Winter Is Coming? - It's Here All Year

WINTER IS COMING? – IT’S HERE ALL YEAR!

Chf Tech Chris Edgar, CTS

By the time you read this the Winter Olympics in Beijing would have closed and now be a fading memory. You may have been inspired by Katie Ormerod and James Woods in the freestyle or Billy Major in the slalom events, or at least thought ‘that looks like fun’ (spoiler alert; it is). Not all winter sports are throwing yourself off ridiculous jumps or speeding through gates – although, if the thought of that floats your boat then there are a couple of RAF Squad managers who are always on the lookout for new talent! Skiing and snowboarding can offer many benefits, from improved flexibility, strength, and promoting a sense of well-being as well as being a social sport. At RAF Halton we have a popular Winter Sports club, and we are lucky to have The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead on our doorstep providing a yearround winter with its indoor 160m ski slope along with the largest nursery slope in the UK, and while the main slope is not massive compared to the Alps the snow is of great consistency and well looked after so it’s awesome to learn on or just keep your ski legs in shape before your next trip. The main aim of the club is to introduce new skiers and snowboarders to the sport. At a basic level, we can offer advice and support to beginners, but of a more practical nature, we can enrol you into classes and provide funding to subsidise lessons and practice time at Hemel. This is supported through funding from the gym as well as the RAF Winter Sports Alpine Association’s (RAFWSAA) grassroots project. The Snow Centre also has a promotional code for RAF members which will offer 20% off all activities

Station Snippets Lessons on the nursery slope. by using RAF20 during the online booking process. RAFWSAA are the association that looks after RAF skiing, snowboard and telemark, and they focus on holding two annual events which RAF Halton attends: The Indoor Championships and exercise ALPINE CHALLENGE. The Indoors event is held in Milton Keynes’ SnoZone indoor slope and consists of ski slalom races and snowboard freestyle events as well as the opportunity to undertake lessons; it’s held every September and opens the Lessons on main slope. Association’s winter season. Ex ALPINE CHALLENGE is the highlight of the calendar - two weeks in SaalbachHinterglemm, Austria, attended by roughly 800 RAF personnel. It’s open to every ability and the Whole Force including partners. Beginners can have a weeks’ worth of lessons for £10 or for those wanting to improve their skills, the prices reflect a massive saving.

RAFWSAA Instructors.

Snowboard freestyle contest.

2nd week students before their first race.

Students enjoying the sun.

Traditionally, when the term ‘Championships’ are associated with an event people tend to think they are not good enough to attend; in the alpine world nothing could be further from the truth – these events are aimed squarely at beginners and intermediates, and for those who venture off the nursery slopes, all competitions are scaled to their abilities. But the event is not all about lessons and competing - you can choose to just have access to the 270km of 100% snow-sure slopes on your doorstep that Saalbach-Hinterglemm offers.

And while we have had RAF Halton members competing in the winter Olympics, this year the closest event to you reading this will be ALPINE CHALLENGE 2.0; although the original twoweek exercise in January was cancelled due to Covid, this smaller event at the beginning of March will still allow for learners and racers alike to get onto real snow. Hopefully, the small contingent of Team Halton will still be buzzing from their week in Austria, maybe with some medal bling in their pocket, and looking forward to the ‘Indoors’ this September. If you feel like strapping some wood (one plank or two) to your feet and joining us, please get in touch and drop Chf Tech Chris Edgar a line on chris. edgar984@mod.gov.uk

Community and Charity SSAFA, SO GOOD!

Sgt Baz Michel, RTS PEd

SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association) has been providing practical, emotional, and financial support for Armed Forces personnel and their families since 1885. The focus is on helping the person behind the uniform; from the newest recruit to the oldest veteran – no one’s service is ever forgotten. SSAFA aims to provide hope, guidance, and personal support wherever, and for as long as, it is needed to get a person’s life back to where they want it to be.

Following a hiatus due to C19, the RAF Halton SSAFA Service Committee reformed in Autumn 2021, led by the then Chair, Flt Lt Patel (OC ADF). With volunteers from a range of sections on unit, the committee set about raising the profile of SSAFA along with much needed funds, spurred on by the thought that any money raised would be used to support members of our Station community. Help quickly appeared, with people from around the unit offering to run a variety of charity events, raising money on behalf of SSAFA. The Big Sleep Out, organised by members of RTS & IFPT (see the winter edition of Mainpoint for full details), kicked things off in November, raising over £900 to support the work of SSAFA and Centre Point.

Next the Chaplaincy Team stepped forward, offering to host the annual Christmas Concert at St George’s on behalf of SSAFA. The evening was due to see performances by the RAF Halton Voluntary Band and the Halton Military Wives Choir; however, due to Covid the Band had to withdraw at short notice. Undeterred the Choir quickly adapted their set, delivering rousing renditions of Christmas carols and modern classics to an audience of over 100 people from the unit and the local community. Having sung their hearts out, everyone refuelled afterward with mulled wine and mince pies kindly donated by Sodexo. Whilst the event was free, those in attendance showed their appreciation for a wonderful evening during the retiring collection, raising £374. Ever generous, the Chaplaincy boosted this to £500 from the Church Collection Fund.

In the lead up to Christmas, Cpls Rob Taylor and Will Walker (IFPT) organised a charity 5-a-side football tournament. In an afternoon

of no holds barred action, ten teams from across the station battled it out at the Burnett Gym. Following many hardfought matches, a team of PTIs from the Finlay Gym were finally crowned the victors. But the real winner was SSAFA, with the event raising £173 in entry fees and fines!

We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who ran, took part in, or supported these events. If you have been inspired to help others, you can help make a difference by donating, running or supporting SSAFA fundraising events, becoming a Community Volunteer or joining our Service Committee. We would encourage serving personnel, regular or reserve, veterans, family members and members of the local community to consider volunteering. To find out more please contact the new Chair of RAF Halton SSAFA Service Committee Fg Off Behrens (RTS) – Emma. Behrens103@mod.gov.uk, or alternatively visit ssafa.org.uk.