Lions Roar Summer 2023

SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES

Articles for the Lion’s Roar should be submitted by email, written in Microsoft Word (preferably not the latest version format) and pictures should be sent as high quality original jpegs and attached as separate files, not embedded in the text or reduced in size.

17

From the Publishing Team

Editor…

to the summer 2023 issue of the Lion’s Roar, and what will sadly be the final issue for FS Dave McCrindle who has been a dedicated member of the editorial team.

FS McCrindle has written the Percy and Willy Cartoons, and for those that remember ‘Merv’ for many years. We wish him well on his future endeavors outside of the Service. Thank you for all the articles that have been submitted, it’s great to hear about all the activities and achievements. With summer now here, if you go out and about, please let the editorial team know what you have been up to. Articles along with any pictures can be sent to BEN-LionsRoarMagazine@ mod.gov.uk. 500-700 words is perfect, but we can consider shorter articles.

I hope you enjoy the magazine.

PUBLISHER

Lion’s Roar is published by Lance Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering, Northants NN16 8NL

Tel: 01536 334223

ADVERTISING MANAGER Jayne Bailey

Tel: 01536 334219

Email: jayne@lancemediagroup.co.uk

DESIGNER Rowena Wilson

Amanda Robinson

PRINTER Micropress

ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND FEATURES TO… Sgt Rachael Williams Flt Lt Dent

Email: BEN-LionsRoarMagazine@ mod.gov.uk

Don’t

DISCLAIMER:

OPERATION CHASTISE AND BENSON’S PART IN IT, THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAID

BOEING LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

PAGE 08 PAGE 15 PAGE 16 PAGE 10 PAGE 12 PAGE 17 PAGE 18 PAGE 19 PAGE 21 PAGE 13 PAGE 14

EXERCISE BENSON BELFAST

THE FRAMING STUDIO

We frame your photographs, prints, watercolours, oils, certificates, medals and needlework.

Opening Times

Monday: closed Tuesday: 9.00 - 17:00

126b Broadway Didcot OX11 8AB 01235 815934 www.framingstudiodidcot.co.uk framingstudiodidcot@aol.co.uk Facebook: The Framing Studio Didcot

forces discount offered on production of valid ID card or in uniform.

Foreword

from the Station Commander...

Hello and welcome to the Summer 2023 edition of the Lion’s Roar.

The Station remains as busy as ever with the Puma detachments of 230 Squadron and 84 Squadron now well established in Brunei and Cyprus and working towards declaration of full operating capability. The recent announcement of Defence’s intent to extend Puma until 2028 was welcome news for all concerned. Whilst further work is required to understand how we sustain the platform, the announcement of this decision gives certainty to Service People and families alike.

The Station celebrated the King’s Coronation with the style and energy for which we are known. The Station Historian Mick Prendergast, created an excellent exhibition for us, that covered King Charles’ time at Benson whilst he was undergoing flying training and his broader involvement with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

At the All Ranks Dining in Night we were honoured to host Group Captain Pinney who previously served as Prince Charles’ primary flying instructor. He gave the audience a privileged insight into the flying career of our Monarch. On the Saturday our Station, aircraft and crews played a key role in the Royal flypast and on the Sunday, we marked the event with an

excellent street party outside the Officers Mess. My thanks go out to Squadron Leader Matt Morley, Flight Lieutenant Chris Northcote, the President of the Mess Committee, Mess staff and all the others who made this truly special occasion so remarkable for all of us.

Going forward one of my personal focuses for the next two years is to work with the industry partners to ensure that Service people and families at RAF Benson are afforded the lived experience that you so richly deserve. This includes a drive to improve the quality of Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation, enhance the quality of the service provided across the three messes and Common Room, and ensure that opportunities available on Station such as sports and health and well-being activities are maximised for all.

The Civilian/Military Air Safety Day that took place in April was hugely successful. We were privileged to have Commander Joint Helicopter Command join us and give the opening address and we had over 120 civilian pilots join us which was the catalyst to better understand how we operate, how we might reduce risk, and how we can enhance the safety for all air users.

The support given to Exercise WESSEX STORM demonstrated that Benson maintains an Operational focus. A tremendous effort from the Station at short notice over the May Bank Holiday to ensure it went as planned. Focus now switches to the Annual Air Cadet Muster to be held in June, supporting the RAF Cadet Association, 2500 Air Cadets will learn more about the RAF and have opportunity for a short flight in a Chinook.

Lion’s Roar

Editorial Team

OIC/EDITOR

Sgt Rachael Williams

606 Sqn

DEPUTY EDITOR

Flt Lt Amy Dent

28 Sqn

33 SQN REP

Flt Lt Thomas Mullins

28 SQN REP

AS1 O'Brien

Ext: 7722

LS REP

Fg Off Becky Bull

Ext: 7428

EXPEDITION

AND SPORTS REP

Post vacant

BSW REP

Plt Off James Liddell

SEO, Ext: 7245

OPS WG REP

Flt Lt Tom Barber

Ext: 8139

606 SQN REP

Flt Lt Fern Gwinnett

606 Sqn Media, Ext: 7238

JHSS REP

Flt Lt Matty Snape

Ext: 7549

PHOTO AND IMAGERY REP

AS1 Iain Curlett

Ext: 7265

CARTOONIST

FS Dave McCrindle 28 Sqn

28 Sqn Ext: 8072

As we look forward to the summer months, I am hopeful that life at Benson will continue to get better for all. I would like to see a greater focus on work life balance, I hope to see greater opportunities for our families, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this a reality.

Exercise ODYSSEY DAWN Puma transit to Cyprus

Flt Lt Cushen

Just over one year from the date that the mighty Puma HC2 received an extension of service, and a few months since 1563 Flt stood up in Brunei, it became the turn of 33 Sqn’s Cyprus Flt to stand up in Cyprus.

Of course, with such close proximity to the UK, 33 Sqn elected to selfferry their aircraft to the Eastern Mediterranean, which itself displays the remarkable versatility and rapid deployability of the Medium Lift aircraft.

Planning began in the late months of 2022, headed by Flt Lts Burgess and Wood on the aircrew side and Flt Lt Jayon Graham from the engineering side of the Sqn, to deploy three Pumas with the ambition of reaching Cyprus five days after leaving RAF Benson. Thanks to some very hard work by the Puma Force engineers over the preceding

weekend, supported ably by the wider Force and station, all three aircraft departed RAF Benson on the second week of February.

