Inside this issue:
What Thrift ‘Can Do’ • In Flanders Field • New Station Combat Centre • Eco Sounder eagleye
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
Spring 2016
Wyton’s Wo
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Champion
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eagleye
Foreword From
Spring
2016
The Commanding
Officer - RAF Wyton
Editorial Team
Welcome to the latest edition of Eagleye - the first of 2016
and the first since I took over from Wing Commander Ola
Fashade as Commanding Officer, Royal Air Force Wyton.
OIC: Sgt Simon Rees
Editor: Sgt Simon Rees
Assistant Editor: Anthea Swann
Deadline:
Summer 2016 edition of Eagleye
Article submission date: 9 May 2016
Eagleye published: 20 June 2016
10
06
Eco Sounder: Gerry Brown
Cover photograph: By kind permission of
Archant/James Bass
Advertising Sales By: Jo Marchant
Lance Publishing Ltd Tel: (01536) 526674
Contents
13 Contents
Published By: Lance Publishing Ltd,
1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Rd, Kettering
NN16 8NL. Tel: (01536) 512624 Fax: 01536 515481
Email:[email protected]
www.lancepublishing.co.uk
05
Designed By: Sherrie Bacarese
Wyton Whippets in Washington 05
07
Paving the way for the March 06
Printed By: Lance Print Ltd Tel: 01480 492183
Copyright: Eagleye is not an official
publication; the views expressed in this
magazine are those of the authors alone and
do not necessarily reflect official policy. No
part of this publication may be reproduced in
part or whole without the written permission of
the Editor or the Publishers. Photographs are
Crown Copyright, all rights reserved, unless
credited to an individual photographer. Eagleye
is published by permission of the Commanding
Officer RAF Wyton.
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eagleye
Spring 2016
Wg Cdr
Phil Owen
When Remembrance is not enough!0709
In Flanders Field – Battlefield Tour 10
10
It’s all about what Thrift ‘Can Do’ 12
News from ROY LINES…1312
22
Spo(r)t-light on Cate Parnell1514
Wyton’s World Champion 16
15
CO’s Cup Roundup 18
Indoor rowing Championships1620
Wyton Golf Society 20
18
The new Station Combat Centre 22
28
24
Eco Sounder2124
The Military Wives Choir 26
27
Youth Club 28
Turning over a New Leaf2829
33
Community Support Information 30
Leisure Corner 32
H
aving lived at Royal Air Force Wyton
some 16 years ago, I return to a Unit
that is familiar to me but one that has
been completely transformed through
significant investment. The majority of this change
has occurred since we became a Joint Forces
Command Station in 2012 - giving Wyton a new
role as the home of the Defence Intelligence hub
and securing its future. Whilst hugely impressive,
we cannot afford to sit and admire the progress
made to date as I am acutely aware that there are
yet more exciting changes in the pipeline - with
further Joint Forces Intelligence Group units due
to relocate to Wyton over the next few years, this
may see the Station’s population increase by 50%.
To facilitate these changes, my principal roles will
be to ensure the successful integration of the new
organisations, personnel and their families whilst
at the same time ensuring the continued success
of the existing lodger units by further enhancing
the support they receive. My team will be ably
assisted in this endeavour by the staff of our onsite contractors, Babcock and Elior, and our new
childcare provider 4Children – all of whom are very
much part of the ‘Wyton Team’.
Having reviewed recent editions of Eagleye,
I have been hugely impressed by the energy,
commitment and achievements of our personnel
and families as they undertake an impressive
array of force development initiatives, sporting
successes, charitable fundraising, community
events and engagement opportunities. My initial
impression of the Station has been extremely
positive - especially in terms of service provision
and the many excellent social, sporting,
community and welfare facilities that we enjoy.
These are a fundamental part of Station life
and I aim to sustain and further enhance them
during my tenure as Commanding Officer. I look
forward to encouraging more of the same as we
move forward – all of which will undoubtedly
be showcased through the hard work of the
editorial team and the excellent contributions
from those in the Wyton Team.
With the ongoing commercial redevelopment
of both the Brampton site and Wyton airfield, the
pace of change will not slow. Many of you, and
members of your family, may wonder how these
changes will affect your daily lives - both at work
and whilst off duty. Whether you work on station,
live in on-base Single Living Accommodation,
Service Families Accommodation at Brampton
or Wyton-on-the-Hill, I will work hard to keep you
all informed of any changes that might affect you
– through our websites, ‘Town Hall’ meetings,
community meetings and this Eagleye magazine.
I am conscious that I’ve only managed to meet
a fraction of Wyton personnel so far, but I very
much look forward to meeting with you and your
families over the coming months.
From the arrival of the Royal Flying Corps
at Wyton in 1916, through World War II, the
Cold War, the DE&S years and Wyton’s latest
transition into a Joint Forces Command unit,
the Station has a proud heritage and maintains
excellent links with the community. This year
will be particularly significant as we celebrate
Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, the centenary
of RAF Wyton as a military unit and also
Sapper 300 – the tercentenary of the Corps
of Engineers, following their establishment by
King George 1 in 1716. These key landmarks
of history will be marked through a number of
commemorative and celebratory events - both
on station and in the local community. We have
an exciting year ahead.
Your photographs 33
Where do you read Eagleye? 35
Spring 2016
eagleye
3
W
From The Editor
Welcome to the Spring
edition of Eagleye, the
first of four quarterly
magazines due
publication this year.
4
eagleye
Spring 2016
hile “out with the old, and in
with the new” is a saying you’ve
probably heard me say before,
I’ll let you judge whether I’m
referring to the arrival of our new CO, or the
advent of 2016. All the same, a Happy New Year
to you all, even if a little belated!
In this edition, we not only carry the CO’s first
Eagleye foreword, we also feature the exploits
of another new boy, Mr Nick Brett, who recently
won the 2016 Professional World Indoor
Bowls Open Singles Championship. Nick, a
requirements manager with DIO, is currently
ranked No 1 in the World, and he kindly spoke
to Eagleye shortly after his latest triumph.
In addition to Nick’s interview, the Sports
roundup has a lot more action from around
the station, including; a CO’s Cup Roundup,
opening of the new Station Combat Centre, a
spo(r)t-light interview with the latest member of
the Babcock Station Gymnasium staff, news
of a revitalised Wyton Golf Society, and four
tired looking old men from 42, who took on the
rest of Britain at the National indoor Rowing
Championships! Actually, before I get a visit
from them, I have to add that they performed
brilliantly, and we look forward to them updating
us on their next challenge this year.
Also in this edition, we went on the road with
the Pathfinder March Committee. Looking
forward to this year’s event on 18th June,
the committee, along with Heritage Centre
volunteers, visited a number of check point
locations along the 46-mile Pathfinder March
route, including five schools, where they
presented commemorative Path Finder Force
prints and some small donations. Turn to page 6
for more details on the ‘road-trip’ through South
Cambridgeshire.
Finally, an appreciative and warm thank you
must go to 42 Engr Regt (Geo) who once again
submitted a number of articles, as always happy
to share some of their stories with the rest of the
Station. Perhaps if your unit or section has done
something out of the ordinary, has something
to shout about, or just wants to let the rest of us
know what you do at Wyton, you too could write
in to Eagleye. And, although contrary to popular
belief, I don’t have shares in Costa, I am more
than happy to ‘get the coffees in’ if you’d rather
dictate your latest exploits to me.
Meanwhile, Anthea and I hope you enjoy
this edition of Eagleye.
Si Rees
Deadline for the Summer edition:
9 May 2016.
Wyton Whippets
in Washington
for the 40th Marine Corps Marathon
I
Back in October last year,
a team of 19 Army and
RAF personnel from RAF
Wyton travelled to Quantico,
Virginia, USA, ahead of
participating in the 40th
Marine Corps Marathon
(MCM) in Washington DC.
n addition to completing a full marathon, the
team’s aim was to raise awareness and funds
for the Allied Forces Foundation (AFF), a BritishAmerican foundation established to recognise
and further the special relationship between the
United States and the United Kingdom. Additionally,
the foundation works to raise awareness and funding
for allied wounded and their families affected by the
recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Various fundraisers were organised prior to the
trip by members of the Wyton team, including a stall
at the Station Community Day, a cake sale outside
Pathfinder Building, and a ‘Go Fund Me’ website.
Team members also took part in EX WYTON
WHIPPET (WARM UP) held at the Grafton Centre in
Cambridge. Using static bikes and rowing machines,
the team challenged themselves to complete the
equivalent distance of 40 marathons in one day, in
recognition of 40th running of the MCM.
Throughout the duration of the trip, the Wyton
team, alongside other British Army units, Georgians,
Australians, and Danish military personnel, were
hosted by the US Marine Corps at Quantico. In
addition to the marathon, the AFF had organised a
fantastic visit programme, and we were privileged to
be allowed into the FBI laboratory where even the field
agents are not allowed entry for evidence handling
reasons. We were shown approximately 40 of the
7,000 firearms held in their vault, many of which have
been used in crimes, and which are used to help with
investigations. These included actual pistols used by
such nefarious gangsters as John Dillinger and Pretty
Boy Floyd. We were also talked through some of the
military and homeland cases.
Our hosts also took us to visit the 3rd US
Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer.
The Regiment’s mission is to conduct memorial
affairs, ceremonies and special events to honour
fallen comrades, and to represent the U.S. Army,
communicating its story to United States citizens
and the world. The teams were privileged enough
to witness a changing of the guard ceremony at the
Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery, which
was followed by a tour of the Old Guard Stables.
During the trip, all personnel supporting AFF were
hosted by Director Dave Hurley to a delicious lunch
at the Cheesecake Factory, and by Azalea Charity
to a lunch in Union Station in preparation for race
day! Certain members of the group decided to get
involved with presidential election campaigning, but
this has been widely reported elsewhere!
The marathon itself was an incredible event,
organised by the US Marine Corps, but heavily
supported by members of the public who provided
morale, encouragement, and of course plenty of
sugar throughout! The damp start to the marathon
was perfect, but three hours in, the sun came
out, and we all ended up with a tan. All runners
completed the race, including a few who had stayed
up all night, thanks to some excellent hosting by the
DC public. Following successful completion of the
race, all personnel were treated to a BBQ night at
the American Legion 28 Post, with live music and
entertainment. It was the culmination of a great event
and a great opportunity to thank all those who had
made it possible, specifically former Royal Engineer
Stu Taylor, Stephen Cain MBE, and Mike Audette.
Congratulations to the Wyton team for
successfully completing the marathon, and raising
a total of £3,000 for the Allied Forces Foundation,
Army Benevolent Fund, and RAF Benevolent Fund.
by SAC Kirsty Warden
Spring 2016
eagleye
5
Paving the way for the
Pathfinder March
Whilst walking the Pathfinder
March in 2015, former CO
RAF Wyton, Wg Cdr Ola
Fashade was somewhat
surprised that several local
residents he met along the
way, asked: “What is the walk
all about?” This surprise
filtered down into a challenge
for the March’s organising
committee; how to raise
awareness for the event in
2016, the 18th staging of the
annual Pathfinder March since
its inception in 1997.
