Winter 2015
Wycombe The Magazine of RAF High Wycombe
Autumn 2023
World
IN THIS ISSUE: O N E S T E P C A N TA K E YO U FA R | E V E R Y T H I N G C O M E S I N T H R E E S | SCOUTING FOR SUCCESS!
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Key things to consider when choosing your Lasting Power of Attorney When it comes to planning ahead for the future, one important decision you need to make is choosing your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Under UK law, an LPA is an essential legal document that grants someone the authority to make decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so.
Seeking legal advice
We advise to seek advice from a legal professional when creating an LPA. Solicitors specialising in Wills, Trusts and Probate can offer valuable guidance throughout the process. They will help you complete the appropriate forms, clarify legal terms, and ensure the document is properly executed.
Wills, Trusts and Probate Partner at Blaser Mills Law, Minesh Thakrar, outlines key things to consider How Blaser Mills Law can help when appointing your LPA. At Blaser Mills Law we understand the importance of putting the right planning in place Before delving into the process, it’s crucial to for the future. Our team of Wills, Trusts and understand the concept of the Lasting Power Probate solicitors are experts in the field and of Attorney. There are two types: Property and work with clients to find the best solutions for Financial Affairs LPA, which grants someone them and their families. authority over your finances, and Health and Welfare LPA, which empowers someone to make About Minesh decisions regarding your healthcare and personal At Blaser Mills Law we understand the welfare. UK law specifies that the person chosen as importance of putting the right planning in place your LPA must be at least 18 years old and have the for the future. Our team of Wills, Trusts and mental capacity to make informed decisions. Probate solicitors are experts in the field and
Key things to consider
Trustworthiness and reliability: Your chosen LPA should be someone you trust, as they will have access to your financial and personal information. Consider their ability to act in your best interests. Availability: Select someone who is local to you, as they may need to visit you regularly, attend meetings on your behalf, or manage your affairs in person. Accessibility is crucial for a smooth decision-making process. Compatibility: Ensure your LPA understands your values, beliefs, and preferences regarding healthcare and financial matters. They should be able to make decisions that align with your wishes when you cannot express them yourself. Financial responsibility: If appointing an LPA for property and financial affairs, choose someone with good financial responsibility. They should be capable of managing your assets, paying bills, and making informed financial decisions in your best interests. Communication skills: Effective communication is vital between you, your LPA, and other parties involved. Select an individual who can effectively convey your wishes and instructions to medical professionals, financial institutions, and family members.
work with clients to find the best solutions for them and their families.
To speak to one of our Wills, Trusts and Probate solicitors about executing a Lasting Power of Attorney, please contact Minesh Thakrar on 01494781366 or mit@blasermills.co.uk. For more information, visit: blasermills.co.uk
Station Commander’s Foreword Wing Commander Dennis
Editorial Team OIC: Fg Off Beth Dunning, ext 3019 Editor: Cpl Sam Butler, ext 4101 Mailbox: HWY-EditorWycombeWorld@ mod.gov.uk Photographer: SAC Nathan Cooper, ext 4533 All articles are to be in ‘Word’ format with separate JPEG images. Designer: Amanda Robinson Email: amanda@lancemediagroup.co.uk Advertising: Sally Email: sally@lancemedia.co.uk Published by: Lance Media Group Ltd 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Rd, Kettering, NN16 8NL Tel: (01536) 334222 Fax: (01536) 515481 Email: mike@lancemediagroup.co.uk Printed By: Micropress
Submission Deadline... All articles for the Issue 4 2023 Edition to be sent to the Editor no later than 23rd October 2023 to samuel.butler105@mod. gov.uk. Please send all articles as a word document with all photos and images imbedded with in the article.
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That population has increased over the Summer through the introduction of the Station’s first ever beehive, designed to increase our biodiversity footprint and support our own community of bees who have such a vital role in supporting life on our planet. Most people probably don’t know that the ‘Father of English Beekeeping’, Charles Butler, was born in Wycombe over four hundred years ago and so it seems doubly appropriate that we should now be following in his footsteps.
n spite of just having had the hottest September day on record, I think that for most of us Summer is now In July, the Station was drawing to a close. I do hope honoured to host Air Vicethat you and your families were able to enjoy some well- Marshal Suraya Marshall, Air Officer Commanding No deserved downtime but am 2Gp, who conducted our conscious that some of our people will have spent the last Annual Formal Inspection. couple of months supporting In a packed agenda, the AOC had the opportunity to operations or exercises in meet a number of Station various parts of the world. As personnel and to see firstI reflect on my first year as Station Commander, I continue hand some of the support provided to personnel and to be impressed by the breadth and depth of activity families. This included visits to the RAFA Kidz nurseries, undertaken at RAF High the Airplay Youth Club, Wycombe, and much further and a tour of our Nepalese afield, by all those that my Heritage Centre which has team are here to support.
just celebrated its first anniversary. Finally, the AOC took part in a Town Hall Q&A with Station personnel and presented a variety of awards at the Station Honours & Awards Ceremony. With a focus on tomorrow’s leaders, we ran the Junior Leadership Course for the first time in over a year – congratulations to the eight individuals who successfully completed the course which is designed to prepare our junior aviators for JNCO roles. Further details are available from the Station Training Officer for others who might be interested in the four-day course. Regardless of what the British weather may be doing, I always think that for the Royal Air Force at least, our commemorations around the Battle of Britain mark the transition from Summer to Autumn. And so, as we remember the sacrifice of the Few, and the service of the Many, I wish you and your families the very best for the new season. Non Sibi
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WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
Editor’s Welcome
CONTENTS AUTUMN 2023
Cpl Sam Butler
07 Hope Is All Power For Legood 10 One Step Can Take You Far
What a summer…!
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s the nights draw in and the Autumnal drizzle forms, we can content ourselves with a summer well spent – and this is particularly reflected in the wonderful issue of Wycombe World which we can proudly present to you, the reader. I claimed in the previous foreword that I did not have a child. This has turned out to be untrue with my wife surprising me in late June, however, rest assured, the boy comes a distant second in comparison to the love I feel for this bumper publication. We’ve got another round of sports and clubs updates, in particular Dani Mills reflections of the Yoga sessions she runs in the Oakeshott centre as well as the yearly “Its a Knockout!” CO’s Cup outing. Our head reporter, Mr. Laurence Parker continues to astound, interviewing the seemingly unstoppable Ken Ivory and the Chaplain-in-Chief & Archdeacon for the RAF, The Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood. I mean, what else could you want?
11 David Lyu: Back Standing To Attention After 67 Years! 12 Putting Paddy In The Picture 13 Annual Formal Inspection 2023 15 Junior Leadership Course 15 Inter Mess Annual Games Night 16 The End Of The World Is Just The Beginning 17 Staying Safe 10 Years On... 18 Royal Star & Garter "Brew for Two" 19 Everything Comes In Threes! 21 RAF High Wycombe Visits The BT Tower 22 Scouting For Success! However, it's not all good news. Very sadly, RAF High Wycombe has had to say goodbye to Sergeant Cat Beaver & Corporal Lucy Gunson who have both been posted onto what will almost certainly be browner pastures. Given how much those two gave to the station, and how many charity events they organised, it seemed only right and proper that we dedicate the final article to them. Vox Pop
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23 A Knockout Day 23 What's The Buzz At RAF HIVE-Wycombe? 24 RAF Inter-Station T20 Cup Final 24 Model Making and Table Top Gaming Club 25 A Year Of Yoga 26 RAF High Wycombe Station Champs 3rd August - Harleyford Golf Club 26 Limbering Up For New Posts
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The views expressed by the contributors to the Wycombe World are not necessarily those of the Editor, MoD, RAF or the publishers and do not reflect Station policy. All precautions are taken to ensure accuracy. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This magazine is published by kind permission of the Station Commander.