Split into two waves, the first two aircraft left RAF Benson at 10am on Monday 6th February, aiming to make their first overnight stop in Dijon after a refuel at Lille. Transiting through the London heli-lanes for one last time, the crews crossed the channel at Dover only to find that the northern coast of France sat under low-lying cloud, precluding an arrival at Lille. Unperturbed, they elected to land at Le Touquet for a quick refuel before continuing down to Dijon. Arriving a couple of hours before dark, Flt Lt Graham and Sgt Bull had their team of engineers service the aircraft and prep them for the second day’s leg down to Nice, via Orange Air Force Base, which has seemingly become a regular stop for the Puma Force over the last few years.

With aircraft number 3 a day behind, and visions of a warm

evening on the Mediterranean coast in their mind, the Pumas continued their journey south… only to be disappointed on arrival in Nice by 35kts winds and a single digit outside air temperature; yet more poor weather for the engineers to battle against whilst servicing the aircraft! Spirits were improved the following day when the in-flight

rations were delivered, however; we don’t often get cheese, fig jam or macarons in the butty boxes… Day 3 saw the most challenging weather of the week, as the lead pair attempted to get to Brindisi in the heel of Italy. Stopping at Pisa on the northwest coast of Italy (having flown by the billionaires’ playground that is Monaco), our route took us through some mountainous terrain, made trickier to transit by the potential for low-cloud and snow. Despite the best efforts

to navigate around this weather we admitted defeat and diverted into Rome for a quick refuel and replan before electing to progress south to Naples, and thus closer to our ultimate destination.

Departing from Naples, passing the infamous Mt Vesuvius, a band of cloud remained over the spine of Italy. Thankfully the weather gods were kind to us, and their bases enabled a crossing of Italy to reach Brindisi where, fuelled by strong Italian coffee, the crews and passengers donned their over-water survival aids and prepared to leave Italy for Greece. Coasting out across the crystal clear (but rather chilly!) Ionian Sea provided most of the crews their first experience of operating over water for a longer period, which also required them to sharpen their pencils to calculate their “Points of No Return” and “Critical Points” based on the wind at the time – essentially telling them at which point on the route would progressing to Greece be closer than turning around for Italy should any issues arise.

No such issues cropped up, and the first landing in Greece was made at Preveza, an Hellenic Air Force base.

Greeted by the base commander, Wg Cdr Fletcher was given a memorable whistle-stop tour of the airfield before the crews were plied with coffee and sent on their way. Next stop Athens.

Flying into any capital city often requires a reasonable amount of negotiating airspace and danger areas and, according to the maps, Athens is no different. However, a very helpful controller made the process incredibly simple, much to everyone’s delight at the end of a long flying day.

The final leg of the journey gave the most food-for-thought. After transiting the Cyclades, the final hop would be a straight line from Rhodes to Cyprus; a distance of over 220nm, all over water. A strong headwind would mean that we’d likely have to wait for more favourable weather. The pencils came out again and the decision was made that we’d be able to make it to Akrotiri, and had the option to take fuel at Paphos along the way if needed. Coasting out from Rhodes, the formation checked in with the Athens Information frequency at the same time as the third aircraft, who at the time were just entering the Athens area of responsibility from Italy.

After crossing a beautiful Mediterranean, land was finally sighted after about 1hour 15 minutes of flying over water and it became clear that we’d make Akrotiri with plenty of fuel left in hand. Arriving at (another) new home to the Puma Force, the aircraft were met by the engineering advance party and some aircrew who had moved out earlier that week, followed 24 hours later by aircraft 3.

The self-deployment of the Puma to a new overseas location proved its versatility and the skill of all functions to operate independently to deploy a unit of action over 2200nm in track miles in under a week. Special mention must be made of course to the engineers that provided the aircraft, but also maintained them in some uncomfortable circumstances, and also to Cpl Pybus who kept a watchful eye on the aircraft transit, assisting with the many aircrew requests prior and during the transit.

A life saved?

FS Mathew Stewart (who was until recently the Flight Sergeant within Supply Control & Accounting Flight, Logistics Squadron) has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Royal Humane Society.

This award recognises his moral courage demonstrated by saving a life whilst offduty on 2 March 2023.

Whilst driving over Wallingford bridge he noticed an individual had tethered themselves to a weight standing on the wall facing the water below. He instinctively realised something was wrong, and so he pulled over and put on his hazard lights. He acted decisively and started a conversation with the person, asking if they were alright or needed help. His empathy paid off and this person began to confide in him. He kept the person talking for 25 minutes.

During this time, he managed to stop a passer-by and told them to ring the emergency services. The police arrived shortly afterwards along with the social services who had been searching for the individual for the past three days. The police took over and helped the individual down off the bridge wall.

His actions were reported to the Royal Humane Society. The Royal Humane Society was founded in 1774 and is a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and also for the restoration of life by resuscitation.

FS Stewart was notified of his award in person by AVM Alastair Smith – Commander JHC when visiting RAF Benson on 28 April. Coincidentally, 28 April was FS Stewart’s last day at RAF Benson. He leaves Benson but remains part of JHC, posted to Tactical Supply Wing at MOD Stafford.

Sqn Ldr Karl Wright

Together we marched into History…

Cpl Mark Jenkinson

Saturday 6 May, King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in an event that made history and almost a thousand serving members of the Royal Air Force, from across the Service, played a significant role in that occasion.

I am immensely proud to have been selected as one of those representing the RAF on the Coronation parade, as was every person there I spoke with and we were all acutely aware that there were many thousands of other service personnel not present who would have taken our place

in a heartbeat. As we marched up The Mall on that day ahead of the Royal coach, however, it was the culmination of 10 days of preparation that had been anything but a walk in the park.

There were 19 of us from RAF Benson, chosen to be part of the RAF ‘marching contingent’ and we duly reported to RAF Halton at 09:00 on Thursday 27 April as instructed. The recruits who are usually resident at the camp had all been sent home for the duration in order to free up the accommodation for us and the initial arrivals procedure was slick and well organised. We were quickly

and efficiently processed through the required document checks, supplemental kit issue of white belt, bayonet scabbard, white gloves, belt brasses (which is why we were told to pack Brasso) and within an hour we had dropped personal bags in our respective bed space and were sitting in the briefing room for the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement & Integration (RSOI). It was here that we were to discover the magnitude of what we were to be a part of, 6000 persons from the RAF, Army and Navy, collectively the largest single mustering and

deployment of the armed forces in the UK for 40 years, all to be seamlessly co-ordinated into a single, magnificent parade.