S
o, an idea was born, and a series of visits
throughout the community organised.
Its three aims were; to educate primary
school children located in selected
villages which the Pathfinder Way traverses; a
‘thank you’ to those who have supported the
event by hosting or assisting check points (CPs)
over the years; and to raise awareness of the 2016
Pathfinder March throughout the area, with the
intention of increasing local public support for
the event, and hopefully increasing participation!
Once the Pathfinder March Organising
Committee had secured funding and Path
Finder Force prints with which to make a number
of presentations to local schools, dates for
presentation visits were arranged, and a small
group representing the organising committee put
together. This included; Fg Off Rimmer (OIC), Sgt
Mike Pepper (Deputy), Jim Blackwood and Mick
Gladwin (RAF Wyton Heritage Centre volunteers),
along with a number of other volunteers, new
and old, all who were unceremoniously corralled
on to a minibus for a trip around the South
Cambridgeshire countryside.
Back to school
In late January, five Primary
Schools each received a
change to their normal school
assemblies, the group from
RAF Wyton delivering an
informative and interactive talk
on the elite RAF Path Finder
Force (PFF) which operated
during WWII.
T
he presentations, skilfully delivered
by Wyton Heritage Centre speakers,
focussed on the PFF’s ability to use their
experiences as pilots, and to incorporate
innovative technology to overcome navigational
challenges, that added very real value to the
coalition campaign. After the talks, and some
interesting question and answer sessions with the
children, the Primary Schools at Elsworth, Hatton
Park at Longstanton, Dry Drayton, St Helen’s
at Bluntisham, and Warboys each received a
donation of £150 from the Pathfinder March
Organising Committee.
6
eagleye
Spring 2016
A sixth community presentation was delivered at
King’s Ripton Village Hall on the evening of Monday,
25th January. Once again, a small detachment from
Wyton, along with the addition of the ever friendly FS
Mary Nash, (a long time Pathfinder March volunteer
and stalwart) turned up, spilling out of the minibus
in a flurry, effortlessly whipping up the associated
presentation equipment in the cosy setting provided.
The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire attended what
was a very informative presentation, a sixth donation of
£150 presented, along with A PFF montage print made
in recognition of the village’s support of the Pathfinder
Marcher, having hosted a checkpoint over the years.
However, it wasn’t until after the presentation of the
PFF picture, that the existence of a duplicate print,
presented in 2008, was noticed hanging proudly on
the wall. Despite the ever so slightly awkward silence
when presenting the print, our hosts appreciated the
gesture all the same, as if it were a campaign medal
symbolising the enduring assistance provided by
Kings Ripton!
King’s Ripton were not the sole recipients of a
PFF Print. In total, there were seven handed out to
other locations, specifically where CPs were held
or assistance given during the event. Recipients
included; Mr Martin Eayrs at Cotton farm (CP1), Dry
Drayton Primary School and the adjacent Black Bull
Public House (Mrs Denise Glover, Landlady)
(CP3), Longstanton Pavilion (Mrs Suzanne Marsh)
(CP4), St Helen’s Primary School, Bluntisham
(CP5), and The Royal Oak in Warboys. Indeed,
only the landlords of the always welcoming
Poacher Inn at Elsworth (CP2) were unable to
collect a presentation. However, with a new
Landlord due in shortly, this will be rectified.
With a total of nine locations visited, £900
donated, seven PFF prints presented, five school
assemblies and one detailed presentation
articulated, the three day series of engagements
did seem akin to delivering the twelve days of
Christmas. However, I firmly believe we achieved
our mission, and there will undoubtedly be a greater
awareness come 18th June 2016 - awareness that
the long line of people wearing matching t-shirts,
several dozen miles into a walk, and most likely
in a lot of pain, are giving something back to the
community, in commemoration of an elite force
whose life centred around operating from airfields
that were woven into the fabric of the countryside
in which we live.
by Sgt Mike Pepper, SNCO FP Flt
Spring 2016
eagleye
7
TH
E
PATHFIND
ER
W LK/RUN
An annual long-distance endurance event in which walkers, runners
and relay teams have to complete 46-miles inside 20 hours.
DIS
W
N
G
AL
LO
K
PATHFINDER MARCH
THE PATHFINDER WAY
TA N C E
For details go to www.pathfindermarch.co.uk or join our facebook group Royal Air Force - THE PATHFINDER MARCH
Registration
opens in
Building 35 (Skyways upstairs)
OPEN
January 2016
Monday - Friday 0830 - 1630
Join facebook group
‘Royal Air Force THE PATHFINDER MARCH’
for announcements
Borrow Books & CD’s FREE of Charge
Check out our High Street Titles
18th June
2016
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When Rem
alive
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Keeping
On 10th September 1942, a Short
Stirling from No 7 Sqn, the Path
Finder Force (PFF) crashed near
Echt, in The Netherlands. Of the
eight crew on board, only two
survived, one evading capture,
the other taken POW. On 16th
December 2015, CO RAF Wyton
was delighted to receive a visit from
a Dutch delegation, their aim, to
share in the commemoration of the
Stirling’s crew, and to further efforts
to have the aircraft excavated.
P
for the
RAFA COMMITTEE
There are a variety of positions
available
For more information contact:
Sgt McCullough ext: 7424, Cpl Winterburn ext: 7009
8
eagleye
Spring 2016
iloted by Flt Lt Ron Barr, DFC, the Mk I
Stirling, W7630 took off from Oakington
on 10th September 1942, and headed for
Dusseldorf, Germany. The Stirling, codenamed MG-M, was one of 476 aircraft taking part
in a Bomber Command raid on Dusseldorf and
Neuss that night. However, hit by flak less than
five minutes from its target, the aircraft turned for
home, only to be hit by more flak. Unfortunately,
unlike in January that year, when Flt Lt Barr
managed to land a stricken aircraft at RAF Wyton,
this time the aircraft and its crew were not so
lucky, W7630 crashing close to a monastery near
Echt in The Netherlands.
In recent years there have been several enquiries
from relatives of W7630’s crew, as to the exact
location of the bodies of those presumed dead, and
Marleen Jennissen, a resident of Echt in the Limburg
region of the Netherlands has since championed
their cause. Founding member and president of
‘Project Short Stirling Mk.I W7630 MG-M’, Marleen
and her recommending committee have petitioned
local, regional and central government, requesting
that the aircraft be excavated.
On 16 December 2015, Marleen, and members of
the foundation’s recommending committee, visited
RAF Wyton to attend a special presentation for the
relatives of W7630’s crew. Marleen also brought with
her a Dutch film crew to cover the event at Wyton.
In addition to receiving a special commemorative
certificate; honouring crew members of the ill-fated
Stirling, and acknowledging their role as Pathfinders,
the relatives of crew members also got to look round the
Heritage Centre, in particular the Pathfinder Collection.
This was followed by lunch in the WO&SNCO’s Mess.
XO, and Acting CO on the day, Sqn Ldr Andy
Callander gave an opening address to both relatives
and members of the Dutch delegation, welcoming
them to RAF Wyton, saying: “For you to come here
today, it is very important to us, and it’s a privilege and
an honour to meet you, to keep that link going with you
the relatives of those brave men. It is also great to see
our friends from the Netherlands here, who are
helping to keep that tradition and that link alive.”
The Dutch film crew made a short film while
at Wyton, featuring interviews with relatives
of the Stirling’s crew. It is now available to
watch on YouTube (see details below). It is
also anticipated that a more in-depth film
will be put together later this year, which
will include an interview with the Heritage
Centre’s Jim Blackwood. Speaking after the
commemoration event, Sqn Ldr Callander
said: “We are much indebted to Jim and the
Heritage Centre volunteers, without whom
events like these would not be possible.”
Before departing RAF Wyton, Marleen
explained that a sum of €160,000 Euros was needed
in order to pay for the excavation; the extraction of
three unexploded 1,000 lb. bombs, in addition to the
bodies of four crew members (officially classified
Missing In Action), likely to hamper the salvage
operation. Marleen Jennissen said: “On behalf of the
Recommending Committee, I would like to thank your
Commanding Officer and all the volunteers from the
Heritage Centre for making today really special, and I
hope it won’t be too long before we are given the goahead to excavate W7630, and repatriate the bodies of
the four missing aircrew.” - Eagleye will of course keep
you informed of any developments.
For more information on Stirling Mk.I W7630 MGM’; the fate of its crew, the foundation set up to have
the aircraft excavated, and the commemoration
event at Wyton in 2015, please visit:
YouTube film:
Commemorative Certificate for Stirling W7630
crew on December 16th 2015
Facebook:
Project Short Stirling Mk.I W7630 MG-M
Spring 2016
eagleye
9
Menin Gate at Ypres
In
Flanders
Field
In Flanders Field
Battlefield Tour
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
On 9th November 2015 a group
of eight RAF personnel from
Pathfinder Building departed
RAF Wyton for Belgium on a staff
ride. After some eight hours of
travelling by minibus and train,
the group arrived at the Supreme
Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
(SHAPE), which would serve as
home for the week ahead. The
overall aim of the staff ride was to
provide awareness amongst junior
airmen of not only the significance,
but the magnitude of the UK and
Commonwealth contribution to both
WWI and the Battle of Waterloo.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae, May 1915
T
Lion’s Mound at Waterloo
10
eagleye
Spring 2016
he first day was centred around the
town of Mons, Belgium; the nearest
major town to SHAPE and the sites of
both the first and last British casualties
of WWI. Perhaps, ironically, the close proximity
of these two casualties, barely three miles apart,
suggests that the four years that separated them
achieved very little. However, the opposite is
true; the retreat from Mons was so extreme that
it took most of that time to win that ground back.
SAC Grace Finch was particularly interested in
these stands: “I was really looking forward to
seeing the Nimy Bridge and the town of Mons. I
found out before I went to Belgium that my Great
Granddad fought in the town and was awarded
the Mons Star for his time there. He went on
to survive all four years of the war. Similarly, I
wanted to pay my respects to the soldiers who
were not so lucky, some of them probably
friends of my Great Granddad.”
The following day took us to the Somme,
probably the most iconic battle field of WW1. This
is where the scale of the campaign really started to
dawn on us; the Lochnager crater, the biggest ever
manmade crater, was caused by an explosion that
could be heard as far away as London. We also
visited the Newfoundland Memorial Park, where
90% of a Regiment were taken as casualties within
30mins. Cpl Leigh O’Dell said: “Before visiting
the Somme, I had a rough idea of what the great
battles of the First World War were like. However,
it is not until you stand in the same trenches that our
forefathers fought in, that you get a real appreciation
of the size, scale and conditions that these brave men
fought in.”
Day three was spent in and around Ypres; a town
that received such a sustained attack that there was
literally nothing left by the end of the war. Remarkably,
however, after the Great War it was rebuilt in its
previous image. The day included visits to the Hooge
Crater and the ‘In Flanders Fields’ museums, before
finishing at the Menin Gate for the Last Post. This was
a personal highlight for SAC Sarah Percival, who had
this to say: “Visiting the Menin Gate was a profoundly
moving experience, particularly the serenity and
reflection of the Last Post Ceremony. It was lovely to
have the opportunity to meet such a great group of
people.”
