environment’. keen to show their appreciation and offer their best wishes. theIMJIN SPRING 2018 5 Family View Point This issue we asked members of the ARRC International Club (AIC) what local sports and activities you and your family are looking forward to as the days get longer and the weather starts to improve? Camilla Lina We have a puppy so we’re We would like to visit some looking forward to doing new places in the UK, we some hiking. We like to do like to do lots of walking longer walks, above 10km, but we are also looking so we can’t wait to visit forward to exploring some the Cotswolds and the new towns and cities. Malvern hills. Michelle Juta We really enjoy getting on We love to go hiking too; the trails and discovering especially around the new places, we love the Cotswolds and Wales. light horses you can find That’s what we love to do. in the New Forest. Monica Aiva We are looking forward to We don’t have any plans travelling around the UK. yet, but when the days We have a motorhome get longer we will be and have already visited planning a trip. We want Scotland and Wales. When to see everything we can it gets warmer we plan on while we are here, and we visiting Ireland. love exploring in the UK. 6 theIMJIN SPRING 2018 HQ ARRC Supports Gloucester Rugby Gloucester Food Bank Remembrance Day There is no better charity at the Gloucester Food Bank Christmas time to support by the ARRC Charitable than the local food bank Committee Representatives given the terrible thought where they were distributed (and reality) of people in our across the local area over the community going hungry holiday period. Ms. Anneliese during the holiday season. Sterry, the manageress of the Gloucester Food Bank, Great news from As in the past, all ARRC Saturday 11th November provided the following Headquarters Allied members were invited to 17, was the Anglo-Welsh Rapid Reaction Corps provide non-perishable Cup between Gloucester and London Irish.