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He may have wanted to take another path away from the church, but one watershed conversation brought our Chaplain-in-Chief & Archdeacon for the RAF, The Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood back into the service of others.
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HOPE IS ALL POWER FOR LEGOOD
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as it fate or destiny? I caught up with our buoyant padre to find out more. When we meet the chief is in jovial form. The eyes of numerous past Chaplainsin-Chief gaze down on us from the portraits that adorn his comfortable office – an emblem of the importance of religion in the RAF since World War One. Brenda, his indomitable PA serves us tea – “Brenda is the real boss here. She keeps me sane,” said the chief, taking a biscuit and tipping a mischievous wink. It is clear that they make a good team. It is a warm day, the clerical collar is loosened, and conversation starts to flow. The chief was the first in his family to take the cloth. As a boy he had attended the local church and sang in the choir whilst growing up in Maidstone, Kent before he took Religious Studies at A Level, leading to Divinity at King’s College, London. “If the family were surprised, they never showed it. It didn't seem unnatural,” he said. Many have a strong sense of calling that guides them to the church. Not so Giles Legood. “It wasn't a calling in the sense of a light bulb moment. It was more of a nudging towards it being the right thing to do. It can come through other people making suggestions or reinforcing what you were thinking as much as a bolt from the sky. Someone at university asked if I had ever thought about turning my collar round the other way. I hadn’t but when they had said it, it made perfect sense.” The irony was WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
that the very same person who suggested it later took up the chaplaincy in the RAF! However, for The Venerable Dr the path to a career in the church was not so straightforward. He left his university course after his interest waned – “It wasn’t for me, and the church wasn’t for me. I wasn’t angry about it.” He later secured a post at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, for two years, as a tour guide and verger – believing it to be an interesting role rather than for any religious affiliation. With the Old Bailey round the corner, many would come into the cathedral to await their court time, including one lady who was due to testify in her rape trial. A chance encounter with her began a conversation that would last for four hours and change his life. “I started to think that I could do this after all. This could be the right thing to me for me. It was really a confirmation or a nudge that it does make sense and I felt that I was quite good at doing that. I felt it was something I could be suited for.” And so began the road back to ordination. Life as a civilian clergyman for fifteen years
followed including periods at the University of London and local parishes. By the age of forty he had been an RAF Reservist for four years (he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s 600 Sqn in 2004 as the first ever RAF reservist chaplain) and sensed a need for change. For the last sixteen years he has been a regular and never looked back, relishing his time in the Service. “If I didn’t enjoy it, I would probably be doing a bad job.” So, what is the most enjoyable part of his current role? “It’s the diversity of people. I have the chance to have conversations with senior people who can really affect change. I enjoyed being a station chaplain, and now it’s the same sort of experience – just on a different level,” said the chief, candidly. And the least enjoyable? “Hearing the frustrations of service personnel. It is often due to lack of resources that a person has not been able to thrive in the way that we’d hoped.” Taking a service in the calm sanctity of a church, robed
and preaching the gospel is a common perception for many when they think of the clergy. But for those chaplains in service the reality is very different. Many attend war zones, standing shoulder to shoulder and enduring the same harsh conditions as other service personnel. The chief cites his toughest assignment to date – and the most rewarding - as his three-month tour at the Camp Bastion hospital, Afghanistan in 2013. The days were often brutal, where he witnessed death and life changing injuries on a daily basis. “It was challenging for me, but I really loved being part of that team because everyone was working long hours seven days a week clearly making a difference and it was also one of the most fulfilling. If you ask me tomorrow if I would go and do it all again, I would bite your hand off.“ “Very often you are a sponge who soaks things up. People come to talk about a faith or non-faith matter. None of us have a magic wand. All you can do is listen, be empathetic, question them and make suggestions rather than giving them answers.” WW: 7
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War regularly welcomes death and destruction. So how does a chaplain reconcile his peace-loving beliefs with a warzone and all its associated brutality? “War is always a failure. A failure of human communication. But I'm not a pacifist. I think the church and Christians should be involved in the dark and dirty places in the world as well as the great places. I reconcile it by thinking warfare is ugly, but we can do it in a reasonable way using a minimum amount of force and being compassionate. Sometimes war is necessary. In Afghanistan it was sadly necessary.” The relationship that many chaplains have with their faith can alter over the years for any number of reasons. Is the chief ’s faith still as strong as when he was first ordained? “In the thirty-one years since ordination I would say it was different. I would be surprised if it didn't change. People develop and mature in all different sorts of ways and life experiences must affect that. In terms of questioning your faith, I think there are always peaks and troughs.”
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In terms of his main wish for the future of the church, The Venerable Dr is resolute; for it to be more gentle and less judgemental. The ordination of females into the clergy and recognition of same sex unions “is all for the good. But it is on a journey.” Free time for the busy chief may be in short supply, but he still retains links with his old alma mater, King’s College where he has devoted twenty years to their numerous charities, as well as being vice-chair of their Research & Ethics Committee. In May he was appointed a Fellow for his services. Honours have peppered the padre’s life, including an MBE in 2014 for his spiritual help to numerous units during his tour of Afghanistan – the first honour given to a serving chaplain since the Second World War. “I had no idea it was coming. So much of the chaplain’s work is hidden and private, so it is nice to be publicly recognised. I see it as an award for chaplains in general,” said the chief, humbly. For the man who counts listening to the radio on his drive home as his method to shed the stresses of the day, and being surrounded by normal, suburban people to keep him grounded, his ambitions for the future are simple; to be happy, healthy and a good husband and father. “Always be approachable whether a young or senior chaplain, always be approachable.”
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In his quieter moments whilst on tour the chief often felt apprehensive. “You have to be in tune with your emotions and act accordingly. If you weren’t scared you would be a fool really,” commented the chief. Although a chaplain is often visited upon for their wisdom and advice, I was impressed by the padre’s fallibility and the fact that he too is only human; “I remember my first night in Iraq and someone was going out on patrol, and he came to talk to me about being frightened. I thought ‘you're not the only one.’ I didn't tell him that, but I felt the same way. If you show some vulnerability as well, I think service people react to that.”
Although he may dispense advice, what is the best tip he has been given? “A clergyman told me to never handle the same piece of paper twice. If you have a request and you have five minutes, then get it done. Not only are you lightning your in-tray, but you are also helping the requestor. You are being pastoral to them. You are being a good colleague and I feel I'm being a good chaplain in turning it around quickly so never handle the same piece of paper twice. And I do try and stick to that.” For the young chaplain, fresh to the RAF, what advice would stand them in good stead? “Say your prayers, work hard, turn up to things and hopefully you will be effective. You really must try and enjoy it. I pray every day.” “I often crack a smile or crack a joke. You can't be too serious, sometimes it depends on the situation. You always have to have a sense of proportion.”