The fourth and final day was at the site of the Battle
of Waterloo, famous for being the decisive and final
battle for Napoleon Bonaparte. Grace said: “I knew
very little about the Battle of Waterloo, it was never
something that we did in school. It was interesting to
find out more about it, and to see how things differed
100 years before WW1.” The Lion’s Mound, built from
the earth of the original battlefield, dominates the
area, and allows for an appreciation of the general
landscape that is depicted in the impressive Wellington
Museum. The decisive part of this battle took place at
a farmhouse called Chateau d’Hougoumont, where
some 26,000 troops across 54 Battalions fought over
a site that was seen as being strategically key to the
main battle. SAC Scott Stannett said: “Waterloo was
the highlight of the trip for me. It was great to see the
rest of the group taking such an interest in a battlefield
that is often overlooked in history lessons, and yet
played such a huge role in shaping Europe and setting
the stage for WW1. The museums there were top
notch; the 4D movie depicting the battle really gave
you the experience of being there, and having 10,000
horses charging at you is pretty daunting – although
I’m glad it was only in 3D, and not 4D!”
From visiting museums and battle fields, and having
the opportunities to learn about these campaigns at
the very sites that they took place; every aspect of the
trip was a huge success. Scott summed up: “Overall I
had a great time in Belgium. We visited some fantastic
places, and the quality of the museums (and the food)
was very impressive. The whole group were really
enthusiastic too, and this just added to what was a
fantastic experience.”
by FS Joe Burgess
Spring 2016
eagleye
11
S
E
IN
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O
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New
Geospatial Intelligence
hrift
It’s all about what T
‘Can Do’
On 26th January, the RAF Wyton
Thrift Shop presented Huntingdon
Mencap with a cheque for
£250. Anne Aldred, a Director of
Huntingdon Mencap was invited to
the Station to accept the donation,
and to meet the Thrift Shop ladies.
M
encap, which describes itself as a
‘Can Do’ society, is the leading voice
of learning disability in the UK, and
everything they do is about valuing
and supporting people with a learning disability,
together with their families and carers. While
Mencap can provide advice and support to meet
some of the more serious needs that some people
have throughout their lives, it also provides people
with an opportunity to do the everyday things in
life that many of us take for granted.
Mencap’s Sue Roberts, a former chief executive
of the Huntingdon branch, said of the donation:
“Generous donations such as this aid us to maintain
relationships and combat social isolation, which
is very common now that people are expected to
live alone in the community. Social care budgets
no longer provide funds to ensure our service
users are supported in their social activities and
friendships, and without the activities we provide,
such as craft evenings, Zumba, bowling and
cooking club, to name but a few, service users
would have very little opportunity to meet with their
peers and learn new skills.”
OIC Wyton Thrift Shop, Fg Off Claire Hobbs said:
“Pauline Watkins and her colleagues have done a
tremendous job of raising money for our local branch
of Mencap, and I can’t thank them enough for the
great work they do both here at Wyton, and in the
wider community. Their hard work and selflessness
has yet again meant that we’ve been able to touch the
lives of some of those worse off than you and I.”
Wyton Thrift Shop Opening Times:
9 Cornwall Rd – Tuesday: 1000 to 1500
For more information on Huntingdon Mencap:
Website: http://www.huntingdonmencap.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 450596
12
eagleye
Spring 2016
Special Interest Group
Hosted by CRE (Geo),
and sponsored by Esri
UK, the 11th Geospatial
Intelligence Special
Interest Group (GISIG) met
at RAF Wyton on Tuesday,
24 November 2015.
A
Community of Interest (COI) for
the Defence, National Security
and Public Safety community, the
GISIG’s aims to bring together all
parties interested in exploiting the full potential
of location/spatial information and situational
awareness. The GISIG provides an opportunity
for attendees to share their experiences and
best practice, network with others, and learn
about the latest developments in geospatial
technology and approaches.
From humble origins a decade ago, the
former Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
user group has grown into one of the MOD’s
biggest and most established COI events, with
an audience now approaching 200 attendees
each year. This year’s format for the GISIG
included a number of presentations being
conducted within Pathfinder Building, while
a capability expo was held in the Skyways
Conference Centre.
The Group’s theme this year was Agile
Data, which considered how location–based
information, including social media and big data,
is now being utilised and shared across a number
of different organisations, and Col A R Wilby,
JFIG ACOS, Plans, FD & Trg Pol and CRE (Geo)
was invited to give this year’s opening address.
This was followed by a number of presentations
from a broad cross-section of the community,
including: Dr Vanessa Lawrence, previously head
of Ordnance Survey, and Professor Paul Nathanail
of Nottingham University. A further series of
presentations focused on recent operational
applications of geospatial data. Emphasising the
reach the GISIG community now has, Network
Rail were on hand to explain their use of spatially–
referenced aerial imagery to manage assets
across the UK’s extensive rail network.
GISIG’s Capability Expo displayed a range
of specialist geospatial capabilities, industry
specialists on hand to provide demonstrations,
and to answer questions. Specialists included
representations from BAE, Helyx, Esri UK,
IHS Janes, and other organisations actively
engaged with the community. There were also
displays of recent projects from Royal School
of Military Survey students, and an opportunity
to learn more about the defence–related data
services provided by the Met Office.
Initial feedback suggests it was a very informative
and thought-provoking day for all. CRE (Geo) would
like to thank all involved for their contributions, and
looks forward to hosting the next GISIG in late 2016.
Thanks also go to Esri UK, who were responsible
for the cost of catering, and providing administrative
support for the GISIG meeting at RAF Wyton.
Esri UK are providers of core GIS technology and
services to the community.
For further information, please contact WO2
Jon Willey RE, Concepts & Doctrine, Force
Development, JFIG, who was the lead for this
year’s GISIG.
Information provided by WO2 Jon Wiley
THE THREE
JOLLY BUTCHERS
PUBLIC HOUSE AND RESTAURANT
HOUGHTON & WYTON VILLAGE
FOUR REAL ALES
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB
MENU WITH SPECIALS
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CONTACT US WITH A PRE ORDER
LARGE BEER GARDEN AWAY FROM THE ROAD
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BBQ’S, BUFFETS & BEER CALLS CATERED FOR
MOORINGS (FREE FOR CUSTOMERS)
[email protected]
www.thejollybutchers.co.uk
TEL: 01480 463228
FAX:01480
01480 463726
TEL:
463228
Spring 2016
eagleye
13
Sports Roundup
Spo(r)t-light on…..
Cate Parnell
We shine the spo(r)t-light on sporting
personalities here at RAF Wyton.... what
makes them tick, what sport means to them,
and a few things they don’t always share!
C
ate Parnell arrived at RAF Wyton in
January this year, and is the newest
member of the Station Gymnasium
Babcock staff.
Describing herself as 41 years young, and a
single mum to a beautiful 11 year-old daughter,
Cate has been active all her life, participating
in a multitude of sports and events. She says
14
eagleye
Spring 2016
9
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
15
POSITION
DNA
8
DNA
DNA
DNA
10
DNA
SUPER TEAMS
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
15
TOTAL
5
DNA
DNA
DNA
8
11
9
12
Date TBN
10
4
15
12
10
11
TABLE FOOTBALL
7
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
8
15
10
11
Date TBN
DNA
11
RACQUET SPORTS
DNA
DNA
11
10
9
8
12
15
VOLLEYBALL
DNA
DNA
7
12
15
13
9
11
DODGEBALL
6
11
7
10
5
9
12
11
15
7
8
9
10
5
4
6
600 PATHFINDER
DNA
12
DNA
DNA
15
9
12
8
6
7
4
10
11
5
IT’S A KNOCKOUT
8
15
SOFTBALL
JIOC
TARGETS
16 SQN
CR
14 SQN
13 SQN
MSG
GEO (DIFC)
IX
SHQ
LIFC
ENG+CR
RUGBY
TEAMS
NETBALL
CO’s Cup Update
94
88
84
59
58
57
44
37
32
25
20
17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
that her earliest memory is being about four
years old and having swimming lessons twice a
week, her parents always encouraging her and
her two brothers to participate in sports.
If swimming for St Ives in various competitions
wasn’t enough, butterfly and breast stroke her
preferred disciplines, Cate also trained in Karate
twice a week and also participated in a number
of athletics events. Cate said: “There just wasn’t
enough days in the week to participate in all the
sports I wanted to play!”
Cate found her love for power and speed
events far too addictive, long Jump, shot putt,
and 100m sprint in particular. She said: “I found
that exercise was a wonderful way to help my
mood and mind set. It really was my buzz, my
high, and perhaps weirdly to some, I even loved
the pain and sore feeling having pushed myself
to the max.” School was not a positive experience for
Cate, her teachers quick to tell her that her
deafness would limit her future, and possible
achievements. With her absolute love of
sport, Cate decided that a career in fitness
and training would be her thing, and she was
thrilled to attain a BSc(Hons) in Fitness & Health
from East London University. You can therefore
appreciate Cate’s inner determination. She
said: “It’s amazing how a negative comment
about you can make you focus and strive to
achieve what they said was impossible!!!!”
Sporting Idol?
Has to be Dana Lynn Bailey – an amazing
Female Bodybuilder.
Fondest sporting memory?
October 2015 - Entering my first Bodybuilding
Racket Sports:
W
ell done to all our teams that
competed in January’s Racket Sports
event. Despite 16 Sqn winning the
Badminton, overall victory went to 14
Sqn, who won both the Squash and Table-Tennis.
With two events to go, it’s now between
JIOC, Targets and 16 Sqn, as to who’ll top the
table in the 2015/16 CO’s Cup. Next event up is
Table Football.
contest; Figure Class, at The Miami Pro Universe
Championship, I placed second, earning a Pro
Card status and Trophy. This is something I’ve
always wanted to do. To say I did it at 41, and
came 2nd makes me feel very proud. Just goes
to show that all the hard work was really worth it.
Best Sportsman that you’ve played
alongside and why?
No one person in particular - Just being in
good enough shape to stand on a stage with
other female athletes, compete against them,
and come second felt amazing.
A sport you’ve tried but are absolutely
rubbish at?
Racket sports are defo not my thing! - The
area you aim at just isn’t big enough – ha-ha! I’d
prefer a round of golf or handball.
Realistic sporting aspiration to fulfil?
Well, maybe second place just isn’t quite
good enough!!! I’m looking to compete again
later on this year, so I’m going after No1 in a
different competition. Easter maybe round the
corner, but there’ll be no chocolate for me!!!
Aspirations for health and fitness at Wyton?
I hope I inspire other women on camp to
come along to the gym and get involved with the
classes we offer. Why not come and learn how
to lift weights? Lean toned muscles, good bone
density, strong core and shapely arms are all
possible through lifting and exercising.
