RAF Mainpoint Spring 2022

Mainpoint The Official Magazine of RAF Halton

S T2017 AT Mainpoint Spring

Spring 2022

ION SNIPPETS | COMMUNITY AND CHARITY | SPORTS

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Stephen Hearn

Is it time for a review of your Legal Affairs?

Coming from an army background, I strongly recommend that serving and retired military personnel consider having a professionally drawn up Will prepared, and carry out planning for their, and their family’s future. Due to my background, I understand many of the issues that you and your family may be going through, with the various factors and demands of military life.

• I am offering FREE ½ hour Consultations currently via video call or at your home, and in the TCC at my Wills and Estate Planning Clinics when Covid restrictions allow, to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding wills, powers of attorney and related matters.

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Station Commander’s Foreword

Editorial Team Editor Flt Lt Sarah Hindley Tel: 01296 656666

Group Captain D Startup RAF One Team, Training People for Defence

Deputy Editor Vacant Picture Editor Greg Mandy Distribution Mainpoint Editorial Team Photography Support Greg Mandy, Luka Waycott & Fiona Trevitt Tel: 01296 656117 Contact Us: HAL-Mainpoint@mod.gov.uk Submission Deadline 30 May 22

Publishing Team Published Lance Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering, Northants, NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 334222 Advertising Ken Kemal Tel: 01536 334225

Printed Micropress Printers Ltd, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ.

Disclaimer: This publication is copyright Lance Media Group Ltd and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without prior written permission of Lance Media Group Ltd. While every care has been taken during the preparation of this magazine, Lance Media Group Ltd cannot be held responsible for accuracy of the information herein or for any consequence arising from it. Views Expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Royal Air Force or the Ministry of Defence. All images © Crown Copyright unless otherwise stated.

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FIRSTLY, A THANK YOU TO THE TEAM AND CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS EDITION OF MAINPOINT.

I

am amazed that every month there are new perspectives of Halton that I did not know about and heartened that the wider community we support is giving back to the Service and the Station. If anyone is considering any Servicerelated charity events that they would like publicised wider, please get in touch with us. We enjoy a lot of support from those charities, so I am very keen that we give back.

Recent events in Ukraine have reinforced that the training we deliver at Halton is relevant, essential and forms the basis on which all further personnel development hinges. This training has been formed from many years of experience, tailoring and operational feedback, some of which is included within this edition.

We need to understand and learn from our history and apply those lessons to a global situation that tests our preparedness and relevance.

On a positive note, we are now fully emerged from COVID and rekindling our links with the wider communities, some of whom have been isolated for too long. I encourage all of RAF Halton’s personnel to make the most of these links and to form new ones. I am keen that we are seen as a fully integrated part of local and national life, so if there are areas where I can make a difference, please let me know.

I am certainly looking forward to exercising our Freedom of Thame in the near future and also by being a core part

of Her Majesty’s Platinum Birthday celebrations later this year.

Dan

Mainpoint Spring 2022

STATION NEWS 06 Hidden Halton - St George's Church 11 Pancakes and Promises 13 Students Taste Life In The RAF RTS 14 Graduation Round Up STATION SNIPPETS 09 The Secret Jubilee Garden 09 Station Commander's Coin 18 Winter Is Coming? - It's Here All Year!

COMMUNITY & CHARITY 10 Heroines Of Telemark 16 Station Children's Christmas Party Dec 2021 17 RAF Halton Community Support Team 22 SSAFA, So Good!

EDITOR'S FOREWORD

W

elcome to the Spring Edition of Mainpoint, which will be arriving on your desk/ doormat/crew-room coffee table slightly later than originally planned due to issues with the printing company. This means there will be a shorter than usual gap before the next copy is out, so please get any ideas for articles for the Summer Edition in asap! Even small single paragraph bits of news, sports or charity events are appreciated, or you can produce half of the magazine as Padre Kevin has done in this issue, with his article about St George’s Church, his entry for ‘Meet the New…’ and the regular Padre’s Piece (definitely the wrong time for him to be posted to Halton)!!