Every element of the ceremony had been planned down to the last detail, routes, schedules, assembly points, transport, security, support services, there was a lot of information to assimilate. The biggest surprise however, was that our first full rehearsal of the parade was to be at RAF Odiham (chosen because the runway is apparently the same length as The Mall) in just two days’ time! Not only that, but the marching contingents from the other services had already been practicing for the last few weeks so we had a lot of catching up to do.

The hard work really started the following day. We paraded at 07:30 in front of the Tornado and formed up into five different contingents, RAF regulars, Reserves, RAF Regiment, RAF Halton and RAF Cranwell Officer Cadets. There were also the Colour Parties who had their own drills to

master and we would all be joined by the RAF Band the following day. Each contingent was assigned two Drill Instructors (DI) who would be responsible for bringing us up to the required standard, a task that these dedicated volunteers quickly realised would need a lot more work than simply adding a bit of polish, given that many of those mustered on the parade square that morning were less than fully proficient in either foot or weapons drill.

What was lacking in initial skills however, was more than made up for in the enthusiasm and determination of every individual. It was a privilege to be part of this event and we all intended to be on parade for the King when the day arrived. Our DI started us with the basics and then quickly moved on to the parade routines, which we would be practicing again and again during the days ahead until we could do it in our sleep.

The limitation of the available estate meant that marching practice needed a little imagination. For

those who remember their time at Halton, fondly or otherwise, you may recall there are two sites, Henderson at the top of the hill and Maitland at the bottom of it. There is a long and winding road between the two and, for our purposes, this would represent The Mall and like the ‘Grand old Duke of York’, we marched up and down the hill many, many times practicing our ‘change arms’ as we went. There were other aspects to learn and practice, including merging 12 ranks into 6 on the move and then dressing off, so that we could march through the gates of Buckingham palace without hitting the gate posts!

Marching in No.2 shoes is not the most comfortable experience, even for relatively short periods and it would be fair to say that there were a good many sore feet by the time we arrived at Odiham on the Sunday for our first full rehearsal. We did two full practices of the parade that day and the RAF more than held our own against the other services, despite their extra practice time. A mention must go to the support teams at RAF Odiham, who had everything organised and ensured that we were well fed and watered during our visit.

Despite our credible performance at Odiham and a pat on the back from our Wing Commander, there was still a lot of work for us to do in polishing up our act. Back to Halton then and another two and half days of marching and drill practice before a full dress rehearsal in London on the Wednesday night.

This would be our only opportunity to fully experience how the operation would be on the actual day so it really was an important element in the run-up process. Everything was to take place to the planned parade schedule, only at night, right down to the specially chartered troop trains that had been laid on to bring all the military personnel into London. As we waited at Tring station that evening, I wondered with some amusement, what the regular commuters returning home must be thinking as they stepped onto the platform from their train, to be met by hundreds of uniformed RAF personnel, all carrying weapons!

If New York is the city that never sleeps, then London must be a close second and even in the early hours, the streets were lined with onlookers, many of whom clapped and cheered as we marched by. Some of these were already camping out at the roadside in order to secure their place for the parade four days later, there’s dedication. After the successful dress rehearsal, it was back to Halton for the final polish then, before we knew it, Saturday morning was upon us. Breakfast at 03:00, collect weapons from the armoury and then onto the waiting coaches for travel to Tring and our trains to Waterloo. On arrival in London, we formed up outside the station and waited. As the order, “Quick March” was called by the Parade commander, the loud beat of the bass drum echoed along the streets and our feet hit the ground in perfect time with its percussion, left, right, left, right, left...

The band struck up the first march and we were on our way to Westminster. it was just 08:30 but the streets were already full with eager spectators enjoying the morning sunshine and as we, the RAF contingent of almost 800 strong, stepped onto Westminster Bridge the Colours were unfurled and they billowed in the breeze as we crossed. For just a moment, I wanted to be standing at the roadside so that I could see this amazing spectacle for myself and I was filled with such an immense sense of pride in my Service, my comrades and my country. The band played the Battle of Britain march which, it seemed, stirred the watching crowds to cheer even more loudly and I felt myself stand taller and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

At midday, having spent an hour or two in relative comfort at our rest area, we were formed up again, this time in Trafalgar Square where we waited for the coronation service to be concluded and the Royal coach with the newly crowned King and Queen to make its way from the Abbey to join the procession. Sadly, the morning sun we had enjoyed just a few hours earlier had since given way to heavy rain and our uniforms were sodden as we stood there but our spirits were not dampened.

As the hour approached, the orders came and once again we stepped off to the accompaniment of the RAF Band, making our way proudly along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, escorting our King to his London residence where we he would shortly stand before us to take the Royal salute in the relative privacy of the Palace gardens.

For most of us taking part, this day was undoubtedly a once in a lifetime experience and the sore feet, blisters, late nights and even earlier mornings were a very small price for the privilege of being there and I suspect, now long forgotten. The memories of that day, and those spent getting ready for it, the old acquaintances we renewed and the new friends we made will all live long. For me, I shall always remember that feeling of bursting with pride as we marched up The Mall on that Saturday morning. It was after all, the day our King rode into the history books and we marched there with him.

Operation CHASTISE & Benson’s part in it The 80th Anniversary of the raid

Mick Prendergast

On May 17th 1943, 617 Squadron dropped their rotating mines to bounce along the water until they hit a dam wall and sank before exploding at the predetermined depth.

After the raid they needed to know if the mines designed by Barnes Wallis were successful or not.

A photographic sortie was required in order to get the answer, so RAF Benson was called upon to send someone to find out. Flying Officer

Frank Jerry Fray of 542 Squadron was the man of the moment, his name was at the top of the list so he was given the task D/578 to fly along the Ruhr valley and locate the Ader, Mohne and Sorpe dams.

Frank or Jerry as he was nicknamed started his military career in the Army. His parents thought that flying was too dangerous and persuaded Jerry to join the Army instead.

So Jerry became 1915377 Driver in the Royal Engineers. He was soon mobilised and sent off to France. There he was attached to no 4 Squadron RAF who flew Westland Lysander aircraft in Belgium.

During his time there he witnessed the loss of eleven aircraft before the squadron was told to leave and make for the Dunkirk beach. Thankfully Jerry managed to avoid the enemy bombardment without injury

and got back to the UK. Back safe and sound he decided that the Army was the dangerous service and promptly applied to join the RAF as 656657 Pilot Officer.

He was accepted and after collecting his wings he volunteered for Special Duties. His ‘duties’ found him eventually posted in 1942 to RAF Benson as a Photographic Reconnaissance pilot.