Pre-match meal?
In my case, Pre Comp’ Diets! I did a cut for
16 weeks; meticulous weighing of my macros,
a lot of water, everything to the letter. Maybe
there was no room Birthday cake for me, but the
results were sooooo worth it.
al
Now a few person
To advertise
in the next
issue of this
publication
questions!
Guilty Pleasure? (Keep it clean!)
During competition season; sugar free jelly. Off
season; 90% dark chocolate.
Who would you most like to go on a date with?
Definitely Channing Tatum - WWOOOWWW,
Nice!!!
Favourite film?
Anything with Jason Stratham in! He is another
actor who works hard on attaining his physique!
Please
contact
Jo
Tel:
01536
526674
Email:
jo@
lancepublishing.co.uk
Spring 2016
eagleye
15
Sports Roundup
r
o
o
d
In
ld
r
o
W
l
a
n
io
s
s
e
f
o
r
P
6
1
0
2
n
io
p
m
a
h
C
s
le
g
Bowls Open Sin
On Sunday, 24th
January, World No 1,
Nick Brett beat World
No 4, Rob Paxton in
the final of the 2016
Professional World
Indoor Bowls Open
Singles Championships.
In doing so, Nick, had
achieved his ultimate
aim of winning the
top prize in world
indoor bowls.
16
eagleye
Spring 2016
Congratulations Nick Brett
H
eld just outside Great Yarmouth, at the
Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, the
2016 world indoor championship saw
an all English final for only the third
time since the tournament had been introduced
in 1979. Having already seen off the legendary
Scot, David Gourlay in an enthralling semi-final;
6-7, 7-6, 2-1, Nick went on to defeat Taunton’s
Rob Paxton, 9-9, 12-9 in the final to lift the trophy.
Nick (41), who plays for the Huntingdon Indoor
Bowls Club, is not only a world champion, he is
also a Civil Servant based at RAF Wyton. And,
as readers of Eagleye will know only too well,
nobody at Wyton gets away with becoming the
best at what they do without Eagleye sticking
its nose in, and getting its two pennies-worth!
Fortunately for us, Nick was still on a high when
we spoke to him, and we were able to persuade
him to give us the following interview:
Tell us what you do as a Civil Servant here
at RAF Wyton?
Although I’ve been a Civil Servant for over
25 years, before my arrival at Wyton this year my
whole career had been spent at RAF Alconbury.
My new job is as a Requirements Manager for
DIO’s Overseas’ Programme, Projects and Delivery
office, a job I’m very much looking forward to, and
one I hope will be the next step in my career.
Do you live local to Wyton?
I was born in Warboys, but now live in Yaxley
with my wife; Sam, and daughters; Lauren (17) and
Chloe (15). Sam works in Peterborough, hence our
move to Yaxley, which is apparently halfway between
Peterborough and Wyton – or so Sam tells me!
When did you take up bowls?
I first played when I was 12. My dad
introduced me to outdoor bowls at his local
club in Warboys, and it wasn’t long before I
was making up the numbers in league matches
when they were short.
Did you realise then that you had what it
took to be good at the sport?
Although I took to bowls quite quickly, I
particularly enjoyed playing against the old
boys in the club, listening to all their stories, and
learning how the village pub operated!
Were you good at any other sports when
you were growing up?
I enjoyed most sports at school, and even
played U17s county cricket. However, cricket
was more of a distraction for me, as I quickly
realised that I was quite good at bowls.
When did you start playing indoor bowls?
I first played indoor bowls at Huntingdon
Indoor Bowls Club when I was 13, and it wasn’t
long before I was playing in the local league.
In 1991, when I was 16, I won the clubs U40s
tournament, which I went on to win nine times
in succession.
How did you compare to others your age?
In 1997 I won the National Outdoors Junior
(U25s) Championship, and I followed this up in
1998 by winning the National Indoor Junior title,
along with the Outdoors and Federation titles,
thereby completing a clean sweep of the three
bowling codes.
Were you able to follow up this success in
adult competition?
In 1999, I followed up my success in the
Junior outdoors event by winning the Senior’s
version of the National Outdoors Championship.
I then won the British Outdoor title in 2000.
I assume this was just the start of your
success at national level?
As well as being an England International, I
have won a number of national events, including;
3 x Singles’ titles, 3 x Pairs, 2 x Threes, 3 x Fours,
3 x Mixed Pairs, and 2 x Mixed Fours. However,
it wasn’t until the 2015/16 season that I reached
top spot in the world rankings.
Your family must be very proud at the
success you’ve had?
Yes they are - my dad especially, although
he sadly passed away in 2013. However, having
taught me to play, he and I would compete
together when we could, and he wasn’t too
shoddy a player himself. We took part in the
Father and Son National Indoor Championships
several times, winning the title in 2001 and 2003.
Apart from your dad, who else inspired you
while coming up through the ranks?
Without doubt the likes of David Bryant, Tony
Alcock, Richard Corsey, and Andy Thomson, all
four of them winning the world championship
three times each. As a kid I would try to emulate
By kind permission of Archant/James Bass
them, but I never thought back then I’d do what
I’ve done now. It just goes to show that dreams
really can come true.
Do any of your family play bowls?
Yes, it’s very much a family affair. When Sam
and I met, her attitude was very much one of “if
you can’t beat them, join them”, and both her
and the two girls play county outdoor bowls.
How much training do you do in the lead up
to a competition?
In the run up to the 2016 World
Championships, I was training 3 or 4 days a
week, playing for between 2 to 3 hours each time.
Is bowls a physically demanding sport?
Mentally, it can be very taxing, constantly
trying to outwit your opponent. I’m no Usain
Bolt either, and a succession of tournaments
can take their toll physically. Tournaments
can begin at 08:30 in the morning and might
not finish until 10:30 at night. Sometimes
you’ve got up to 5 matches to play, and you
certainly feel it the next day.
Can you sum up how you felt winning the
World Championship?
It was an amazing experience.
My
mum, my family and my friends were all
there for the final, and I have to admit, they
made more noise than everyone else put
together, much to the dismay of everyone
else! It must have been fantastic for my
mum. To think, 30 years earlier she spent
many a cold damp evening sat in a carrier
bag on the side of a bowls lawn, watching
me play in some village in the middle of
nowhere! There was a tinge of sadness
though that my day couldn’t see me lift the
trophy. However, a month before he died,
he got to see me win my first world bowls
tour title in Scotland, something I’ll always
hold dear to me.
So what next?
Do it all over again in 2017! I always try to
do things more than once; that way, nobody
can say your last success was a fluke. It will
be down to desire and fitness as to how long
I’ll play. But, while I’ve got the support of my
family, work commitments allow, I stay fit and
healthy, and I still enjoy playing, I’ll carry on.
Nick Brett is not only No 1 in the World, he is
one of the most respected players on the World
Bowls Tour circuit. In deed, in recent years he
has won both the ‘Player of the Year’ and the
‘Players’ Player of the Year’ trophies. In addition
to his latest success in the 2016 World Singles
Championship, he has won the 2014 World
Pairs title with Greg Harlow, and won three
World Bowls Tour titles. Thank you Nick. Best
wishes for the future - Ed
by kind permission of Key Publishing
Spring 2016
eagleye
17
It’s a Knockout – Egg Catching
Netball
Softball
Dodge Ball
Racket Sports – Squash
Racket Sports – Table Tennis
Racket Sports – Badminton
2015/2016 CO’s Cup Roundup
It’s a Knockout – Zorb Race
18
eagleye
Spring 2016
Volleyball
Volleyball
Softball
Rugby
It’s a knocko
ut
– Inpaired Vi
sion Goggles
relay
It’s a Knockout – Zorb Race
Spring 2016
eagleye
19
Sports Roundup
organised a training day at St Ives Golf Club
consisting of a morning of range work and an
afternoon on the golf course. All of which will be run
by the professional there. We hope to run several
more of these throughout the year.
WGS is looking for new members, regardless
of whether you’re serving military, civilian staff or a
dependant. It doesn’t matter if you’re male, female,
young or old. The club is a friendly eclectic mix of all
the above, with only one requirement, that you want
to get out, play golf and have fun in the process.
Although the club has appeared dormant through
the winter months, the committee has been tirelessly
working away in preparation for the start of the new
season. The calendar is starting to take shape, and
the season opener is set to be played at Pidley Golf
Course in April. This is swiftly followed by the spring
meet in Early May, the Station Champs in Late June
/ Early July, an autumn meet in early September, and
an end of season meet in Mid-October. At least four
matches have been organised with local clubs, and
on top of these there will be opportunities to play in
2015 British Rowing
Indoor Championships
I
Following the arrival of keen rowers
Garry Sutherland and Darren
Bayliss into Field Support Section,
42 Engr Regt (Geo), rowing
over various distances became
somewhat of a competition within
the section. However, the bar
was raised to another level when
Garry casually announced that
he wanted us to enter a team into
the 2015 British Rowing Indoor
Championships (BRIC).
n good military fashion, light hearted
competition was turned, overnight, into an
intense four-week rowing program, names
put forward for both the 2km individual time
trial, and the 2 and 4km relay races at the British
championships. With a few raised eyebrows, and
remarks of ‘you’re kidding me’, or words to that
effect, the training diligently commenced.
On Saturday, 13th December, after four weeks
of training, the team were ready to compete at
the championships, which were being held in the
Olympic Velodrome. Representing 42 were WO2
Tim Lewis, SSgt ‘Flash’ Fassam, Garry ‘Coach’
Sutherland, and Darren ‘Homeless’ Bayliss, a
series of PB’s leading up to the championships
inspiring confidence and putting us all in good
spirit. On arrival at the Olympic Velodrome, Flash,
Garry and Darren had to weigh-in, as they were
racing in the U75Kgs lightweight category, Flash
and Darren scraping in with 6 and 2kgs to spare!
WO2 Lewis got off to a flyer in the 40-49 year
age Open Event ‘heavy weights’ category, while
Flash (30-39), Darren (40-49), and Garry (5059) followed in their lightweight categories. One
20
eagleye
Spring 2016
Fougasse style
hour in, and with the first leg of our day over, we’d
achieved two new PBs, all times under 7:19.
Quickly focussing our attention on the 4km relay
race, and having sussed out the more experienced
teams taking part, we decided to change tactics
from doing 4 x 1km splits to 500m splits. This then
changed to 250m splits after the first leg; lost time
in changeovers was made up with the extra power
we could use over the shorter distance.
Finishing 10th out of 30 teams was very
respectable, to say the least. However, having
realised that we could change over as often as we
wanted, we did 250m splits from the start of the
2km relay, our final event. Setting out far quicker
than we had previously, we only just missed
beating a sub 6 minute time, one bad changeover
leaving us with a time of 6:01.8. However, this was
good enough to place us 7th out of the 30 teams
competing.