From The Editor

Contents Spring 2022

celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Apprentice Training beginning at Halton and news of a hidden garden near the Med Centre probably created at the time of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

There are also some amazing activities being undertaken by station personnel and your families, so enjoy reading about them and maybe being motivated to try something similar albeit on a smaller scale or somewhere warmer!

My thanks, as ever, to all contributors and to those who help to deliver the magazines to our Married Quarters and elsewhere.

Without you the magazine would not happen.

Enjoy the (hopefully) improving weather!

Ed

Appropriately in this Jubilee Year, this issue has articles

HISTORY 22 Halton Apprentices - 100 Years Young INTRODUCTORY 26 Meet The New...

ROZELLE

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Mainpoint Spring 2022

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Station News

HIDDEN HALTON - ST GEORGE’S CHURCH Revd (Sqn Ldr) Kevin Capelin-Jones

T

he current St George’s church was planned and built after the first St George’s station church – located in the Old Workshops – burnt to the ground in 1960. The new church was opened in 1963 with the chaplains conducting services in the Burnett Gym in between.

support was made for it. The later (current) oak pedestal was presented and dedicated to St George’s in Apr 1989.

Services had been held at Halton Camp from before the RAF’s formation; records indicate forces’ chaplains taking services at least from Oct 1916 and not only on station, but at outlying elements at Tring Isolation Hospital, Tring Military Hospital, the Aylesbury Military Hospital, Halefield Camp and Wendover YMCA.

At the front of the church above the vestry door (left), permission was given to display the Royal Arms; to the right above the emergency door is the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Oxford (Church of England), and one can also see to the right (behind the pulpit) the No1 School of Technical Training Crest above another door which would have been reserved for the Commandant (and his family or guests) to enter and exit by. The ensigns hanging along the South Wall are from Commonwealth Air Forces that had apprentices train at Halton.

Outdoor Church Parade, 1921.

for RTS graduations on Henderson Parade Square.

The original St George’s Church, in the Old Workshops.

The Quetta Memorial.

Few elements survive from that first station church, but as can be seen from the photo of the interior, the Bristol Fighter Lectern (reading desk) did survive, although it was too large in its old form, so a new 6

As you enter the church, the first thing that strikes you is the sense of internal space – with the roof structure and beams such as they were able to be made – there are none of the usual pillars one finds in old churches.

The Quetta Memorial remembers those who trained under the Apprenticeship Scheme at Halton from No 3 (Indian) Wing, and 5 & 31 (AC) Sqns and died in the earthquake in the early hours of 31 May 1935. Fittingly, it is a ‘Goldstars’ (31Sqn) Tornado that sits as the mascot

The Last Supper Tapestry’s entire origin is lost in both history and legend. It arrived at St Luke’s Chapel, (within the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Hospital, Halton) from the hospital at RAF Uxbridge, and was subsequently transferred to St George’s. As can be seen up close, the tapestry is unfinished, and it has been suggested (now legend) that Mainpoint Spring 2022

it was worked on by downed aircrew from the Battle of Britain and other battles, as part of their rehabilitation.

Under the ensigns of the South Aisle, there stands a portable font made from the boss of an aircraft propeller. It was originally in use at the PMRAF Hospital’s maternity ward for emergency baptisms, subsequently used in the hospital chapel (St Luke’s) and transferred to St George’s in 1995 on the closure of PMRAFH Halton.

The Queen’s Colour, No 1 School of Technical Training.

Station News

The unfinished Last Supper Tapestry.

The first RAF hospital was opened in 1919 at Halton.

Turning around, you cannot help but be impressed by the Stained Glass Memorials in the West Window. Should you talk to anyone about St George’s, it is this window (windows!) that is most likely mentioned and remembered. Not part of the original plan for the church, but starting from an idea in 1997, each individual pane in

In this Platinum Jubilee year, it is fitting to finish by taking a look at the Queen’s Colour for No1 School of Technical Training. The award of a Colour is the highest award that a Sovereign can bestow on a Service or unit for distinguished service.

On 27 December 1947, King George VI approved the award

Accession and Coronation.

The Colour was laid up in St George’s on 13 October 1968.