On the 15 May 1943 his 36th operational sortie, he flew over Soest area to the Ader, Mohne and Sorpe dams along the Ruhr valley to verify that the water behind the dams was at its highest so if the dams were breached then the water would have maximum effect and give greatest devastation.

On the night of the 16 / 17th May, number 617 Squadron attacked the three dams by dropping spinning mines around midnight onto the Mohne dam.

Early morning on 17th May Jerry’s name became at the top of the operation list so he prepared

himself to fly once again along the Soest area of the Ruhr valley.

Flying in Vickers Supermarine Spitfire EN343 he left Benson at 0725. His Spitfire was originally on the Mark V production line but removed and refitted with a larger Rolls Royce M61 engine. This made the aircraft an early make of the Mark XI Spitfire.

At 11am Jerry returned to Benson where the photographic section staff removed the cameras and sent the film to the development section in Ewelme village.

In the photo section was 2006768 Margaret Irwin and it was she that took out the film and put it through the process of development. Waiting outside was an officer who was eager to see the results and telephone those concerned with the operation.

What is not known about this operation is that at 0910

Flying Officer Eric George Searle aged 23 left Benson in EN346 to fly task D/581 on the same route as Jerry just in case he did not return. Eric Searle landed back at 1240 but by then what was needed to be known was officially known.

Jerry was awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross while his Squadron companion Eric was only given eggs and bacon.

1563 Flt A Winch Medic perspective in Brunei

AS1 Phoebe Young

Winch Medic: pretty much is what it says on the tin.

RAF medics from 4626 Sqn Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service are deployed in Brunei to facilitate life-saving medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to exercising troops on a 24/7 basis.

The lead up to this involved learning the entirely new skill of winching in the hot and sweaty environment of Brunei which was certainly an experience! However, the end result is that there are now 4 medics who can winch, day or night, with stretchers and strops providing the ability to retrieve casualties from the deepest depths of the jungle. These troops are accessed through landing points throughout the jungle or through winch holes (gaps in the canopy through which a single medic can be lowered on a cable) which can be up to 180ft above the ground - as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa! It has been a great chance to learn new skills which are so different from the normal day to day, but you definitely couldn’t do it if you were scared of heights.

Combining the nuances of medical supervision and the extraordinary experience of operating on the back of a Puma has certainly been an adventure.

There are many differences between working on the back of a Puma compared to working in a medical centre/hospital/ ambulance; smaller space, hot,

noisy, restricted by weather (good luck getting off the ground in a lightning storm) and operating with the doors open, to name just a few. Getting to grips with working on the cab needed to happen quickly as we started running MEDEVAC cover from the first week.

Each call is different but the adrenaline spike that hits when the call comes in never changes and is second to none. Suddenly all that training, both medical and winch, is being put into practice. The notes received are basic but give you something to start running through situations in your head on the flight down to the grid reference of where the casualty is located. The flight gives you time to ensure the medical kit is prepped and ready to use if required. Then, depending on whether you are winching or landing at a landing site you are out the door and ready to receive your patient. Once they are back on board you can continue the medical care they have been given on the ground, monitor and treat as needed until you land at the hospital.

Brunei is hot and sweaty, and this is no different when you are operating on a Puma, other than the additional fire retardant (FR) long johns that must be worn underneath the FR clothing and the winching bosun’s chair. It’s been such an adventure so far, pushing us to operate in a different environment with varying levels of kit, using new skills but the sweaty discomfort is worth it.

Boeing Lifetime Achievement Award

The Boeing awards ceremony, held at RAF Odiham in November 2022, has awarded Flt Lt Carl ‘Zak’ Zarecky the Boeing Lifetime Achievement award. This is in recognition of his dedication, professionalism, and selfless commitment over 25 years of service on the UK Chinook Force.

Over those years, Flt Lt Zarecky has achieved 5000 flying hours operating the Chinook, an achievement made more impressive being completed on a single aircraft type.

Operated across four Royal Air Force Squadrons, the Chinook is well known to RAF Benson & Odiham, with Flt Lt Zarecky also serving across the “Full Set” of Squadrons: 7, 18, 27 & 28 (AC). Not content with this, Flt Lt Zarecky has spent time as a chinook display pilot and utilised his experiences to teach future aircrews as an examiner before taking on Command Instrument Rating Examiner at Joint Helicopter Command Aviation Standards.

Away on operations he has operated in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, North Indian Ocean, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as exercises in Norway, The Falkland Islands and Morocco.

He is responsible, in his current role on 28 Sqn, for providing training to new and returning Qualified Helicopter Instructors (QHIs). This role allows Flt Lt Zarecky to impart his knowledge on the future instructors, ensuring that for years to come his impact will be truly felt right across the whole spectrum of Chinook operations.

All of us at 28 Sqn would like to pass on our congratulations to Zak for his achievement of this award!

Exercise BENSON BELFAST

Flt Lt Matthew Wright

On Wednesday 12 April 23, 11 members of 28 (AC) Sqn set sail for the river Thames to spend the day aboard HMS Belfast, learning about the history of the great warship, and the way of life for the sailors who lived and served as part of her crew.

Commissioned in 1939, HMS Belfast was one of 10 ‘townclass’ light cruisers built for the Royal Navy. Following this, her crew saw a wide array of action. Only two months later, HMS Belfast struck a German mine and suffered significant damage but fortunately was able to be repaired and returned to service. Later, she played a vital role in escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union in 1943, as well as taking part in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German battleship Scharnhorst. Perhaps most notably, she was involved

in the bombardment of the Normandy beaches prior to the D-Day landings in 1944. Having made our way aboard, the tour immediately hit a minor setback as it became apparent that despite the wealth of military experience in our group, no one could definitively identify whether we were stood at the front or the back of the ship. You’d think it would be obvious, but it all looks very similar when you’re up close, fortunately the team of Imperial War Museum volunteers were more than able to help us out (it was the

stern), and we continued our tour feeling suitably oriented. We first arrived at the gun turrets of HMS Belfast, and we were able to see first-hand the cramped working conditions that the crews had to endure whilst operating the 12 x 6-inch guns that bombarded German defenses during the D-Day landings. Capable of operating individually, firing a 52KG shell 23Km, each gun required a team of 7 sailors within the gun turret itself, as well as an even larger team in the hull of the ship below. Certainly not a job for the claustrophobic (or those keen on keeping their hearing).