Overall, we had a cracking day, and certainly
did ourselves proud. A huge thank you has to go
out to Garry for all his coaching tips, and dare I
say persistence. Watching Mo Sbihi break Sir
Mathew Pinsent’s British record in 5:41.8 was great
inspiration, and now that the rowing bug seems to
have well and truly bitten us, our next target is the
English Rowing Championships. Let’s see if we
can break that 6 minute barrier!
by SSgt Neil Fassam, 16 Geo Spt Sqn, 42
Engr Regt (Geo)
Note from Editor: A 42 insider later commented
that while the team didn’t win, “it was a solid
performance for some old boys competing on
the national stage.”
Wyton Golf Society
The weather outside has been
pretty miserable of late, and the
idea of being out and about
in it probably not at the top
of everyone’s wish list. This,
however, won’t last, and soon
enough there will be sunshine
and blue skies - so say the
optimists! What better time then,
to dust off those clubs and get
back on the golf course!
T
he Wyton Golf Society (WGS) is trying to reestablish itself following the departure of the
DE&S to Abbeywood, and the drawdown
of the Unit from its peak of around 2,500
personnel in 2009. In the early 2000s there were 3
active golf societies; JARIC, RAF Brampton and RAF
Wyton with around 200 active golfers across the 3
organisations. Wyton, being the largest of the 3 sites,
peaked its membership at 132 in 2006, and it would
be good to get back towards those numbers.
The change of personnel and the move of RAF
Brampton round the Huntingdon ring road to
Wyton, as well as personnel from Feltham, DIO
from Sutton Coldfield and Waterbeach, and the
full integration of 42 Engr Regt from Hermitage
in to the Unit currently has the Station strength
at circa 1,900, so we should be able to cater for
a high number of golfers. There appear to be
many on Station who are unaware of the WGS,
and the purpose of this article and the newly
formed committee is to spread the word….
Golf appears to be a sport that many people
play, albeit at varying levels and frequency. It has
a bad reputation for being expensive. Certainly
it can, but it doesn’t have to be. Joining the
society is a good way to get involved with golf
without having to worry about the upfront costs
of joining a local golf club. We organise events
that will get you out on plenty of different courses
at considerably subsidised rates.
If you’ve considered golf but never taken
the plunge, now is the perfect time. We have
both RAF and Army competitions.
This may sound like a lot of competitive golf
but rest assured we don’t always take the sport
too seriously. Society events are organised to give
everyone of all handicaps an enjoyable day out. With
this ethos in mind we mix up the format for the society
days, sometimes it may be Texas scramble, others a
four ball better ball. The list goes on but whatever the
format we try and help improve everyone’s games
by mixing the handicaps amongst each group. It’s
a perfect way for those with higher handicaps to
improve their game and pick up handy tips from
more experienced golfers.
For more information and an up to date fixtures
list please view our Moss page:
http://cui5-uk.diif.r.mil.uk/r/326/Golf/default.aspx
Fixtures (as of March 2016)
Date:
Event:
Venue:
Type:
13 Apr 16
Season Opener (18 Holes)
Pidley
Society
5 May 16
RAFGA Central Regional Champs
Coxmoor
RAFGA
5 May 16
Spring Meeting (36 Holes)
Elton Furze
RAFGA
21 May 16
Match vs Ramsey & Bourne Men
Bourne
Society
1 Jun 16
Match vs Ramsey Ladies
Ramsey
Society
8 Jun 16
RAFGA Individual Match-Play Champs
Luffenham
RAFGA
22 Jun 16
Station Championships (36 Holes)
Greetham Valley
Society
29 Jun 16
Civil Service Championships Qualifier
Ramsey
Civil Service
4-6 Jul 16
RAFGA Individual Stroke-Play Champs
Notts
RAFGA
4 Aug 16
RAF Pairs Golf Championship
Belton
RAF
1 Sep 16
Autumn Meeting (18 Holes)
Ely
Society
1 Sep 16
Lynx Trophy
Brampton Park
Society
9 Sep 16
RAF Inter-Station Central Region Qualifier
Newark
RAF
30 Sep 16
Match vs St Ives Men
St Ives
Society
11-12 Oct 16
RAF Inter-Station Finals
Lincoln
RAF
12 Oct 16
End Of Season / AGM (18 Holes)
Ramsey
Society
Spring 2016
eagleye
21
Sports Roundup
THE FARMLAND
MUSEUM &
DENNY ABBEY
A great destination
to visit!
The new bat Centre
Wyton Com
On 10th February 2016, Comd
JFIG, Brig Rob Magowan
officially opened Wyton’s new
Combat Centre. However,
nobody, not even Comd JFIG
can expect to simply go along
and open a new combat centre
without first being persuaded
into a little light grappling!
F
or those of you who didn’t know Wyton
has a Combat Centre, we do! Indeed,
ever since the arrival of SSgt Mark
Badham, MPGS Platoon Commander
in September 2014, it was always going to be a
question of when we would get one, as opposed
to if we would get one. The brainchild of Mark
Badham, Wyton’s own martial arts officianado,
the idea of creating a combat centre gained real
momentum when SNCO PEd Flt, Sgt Stu Turner
suggested refurbishing one of the old Officers’
Mess squash courts.
Mark, who competes internationally in the art of
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, recently returned from the IBJJF
European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal,
where he came 8th overall. Off the back of his
success over recent years, and his organising of
training sessions for Station personnel, former CO
RAF Wyton, Wg Cdr Ola Fashade, wholeheartedly
supported his and Stu’s initiative. As a result,
Station personnel now have a standalone area
where they can practise and train in their respective
22
eagleye
Spring 2016
martial art disciplines. Although officially opened
in February this year, work on the combat centre
was completed in December, Mark having already
run a series of Jiu Jitsu classes twice weekly.
As for the opening of the new Wyton Combat
Centre, Mark had persuaded a number of his
‘disciples’ to put on a demonstration for Comd
JFIG and others in attendance, and it wasn’t long
before Brig Magowan sportingly got involved.
I’m not sure if any careers were made or broken
that day, but it was patently obvious that our
sportsmen and women at RAF Wyton have the
full backing and support of our bosses, the
combat centre the latest in a long list of sports
facilities that we can be very proud of.
SSgt Mark Badham specifically asked
Eagleye to acknowledge the support of all
those responsible for helping the combat
centre come to fruition. This includes:
Former CO RAF Wyton, Wg Cdr Ola Fashade –
Obtaining funding for the project.
SNCO PEd Flt, Sgt Stu Turner – Driving the
project forward.
LH Ed Turner – Inspirational as the Gi & NoGi
instructor.
Matt from Carillion Amey – Delivered the finishing
touches on fitting out the Combat Centre.
Babcock, MAC Media – Production of all art work
in the Combat Centre.
Comd JFIG and CO RAF Wyton – For officially
opening the Combat Centre on the 10th February.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat
sport, and a self defence system that focuses on
grappling, especially ground fighting. If you would
Good career m
ove!
www.farmlandmuseum.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01223 860988
Free parking • Dogs welcome on lead
Picnic area
Located on the A10 just outside Cambridge.
Bad ca
reer m
ove!
like to attend a class, or your section would like a
bespoke lesson in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, then please
contact SSgt Mark Badham on Ext 7100 or [email protected] - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
is not about being better than someone else, it’s
about being better than you used to be!
Classes:
Monday, 2030-2200 (NoGi)
Tuesday, 0800-0900 (Combat Jiu-Jitsu)
Thursday, 0730-0900 (Gi)
Friday, 1130-1230 (42 Engr Regt (GEO) /
CO’s PT - every few months)
Spring 2016
eagleye
23
Eco Sounder Wild
E N V I R O N M E N T A L
A TOWN IS BORN
H
ere’s a snippet of news nearer home that
you may already be aware of. Plans for a
new eco-town (Northstowe) to be built near
Cambridge have been submitted to the
local council. The first phase of what would eventually
be a 10,000-home town; making it the largest in the
UK since Milton Keynes, reveal it would be built on the
480ha site of the old RAF Oakington Barracks and
surrounding land.
The first phase of the development is planned to
be on a site adjacent to Longstanton Park and Ride
on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, and includes
1,500 new homes, a primary school, sports hub,
public realm and a small commercial centre. The joint
developer’s executive director of Gallagher Estates,
said: “Northstowe will be built to high sustainability
standards and will make an important contribution to
the provision of market and affordable housing and
economic growth in south Cambridgeshire.”
Hopes are that the project will evolve over the next
20 years to include a town centre, employment areas
and 10,000 homes. Architects for detailed design will
be appointed once planning consent is obtained. Not
sure if this plan could be considered ‘eco-friendly’ as
there will no doubt be a huge amount of building work
involved in developing the area however, we are all
conscious more affordable housing is needed in this
area, it does also mean more constructions jobs for
the foreseeable future, so I look forward to following
the development of Northstowe with keen interest.
•
H E A L T H & S A F E T Y
Copyright Airbus Defence and Space
I
am always excited to read about new inventions
and technological advances, especially if they
are futuristic and relate to aerospace. Despite
the onset of years the grey cells are still
functioning reasonably well and I like to think I am
pretty good at keeping up with new technology,
– even if my iPhone does at times cause me
grief – so I was interested to read recently that the
MoD is about to purchase 2 high altitude ‘eternal
planes’. What you may well ask is one of those?
Unmanned, solar-powered aircraft are what they
are, known as Zephyrs, they are designed to fly
above the jet streams, and, get this, are capable
of staying ‘up there’ for months on end.
Originally developed by QinetiQ in
Farnborough, the Zephyr is now owned and
marketed by Airbus Group and has the distinction
of holding the absolute endurance record for unrefuelled aeroplanes. The Zephyr will carry small
payloads that might consist of reconnaissance
cameras or communications equipment. The
secretary of state for defence, Michael Fallon,
recently commented that it is the intention of
the MoD to purchase these ‘aircraft’, during a
recent speech to the ADS Group, an umbrella
organisation representing the Aerospace,
Defence, Security and Space sectors.
So how does the Zephyr work? Very efficient
A modern glass bottle takes 4000 years or more to decompose.
Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute
Earth is 2/3 water but all the fresh water streams only represent one
hundredth of one percent
Only 11 percent of the earth’s surface is used to grow food
Earth’s oceans are an average of 2 miles deep
If you lined up all the polystyrene foam cups made in just 1 day they would
circle the earth
The world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around
5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today (WRAP)
eagleye
Spring 2016
E N E R G Y
EYES IN THE SKY
DID YOU KNOW?
24
•
solar cells combined with energy-dense lithiumsulphur batteries keep its propellers continually
turning which help it to maintain an altitude well
above any disruptive weather. As you would expect
the latest version has been improved from the
original and has a 25m wingspan versus the Zephyr7’s 22.5m, yet the structure is considerably lighter,
which is good because it allows for more batteries to
be carried and a larger payload (up to 5kg) which is
more than enough to be able to operate a powerful
camera system. Incidentally I note that Airbus refer
to planes like the Zephyr as a High Altitude Pseudo
Satellite (Haps) so that’s another acronym to add to
your collection!