There is something innately calming about The Venerable Dr Giles Legood. He has reached the top of his profession with no sense of ego or self-importance. Being the Chaplain-in-Chief was never the end goal. He may say that like life, it just happened. But he is where he is not by accident, but by being a fundamentally decent man. Equally content being a station chaplain, he will happily revert to being a vicar at a local parish when his tenure as the chief ends in four years’ time – maybe even singing in the choir as he once did as a boy back in Kent. In war he has witnessed more than any man should and seen lives irrevocably change. This could scar many, but what the padre exudes is hope – an overwhelming sense that there is good in the world if you take the time to find it. My appointment with the chief has come to an end. So, was it fate or destiny that the good padre’s life was steered back to the church? Talking to the man I would argue destiny. With his mixture of patience, understanding and fortitude his cassock, like the role of Chaplain-in-Chief sits comfortably on his shoulders. I leave his office more enriched than I ever imagined. Affable, down-to-earth and honest, he makes you feel important. What a gift. Laurence Parker, MCO WW: 9
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ONE STEP CAN TAKE YOU FAR You cannot fail to like Jo Sangwin.
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he effervesces with her passion for life and her exuberant personality is infectious. But her path in life has not always been so cheerful and the bumps in her road have been many, including a diabetes diagnosis at just twenty-four years old. “At the time I found the whole thing catastrophic,” said the High Wycombe based OSW CySqn Co-ord. Working as an NHS nurse at the time, she would take patients down to their diabetes appointments, quietly thinking to herself that it all looked very hard and unrelenting. Little did she know that she would be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a few months later. In Type 1 diabetes insufficient insulin is produced because the body’s immune system attacks the islet cells in the pancreas that makes insulin. As a result, glucose (or sugar) levels in the blood can become too high. Its onset is not linked to age or being overweight. Jo believes she contracted the illness through her first pregnancy where she was prescribed insulin and told it would probably go away after her baby was born. When she ceased taking insulin after the birth her weight fell to just six stone, “….and my body was essentially eating itself,’” said Jo in disbelief. The telltale signs of excessive thirst also affected her – “it really is horrific; I would drink a pint of water and then do another. I was put back on insulin and that’s how it’s been ever since.” Living with an ailment that has no known cure is one thing. Accepting it is another. “I accepted it far quicker than I thought I would, but I have had moments of denial. With a busy life you don’t always have time to check your blood sugars or remember
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to take your insulin before mealtimes. I did become a little kamikaze about it which was foolish. But I do believe every diabetic goes through that.” Each day Jo walks a tightrope to ensure that she achieves the correct dose of insulin at the right time – especially before meals. Too much or too little could be fatal. A discreet sensor on her arm will alert her through her mobile phone if the level becomes too high. It may affect her life, but she refuses to let it dominate her life; “I crack on with it. I have got it and it’s not going anywhere,” said Jo philosophically. A move to a Mediterranean diet two years ago packed with oily fish has helped Jo control the illness. Attending the gym and walking has also been beneficial.
“Diabetes affects absolutely everything.” A routine check-up at her annual retinopathy (disease of the retina) clinic last year revealed a proliferative diabetic retinopathy in her right eye. This causes the small retinal blood vessels in the eye to become diseased. Left unchecked it can cause permanent blindness.
A course of laser treatment in her right eye has slowed down any deterioration. “My consultant said if the condition had not been found I would probably have had only five years of sight left. Diabetics do suffer with blood vessel issues, including nerves. To help my eyes I take omega oils, mackerel and leafy green vegetables.” “The team I work with are fantastic. They’re all diehard diabetes warriors!” The leading diabetic charity, Diabetes UK, annually run the One Million Step Challenge with over 15,000 taking part this year nationwide. It was initially something that Jo had no interest in doing for fear that she would finally have to acknowledge her demons. “I have always been in that horrible frame of mind of never wanting to do something like this because it makes what I have real. To be honest I didn't want to put myself out there and say, ‘I'm diabetic.’” However, Jo is a fighter and facing her demon by undertaking the challenge has been a cathartic experience. In accepting her illness and helping herself, she also hopes to help others. Running from 1 July 23 to 30 September 23, Jo is within touching distance of reaching her goal, having already walked 700,000 steps, with an average of 14,000 steps a day. Her office colleagues are hugely motivational, willing her on to reach the final hurdle. A wall chart helps her plot her daily progress and she admits to being obsessive about the number of steps she achieves each day. Staying positive is crucial, both in living with diabetes and tackling the millionstep challenge. Meditation, motivational podcasts and rousing music all help Jo;
“I think if you’re in a pit of depression the worst thing you can do is fester. Singing is a great stress reliever. You can’t sing and deny happiness at the same time!” “Some days you will feel low and sometimes it can be massively overwhelming, even now. It never gets easier.” So, what advice would Jo give to someone who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes? The mother of four suggests doing research into the illness and joining social media groups to connect with others to share experiences is vital. “I didn’t do that in the beginning, and I really
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BACK STANDING TO ATTENTION
AFTER 67 YEARS! It was a pleasure to welcome RAF veteran David Lyu to Station – his first visit back in 67 years!
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DAVID LYU:
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t aged 19 David was called up for National Service and spent time at Bomber Command from 1955-57 after initial training as a Teleprinter Operator at RAF Compton Bassett. The 86-yearold veteran commented, “When the section was busy all the electro-mechanical equipment was very noisy!”
wish I had,” commented Jo. “There is a whole force out there – particularly younger people who are wearing all of their tech with pride. I read a lot of comments on social media from the younger people who have diabetes but they're still continuing to smoke, and I think it's silly. Don't do it! You have to look after every single blood vessel in your body because it will come back to haunt you. It is all about acceptance.” The One Million Step challenge runs from 1 July – 30 Sept 23. You can sponsor Jo by logging onto her fundraising page at https://step.diabetes.org.uk/ fundraising/joanna1986. The
site will remain open for donations until 30 Oct 23. With over 420,000,000 people in the world living with some form of diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, every penny raised goes towards helping scientists find out more about this illness.
If you have been newly diagnosed with diabetes and need a friendly ear, Jo is available to share her own experiences. You can contact her on joanna.sangwin100@ mod.gov.uk
Visiting with another one of his old comrades, Ray Janes, RAF High Wycombe brought back a flood of memories for the former SAC; “I remember living in quarters on 3 Site and travelling up to 1 Site on my motorbike…Having the 36-hour pass to go home was like gold to us…We often got pulled up for not saluting officers in their cars as they drove by! And I still have my old kitbag and uniform that I wore at a recent RAF veteran’s
meeting. National Service was a good thing for us in the 50s….it taught us discipline, leadership and comradeship.” David & Ray were also treated to a Bomber Harris visit where Dave, our RAF Historian regaled them both with stories of Bomber Command. Reflecting on his time here, a clearly emotional David said, “It is strange being here after so long. 67 years has gone by in a flash…to be invited back is a real honour.”