As we ventured ever deeper inside, it became more evident why this ship could be described as a floating city, with a post office, a bakery, a surgery and a NAAFI all on board. This was impressive enough, but when

squeezed between the shell rooms, engine spaces and control rooms that made HMS Belfast a second world war fighting force we began to understand how impressive the ship was. The group were then able to listen to an interesting talk given by one of the volunteer guides at the Imperial War Museum, who gave a history of the Supermarine Walrus, the amphibious biplane that made up part of the ship’s arsenal. Known affectionately as ‘the shagbat’ (naturally... due to its likeness to a mythical bird who could fly in ever tightening

circles), this odd-looking aircraft was used mainly as a reconnaissance asset. Bridging the gap between the ancient technology of ‘standing on the tallest part of the ship and looking to the horizon’ and the new creation of RADAR, the Walrus gave HMS Belfast the ability to gain aerial intelligence during battle, able to spot other shipping and monitoring the accuracy of their own gunfire.

The Shagbat was at one point fitted with small depth charges, with the aim of it becoming an attacking force. However, apparently, it’s most notorious kill occurred during a training exercise where the crew spotted a school of cod, which they decided to use as target practice. One successful raid later... the crew had loaded the entire aircraft with fresh fish, ready to be taken back to a hungry HMS Belfast. Unable to fly due to the sheer number of fish in the fuselage, they were forced to taxi across the ocean 3 miles back to their ship!

The remainder of our time was spent touring the lower decks, seeing the various working areas of the ship including the engine bays, shell room and the bridge. Seeing how a crew of up to 880 sailors were able to live and operate in such a congested space was fascinating, and certainly gave much to think about. The team then re-grouped in a convenient local venue for some facilitated discussion on what we had seen, and some further reflection. Overall, the day proved to be a great success, allowing everyone to see an insight into Naval power, and experience something different from the day to day at 28 (AC) Sqn.

Padre’s Peace

Not to be served, but to serve

A young person: “Your Majesty, As children of the kingdom of God, we welcome you in the name of the King of kings.”

The King:

“In his name, and after his example, I come not to be served, but to serve.”

The first words the King said at his Coronation in Westminster Abbey on 6th May were about serving others, not being served. It was moving and humbling, surrounded by symbols of such vast wealth and privilege (the crown jewels are apparently estimated at being worth a mere £1.3 billion, containing several of the largest diamonds in the world), that “service” should be at the front and centre of the whole proceedings.

Perhaps because this ancient, enormous wealth was so obviously on display that I then paused for a moment and became, I must confess, somewhat cynical. I pondered how someone brought up in palaces and castles and waited on by vast swathes of staff was ever going “not to be served, but to serve.” Maybe you felt the same way? Perhaps you pondered what it was all about? Yes, the music was beautiful, yes the moment of anointing poignant and powerful, yes

Penny Mordaunt’s core strength clearly is gargantuan, holding an enormous 3.6kg ceremonial sword for 51 minutes, but what’s all the pomp and ceremony got to do with serving others?

At this point we need to do a little theology (Theos Greek, meaning “God”, logos Greek, meaning “study”). The Coronation ceremony was a study of God lasting two hours. When the young person welcomed King Charles “in the name of the King of kings”, he was referring to a term used to describe Jesus in the Bible’s Book of Revelation (19:16). And when Charles responded, he was quoting Jesus himself in the Bible’s Gospel of Mark (10:45), where Jesus talking about himself says, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Back in 1918, when the then RAF Chaplains’ Branch was being founded, someone who knew a bit of theology thought that “Not to be served, but to serve” would be a good motto for Padres. And so they got the Latin dictionaries out and came up with: “Ministrare, non ministrari.” I’m very pleased they did come up with that saying because it is a reminder to me of who I am supposed to be and how I am supposed to be. Jesus was a servant king who washed his followers’ feet, put others’ needs before himself, and, in the words of another Bible

passage “did not count his equality with God as something to be hung onto selfishly.” My job as a Padre is to listen to others, to respect all peoples, to offer advice and to speak the truth in love as a servant.

Then, long after 1918, someone in the RAF, looked at what our Core Values should be and came up with RISE: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence. “Service” is at the heart of who we are in the Royal Airforce (and Army and Royal Navy). In fact, so much so, that we talk about “The Services” and certain things being “Tri-Service”.

To serve in the UK Armed Forces is to live a life of service. It is an honourable, worthy and praiseworthy thing to serve others, as we all, together, help to make the world a better place. We do it not only for the money (“we’re in it for the outcome, not the income!”), nor the pomp and ceremony of uniforms, medals and salutes. We serve because it is our duty. Even when it is uncomfortable and difficult and long and hard. And we keep doing it, again and again, because we serve alongside some superb colleagues who look out for each other and support us through some difficult times. Whenever it seems too heavy to bear the burden, we know that the welfare teams, medical centres, chaplains and the chain of command are there to support and care. Please make sure you use us. We are here to help you serve well!

Ministrare

non ministrari, Padre Philip Wilson

A complete clean sweep from RAF Benson wining every single category.

WO Swinburne walk off

RAF Benson said farewell to WO Pete Swinburne after 38 years of exceptional service. Per tradition, Mr Swinburne was relieved of his headdress and MOD90, issued with a bowler hat and umbrella and marched off the unit for the last time by the Station Commander, Gp Capt Chris Royston-Airey.

RAF Judo Championships

Earlier this year, 22 Feb 23 to be exact, FS Jay O’Rourke from the Force Protection Training Flight (FPTF), Cpl Adam Melia from the Physical Education Flight (PEd Flt) and AS2 Karis HaughtonBrown from Engineering & Logistics Wing Logistics Supply Flight (ELW LSF) competed in the RAF Judo Championships held at RAF Cosford.

Between Jay and Adam they managed to win every single Mens category, and Karis won Gold in the Women’s senior category (black belt):

• Men’s Senior category (Black Belts) – Cpl Melia – Gold and this year’s Men’s RAF Judo Champion.

• Women’s Senior category – AS2 Haughton-Brown – Gold and this year’s Women’s RAF judo Champion.

• Masters’ category (Over 30s) – FS O’Rourke – Gold and this year’s RAF Judo Champion.

• Ne-Waza (Ground Fighting) –Cpl Melia – Gold and this year’s RAF Judo Champion - FS O’Rourke – Silver this year’s runner up.

All are fully committed to the Sport and have had great success over the last year with each of them all being selected to be part of the prestigious team events

at last year’s UK Armed Forces (UKAF) Championships on board HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Karis won Gold as part of the women’s Team and was crowned the UKAF Judo Champions. She went on to compete in the UKAF Team.

Jay won 2 silver medals at interservice level both in the Senior men’s and then master category.

Both Jay and Karis are soon to be awarded their sporting colours, and for his effort Adam achieved his 1st Dan (Black Belt), awarded it on 04 Feb 23.