The Colour is unique in that it was presented to, and is paraded by, noncommissioned personnel. The Colour contains a symbolic tree of learning (derived from the beech trees surrounding Halton and the area), and the

the West Window (and also in the Side Chapels) has been dedicated to an Apprentice Entry, Group of Entries, Branch or other group; there are just over 100 unique stained glass designs. With careful individual touches, many shared themes (beech trees, apprentice wheel etc), and some poignant history, they are worth perusing at leisure.

of Colours to the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell and No1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton. Due probably to the King’s poor health (and royal timetabling) the Colour was presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of Lord Trenchard at Halton on 25 July 1952, between her

motto Crescentes Discimus, which can be translated ‘As we grow, we learn’.

Let us keep learning!

The Font from PMRAF Hospital.

The Caduceus is the Medical Emblem pictured above next to the font. The plaque beneath reads; 'Presented on the closure of the Royal Air Force Institute of Health 1 September 1919 - 1 June 2000.' Whilst there was opposition from the other two Services at the time, it was eventually decided that the RAF would benefit from a separate medical service due to its unique medical requirements.

The first hospital for flying service personnel was set up at Hampstead for RNAS and RFC personnel.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

St George’s Church is routinely open on Sunday mornings for our service at 0930 to which you’re more than welcome.

Should you wish to arrange to visit at another time, please contact the Chaplaincy office.

7

A B C

Dance classes in Weston Turville, Aston Clinton and Stoke Mandeville

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01296 423198

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Offering ballet, modern and tap classes to 3+ years and adult classes, new students welcome.

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Jewellery designed and produced to your specifications, or choose from our extensive range of new, secondhand and antique pieces. l Diamond merchants (certified stones always available) l Antique restorations l Hand engraving l Valuations: insurance and probate (carried out on the premises) l Insurance claims advisors l Complete repair service

Pet Health Club

Servicing of Rolex, Tag, Omega, Raymond Weil, Gucci etc. Batteries fitted and waterproof testing carried out on the premises.

Top prices paid in cash for antique and modern jewellery, watches (especially Rolex), coins, gold, silver, platinum and scrap precious metals.

Part exchange available.

Cats, dogs & small pets Birds and Exotics Canine Rehabilitation Equine Clinic Pet shop

11a High Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1SH Tel: 01296 423198 www.aylesburybullion.co.uk Vale Life : Nov/Dec 2019

23

Cpl Charlotte Kaberry, Nurse RMC.

L

ast year in the blistering heat as the nurses were having a well-earned rest in between vaccination parades, Sister Rickcord told us about the Halton Jubilee garden. It was planted a few years before her arrival in 2004, furnished with wooden benches and tables and was used as place to sit, relax, have a chat and eat lunch during the warmer days whilst offering shade and time out from work.

Sister Rickcord then showed us the garden - it was a huge ring of overgrown conifers, next to the medical centre.

We managed to locate the opening through the branches and inside the old wooden benches remained, battered and bruised and the space littered with rubbish and dead foliage.

Station Snippets

THE SECRET JUBILEE GARDEN

STATION COMMANDER’S COIN 12 Nov 21 Cpl Livingstone RTS

We then decided it would be a great idea to restore the garden to its former glory in time to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

I have been unable to find any further information or pictures from the Jubilee Garden when it was first planted. We think it may have been planted to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee in 2002 to celebrate fifty years of The Queen’s Reign but this is just an educated guess.

If anyone has any information on the origins of the Jubilee Garden, please contact Cpl Charlotte Kaberry.

Work to restore the Garden will commence this spring.

Inside the Garden q

7 Dec 21

Cpl Taylor

Finlay Gym, RTS

8 Dec 21

Cpl Wigglesworth

SMS

14 Dec 21

Mrs Bird

Babcock

14 Dec 21

Mrs Galloway

Station Medical Centre

17 Dec 21

Sgt Luke James

RTS

10 Jan 22

Mr Morris

Babcock

27 Jan 22

Mr Marsh

Grounds Management, Tivoli

27 Jan 22

Cpl Howard

Finlay Gym, RTS

8 Feb 22

Mr Holdford

Workshops, Babcock

To advertise in the next issue of Mainpoint Please contact Ken Tel: 01536 334225

Mainpoint Spring 2022

9

Community and Charity

HEROINES OF TELEMARK Joanna Young, Senior Director of Clinical Development at Syneos Health & RAF Wife

I

n March 2022, a group of forces wives is set to make history by becoming the world’s first all-female team to retrace the steps of one of the most important missions in World War II history, the Heroes of Telemark. I am honoured to be one of ten women who were selected to undertake this challenge of remembrance that pays tribute to the Heroes of Telemark.