One of the strong selling points of this plane is,
unlike low-orbiting spacecraft that typically pass
overhead only once every 90 minutes, the Haps
can maintain a constant vigil above a particular spot
for months at a time, with that kind of technology
available 24/7 I imagine that the MoD is already
planning ahead and looking forward to the prospect
of operating this unique plane.
On a wider scale Airbus is hoping the vote of
confidence from the MoD will lead to more sales,
not just in the military sector but in the civil sphere
as well - in environmental monitoring, for example,
or, as a high altitude, solar powered plane, perhaps
it could be used to deliver broadband to areas that
lack a fixed line connection. Who knows, perhaps
in the future all our ‘devices’ will be linked into this
technology. It is certainly innovative, futuristic and
very 21st Century. Is there a down side? Are we
putting too much ‘up there’? we read that Amazon
are making plans to deliver our orders by Drone,
and Google have been looking at other possibilities,
so with the prospect of drones and Haps buzzing
around all over the atmosphere we may well have
to venture outside in the future wearing hard hats!
No matter, nowadays we all accept that technology
marches on and, by and large does tend to improve
our way of life, and from a personal point of view it’s
nice to see that name again, the last time I saw that
name on a vehicle was in the 60’s whilst driving a
Ford Zephyr Zodiac.
Daffodil
B
y the time you read this one of the first
indications that spring is on its way
should be visible to the naked eye as a
blaze of yellow. I am talking about the
wild daffodil. For most of us we tend to associate
this lovely flower as a harbinger to the onset of
spring time. However, given the mild winter we
have just experienced, particularly in this part of
the UK, perhaps we can be forgiven for not being
so surprised as I bet many of you, like me, have
already seen this lovely flower laying its yellow
carpet in roadside verges and woodlands, and,
it has been possible to buy the horticultural
variety of daffodil for some time, in fact in early
January I took this photo in a local market!
The native daffodil, whilst smaller than many
of our garden varieties is still a wonderful sight
to behold in early spring, and is beautifully
described by William Wordsworth in his poem,”
I wandered lonely as a cloud”. Incidentally it is
known also as the Lent Lily as it often blooms
and fades within the Lenten period. Wild daffodils
are smaller than the ones grown horticulturally;
have paler petals and grow in groups, mainly in
woods, fields and orchards.
For me the best times to see them are in March
HEN HARRIER
I
f, like me, you are thrilled anytime you see a
bird of prey (Kestrel/Sparrow Hawk/Owl etc)
then you may be sad to know that another
UK bird of prey, the Hen Harrier is the most
intensively persecuted. As a natural predator and
the effect it has on the number of grouse available
to shoot, the Hen Harrier is often seen as a cause
of contention, making it a target for those who
enjoy the sport of shooting. It is therefore no
surprise to learn that its survival is threatened in
some parts of the UK, particularly on the driven
grouse moors of England and Scotland.
If you are lucky enough to see a Hen Harrier
and April when they come into their own. In fact for
any of you who work at RAF Wyton you can’t fail
to have noticed the yellow clumps growing in the
verges next to the A141 roundabout that leads onto
to the road to camp.
Like many wild species these days the daffodil
was once one of the common wild flowers to be
found in both the English and Welsh countryside.
However, the flower declined rather strangely
in the mid19th Century, and there are several
schools of thought as to why this occurred, oddly
enough being picked by passers-by is not one
of them. A more likely and plausible answer was
the simultaneous fall in cash-crops grown by
locals, together with agricultural intensification
and mismanagement of its habitat. Fortunately
the wild daffodil still survives, although nowadays
it is usually in patchy populations which tend to be
scattered mainly across the western side of Britain.
The daffodil is a national symbol of Wales, and
is also the county flower of Gloucestershire and
for those of you who may be interested, the Welsh
for Daffodil is Cenhinen Pedr – which translates
literally as Pedr’s (Peter’s) leek. My wife, a proud
Welsh lady, also tells me that the true Welsh Daffodil
is the Tenby (Narcissus pseudonarcissus ssp
obvallaris) a sub species of the wild variety, which
grows wild across south west Wales. Finally you
may be surprised to know that daffodil bulbs have
been used as sources of treatment for Alzheimer’s
disease. The daffodil has the ability to brighten up
even the dullest day and for me by its very presence
projects a feel good factor; so long may it continue
to flourish in our countryside and woods.
the male is pale grey in colour, the female and
the young are brown with a white rump and long
barred tail which gives them the name ‘ringtail’.
Hen Harriers fly with their wings held in a shallow
V, and glide low in search of food, which mainly
consists of meadow pipits and voles.
Hen Harriers live in open areas which have
low vegetation and in the breeding season UK
birds are usually to be found on the upland
heather moorlands of Wales, N Ireland, Scotland
and northern England. During the winter
time they move to lowland farmland, coastal
marshes, fenland and river valleys, and if you are
lucky enough to see one in this part of England
then the likelihood is it is probably a visitor from
mainland Europe. Hen Harriers can usually
be seen from late March until around August/
September on upland breeding areas, and when
away from the breeding areas are more prolific
during the months of October to March. They eat
mainly small birds and mammals and as a bird
of prey they make an important contribution to
our intricate ecosystem, and in my opinion is a
well-loved feature of our skyline.
As I mentioned earlier, the Hen Harrier has
been and is persecuted to such an extent that their
numbers have declined sharply over the years.
However, it is particularly pleasing to see that as
part of the government’s ongoing commitment
to preserve and enhance our nation’s natural
environment; plans are afoot to help revive the Hen
Harrier through the Hen Harrier Action Plan. This
will, for the first time, co-ordinate action already
taken by conservation groups, landowners and
wildlife crime officers across the country, to ensure
a consistent and strategic approach is in place
which will encourage these groups to share best
practice and hopefully reverse the decline of these
wonderful birds. In doing so it is the fervent hope
that this will help them flourish once more, whilst
coexisting with a thriving rural economy.
The Hen Harrier is recognised as an important
part of our countryside so I am delighted to see
a recent comment from the environment minister
who said “our wildlife is a crucial part of our
national identity, that is why we care deeply about
protecting this vital species for future generations”.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating they
say, so fingers crossed and, with any luck this
magnificent bird will once again be a common
feature soaring over our countryside.
Gerry Brown
Spring 2016
eagleye
25
Update from. . .
Endersby Awards
Est. 1962
The Military Wives Choir
We hope you all had a good
Christmas and New Year. The choir
certainly needed a break as we’d had
an eventful year, and were very busy
on the run up to Christmas.
I
n November we took part in a fundraiser for
Huntingdon Community Radio, giving what
I thought was a fabulous performance at
Hinchingbrooke School’s Performing Arts
Centre, which culminated in a ‘massed choir’ at
the end! This was quite unusual for the choir as we
got to sing with our male opposites.
November also saw the last service taken by
Padre Steve Radley; the choir were delighted to be
asked to sing at this event. Steve has supported
the choir from the start, and continues to be our
photographer! On behalf of the whole choir, I
would like to thank him for all of his support over
our first two years.
On 22nd November the choir had their biggest
performance yet! We sang for over 2,000 people
at the Huntingdon Christmas Lights Switch on!
The event, attended by the Mayor of Huntingdon,
also saw lots of snow, with Father Christmas
Showbiz
Spotlight on…
making a surprise visit to turn on the lights!
The Choir’s final major performance of 2015 was at
the St Ives’ Mayor’s Charity Concert, held in the town’s
Free Church. This was the third time we’d been invited
to take part in the event, and it was a wonderful evening,
one in which we also supported the RAF Wyton Area
Voluntary Band. All in all, it was a lovely evening, and I
think the best that the choir have ever sung.
By the time you read this edition of Eagleye, the choir
will already have sung in a number of events. However,
with bookings into June already in the calendar, why
not come along and see us perform. We are very
much looking forward to our third year, and continuing
to support military wives in the area. We are always
on the lookout for new members, and experience isn’t
required, as our focus is very much on friendship and
the community spirit we generate.
For more information on the Wyton and
Brampton Military Wives Choir:
Email: [email protected]
Rehearsal night: Wednesday evening, 19:00 to 20:30 at
St Georges Church on camp.
Aimee Larwood-Hughes
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight. Sing it stronger, sing
together, make this moment last forever...
Eagleye shines the showbiz spotlight on MWC
personalities who have been coerced, if at first not
coming forward voluntarily, to tell us a little more about
themselves, including a few things they don’t always
own up to - well, not in a magazine at any rate! In this edition of Eagleye we shine the showbiz spotlight
on Loretta Gibson:
to tell us
Loretta, you now have two minutes
self.
a little more about your
Three traits that define you? Loyal, honest, friendly.
The one thing you couldn’t live without?
My family.
Favourite place to be?
Somewhere hot!
Spring 2016
Our customers value us for our personal,
friendly and professional service.
Whatever your
requirements
we are confident
that Endersby
Awards can meet
your needs.
Telephone: 01480 406130
Mobile: 07805 565104
www.endersbyawards.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
The Pike and Eel Hotel
Also available 12 en-suite rooms
Loretta L
Gibson
eagleye
We pride ourselves in being able to provide
the very best quality trophies, awards,
plaques, crystalware, medals and gifts for
all occasions, at very competitive prices.
When you step through a doorway dated
1608 you know that you are entering a
haven of traditional hospitality.
In the summer you can enjoy a drink
or meal in our large private waterside
gardens and in the winter you will usually
find a roaring fire in the impressive
original inglenook fireplace
oretta has lived in Brampton for just over five
years. Married to Rob, who now serves with
the MPGS, having retired from the the infantry,
they have three children, aged 15, 10 and 3.
She joined the choir around a year and a half ago,
and blames Aimee entirely, the constant badgering
eventually wearing her down. However, Loretta says of
the choir: “I really enjoy having time out each week for
choir practice, especially among such lovely people.”
Loretta professes to having had no singing
experience, and insists that she doesn’t sing particularly
well. However, she joins in with the ‘mezzos’, and her
favourite song has to be ‘Stronger Together’, which she
thinks is quite apt!
26
Trophy & Engraving Specialists
Favourite thing to do?
Reading.
Best book you have ever read?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
Best place you’ve travelled to?
Hong Kong on honeymoon.
If you could do another job for just one day, what
would it be?
Baker.
Your three most overused words/phrases?
“Not now”, “in a minute”, “hurry up”.
Knowing what you know now, what would you
have told yourself at age 13?
Travel lots.
Greatest fear?
Being lonely.
Greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Flying and most definitely travelling by tube!
Something that might surprise us about you? I would love to go back into education and get a
degree in Psychology.
Now a few things you don’t often
own up to!
Guilty pleasure? (Don’t make us blush!)
Glass of wine, or three!
Who would you most like to go on a date with,
and why?
My husband - because life just overtakes
everything.
Favourite film (when having a night in on your own)? Harry Potter - big fan.
t: 01480 463336 f: 01480 465467
e: [email protected]
Overcote Lane, Needingworth, Cambs PE27 4TW
Just Sharing
St. Ives’ Fair Trade Shop
Do come and see our great
range of Fair Trade Jewellery,
scarves, toys and crafts from
around the world.