All are now looking forward to this year’s UKAF Championships in June at Cosford with the RAF hosting the event.

If you would like to take part in RAF Judo all abilities are welcome including beginners, please get in touch with FS O’Rourke from the FPTF for more information.

Beginning his service as a carpenter and welder he has risen through the ranks within the Engineer Profession to be the RAF Benson Engineering Support Squadron Warrant

Officer at RAF Benson. His dedication to service and his team will be missed within the Squadron and the wider Station and we wish him the very best in his retirement from the service.

Mr Richard Wilson 25th Anniversary

Mr Rob Girling

Richard Wilson joined the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) 25 years ago on 27 Apr 1998, initially as a Chinook Ground School Instructor but soon moved to instruct on Merlin.

Richard taught the entirety of the RAF Merlin aircrew community from their inception in 2002 to finally closing their doors in 2019. He was a key figure in preparing the Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force to continue the Merlin tasking and also taught a myriad of International customers along the way; this has amounted to over 600 trainees.

In late 2019 he turned his attention back to Chinook and over the next 2 years taught 3 long courses and 11 short courses to add to his instructional tally.

He truly acts as a “force multiplier” within the MSHATF as he doubles up his Ground School duties with Instruction in the Merlin Simulator for our International customers.

He is a CRM/Human Factors instructor, Aircraft Performance Specialist, Flight Safety Rep and also shoulders the Publications burden for the MSHATF ensuring we are always up to date and ready for Support Helicopter Aviation Standards.

In short, it is fair to say that Richard’s impact upon the MSHATF, the Merlin and Chinook forces has been immense and profound. Please join all us at the MSHATF in congratulating Richard on achieving such a significant milestone of 25 years and wish him continued success supporting and delivering training in the future.

FS Jay O’Rourke

EXERCISE BELVEDERE ELW FORCE DEVLOPMENT ACTIVTIY

Sqn Ldr Karl Wright

On Tuesday 18 April personnel from across Engineering and Logistics Wing (20 representatives from Engineering Support Squadron, Logistics Support, Puma Depth Servicing Hub, Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and Engineering & Logistics Wing Headquarters) participated in Exercise BELVEDERE; a Force Development visit to Chatham Historic Docks, home to HMS Cavalier (the ship preserved as a memorial to the 142 Royal Navy Destroyers sunk during WW2). The aim of this Force Development visit was to gain a better understanding of the Brunei Revolt in 1962-63, study the lessons from this conflict and compare them with RAF Benson’s experience supporting 1563 Flt in Brunei today.

Why on earth did we travel the full length of the M25 to a former Naval Dockyard in Kent to learn about a ColdWar era confrontation in Southeast Asia you may ask?

It just so happened that HMS Cavalier and the Ship’s

company played a crucial role in the Brunei Revolt. As such, visiting HMS Cavalier (a veteran of the Brunei campaign) and subsequently learning of the role of the Naval Dockyard during the Cold-War was very apt.

With the aim of overthrowing the Sultan of Brunei and bringing the state under Indonesian influence, President Sukarno covertly trained and supported the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU - Bruneian far-left group). In December 1962 rebels from the TKNU attempted to capture the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan appealed to

Britain for help and protection. In fear of growing Communist influence in Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom Government responded swiftly. HMS Cavalier was ordered to proceed at high speed to Singapore. Upon arrival, troops of the Queen’s Own Highlanders, vehicles and stores embarked and sailed at full speed to help defend the Sultan and his Kingdom. On arrival off Brunei, she acted as communications HQ Ship and many members of the ship’s company guarded 400 rebels taken prisoner. British Forces would remain in Borneo throughout the

1960s in open confrontation with Indonesian Forces. Fast forward to today, British Forces are still in Brunei. The Garrison in Seria is home to 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles and (as we know) 1563 Flt provides aviation support of the Garrison and the Jungle Warfare Division. During the FD day, participants from ELW had the opportunity to tour not just HMS Cavalier, but also HMS Gannet (a Victorian Sloop that played a role protecting trade routes across the Empire) and HMS Ocelot (a diesel electric submarine launched in 1962 and the last warship built at Chatham). Touring HMS Ocelot, the group developed a solid respect for Royal Navy Submariners who had to endure very cramped and claustrophobic conditions when on patrol. The constant smell of diesel fumes combined with fellow crew not showering or bathing for up to 3 months whilst on patrol; the consensus was a robust ‘no thank-you, the Submarine service would not be for me!’. This aspect of the visit did indeed provide an appreciation for multi-domain operations.

In conclusion, members of ELW thoroughly enjoyed the visit and took a lot away from it. Learning not just about Joint operations in Brunei (which was the focus) but about how engineering and logistics functions were applied to project Maritime Power across the globe from the Second World War, Cold War periods (and before). Credit for a successful visit indeed needs to go to Flt Lt Anna Peters who went out of her way to organise this event.

Operation PELEDA

Flt Lt Rosie Spencer

A cold and snowy start to 2023 for JHSS who were tasked to support 18(B) Sqn on Operation PELEDA (PELEDA meaning Owl in Estonian, to represent JHC crest).

AMobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) deployed by road, 2 Mechanical Transport (2MT) Sqn conveniently affording a well earnt rest in Berlin on New Year’s Eve and by air.

Whilst most of the team were driving the MAOT-Leader, Flt Lt Spencer, was earning her Longer Separation Allowance (LSA) on the Cold Weather Operators Course (CWOC). By

no means an actual operator, the course is designed to give personnel the necessary skills and drills to survive in extremely low temperatures. The MAOT-L surviving in up to -20°c and waxing nostalgic about her den making youth. The rest of the teams CWOC can only be described as the Warm/ Wet Operators course, with a balmy 0°c as an average temperature. Whilst

that brought its own challenges, or lack of, the team were suitably prepared to survive (if required) in the Estonian wilderness- although they are not sure where the wild chickens would come from….

Once set up and established the team searched for tasking business. Thanks to a very proactive planning lead in the Headquarters, the connections with the armoured Battle Group were already made. The MAOT-L using these connections to hound the Royal Engineers for their bridges and an ex-Royal Artillery turned Chinook pilot, drumming up business with 19 Royal Artillery (RA) and their heavy mortar shells.