Laurence Parker, MCO, RAF High Wycombe
Support Jo in her 1,000,000 Step challenge by donating to her fundraising page at: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/ fundraising/joanna1986
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Putting Paddy in the picture “The painting of Hemingway in his Hurricane is there to depict everything and everybody that represented the Battle of Britain and those who put aircraft in the air.” Jon Stone
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t was a proud day for RAF High Wycombe as AOC 1Gp AVM Mark Flewin accepted a painting of a Hurricane piloted by the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, Gp Capt John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC. Originally planned to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, former RAF Corporal, Carl Lamb commissioned artist Michael Rondot to do the painting. In the past he has commissioned five paintings which all have a common affiliation with the RAF and have been used for other military events. “It’s all about safeguarding and promoting our heritage,” commented Carl. In May 2020 Terry Clark, the penultimate surviving airman from 1940 battle passed away, leaving Gp Capt Hemingway as the last known survivor; “Having been fortunate enough to meet Brian Hemingway (Paddy’s son) and ultimately Paddy himself it seemed appropriate that Paddy’s Hurricane should take the central role in the painting itself with the intention it represented everyone who served in the RAF at the time,” said Carl. Currently in a nursing home in south Dublin and approaching his 104th birthday on 17 July, Gp Capt Hemingway is still “very compos mentis” according to his son, Brian, who travels to Dublin once a month to visit. Joining the RAF in March 1938, he fought in France prior to the Battle of Britain in 1940. He was with 85 Squadron and crash landed for the first time in May 1940, was shot down on 18 August at Pitsea Marshes,
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Essex, and again some eight days later on 26 August. His prized logbook, now kept by his son is a fascinating and enthralling piece of history that details Paddy’s many epic adventures and sorties. Paddy later joined 43 Squadron’s B Flight at Ravenna in Northern Italy in 1945 flying spitfires. It was at Copparo in April of that year that he was shot down for a fourth time. Later service saw the courageous Gp Capt take up posts in the Middle East, the Air Ministry in London and a spell as Station Commander at RAF Leconfield, East Yorkshire in 1966. He retired from the RAF in 1969. The Gp Capt summed up his war service with, “I was lucky to survive the war, and good health has kept me going. However, if being the last draws attention, in a good way, to the Battle of Britain pilots and the rest of the RAF at that time, I am happy about that.”
“I always feel that I’m a member of the Royal Air Force family and it was a particular pleasure to be welcomed on arrival by AVM Mark Flewin and his fellow officers.” No 1 Gp Command Warrant Officer, Master Aircrew Jon Stone who organised the event said, “Gp Capt Hemingway is the last living link between the Battle of Britain and its affiliation with 1 Gp. It is that affiliation between the past and the present particularly as we move forward with 5th Gen fighters, F35s, Typhoons that is particularly poignant.”
Paddy’s Hurricane P3966 that crashed at Pitsea Marshes is currently being restored by Cambridge Restoration, who were able to utilise many parts that were dug up including one of the machine guns which was still functional as well as the all-important identity plate. The signed print will take pride of place outside the AOC 1 Gp’s office at RAF High Wycombe. Another one is set to be auctioned to raise funds for another military flying project. Also in attendance was Flt Lt Colin Bell, a 102-year-old ex-Mosquito pilot who regaled an invited audience with his wartime stories who commented;
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The Annual Formal Inspection of RAF High Wycombe was carried out by Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group.
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he AOC had the opportunity to meet a number of Station personnel and see how they support the 3000 plus Whole Force personnel and families who live and work at RAF High Wycombe. This included a visit to the RAFA Kidz nurseries and the Airplay Youth Club. There was an opportunity for a Town Hall and a Q&A session, which concluded with lunch. After lunch, the AOC was given a tour of the Nepalese Community Heritage Centre, the only one of its kind in the
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ANNUAL FORMAL INSPECTION 2023
UK, and the AFI concluded with a Station Honours & Awards Ceremony where AVM Marshall presented a variety of awards. Station Commander, Wing Commander Dennis commented,
“I was delighted to be invited to attend the official opening of the RAFAKidz childcare facility at High Wycombe by Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Gp on her Annual Formal Inspection. My team have worked very closely with RAFAKidz since they were awarded the contract for the provision of childcare at RAF High Wycombe across three different settings. All three provide high quality childcare for military personnel and the local community, and I am especially pleased that Air Vice Marshal Marshall had the opportunity to see that at first hand.”
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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Congratulations to AS1(T) S Singh, AS1(T) C Ryan, AS1 N McDonald, AS1 C Probert, AS1 S Drummond, AS1 L Todd, AS1 J Cupit & AS1 B Matthews who completed the first Junior Leadership Course to be run at RAF High Wycombe since June 2022.
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ver four days attendees learnt about Leadership styles, Service Discipline, interview and presentation skills techniques and the all-important responsibilities of a JNCO.
Designed to promote confidence, offer guidance and to share experiences, the course is delivered by Cpl Bill, WO Williams, Fg Off Williamson and Course Supervisor, Cpl Hill who commented;
“This group have taken on board the different tours we have given them, and they have really improved over the days. It is all about guiding them – not telling them how they should or shouldn’t behave. You can tell with this group of people that they are on the cusp, and they are ready. They should do well.”
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
INTER MESS ANNUAL GAMES NIGHT The brainchild of ENTS team members Cpl Dan Lazell, Cpl Dave Bill and AS1 Nicola MacDonald, RAF High Wycombe hosted its first Inter Mess Annual Games Night on 3 Site.
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he three-way battle brought together teams of JNCOs, SNCOs and Officers to pit their wits in a variety of challenges. Getting off to a good start, the assault course was won by the Officer’s team, but the Juniors took the tug-of-war crown. There was huge fun at the giant beer-pong – tossing football and netballs into twenty large bins. Throw in an egg-andspoon race and a dose of Red Light/Green Light and the competition was complete! By a narrow margin the Officers secured first place in the competition and Flt Lt Goddard, head of the Officer’s ENTS Committee, accepted the prize winners Inter Mess plaque.
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JUNIOR LEADERSHIP COURSE
Cpl Lazell said: “I have run events like this at a previous Station and they were really well received. Many thanks to Sgt Cat Windridge and Flt Lt Sarah Boulton for their time and effort in making the cakes for the raffle, to Dave and Nicola in my team for helping to organise and the guys from Supply for the equipment used.” As all teams enjoyed the event so much it has been decided that another challenge will take place in February 2024 where the Seniors will host.
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NOTES FROM THE LEARNING CENTRE The Learning Centre used the summer to re-stock its library, adding the books nominated on the latest CAS reading list to its already extensive collection. Wycombe World invited its intrepid readership to review these books and share their thoughts on current RAF thinking. This quarter, we’re reviewing “The End of the World is just the Beginning” by Peter Zeihan. If you have read one of the books on the CAS reading list, feel free to drop us an email on your thoughts!
THE END OF THE WORLD IS JUST THE BEGINNING This book is bold. Like, crocs with dungarees bold.
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he End of the World is just the Beginning was on my work reading list and with time to kill whilst I was on paternity leave, I thought I’d give it ago. Fair play to my bosses’ bosses’ bosses’ bosses’ bosses’ bosses’ boss, they’ve chosen a book which is insanely readable, the writing style being more conversational than scientific or academic. So relaxed is the tone, I found I could read a few chapters to my twoweek-old son and I reckon even he managed to grasp the basic premise of the book, namely, the age of globalisation is ending. With Soviet Russia keeling over in the late 1980s, America’s need for an economic empire straddling the entire world has lessened. As such, the Yanks are in the process of retreating from the world stage. If you then couple this with mass demographic collapse, energy shortages and cancer within the global transport system, the world as we know it, will end…probably by the end of this decade. Which it might. I don’t think anyone thinks life is getting any easier for “the people”. Russia is still attempting to bulldoze its way Kiev, Taiwan is recruiting civilians to practice beach-head defence, and a heatwave has just melted its way across
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Europe. The overall trajectory is downwards. I did highlight this to my son but he didn’t seem to mind (I’d just changed his nappy). But, looking in more detail, I think the weakness of this book is the certainty in which it is written. At no point does the author use probability language. It’s all “China will collapse in the 2030s” and “wind power cannot be efficient enough to…”. At no point does he use a phrase like “probably” or “highly likely”. The assumptions and conclusions are written in absolutes. And anyone who has seen Star Wars will know; only the Sith deal in absolutes. The truth is, it’s just a very confident book - there is no room for nuance. The absolutism that lays the foundation of the author’s arguments is quite nice to begin with, keeping things simple. But when he starts talking about France’s “inevitable” return to an imperial empire which “will” compete with the British “recolonised outposts in Nigeria”, you have to raise an eyebrow. Zeihan needs to give himself just a little bit of wiggle room by adding the word “probably” before writing phrases such as “an autocratic militarist society is the best solution for Western Europe”.