Gifts for any occasion, or just to
say “I’m thinking about you”
Open Monday to Saturday
9:30 – 4:30
St.Ives Free Church, Market Hill,
St.Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5AL
01480 496570
[email protected]
& Telephone Services
Telephone extensions and repairs
Digital Aerials fitted from
£80 for freeview
Sky satellites fitted/extensions
Internet sockets fitted
also small systems
TV/Satellite sockets fitted
CAT 5 Cabling
Call Michael 01480 380600
• Mobile 07977 976844
www.mjedigitaltvaerialservices.co.uk
Think Print
Lance Print is an established printers based
in Peterborough. At Lance we combine
skill, experience & knowledge to provide a
complete professional ser vice.
We aim to fill our clients
with confidence in the
knowledge that any work
under taken by us, will be
completed to the highest
possible standard.
Call Today:
(01733)
390564
www.lanceprint.co.uk
Spring 2016
eagleye
27
Denise Barr – Leading Youth Worker
RAF W
yton
Youutbh
Cl
Junior Youth Club:
D
enise Barr has been a youth worker at RAF
Wyton since October 2013. Previously,
she was the Station Youth Worker at RAF
Honington for three years following a job
as Rural Community Development worker for the
Salisbury Plain Super Garrison with the Army Welfare
Service. Before that, she was involved in youth work
as a volunteer at Upavon in Wiltshire for 3 years.
Following her husband’s departure from the
military, after 30 years of service, she moved to
St Neots. Having been involved in many projects
during her career and having worked with some
amazing young people she enjoys contributing to
the on-going youth service, and very much looks
forward to continuing her work with both young
people and parents within the community here at
RAF Wyton.
(8-11 yrs) - Mondays 5 - 6.30pm and
Wednesdays 5 - 7pm - Term time.
Julie Errington
Senior Youth Club:
(12-15 yrs) - Mondays 7 - 9pm - Term time.
J
Activities:
ulie has lived in the Huntingdon area for 35
years, previously having travelled all over
the world; her dad was in the army. She got
married to John at Crossways Christian Centre,
St Ives, and has three sons. She has been an active
part of the children’s Sunday School Team , Summer
Kids Club as well as Mums and Tots for many years.
After attending college and university she discovered
a passion for working with young people, in particular
seeing them achieve their personal goals. Julie has also
worked for 4children as a Sessional Youth Worker for the
Airplay Project (funded by the RAF benevolent fund),
as a Youth worker in Needingworth, Somersham and
Huntingdon, and is involved in the community events.
She has also a Beaver Scout Colony for several years.
Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Games, Sports,
Competitions, Bingo, Pizza Nights, Air
Hockey, Pool Tournaments, Table Football,
Xbox 360 / Wii and so much more.
School holidays:
Special programme of events will be arranged.
Subscriptions:
Junior and senior weekly subs - £1.
We would like to invite you to come and visit
our Youth Club and meet the Youth Team
workers. There are also opportunities
to help the team out with the running
of activities – Do you have a particular
skill or interest that would benefit young
people? For more information please
contact Denise Barr on 07717 231796 or
[email protected]
EASTERY
HOLIDA
:
Tue, 29th Mar
nes
ey
K
n
o
ilt
M
,
Bounce
r:
p
A
Tue, 5th
d
Cadbury Worl
ERM
MAY HALFM-T
ay:
Tue, 31st
r
Drayton Mano
28
eagleye
Spring 2016
Sarah Jackson
S
arah has been working at the Youth
Club as a sessional youth worker since
December 2014. She has worked for
many youth organisations throughout
Cambridgeshire, and supports young people at
another Youth Club in Sawtry, which she helps
run. During her gap year she was lucky enough to
spend eight months as a volunteer in Benoni, near
Johannesburg in South Africa, where she worked
alongside young people at a children’s home,
teaching basic English and Maths, and setting
up a pottery group for nursery children. Sarah is
a keen runner and an avid baker, with red velvet
cupcakes being her weakness!
Padre’s Update
Turning over a
New Leaf
As I write, what is my first
piece for Eagleye, I’ve
realised I’ve just broken my
New Year’s resolution – no
pudding with dinner during
the week. As you read,
what is my first piece for
Eagleye, you might think
well done to get this far, but
it is only 12th January!
M
ost people will have turned over
the pages on their calendars
and began the New Year full of
hope of fresh starts, even if they
didn’t make resolutions. Maybe while eating
pancakes at the start of Lent, some people
made a commitment to give up something bad,
or do something good instead - once again we
had a chance of something new. Puddings
aside, I’ve recently taken up running again,
and will be running on 24th April in this year’s
London Marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Well even if like me, you struggle at giving up
bad stuff or sticking to doing the right thing, you
don’t have to wait for New Year or for Lent. Each
and every day is a new beginning! So if you look
at your life and want to change, today is a good
day to start. And what about if you fail? Well,
tomorrow is another new day to start all over
again. So, no pudding for me midweek, and up
early for that run!
If you’d like to sponsor me, Padre Eddie in
the London Marathon, please come and add
your name to my sponsor sheet in the church,
or please visit https://www.justgiving.com/EddieWynn - Thank you.
Padre Eddie Wynn
Our New
Padre
Padre Eddie comes to
Wyton following his time as
Chaplain at the University of
Wolverhampton.
H
e has also served at Halton,
Birmingham, Coningsby and
Marham.
Prior to ordination
in 2001 Eddie was a nurse in
Yorkshire, London and Norwich, specialising
in Critical care. He is delighted to be here,
as apart from his rekindled love of running,
he also enjoys playing the tuba, recently
joining the Wyton Area Voluntary Band –
whether they wanted him to or not!
Padre Eddie told Eagleye that his door is
always open to anyone who wants to come and
chat. Although he says he doesn’t always have
the answers, he is always happy to listen, and will
never judge. Other than that he is really looking
forward to getting around and meeting everyone,
and of course drinking your tea!
He can be contacted on Ext 7225 or [email protected]
rch,
u
h
C
’s
e
g
r
o
e
G
t
S
RAF Wyton
Sunday Services - 10:00am
Lunchtime Communion Thursdays - 12:15pm
Dates for significant upcoming services
Sunday, 15 May 2016 - Pentecost Sunday
You are most welcome to come along to any
of our services. Please also feel free to come
into Church at any time for quiet reflection, and
maybe light a candle.
Spring 2016
eagleye
29
m
Community Development
Officer (CDO) - Community
Team Leader:
Ms Sigrid Hillman
Email: [email protected]
Tel 01480 52451 Ext 7198
Station Community Support
Officer (SCSO):
WO Don MacLarty
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 ext 7250 / 8799
Community Support Assistant
(CSA):
Mrs Laura Holmes,
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 ext 8799
42 Engr Regt (Geo)
Welfare Officer:
Susan Hetzke
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 6590
Padre:
Rev(Sqn Ldr) Eddie Wynn
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 7225 SSAFA Worker:
Mrs Pam Evans
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 7097
Station Medical Officer (SMO):
Dr S Randhawa (CMP)
FS Kerry Finlay (Practice Manager)
Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 7220
HIVE Information Officer
(HIVE IO):
Mrs Nancy Packham
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 7031
eagleye
Spring 2016
CROCUSES: 5
30
And
Current OffeFrs
ervice
Discountsl InorTShe Community
Personne
SCSO: The Station interface with Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) & Modern Housing
Solutions (MHS) and can act as ‘champion’ for the SFA
community in representing their interests to the chain
of command.
CDO: Actively networks on your behalf to ensure
that you have all the support you are entitled to
at Station and Local Authority level. The CDO
works closely on youth projects with the Station
Youth Worker.
Station Youth Worker: Responsible for all youth
provision and also provides holiday activities.
SSAFA-FH: Provides direct, confidential welfare
service to tri-Service, MPGS, single and married
Service personnel and their families, including
counselling and professional help.
Chaplain: Plays an essential role in supporting
the Station’s Community. They have ready access
to the Station Commander, Station executives
and personnel services. They offer a totally
confidential service.
HIVE: An information network available to all
members of the Station Community. The HIVES offer
an extensive range of information, local knowledge
and relocation information. HIVE IOs are trained in
welfare counselling, but are bound to the code of
confidentiality. They are able to offer initial support
to individuals and can advise referral to professional
agencies best suited to the circumstances. All HIVE
staff are bound to the Code of Confidentiality.
Future Station
Events
Easter Holidays
29th March 2016 Youth club trip to Bounce, Milton Keynes
31st March 2016 Easter Street Party
5th April 2016 Family/Youth Club trip to Cadbury World
May Half Term
31st May 2016 Family/Youth club Trip to Drayton Manor
1st June 2016 Inflatable Fun Afternoon
(Family and Youth Club)
CONUNDRUM: SPRING TIME
Key Personneulnity
In The Comm
RAF Wyton Community Support Information
One Leisure: A special Military discounted offer
with Discount Card for Military personnel and their
families - Leisure Centres located in Huntingdon,
Ramsay, Sawtry, St Ives and St Neots - Please
contact HIVE IO for application forms.
Windsor Castle: MOD90 / Armed Forces ID card
holders can visit Windsor Castle with up to four
friends or family for FREE. That’s a potential saving
of £85. Check the Royal Collection website to plan
and make the most of your visit.
Call pre visit on 020 7766 7300 to check that the
castle is open to the public (no advance booking
required). Bring your MOD90 / Armed Forces ID
with you. Discount applies to Buckingham Palace,
Holyrood House and Windsor Castle. Phone 020
7766 7304 to confirm.
Forest Holidays: Forest Holidays offer 10% off
bookings at Thorpe Forest when booked before
30/06/16, Holidays have to be taken by 01/01/17 –
Discount Code RAFWYTON10.
Rewards Force Forces:
www.rewardsforforces.co.uk up to 56% off major
top tourist attractions and many more discounts,
must join the scheme to access.
Defence Discount Service:
www.defencediscountservice.co.uk
Free to join, many discounts listed on the website.
SFA Occupants Consultative
Meetings (OCM)
24th April 2016
The Community
Come Along To
Mornings
Support Coffee
Coffee Mornings Brampton:
The Community Centre 9.30 am, Thursday
14th April 2016
12th May 2016
9th June 2016
Coffee Mornings Wyton:
14 Cornwall Rd, 10.30 am, Wednesday
27th April
25th May
WORD SEARCH: APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS
Nancy Packha
Hive Information
Wyton HIVE Information Centre - Located within
the Community Centre, Pathfinder Way - Opening
hours: Monday to Friday: 0930 to 1300 - Tel: 01480
52451 Ext 7031
Wyton HIVE Information Officer - Located
at 5-7 Cornwall Road, RAF Wyton Community
Support Building - Opening hours: Monday
to Wednesday, and Friday: 0900 to 1500 - Tel:
01480 52451 Ext 7031
Brampton HIVE Information Officer - Located
at 37 Parklane, Brampton SFA - Opening hours:
Tuesday: 0930 to 1430 - Tel: 01480 52451 Ext 7031
HIVE Facebook Page: RAF Wyton HIVE
Station Facilities
Community Minibus for hire - Daily/Weekly rates.