The early lifts provided a steep learning curve for working in extreme cold temperatures and working with unusual and novel underslung loads that both the crew and the MAOT had never worked with before. Working on icy surfaces in the initial lifts provided the MAOT-L on comms much entertainment watching an Air Trooper get stuck on a patch of ice and just spin in circles. In a

deployment with multiple novel loads the Combat Support Bridge (CSB) became the Operations Bread and Butter. Weighing around 7 tonnes and longer than the chinook itself, it provided an excellent training opportunity for the Royal Engineers, Operating Crew and the MAOT. Whilst, in theory, we all understood wind chill and how it might expose the team to some very low temperatures, it wasn’t until the team were under the disk, with a chinook pulling full torque and a 7 tonne CSB at head height did the team realise how cold, cold could get under 100mph winds in -5°c!

Exercise WINTER CAMP was the Operation CABRIT’s Battle Group main effort. The Headquarters hard work and dodgy salesman technique ensured that the Chinook detachment were locked in with 10 days straight of multiple tasks in support of multiple nations- somewhat a ‘victim’ of their own success. Perhaps the deployed JHSS Cpl most memorable moment when the

French Commandos arrived with 2 ISO containers full of stores.

Flashbacks to his time in Mali where Under Slung Loads (USLs) often exceeded the planned for weight, the fear in his face was palpable as the ISO doors opened. Thankfully, the stores provided an excellent learning opportunity for our more junior members of the team to work out how to get 3 tonnes of wood and 3 tonnes of water and rations into nets and fly them 10 nautical miles East.

10 days later, a tired and weary team headed back to

Amari Air Base ready for some Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) recces. The MAOT-L was fortunate enough to travel around most of Estonia including, most notably, the Islands to the West Hiiumaa and Saaremaa, well worth a visit (no I am not sponsored by Lonely Planet).

The final flourish for the MAOT was a 1000km round trip to Poland to support the Royal Lancers lifting a Jackal 2 and Panther. Tactical Supply Wing (TSW) putting a shift in driving an Oshkosh Truck, Support Vehicles (SV) and Land Rover this distance and more to enable the lift.

Speed Awareness 20 is Plenty

Sgt Tim Marshall

The Road Safety team here at RAF Benson are always actively trying to reduce risk and injury to all personnel living on and visiting the Camp. All roads on the Domestic and Technical Sites are governed by a 20mph limit, this is a safety control measure keeping vehicles at a predictable safety margin.

In the distance a car travelling at 20mph can stop, a similar car travelling at 30mph, will still be doing 24mph within the same time. From data gathered from National and International Road Safety sources, on average, a person is around 5 times more likely to be killed when involved in an RTC with a vehicle travelling at 30mph than one travelling at the reduced speed of 20mph – ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

The introduction of two Speed Indication Devices (SID) Signs at Benson gives drivers a displayed speed while travelling through its radar. This device can also store data from each passing vehicle for future trend analysis.

Across Great Britain, 30mph zones will be replaced with a default 20mph limit. In built up areas and cities this will reduce

collisions by 40% saving 6 to 10 lives every year and avoiding 2000 injuries involving vehicles travelling at over the 20mph limit.

You may have already noticed Local speed limits in Benson village, Ewelme and parts of Wallingford adopt the Twenty’s Plenty approach to speeding.

In March 2023, Chancellor Andrew Grant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management approved 9 changes across Oxfordshire with implementation being seen by drives from April, this included the full length of Benson High Street. A benefit in kind of a reduction in speed is a reduction in vehicle emissions. New research from engineering consultants, ‘Future Transport’, models the impact of capping speeds at 20mph vs. 30mph. This “real life” modelling takes account of the stop/start nature of urban traffic yields, these differ dramatically from traditional steady-state models. It shows significant reductions in emissions: CO2 lower by 26% and NOx 28% lower. With UK hosting COP26, campaigners are calling on governments to set 20mph or 30km/h limits as national urban/village defaults.

HIVE

HIVE – The HIVE Information Officer, Mrs Janine AnstyBridges is situated between in the Community Centre where a warm welcome awaits you.

The RAF Benson HIVE Service supports the Chain of Command and tri-Service community through the provision of up to date and relevant information.

RAF HIVE Information Officer can provide an extensive range of information on relocation, local facilities, schools and further education, housing, healthcare facilities, employment and training

COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM

Community Support Officer

Meg Wickett

BEN-BSW-CDO@mod.gov.uk

Station Community Support Officer

WO Phil Withey

BEN-BSW-SCSO@mod.gov.uk

Padre 1

Rev (Sqn Ldr) Paul Stephens paul.stephens104@mod.gov.uk

Padre 2

Revd (Sqn Ldr) Philip Wilson Philip.Wilson126@mod.gov.uk

Chaplaincy Clk

Mrs Sharon Waters sharon.waters934@mod.gov.uk

Stn Youth Worker

Hannah Wilson

Hannah.Wilson@oneymca.org

Personal and Family Support Worker

Deborah Wise

Deborah.wise@ssafa.org.uk

Personal and Family Support Worker

Faye Grant Faye.grant@ssafa.org.uk

opportunities. Information on future relocations is one of the key areas of information support and is available either in advance or on arrival at the receiving unit. RAF HIVE staff are also involved in providing Operational deployment support, including distributing deployment support resources.

If you would like to contact me, please email BEN-BSW-HIO@ mod.gov.uk or call 01491 827213.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

WEEKLY PLANNER

Stn Church Morning Prayer every Mon – Fri 0830 – 0900, every Thursday Catalyst Christian Bible Group from 1800 – 1930.

For more information email: BEN-BSW-Chaplaincy@ mod.gov.uk

Welfare Administrator

Kathy Porat Kathy.porat@ssafa.org.uk

Social Work Team Lead

Amy Suttling Amy.suttling@ssafa.org.uk

Social Work Regional Manager

Joanne Harper Joanne.harper@ssafa.org.uk

WELCOME TO RAF

BENSON GATHERING

Are you newly arrived into station and want to meet the Station Community Support Team? Why not pop along to the Common Room, right hand side of the Shuttleworth Mess for a free coffee and followed by a windscreen tour of the Station. Open to everyone.

The Community Support Team will be there every 1st Wednesday of every month from 1000 – 1130.

We look forward to meeting you all soon.

PLAYGROUPS

Little Cherubs

Structured Playgroup

Sessions run every Monday and Thursday morning from 0930 – 1130 in the Soft Play Area, Community Centre.

Oxfordshire

Play Association

Sessions run every Tuesday 1000 -1200 in the Soft Play Area, Community Centre and Saturdads runs every other Saturday.

For more information email: BEN-BSW-HIO@mod.gov.uk

AIRPLAY GROUPS

Ben Club

Session run every Tuesday from 1615 – 1730 for children aged 5 – 8 years.

Inters Youth Club

Session runs every Tuesday 1800 – 2000 for children aged 12+

Airplay Juniors

Session runs every Wednesday from 1630 – 1800 for children aged 8 – 10 years.