I suppose, what I’d have preferred is some good old fashion British handwringing. This book, written like a long rant, conjures the image of a Trump-like figure dressed in Star-Ship-Troopers military uniform, yelling
“THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WILL BE OCCUPIED BY JAPAN’S NAVY AND CHINA WILL JUST HAVE TO LIKE IT OR LUMP IT!”. Whereas I’d prefer an author who spoke in a “sorry to bother you” Oxbridge tone. Someone who is bent over from old age, dresses in tweeds, bespectacled, and does The Times cryptic crossword with a terrier called Perseus.
Things to say to CAS to make him think you’ve read the book: “Sir, I’m not so convinced China will face demographic collapse before its invasion to Taiwan. I still think its pertinent that we scope out the Taiwan beaches next summer.”
“Sir, I loved your recommendation. I was particularly captured by its argument that Britain will need to become an imperial power if it is to survive the 2030s. Where do you think we should invade first?” WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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The RAF Safety Centre hosted a cake and coffee morning in September to celebrate 10 years since its opening.
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ssentially a one stop shop for all safety matters, it now provides independent specialist safety advice and assurance to Chief of the Air Staff, sets RAF Safety & Environmental Protection Policy, undertakes safety analysis and assurance activity and delivers Servicewide safety promotion. Its mission is ‘To provide, through the AIR TLB SEMS, independent assurance and evidence to CAS of the AIR TLB’s effectiveness against both Defence’s Safety Regulatory and Statutory Legislative requirements’. The output of the Safety Centre is supported by a series of Safety Inspectors (some internal some external) covering a wide spectrum of domains such as Flight
Safety, Fire, Adventurous Training, Environmental Safety and Land Safety. All are there to support a strong safety culture and assure the Safety Management Systems of the RAF. The morning was a great success with visitors from around the Station coming to enjoy some cake and a chat. The sale raised £122 for Macmillan Cancer Support; thank you to all those who contributed. Air and Space Commander, Air Marshal Smythe managed to squeeze in a little time in his busy schedule to recognise the occasion (and enjoy some cake!) Here’s to the next ten years!
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Stn News
ROYAL STAR & GARTER “BREW FOR TWO” On Monday the 14 Aug 23, seven personnel from RAF High Wycombe visited the Royal Star & Garter Veterans home for a “Brew for Two” event.
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he aim was for residents to talk about their life experiences and have any questions answered about the RAF by those currently serving. FS Allbrook and Cpl Ryan spoke with Joan, a wonderful resident who had various members of her family in the military. Cpl Ryan (Media and Publicity member Station Charities Committee) said: “Joan was a pleasure to talk to, we discussed her love for sequence dancing and with that I made a promise that if she would teach me some sequence dances, I would take her to Nando’s as she has never been before. She was very interested in what we do in the military and when I explained about my role as Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) operator working in Space Command she was amazed by how much technology has advanced and the capabilities of the modern day Air Force.” Both FS Davies and Cpl Davidson spoke with Yvonne
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where they discussed topics such as her family life focusing on her children, grandchildren and her late husbands’ time in the RAF. Yvonne strongly believed she had it better back in her day! FS Davies (Secretary Designate, Station Charities Committee) said: “This was another hugely worthwhile opportunity to join with the residents in conversation over tea and biscuits. As well as promoting the “Brew-ForTwo” campaign, I was able to discuss the joys of family life with one of the more recent residents, Yvonne. It was clear that Yvonne’s adjustment to this new way of living has been made easier by pleasant and comfortable surroundings together with the support of friendly and incredibly professional staff. Future events to support the Royal Star & Garter have already been discussed and it will be a pleasure for the Committee to continue supporting our wider military family.”
Two” with a lovely 98-yearold army veteran called Mary where they spoke about her time in the army and how proud she is of her son who owns his own business. Cpl Jones commented,
“Mary told us about her varied, interesting life and it’s safe to say it has been a quite an adventure. I was also ex-army, so we had something in common from the off. Mary worked in the stores supplying the troops all over the country in the war and was London during the blitz bombings. Catherine and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with Mary and will be re-visiting Mary again soon.” So don’t forget to keep an eye out for the next “Brew for Two” event and if you have a spare hour please come down and have a chat with some of the residents at the Royal Star & Garter. The benefits are enormous!
Cpl Jones and AS1( T ) Ryan from RAF High Wycombe had the pleasure of “Brew for
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
With fifteen marathons lined up for this year and another fifteen in 2024, Sgt Ken Ivory is nearing his dream of joining the holy grail for ultra-marathon runners, the ‘100 Marathon Club.’
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t will be a fitting accolade for the committed sergeant who has been running marathons for over eighteen years, whilst also raising money for, and being the Honorary Treasurer of, his beloved SSAFA - a milestone that was marked with the bestowal of the Sir James Gildea Award earlier this year for outstanding service. His biggest hurdle yet is the upcoming Atlantic Coast Challenge between the 6th8th October 23 which sees participants run a total of 78.6 miles (three marathons) over three days. Now in its eighteenth year, Day One sees challengers run from Padstow to Perranporth (42.2 KM), Day Two from Perranporth to St Ives Holiday Park (42.2 KM) and Day Three from Lelant to Lands’ End (44.3 KM). The south coast landscape is unforgiving – rugged, with steep climbs and sharp descents requiring immense concentration and skill. Although he took part in a similar challenge thirteen years ago, Ken was keen to tackle something a little out of the ordinary that would capture people’s attention; “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, plus generate
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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EVERYTHING COMES IN THREES!
more interest in running as a pastime and to raise money for charity,” said Ken. “I wanted to do something a bit more exciting. Doing 3 in 3 is more eye-catching!” Preparing for such an arduous challenge requires detailed planning. Instead of his normal six days a week training regime he is condensing it to four-five days per week. This is to allow for more rest time. “For me, the biggest hurdle to overcome is recovery after each race. There is a big push on protein products at the moment. Yoghurts and cereal bars that are very high in protein... you are trying to get as much nutriment in you as possible. This way your body can recover. I am fifty-four now as opposed to being twenty-four or thirty-four and the body will take longer to recover. Massage is an excellent relaxation tool as are stretching techniques. I always try to release the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles so that when you start a race it is not particularly painful.” Every runner will inevitably face that invisible wall of either tiredness or muscle fatigue that can impede you from completing a race. To combat this Ken has always focussed on reaching the next
check point, which for these races are every ten km. Taking in the surrounding scenery and being in the moment are also personal ways to help keep running through any aches and pains. Ken is once again running for SSAFA. If you would like to contribute to his fundraising efforts please go to https:// www.justgiving.com/page/ ken-ivory-1691693325734.
More information about the challenge can be found at: https://findarace. com/events/atlanticcoast-challenge WW: 19
AUTUMN & WINTER AT As you approach the tree-lined drive that winds beneath the striking Clock Tower, you’ll be in awe of this immense setting. The gleaming, whitewashed exterior of Danesfield House sits overlooking the River Thames between Henley and Marlow and the Chiltern Hills beyond, amongst 65 acres of the most impressive landscaped gardens. Purple wisteria climbs the walls of the building while the wonderful scent of lavender wafts among the grounds. Pretty fountains and waterfalls make Danesfield Gardens so quintessentially English while the Italian Garden adds a touch of the Mediterranean.