THE HEROES OF TELEMARK In February 1943, Hitler’s development of an atomic bomb was sabotaged by a small team of Special Operative Executive (SOE) soldiers in what was effectively a suicide mission that they all survived.

Now known as The Heroes of Telemark, these brave Norwegians (who had secretly escaped their occupied country to join Britain’s SOE) were unexpectedly forced to survive unsupported on Norway’s Hardangervidda plateau for four gruelling winter months, sleeping in mountain huts and secretly radioing intelligence back to Britain before going on to achieve what looked like an impossible mission: to destroy Hitler’s supply of an ingredient critical to the creation of an atomic bomb - heavy water. It was a mission that changed the course of history.

As part of the Forces Wives Challenge, we will now pay tribute to The Heroes of Telemark by following their gruelling journey across the plateau to the very same building where they carried out the attack. The journey will take us across the Hardangervidda, one of the wildest and most inhospitable environments on earth, to Vemork. We will cover over 100km on foot at 3,500ft 10

above sea level with over 300kg of kit in below freezing conditions - winds of over 60mph will create a wind chill factor of -20 degrees Celsius.

We are honoured to have received special permission to sleep in the very same mountain huts that the Heroes of Telemark slept in themselves 80 years ago.

THE FWC HOT TEAM Led by The Forces Wives Challenge (FWC), the Heroes of Telemark (HOT ) Team is made up of women from the fields of healthcare, life sciences, aerospace, business coaching, defence, make-up artistry, clinical research, and sports rehabilitation. I have a long-standing career in clinical research of medical devices, and I am one of the fortunate few that can take my job with me at each posting. Like many Forces Wives, we (known as the HOT Ladies) are located across the UK due to our partners’ postings - from myself in RAF Halton, to the Scottish Highlands, with one of the women currently based in Saudi Arabia.

In preparation for this challenging event, we are being trained both physically and mentally by a support team that includes a professional endurance coach, ex-military special forces instructors and former guides for Ray Mears’s company Woodlore. You may have seen me pulling my trusty tyre (which I have fondly named ‘ Terence’) around camp and Wendover Woods as part of my training. Tyre pulling may seem an unusual type of training for Nordic Skiing however the intent is to simulate the muscle strain that pulling a pulk across the Hardangervidda will exert on the body. Having recently upgraded to a much

bigger tyre and having to fit in training around the needs of work, a 5-year-old son and two dogs (while my husband is away on pre-deployment training), the training has really been a challenge in itself.

FORCES WIVES CHALLENGE FWC (www. forceswiveschallenge.org) was created to unite women with partners in the Armed Forces through adventure and challenge. We passionately believe in the power of physical exercise, teamwork, and the great outdoors to help translate the resilience, adaptability, strength, and skills in the Forces Wives community into high performing female teams.

Moving to RAF Halton in the summer of 2019 was my first real experience of the transient nature of military family life, having remained at our family home in Inverness during previous postings.

With COVID hitting soon after the move, this was a very challenging time for me as I juggled home-schooling, full-time work and living far away from friends and family.

Having been diagnosed with severe anxiety in my early twenties, I realise how important it is to look after

our mental health, particularly during challenging periods.

It was during the pandemic that I discovered Forces Wives Challenge and I have really felt the positive empowerment that the community brings. The support and camaraderie from the Forces Wives Challenge members is immense. Being able to escape into the outdoors with kindred souls who understand the struggles and challenges of military life is absolutely invaluable to me and my mental wellbeing.

I am very passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health, providing a positive example of recovery to those in need and advocating the restorative power of the great outdoors.

As part of this expedition, The FWC World's First Female Heroes of Telemark Team are raising funds for The War Widows Association. As the expedition remembers the men who risked so much for our freedom, our charity remembers and supports the widow(er)s who lost so much. Donations can be made via our JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/10k10khot.