Airplay Forum

Session runs every Wednesday from 1830 – 1930.

For more information regarding these groups, email: Hannah.Wilson@oneymca.org

SCOUTING GROUPS

Cubs

Group runs every Monday from 1830 -2000 for children aged 8 – 10.5 years.

Beavers

Group runs every Tuesday from 1800 – 1930 for children aged 6 – 8 years.

Scouts

Group runs every Wednesday from 1830 – 2030 for children aged 10.5 – 14 years.

Explorers

Group runs every Friday from 1900 – 2100 for children aged 14 – 18 years.

For more information about scouting, email: Raf-benson@ thameschilternscouts.org.uk

WEEKLY CLINICS

Mortgage Advice Clinic

Appointments held fortnightly on Thursdays with representatives of Lexion Financial Services.

Solicitor Clinic

Appointments held every alternate Wednesdays with Richard Rodway from the Head Partnership in Henley.

To book an appointment, please contact the HIVE Information Officer on Ext 7213 or email: BEN-BSW-HIO@mod.gov.uk

GIRLGUIDING GROUPS

Rainbows – 1700 – 1815

Brownies – 1800 – 1930

Guides – 1800 – 1930 Groups runs every Thursday.

For more details email: yvetteandduncan@btinternet.com

STATION CINEMA

Friday - 1930 – Adults Only

Saturday - 1000 – Open to all Sunday 1400 – Open to all

For more information email: BEN-CinemaClub@mod.gov.uk

THRIFT SHOP

Monday – 0930 – 1130

Tuesday 0830 – 1030

Wednesday 0930 – 1130

First Saturday of every month – 1000 – 12-00

For more information email: Simon.Bird869@mod.gov.uk

Ceramics Club

Monday 1830 – 20.30, email: Jennifer.brown323@mod.gov.uk

Oxfordshire Mind

Tuesday 0830 – 1630 email: RAFBENSON@ oxfordshiremind.org.uk

BROGA

Tuesday - 1200 – 1300, Bookings through the Myzone App via the gym.

Military Wives Choir

Wednesday 1900 – 2045 Held in the church benson@militarywiveschoir.org

Inter-Service

History

for the Benson Telemark Duo

Wg Cdr Alexa Smyth

The Inter Services Ski and Snowboard Competition (ISSSC) 2023 in Meribel, France, saw the first ever inclusion of women’s telemark racing. It was a historic year for women’s telemark and the first time a married couple have competed in the event. It was a hugely successful event for the growing RAF women’s team too.

Wing Commander Adam Shave, Chief of Staff - RAF Benson, and Flt Lt Sarah Shave, 606 RAuxAF Sqn ATC Officer – RAF Benson, have been telemarking together for 5 years, but this is the first time they have both competed in the full competition together; with Sarah finishing an impressive second in the overall women’s competition. They are both hoping to encourage more athletes to come and try the sport.

“Telemark is similar to alpine skiing but with a free heel. It is the original form of skiing that is growing in popularity, and we have a great development pathway in place this year. “It’s fun, a great challenge and not as

hard as people think” said RAF Telemark Chairman Wg Cdr Shave. The sport of telemark sees athletes racing in a single multidiscipline event that includes giant slalom skiing, a jump, and skate skiing, making it something of a unique challenge to participants.

several beginner evening events taking place at Milton Keynes Snozone over the coming months and a long weekend at SnowWorld Landgraaf in June. If you are interested in finding out more about telemark training opportunities this summer, contact inforaftelemark@gmail.com.

The RAF Telemark team have

Flt Lt Shave

"

"The support and camaraderie within the Telemark community is brilliant and to have an RAF women’s team at this year’s event was a real milestone

T H E G E O R G E

h o t e l - t a v e r n b a r - b i s t r o

T H E H E A R T O F W A L L I N G F O R D

T h e G e o r g e h o t e l s t a n d s t a l l a n d p r o u d ; l o c a t e d o n t h e h i g h s t r e e t i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e b u s t l i n g m a r k e t t o w n W a l l i n g f o r d . A s y o u w a l k a r o u n d , y o u w i l l n o t i c e s u b t l e r e m i n d e r s o f t h e h i s t o r i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e t h a t o u r e s t a b l i s h m e n t h o l d s . F r o m t h e f a m o u s T e a r - D r o p r o o m t o o u r n e w l y d e c o r a t e d B a l l r o o m f o r p r i v a t e h i r e , t h e r e ' s a s t o r y t o b e t o l d a t e v e r y c o r n e r .

B u t t h a t ' s n o t a l l w e h a v e t o o f f e r ! W i t h t hi r t y - n i n e b e a u t i f u l l y d e c o r a t e d b e d r o o m s a v a i l a b l e f o r g u e s t s , T h e G e o r g e H o t e l i s t h e p e r f e c t p l a c e f o r a r e l a x i n g n i g h t a w a y o r a p o t e n t i a l v e n u e f o r y o u r d r e a m w e d d i n g d a y .

A n d l e t ' s n o t f o r g e t a b o u t o u r m o u t h - w a t e r i n g n e w s u m m e r m e n u a n d f a b u l o u s r a n g e o f b e v e r a g e s t h a t c a t e r t o a l l t a s t e s t h e y c a n b e e n j o y e d i n o u r w o n d e r f u l s u n t r a p c o u r t y a r d . M a k e s u r e y o u c o m e a n d t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e w a r m w e a t h e r i n o u r b e a u t i f u l o u t d o o r s p a c e .

D o n ' t m i s s o u t o n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o i n d u l g e i n o u r d e l i c i o u s a f t e r n o o n t e a w i t h P r o s e c c o , o r t o e x p l o r e t h e h i s t o r i c a l c h a r m o f o u r e s t a b l i s h m e n t . A n d w i t h t h e s e c o n d p h a s e o f b e d r o o m r e n o v a t i o n s d u e t o b e g i n s o o n , t h e r e ' s e v e n m o r e r e a s o n t o s t a y w i t h u s .

T r e a t y o u r s e l f t o a n u n f o r g e t t a b l e e x p e r i e n c e a t T h e G e o r g e H o t e l , b o o k y o u r s t a y o r v i s i t n o w a n d d i s c o v e r t he c h a r m o f W a l l i n g f o r d ' s h i s t o r i c h i g h s t r e e t g e m .

Students who attend the boarding school provision exceed their predicted outcomes and consistently reach, and further, their potential OFSTED BOARDING INSPECTION REPORT 2019

For Open Events please visit www.gordons.school

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