Contact Laura Holmes on Wyt 8799 for more details.
Wyton Coffee Shop - Located within the Community
Centre - Eat in or Take away. Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 0915-1330 (incl’ during school
holidays) - The coffee shop is open to all station
personnel and families. It offers a good priced menu,
including homemade cakes and snacks, all of which
can be pre ordered (priority given to pre orders). All
food is freshly made to order. Vegetarians catered for.
Contact: 01480 52451 Ext 7590.
Wyton Youth Club - Located at 2-4 Cornwall
Road, Wyton SFA. Weekly Subs £1.00 Junior
session (8-11 yrs) - Mon 5-6.30 pm and Wed 5-7 pm.
Senior session (12-15 yrs) Mon 7-9 pm. For more
information contact Denise Barr 07717231796,
Siggy Hillman (CDO) on 01480 52451 ext 7198 or
WO Don MacLarty (SCSO) ext7250.
Bumps, Babes and Beyond – Located at
14 Cornwall Road – Opening hours: Tuesday 09001100 - Open to expectant parents and parents/
guardians of children up to 5 years old (older siblings
can attend during holidays) £1 per adult – POC: Sue
Hetzke, Tel: 0148052451 Ext 6590.
Brampton Thrift Shop - located at 37 Park Lane,
Brampton SFA. Opening hours: Tues and Thurs 09301230.
Wyton Thrift Shop - Located at 9 Cornwall Road.
Opening hours: Tuesday 1000-1500.
Brampton Community Centre - Located at 37
Parklane, Brampton SFA (HIVE IO, Thrift Shop, LCSC,
Coffee Mornings).
Contact SCSA Laura Holmes 01480 52451 ext 8799.
Londis Shop - Located on Pathfinder Way, RAF
Wyton. For all your daily and weekly grocery needs.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 0730-1800 hrs, Sat & Sun:
0900-1300 hrs. Post Office facilities also available
during opening hours.
Top Cuts - Located on Cornwall Road (opposite old
Post Office) - Book an appointment on 01480 52451
Ext 7151.
Station Recreational Library - Fiction and
Non-Fiction Books, Audio CDs, and more.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 0830 to 1630.
POC: Jennie Ingram, Ext 3588.
Military Wives Choirs Foundation
www.militarywiveschoirs.org
The Foundation Is a network of choirs set up to bring
women in the military community close together
through singing. There are no auditions required
and no need to read music. Our MWC meets at St
For more information please contact Denise Barr
(Station Youth Worker) on 07717 231796.
Mon 5 - 6.30pm Wed 5 - 7pm
Senior Youth Club
12-15yrs
Mon 7-9pm
George’s Church on Wednesdays at 7 pm for approx
1 ½ hours. Come along and see what happens – no
commitment needed until you are sure!
Housing
CarillionAmey Occupancy Services team
(OST)
For SFA allocation enquiries, call or email the OST
Helpdesk at Speke, Liverpool. Helpdesk opening
hours: Monday to Friday 0830-1500. Freephone:
0800 707 6000 - Option 3 / Alternative Tel: 0151 728
1630. Email: occupancyservices@carillionamey.
co.uk
Local Customer Service Centre (LCSC)
•
Need help raising or chasing any repairs to
your property?
•
Do you have a query relating to
Occupancy Services?
• Need some advice regarding a housing issue?
Prefer speaking face-to-face to CarillionAmey?
Visiting your LCSC is a great alternative to the
Customer Help Desk
LCSC Advisor: Zoe Atkins
Located within the Hive/Community Centre
Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday: 0900-1200,
and Wednesday and Friday: 0900-1500.
SFA Complaints Process
Stage One - Contact CarillionAmey on 0800 707
600, Option 5 (Please make a note of the reference
number given).
Stage Two - If your complaint has been formally
closed at Stage One and you are not satisfied
with the response, you can then escalate your
complaint to the DIO Customer Services Team. You
can do this in two ways:
1. Online - by completing the online Stage Two
complaint form - which for security reasons is only
available on the MOD Intranet.
2. Letter - by writing to the Customer Service Team
(address below). Please quote the Stage One
complaint reference number, briefly set out your
complaint, why you are not satisfied with the Stage
One response, and what outcome you would like.
Customer Service Team, DIO Service Delivery
Accommodation, Ground Floor, Swales Pavilion,
RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire PE28 2EA.
For full details on the complaints process, visit
www.gov.uk/dio/sfa Spring 2016
eagleye
31
LEISURE CORNER
Where do you
read Eagleye?
Raspberry
Cranachan
Now you have all finished those
chocolates you bought in for Christmas
and for those of you who are still working
on your weight loss New Year’s resolution,
here is a healthy refreshing recipe that
enables you to have a guilt free dessert.
Ingredients
Serves: 4 5 tbsp porridge oats
150 ml (5 fl oz) whipping cream
150 g (5 1/2 oz) fromage frais
2 tbsp clear honey
2 tbsp whisky
400 g (14 oz) raspberries
Method
Prep:35min › Ready in:35min
1. Preheat the grill to high. Line the rack in the grill
pan with foil and spread the oatmeal over the foil.
Toast under the grill for about 3 minutes, stirring
once or twice, until the oatmeal is golden. Set
aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
2. Put the cream and fromage frais in a bowl and
whip together until thick. Stir in the honey and
whisky, then fold in 4 tbsp of the toasted oatmeal.
3. Reserve a few raspberries for the decoration. Layer
the remaining raspberries with the cream mixture
in 4 glass serving dishes, starting with raspberries
and ending with a layer of the cream mixture.
4. Decorate each dessert with a sprinkling of
the remaining 1 tbsp toasted oatmeal and the
reserved raspberries. Serve immediately (or keep
in the fridge for up to 1 hour before serving).
Some more ideas
Instead of raspberries, use other fresh fruit such as
mixed berries, sliced peaches or nectarines, or a
mixture of raspberries and peaches. * Replace the
whisky with brandy, or with orange or apple juice.
Do you have a favourite recipe?
Send it to [email protected] with
a photo for inclusion in the next issue.
32
eagleye
Spring 2016
This edition’s contribution was
supplied by Fg Off Sophie Rimmer,
Station Training and Development
Officer (STDO); apparently she is
in the pic’, or so she told us!
T
he picture is of RAF Wyton personnel on a mountain,
somewhere in Austria, while participating in the Station’s
annual skiing expedition. We’re reliably told that participants
had plenty of time to chill out and take in the previous edition
of Eagleye while Exped Leader, Sgt Stu Turner gave one of his
inspirational “together, we will conquer the mountain” speaches!!!
Spring at
Wyton
Find and circle all of
the words that are
hidden in the grid.
The remaining
letters spell a
message about
Spring.
Answer at the bottom
of Page 30.
ALLERGIES
APRIL
BASEBALL
BEES
CROCUSES
CYCLAMENS
DAFFODILS
DANDELIONS
EASTER
EQUINOX
FLOWERS
FROGS
GOLF
GRASS
GREEN
GROWTH
IRISES
LILIES
MARCH
MAY
NEW LEAVES
PLANTING
RAIN
RENEWAL
ROBINS
SEASON
SNOWMELT
SOFTBALL
T
G
G
O
L
F
E
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A
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A
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R
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D
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A
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F
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S
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A
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P
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W
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G
O
R
F
Where is the strangest or most
far off place you’ve read Eagleye?
The most unusual will be published in the next edition.
Send your pics to [email protected]
Your
Photographs
As well as being responsible for
Eagleye’s ‘Eco Sounder’ article,
Gerry Brown, Operations Manager
for Babcock (the Station’s Multi
Activity Contract provider) is also
a keen photographer.
SPRING BREAK
SPRING CLEANING
TULIPS
WARMER
WET
Spring
Conundrum
MIRGE PINTS
Can you solve this
anagram, these words
create one word?
Answer on Page 30.
o
Time t
me
go ho
Time to go home
W
ith his landscape and wildlife
photographs regularly featured in
our local papers, Gerry thought
he’d remind us that Spring has
deffinitely sprung.
Gerry also sent us two images of sunsets he
snapped on his way home after work. Bearing in
mind it seems to get dark at 2 pm in January, it
does beg the question “What time do you leave
work Gerry?”
If you’ve taken a photograph you’d
like to share with our readers, why not
send it in to [email protected]
Spring 2016
eagleye
33
You could be
in the Algarve,
relaxing in the sun...
eagleye
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
Inside this issue:
Change of Command • Medics get a Facelift! • End of an Era • Ready to Celebrate!
Inside this issue:
Historic Concert • MWC Showbiz Spotlight • Comic Relief • Meet the Netball Team
Inside this issue:
Creative Thinking • From Gallipoli to Berlin • Elior - who? • In aid of Nepal
eagleye eagleye eagleye
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
Jan/Feb 2015
It has a twin bedroom, open plan kitchen and lounge. The kitchen has a 4-ring hob, oven,
microwave, toaster and washing machine. There is a family sized bathroom. The lounge
has a sofa (which converts into two more single beds) and a table to seat four. A TV, DVD
and CD player are also available. Both the lounge and bedroom have patio doors which
open onto the balcony offering views over the swimming pool and across Lagos.
There is ample car parking space in front of the building.
A Few of
the Last
www.algarveestatemanagement.co.uk
apt meia
Nov to Mar £190
Apr & Oct £255
May & Sept £290
June £330
July & Aug £410
th Birthday
the band
Happy…a60
special year for
Inside this issue:
Mar/Apr 2015
14 Geo Sqn in
The Falkland Islands
Eagleye View
SKI 2015
‘Jumping’ for JF
Thrifty Ladies • Tough Mudder • ‘It’s a Knockout’ • Inside the De-Militarized Zone
May/Jun 2015
Inside this issue:
24-hr Gymathon
World Record Swim • Eco Sounder • Paris to London Bike Ride • Your HIVE
Inside this issue:
DI ER do ‘Bake Off’ • Children In Need • Duathlon Champion • Christmas Kindness
),
eagleye eagleye eagleye
&
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
,
$. >B
$
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PRICES:
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
)
:
!
Situated on the top floor of a three storey block the apartment has its
own residents’ swimming pool. It has the advantage of being away
from the bustle of the town centre but within walking distance (10
minutes to the marina and another 5 to the town centre).
The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton
,
)
$
Jul/Aug 2015
$ :
Sep/Oct 2015
&
Nov/Dec 2015
$
Exhibition
Stuff!
Mongolian
Odyssey
....
For MthAeGPthAriSl of it!
an d
“I’m out of here!”
The RAF Wyton Commanding Officer would like to
thank Lance Publishing for their continued support
To book accommodation please contact Judith Hall on 01536 711884
Apartments can also be booked very competitively at [email protected]
34
eagleye
Spring 2016
Published by Lance Publishing Ltd: 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Rd, Kettering, NN16 8NL
Tel: 01536 515481
>
$
$
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the
colour
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do for hari BA
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online
co.uk
.
Spring 2016
eagleye
35