Training weekend in the Peak District

Mainpoint Spring 2022

Station News

Tyre pulling around RAF Halton.

PANCAKES & PROMISES Padre Kevin

I

f you’re like me, then you’ll have got to somewhere in Feb, or even mid-Jan, and found your New Year’s resolutions haven’t ‘resoluted’ into your life permanently by any stretch of the imagination.

And so, it comes, every year, as a great relief, that Lent rolls around, and following the binging on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) of 6 kilos of pancakes and Nutella (or cinnamon sugar) we have another opportunity to deny ourselves cake/chocolate/ alcohol/crisps/exercise* (delete as appropriate) in the pursuit of self-denial, personal growth and a generous helping of selfrighteous pride!

Mainpoint Spring 2022

The benefit I find to Lent, is that, unlike New Year Resolutions with the coming year stretching out to infinity, Lent has an end in sight. Forty days (from Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, echoing the Exodus’ 40 years in the desert) culminating in Easter – and the joy of celebrating New Life (probably with too many chocolate eggs).

Except that wherever we are in life, I’ve found that neither NY resolutions nor Lent abstinences really make a jot of difference.

Habits, commitment, hard work & accountability are the only things that will really make a difference.

Whether physically, spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. We are wholistic beings – each of those elements affecting the others. And we are creatures of habit. Habits which are created over weeks and years; slowly and incrementally, and eventually we become our habits – what we do, we are.

I heard it said that rather than aiming for a goal, or planning a major change; consider each behaviour, action – habit – as a vote for the type of person you want to become.

If we want to become created in a new image, or a new habit, or a new outlook, or a new life it comes back to that commitment & accountability.

If you want someone to talk through change; or keep you accountable; or plan the changes; whether physical, spiritual, mental or emotional, Ashley & I (and decent coffee) are here anytime for you.

11

Fg Off Tim Roberts, OC FDTF

W

ith the easing of COVID restrictions at the end of summer 2021, RAF Halton was desperate to once again reach out into the local community to offer an insight into military life and the unique experience of being a phase 1 recruit. The YALO team consisting of Flt Lt Charlotte Mellor, Fg Off Tim Roberts and Sgt Phil Wigglesworth were tasked with implementing a system that would open up the camp to a small selection of students from the local John Colet School.

On 13 Oct 21 the team began the RAF Halton ‘ Taster Day’ programme and 10 pupils who aspired to joining the RAF visited the station along with 2 of their teachers.

The day consisted of an initial welcome brief with an overview of what goes on at Halton at the Station Learning Centre. The tour began at the gym facilities for an introduction into the physical requirements of phase 1 recruits and phase 3 staff. Transiting over to the RTS Parade Square, the students watched a drill practice session from an intake that were a week away from graduation. The precision and attention to detail in the movements was inspiring to the school students who watched from the stands. Next, the students visited the Trenchard Museum where they not only got a broader historical appreciation of RAF Halton’s operational output but could put their piloting skills to the test on the aircraft simulator.

The students donned Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear protective suits and learned the basics of decontamination and how to operate in a potentially hazardous environment. They followed this by completing life saving drills on the ‘Practi-Man CPR’ training devices. The day culminated back at the Learning Centre where they

Station News

STUDENTS TASTE LIFE IN THE RAF

were debriefed and given some RAF merchandise to take home. Two ‘ Taster Days’ have been undertaken so far and due to its roaring success, plans to expand the frequency and numbers of students are well under way.

After lunch, which was held in the Trinity Centre, it was a short walk over to the Initial Force Protection Training department where the students were introduced to the more kinetic side of phase 1 training.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

13

RTS

Graduation

14

Mainpoint Spring 2022

Round Up All Images: UK MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2020 Station Photography Section.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

15

Community and Charity

STATION CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC 2021 Jan Holdsworth, SCSC, Community Support Team

A

t last it was that time again! On Thursday 9th December we held our Station Children’s Christmas Party in the TCC. It was so lovely to be celebrating Christmas all together and get back to some form of normality after the tricky previous 18 months.