Brimming with history, Danesfield House was once home to the Intelligence Section of the RAF, formerly RAF Medmenham from 1941 and remained in the hands of the RAF until 1977. It first opened its doors as a hotel in 1991. Danesfield House arguably enjoys the most spectacular country house setting in the UK, which is why it has become such a popular venue for weddings and corporate events. There are four imposing rooms available for private dining; whether you want to entertain a large party of 100 or host a more intimate affair of 10 guests, there is an ideal space to accommodate your group.
There are 55 stunning rooms and suites to choose from, some with four poster beds or freestanding baths, and some with their own balcony and views across the Thames. There’s a welcome mix of both traditional country house style rooms and more contemporary design to choose from. Huge windows capture the mesmerising scenery and luxurious furnishings dress the rooms beautifully.
With an award-winning restaurant and luxury spa, facilities at Danesfield House have been designed with guests’ utmost pleasure in mind. Whether you prefer to dine in the magnificent Oak Room with its wood panelling, towering ceiling and huge fireplace, or look out onto the terrace and gardens from the Orangery with views to ‘dine’ for, you can enjoy an incredible dining experience at Danesfield House. For all enquiries: enquiries@danesfieldhouse.co.uk 01628 891010
If you are planning the kind of wedding that’s only seen in fairy tales, you have come to the right place! Danesfield House weddings are magical! There are few settings as enchanting for your big day. From a marquee on the lawn or a traditional ceremony in the Versailles Suite, to an elaborate celebration with exclusive use of the entire hotel, there are several options for civil ceremonies and partnerships. Danesfield House Hotel & Spa. Henley Rd. Marlow. Buckinghamshire. SL7 2EY
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On the 7th of September members of OSW and FST were given the rare opportunity to spend the morning at BT’s iconic Tower in London (currently a Grade 2 listing) and then complete part of the Battle of Britain Heritage Walk.
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rganised by AS1( T ) Doyle from HW OSW, the day began at the base of the tower on Maple Street. After a quick photo and a brief by the tower staff, we were escorted to the lift for our journey to the top of the building. The lifts to the top are some of the fastest in the UK, which travel at a top speed of 1400 feet per minute - 7 metres per second and reach the top of the building in under 30 seconds. As the elevator doors open on the 34th floor, the view presented really did take our breath away. You can see for miles in every direction and all of London’s iconic buildings are easily recognisable. After being offered tea and coffee and the chance to take pictures, the BT staff
then ‘turned on’ the rotating platform. Over the course of just under 23 minutes, the viewing platform completes a full revolution using its original 1960’s gearing. This offered a great opportunity to take some stunning timelapse or panoramic photos. Following lunch in Covent Garden, the group headed to the church of the RAF, St Clement Danes as part of the Heritage Walk. St Clement Danes Church is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. Re-consecrated in 1958 as a perpetual shrine of remembrance to those who have died in service of the RAF, it is a living church prayed in and visited throughout the year by thousands of people seeking solace and reflection. Located right in the middle of
London, St Clement Danes has some characteristics that set it apart from normal parish churches. This includes a grade 1 listed status. It is famous as the Oranges and Lemons church from the traditional nursery rhyme and the bells ring the tune throughout the day. It was here outside the church that WO Baz Llewellyn ( WO OSW ) encouraged a group discussion about the merits and achievements of Arthur “Bomber” Harris and his bombing campaigns during WW2, with members of the group arguing the pros and cons of the operation and if it would ever be justified in the modern battlefield. An overwhelming conclusion of no was decided by the group. After a tour of the church,
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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RAF HIGH WYCOMBE VISITS THE BT TOWER
members of the group headed to the Thames to visit the Royal Air Force Memorial on Victoria Embankment where another discussion took place on the casualties of War from World War One until the present day. Rapidly running out of time, it was decided to conclude the day with light refreshments in the Tattershall Castle where the discussions of the day continued. WW: 21
Sport
SCOUTING FOR
SUCCESS!
“How was your holiday?" ”I still do not know how to answer that question!"
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he 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea was many things, but a holiday it was not. Would I do it all again? Yes! In a heartbeat. So why did I volunteer to help? For me, it allows for the development of many transferable soft and hard skills that often get overlooked in the professional workplace; Administration, Leadership, Public Relations, Human Resources, Risk Management, Contingency Planning, Crisis Management to name but a few. The result? It is the simple gratification of seeing a young person have an incredible adventure and gain vital life skills. There was a lot of negative press around the 25th World Scout Jamboree. Media reporting was mostly accurate, including excessive temperatures (even more so for this time of year in Korea) 20% of the camp population visited the on-site hospital for heat related illnesses, infected insect bites and other injuries. Some young people and adults went without food for more than 24 hours due to the lack of catering for dietary requirements.
After much deliberation, the UK contingent decided that they had not seen the changes required and would leave the site immediately. Our amazing volunteers rose to the challenge again, finding hotel rooms for 4500 people back in Seoul, organising the logistics of getting all these people safely offsite while accommodating all accessibility needs. Once back in Seoul, these volunteers then designed and delivered a weeklong programme of activities to keep the young people entertained, ensuring they had some form of Jamboree. A Jamboree Mark II if you like! While ensuring the effective transportation of the UK contingent back to Seoul was successful and orchestrated
in just 48 hours, the work was not yet done. Within hours of being in Seoul, we were back in crisis management planning as a typhoon had changed course and was heading right for the city. Volunteers worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure the safety of our contingent. Just 90 minutes before the typhoon was due to hit, it was downgraded to a tropical storm and the curfew was lifted, with safety warnings in place. Despite the setbacks and frustrations, I firmly believe the event will be remembered as successful for how challenges were overcome, and lessons learned. So, what were the successes? More than 43,000 Scouts and
Guides from 158 Countries had the trip of a lifetime to Saemangum in South Korea. Was it what they expected from their Jamboree? Not at all but, they made the best out of a poor situation. They also experienced different cultures and became more resilient in the process. Every one of those 43,000 WW: 22
individuals made it home safe, leaving the Jamboree as World Citizens, empowered, and motivated to return home, supporting the vision of the Worldwide Movement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I am incredibly proud to say I was a part of the UK contingent for the 25th World Scout Jamboree. Seventy-seven adults volunteered as part of our UK Contingent Management Team, from a diverse range of backgrounds, utilising skill sets gained in employment and taking valuable lessons learned back to their employers. I may not have had a holiday as such, but what I did have was an unforgettable lifeaffirming experience. I did have the most challenging adventure of a lifetime, making me a stronger, more resilient individual both in and out of the workplace. Next stop – 26th World Scout Jamboree in Poland in 2027! For more information on Scouting & Girlguiding visit Scouts.org.uk and Girlguiding. org.uk or the Volunteer Network – Run by DE&S. Bex Bockett-Pugh WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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aughter was the order of the day for the CO’s ‘It’s a Knockout Competition’ Cup! If you remember the 70s the same challenges were there – the water slide, fallingover giants, bouncy castles, wet sponges and buckets of foam!! Six teams competed in six challenges at the 3 Site football pitch. Despite
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A KNOCKOUT DAY! being soaked it didn’t dampen the team spirit and the cheering. OSW were the winning team and shared a bottle of Prosecco. The runners up received medals from Station Commander, Wing Commander Dennis. Huge shoutout to Corporal Bill from PEd Flight and his team for organising a fantastic event!
WHAT’S THE BUZZ AT RAF HIVE-WYCOMBE? Did you know that Seventeenth Century clergyman Charles Butler, known as the ‘father of English beekeeping’ was born in Wycombe?
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ou could say that four hundred years later his legacy really has ‘come home’ as RAF High Wycombe has created its first hive to capitalise on the rich flora and fauna that surrounds the Station. The humble honeybee has seen a marked decline in recent years due to habitat loss, land use change, pesticides and disease. Helping to reverse this trend are two environmentally friendly officers, Sqn Ldr Harwin & Flt Lt Hetherington from Station Services Squadron who, after a light bulb moment could never have imagined the impact of their dream.
and the obstacles were many, including funding to buy the hive. This was eventually secured through the Commanding Officer’s Fund, with some equipment being bought by the pair personally. Flt Lt Hetherington utilised his past contacts whilst stationed at RAF Leeming as a Station Adjutant to look at what they delivered in terms of training for their bee colony. Online courses and YouTube videos as well as talks with beekeepers have all helped to increase knowledge.
Did you know…..That bees can travel up to 3 km from the hive to collect pollen?
Rather than using existing infrastructure – “We could have put some tiles and wood on a bit of grass, but we wanted it to look aesthetically pleasing,” the pair decided to incorporate the relationship they already enjoyed with their primary contractors and ask them to contribute to the initiative. Key contractors including Tivoli, Vinci and Inside Out follow the ‘Standout & Make a Difference’ initiative where, through their actions they can be seen to be making a difference to
“I had read about the decline in bee populations and remembered a huge, overgrown area outside 1 Site that would be perfect for wildflowers. It sort of tied itself together – doing a wildflower project and having the pollinators to go with it,” said the Sqn Ldr. Neither had attempted to do anything like this before WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
Did you know…..That a single bee weighs .00025 pounds. 4000 bees together only weigh one pound?
Did you know…..a Queen bee will lay 800,000 eggs in her lifetime and only leaves the hive once in order to mate? both the Air Force and the local community, including promoting biodiversity. Combined, the teams built up the low-level bank to create a level area, supplied concrete steps and fence panels and wood chips that adorn the floor were from trees cut down in High Wycombe. “It has completely exceeded expectations’” said Sqn Ldr Harwin “I never thought it would look so professional!” Did you know…..A single bee produces one teaspoon of honey in its lifetime and can fly up to 12 mph? The benefits of the new hive are far reaching. There is greater engagement with organisations that have traditionally had no link to the RAF, including the High Wycombe Beekeepers Association who supplied the 40,000 bees to populate the colony and give invaluable tips and advice. The thought is that the initiative will be more of a social enterprise with an emphasis on volunteering, as at some point both Officers will be posted and will have to hand on. From a wellbeing point of view the arrival of the hive will be a “welcome distraction from day-to-day office duties,” according to the Sqn Ldr that will also promote awareness amongst the local community.
And for the future? “If it is successful, we want to pass this on as a legacy beekeeping project and multiple beehive colonies will start to spread across the sites. It would be brilliant to include whole force, civil servants, spouses, children,” said Flt Lt Hetherington. This is echoed by the Sqn Ldr, “I want to encourage the Junior Ranks to get involved. There is no sense of hierarchy and having a chief beekeeper. It is more that they can learn from us to run their own hives.” Any honey collected will, in time, be sold with the proceeds going to Station charities.
“I don’t mind saying that I am bit obsessed with it,” joked the Sqn Ldr. “They are like my little pets, and it is a real talking point amongst the community. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.” Never bee-hind the times, well done RAF High Wycombe for creating this sanctuary for people to enjoy! Laurence Parker, MCO WW: 23
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RAF INTER-STATION T20 CUP FINAL
or RAF High Wycombe and RAF Northolt, it was a case of ‘not out’ as they pipped RAF Leeming by 8 wickets to win the coveted RAF InterStation T20 Cricket Cup Final. Despite poor weather delaying the start, High Wycombe & Northolt won the toss and opted to field to begin their defence of the title. FS Sinclair got High Wycombe & Northolt off to a great start who, in successive deliveries clean bowled Leeming skipper Cpl Newton & AS1( T ) Ackerman. Tone set, the High Wycombe & Northolt side bowled with accuracy and skill backed up by relentless fielding as runs were hard to come by- only one boundary was conceded in the whole innings, and that off an above waist-high no ball. Fg Off Jeffs in particular, replacing FS Sinclair first change, put a stranglehold on the scoring rate with a spell of four overs, one maiden, three runs for no wicket. The seam attack was backed up by Cpl Patabendi’s off-spin and Cpl Murray’s leg-spin; first Leeming’s Mr Binns and then AS1 Stokeld batting in partnerships with Sgt Atkinson to grind out runs and battle to a score. With the weather threatening play, the start of the High Wycombe & Northolt innings
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seemed to mirror the Leeming innings; Sqn Ldr Savage falling for two runs in the first over, mistiming a drive off AS1( T ) Allen and chipping to AS1( T ) Ackerman midoff, and FS Butcher, bowled in the second by AS1( T ) Ackerman playing back to a short delivery that kept low. Ackerman kept things tight with a spell of 1-10 off three overs; Cpl Newton’s first two overs conceded only three runs. With time to bat, though, Sgt Cooke and FS Sinclair first steadied the ship and then countered, FS Sinclair playing the role of aggressor in a partnership of 50. The winning run came courtesy of a bye off the last ball of the eleventh over, a muted finish to an excellent performance against a Leeming side that, while admittedly under-strength, had been undefeated for two years. The match summary saw RAF Leeming at 58/6 (20 overs) and RAF High Wycombe & RAF Northolt at 59/2 (11 overs). The trophy and medals were presented by Gp Capt Youd, Chair of Grass Roots Cricket of the RAF Cricket Association, supported by Sqn Ldr Pratley (Director Station Cricket) and Fg Off Jordan (Deputy Director Stn Cricket). Well done to High Wycombe and Northolt – a brilliant win!
MODEL MAKING AND TABLE TOP GAMING CLUB
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n recent years the popularity of scale models and tabletop wargames has boomed. In part this is due to the Corona Virus pandemic; disposable income previously allocated to socialising and Saturday night’s beer fund was in many cases reallocated to new hobbies that could be enjoyed alone and indoors. Yet even before the pandemic there was a rising trend. My personal take is that in an increasingly online world, there is something to be said for hobbies which produce a physical product, facilitate human interaction and a sense of community. For those unfamiliar with the concept, tabletop wargames involve painting a collection of miniature figures which one assembles into an army to face off against an opponent using a series of dice rolls to determine the outcome. A variety of genres including Fantasy, Sci-Fi and historical settings are catered for through different games and manufacturers, with the most popular being the Warhammer series of games by Games Workshop. Smaller Skirmish style games that require fewer miniatures are also popular whilst there are also those who simply prefer the building and painting of true-to-life scale models. Tabletop wargames exercise one’s problem-solving skills and capacity for decision making, applicable to many
of us in our professional lives, whilst providing an element of escapism from the day to day. At this point you may be fondly reminiscing an Airfix model you once built, or a short-lived excursion into a high street Games Workshop store before you decided you were “too cool” for that sort of thing in your teens (a common occurrence I am personally guilty of ). Perhaps you are an experienced wargamer with many collections to your name, or maybe you’re a complete novice whose interest has been piqued. In any of these cases, the RAF HW Model Making and Tabletop Gaming Club is a friendly and inclusive group for anyone interested in tabletop gaming or scale modelling. The club caters to all the interests discussed above (and more!) and has links to the RAF-wide Tabletop Gaming Network established in the last year. If you have an interest, or just fancy seeing what it's all about, then details can be found on our SharePoint page (RAF High Wycombe > HWY Station Community > RAF HW Model Making and Tabletop Gaming Club) or you can contact me by email. Hope to see you there! Paul Hucklesby MMTGC OiC
WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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he word “yoga” itself is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ and translates to unity, something which has been proudly formed here at HWY in the past year. Yoga provides a means to balancing and harmonising the body, mind, and emotions.
Yoga is for all, whether new or a regular devotee to the mat, I wanted to ensure the sessions I deliver embody everyone at any point in their yoga journey. Whether that means having a simple stretch after being desk bound all day, or to explore the powerful effects of meditating and the asanas (postures). “True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; it is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; its cares about the person you are becoming” – Addil Palkhivala. Not only has it been a productive and rewarding journey for attendees but also for myself. After completing my 200hr Teaching Training at the Gayatri yoga school in Tenerife, I began my formidable quest to start teaching on camp. With the kindness and help of the PEd Flt, Stn funds and the team at the Oakeshott Centre assisting with funding for my training, equipment, and space, I was able to ensure that my promise I made at my yoga school (to teach within WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
low risk entry to yoga and is perfect for a mid-week stretch, especially after being sat at a desk all day. I’m so much more confident since I started practising yoga and I’m so glad I was brave enough to go along the first time.”
1 month after completing training) was kept. My hope is that lessons will help develop head, heart, and body. Hatha and Vinyasa are the two types of yoga I have taught and explored at HWY. These two styles are two sides of the same coin, and styles that I have always naturally gravitated towards. Balancing the dynamic Vinyasa style with Hatha has been paramount to me, as staying true and authentic to the lifelong practice of yoga is imperative to my teaching. Hatha, meaning sun and moon, uses asanas to open certain pathways in the body, so that the prana (energy) can flow freely through the body. It is a style that I have based most of my classes on here, as I found the familiar layout to be satisfying for students. Working from a seated position, to standing, to enduring multiple Surya Namaskar’s to finally ending in a relaxing Shavasana/ Corpse pose is a memorable, yet rewarding way of practice. Vinyasa, the more popular and known type of yoga enables the practice to be more dynamic and links the breath with movement. Incorporating Vinyasa into the practice has motivated, and engaged the more experienced yogis of the class, with postures such as Crow and eight angle/ staff pose offering challenges every week! Being able to consistently connect with regular and new students, due to the nature of the forces (postings/ uncontrolled job allocations) has been an incomparable and absolute joy for me, and I can’t thank all the yogis who have come, generating these amazing, formidable bonds that we have made over the past year. Working with a variety of people
has enabled me to develop incredibly as a teacher. Whether that be knowing when to adjust someone in a position or knowing when to hold back and not push the student further. We have explored meditation techniques, breathing, asanas, mudras, mantras, and relaxation all under one roof, with the help of blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, massage and sleepy tea! Realising yoga’s profound ability to completely transform mind and body, whilst also overhauling all sides of the human personality is something I hope I have gifted to the wonderful, unique students who have joined me on the mat every Tuesday evening. Thank you so much to everyone who has given up their most precious commodity – their time, and for engaging in and absorbing the sessions so thoroughly. I hope that anyone knows that you can always come onto your mat when needed, through elation or the more tough times… I know I certainly have!
Sport
A YEAR OF YOGA
Yoga can be defined as a system of integral education for body, mind, intellect, and inner spirit.
“Danie’s sessions are brilliant. She’s amazing for giving up her free time. I leave every time feeling refreshed, revitalised and stretchi’er !” “Your yoga sessions offer that rare balance of physical and mental workout that go beyond simply a stretch session. The inclusive nature of the sessions which encourage development without competition or benchmarking against others is, quite frankly, a relief in such a competitive world. I am convinced that these yoga sessions boost my mood and productivity all week and for only one hour, this remains the only genuinely positive “wellbeing” activity I have ever undertaken in the RAF. I appreciate nothing lasts forever, you have given me confidence to go and find a yoga studio to continue. As an older woman, I wasn’t feeling too confident about my form but these sessions have realigned my thinking. Danie, you will be missed, but rest assured your newbie yogis will carry on your teachings. Thank you for all your time, effort and organisation.”
Much health, wealth, and much happiness…. Hari Om Tat Sat, Danie. Thoughts about yoga at HWY “Danie is amazing – she is so welcoming and inclusive, even to someone like me who can’t even touch my toes! The class is accessible across all levels, and I always leave with a smile and feeling great. Give what you can makes it a really safe and WW: 25
Sport
RAF HIGH WYCOMBE STATION CHAMPS 3RD AUGUST –HARLEYFORD GOLF CLUB On a picture-perfect August 3rd, 2023, Harleyford Golf Club transformed into a hub of excitement and swingin' action that had RAF golf enthusiasts grinning from ear to ear.
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he event was the annual RAF High Wycombe Station Champs, the main event of the year that all golfers in the Golf Association look forward to! With Harleyford Golf Club being home to the PGA professional Tour Player Tyrell Hatton, it was a privilege for the event to be held there. The club had a vibrant energy which was on full display as the players teed up for a memorable day of golf. This year's tournament came with its fair share of changes, but it was all part of the fun. Sqn Ldr Stephen Sharpe has passed on the role of OIC to Fg Off Ash Allum, but this has proven to be a smooth transition and it is clear that the future of RAF High Wycombe Golf Association is in good hands. But let's talk golf! The fairways were buzzing with excitement as players gave it their all on every hole. Flt Lt Stuart Hardy was the star of the show, bagging the gross score title with a display of swings that made everyone do a double take. His precision and focus were like a masterclass in golf wizardry, leaving everyone in awe. On the net score front, WO Gary Clive stole the spotlight with his strategic moves and consistent play. It was clear that Gary had a deep love for the game, and it shone through in his performance, making him the champion of the net score category. As the sun painted the sky in warm hues, the event came to a close, leaving everyone with a heart full of golf stories and good vibes. With each swing,
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T each putt, and every laugh shared, the Station Champs once again proved that golf isn't just about the game – it's about the competitiveness, the memories, and the joy that comes with it. A mention must go out to all the Staff at Harleyford for all their help and providing a course in such excellent condition. A big thank you to AS1 Thomas Rivers & Ben Humphreis (DOIC) (Events Co-Ord) who organised this event and the remainder of events in the golfing calendar for 2023.Thanks also to Fg Off Ashley Allum (OiC Golf ), Sgt Michael Gray (Secretary) and PED Flt who have assisted with the background administration that is required to run these types of events. New members are always welcome, please visit our SharePoint page for more information!
here were a few tears as two of PEd Flights’ brightest stars – Sergeant Cat Beaver & Corporal Lucy Gunson took their final Cross-Fit session on 30 June 23 before moving onto pastures new. The brilliant Sgt Beaver heads off to RAF Halton where she will be involved with the Leadership & Management Training – Senior NCO Direct Entrant Course. “I will definitely miss the people and the community – especially
the families and the people who work on Station,” said the dedicated Sgt. Our immensely popular ‘Burpee Queen’ Cpl Lucy Gunson – never without a smile – starts her new role next month at RAF Honington. “I will miss the friendly people, the social and my circuit regulars. I will also take away an appreciation of the rank structure,” said the plucky Cpl. Good luck to you both – you will be missed!
Media AS1 Thomas Doyle WYCOMBE WORLD AUTUMN 2023
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