After some dancing and games, we had Xmas food in abundance, chicken nuggets and Christmas Tree Potato shapes and the adults had turkey and gammon rolls with all the normal Christmas Nibbles. Suddenly, we got a message that Santa was arriving, so we had everyone gathered outside

On arrival everyone had to make their way through a snowstorm (albeit not real snow!) in the entrance to the Community Centre which the Children absolutely loved. All our guests were welcomed by the Community Support Team with Christmas biscuits and juice for the children, a little warming Mulled Wine for the adults. We had the wonderful Dan Blaze who entertained the children with games and dancing. We had the photobooth which everyone loved and was a huge hit.

to see him arrive on a little carriage drawn by the very special Binksy the Shetland Pony (Rudolf in disguise!).

Once the excitement had died down every child had the chance to go and visit Santa, who not only came for a sneaky early visit but also bought the children an early Christmas gift and a Selection Box. I am not sure that any of the chocolate bars in them managed to make their way home. The Children were over the moon to see Santa

and we are so grateful to him for coming to visit us early and allow the children

to have their photo taken with him on his carriage.

To see the Children’s smiles and excitement is amazing and it gives us such pleasure seeing them so happy.

16

As you know these events take an awful lot of time to plan, so a huge thank you for the support of volunteers, Craig Makin, Victoria Taylor, Mandy Masters, Megan Davies, Rachel Munday, Michelle Corolla and Michelle Wright.

An additional thank you must go to Meg Wickett, the CDO and Binksy the Shetland Pony from RAF Benson for providing Santa with transport and of course the amazing DJ Dan Blaze. Thank you to Gemma Hough who only started as our HIVE Information Officer that day – so it was a true baptism of fire.

Well, that is it from me for now… till the next issue have fun and if you cannot be anything else in life be kind to each other.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

A

s we have many new families and personnel posted in, we just thought we would say hi and let you know a little bit about ourselves. The team

are all based in the Trinity Community Centre ( TCC) located on the opposite side of the road to the Camp Stores. We are always here to answer any questions or queries you may have.

Additionally, and most importantly, the kettle is always on here so even if you just want to come down for a break and just have a coffee/ tea and say hi we would love to see you (if you time

it right Jan may have baked cakes or biscuits). The TCC is not just a Soft Play facility, it is not just for families with little people - we are here for whole force and everyone is always very welcome.

Mrs Lorraine Ferns Community Development Officer (CDO) Lorraine is our CDO and heads up our Community Support Team. She has worked at RAF Halton for 5 years and has been working within the Community Development world for over 15 years. She has worked with the Army and now the RAF (eventually came to the light side). She is married and has two children and three grandchildren. Lorraine is responsible for local school liaison, all Airplay Projects and our Youth Activities and Community Engagement here at RAF Halton. Lorraine is also the Safeguarding lead for our Children and Young People.

Mrs Jan Holdsworth Station Community Development Co-Ordinator (SCSC) Jan has been working here for over 7 years and is an ex-serving RAF Mover (be nice!). Jan has been married 28 years to a Service Person and has two children, one who works in the computer gaming industry and the youngest is at University. As the SCSC her roles are very varied, and she wears many hats. She is responsible for membership process and bookings, Project Officer for TCC events, Contact House Manager and deputizing for the SCSO in his absence.

She has recently taken on SLIM Rep and Local Security Officer for Support Wing.

FS Richie Read Station Community Support Officer Richie has been working with the team now for over 2 years as FTRS but has 39 years in the RAF Regiment. Richie’s role as the SCSO is the interface between the occupants of Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and DIO/Amey. So, if you have followed due process with a repair or issue and it is not rectified Richie will step in and help. He also works with the SWO to champion issues on behalf of personal living in Single Living Accommodation (SLA).

Mrs Gemma Hough Hive Information Officer Gemma is the newest member of the team and can’t wait to meet everyone and fully understand her role. Gemma studied in performing arts and travelled round the country performing and choreographing musicals (so could break out into song at any time!). Gemma is married to a service person and has a daughter who attends a local school and participates in many after school activities. Gemma’s role within the team is to provide an information service to our community. Her role also covers arrival information, deployment support, local information, welfare referral support and dissemination of information via HIVE digital platforms at Halton.

Community and Charity

RAF HALTON COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM

RAF Halton Community Support Team We are here to help you with these and so much more:

Housing: Ext 6122/6396

Membership to the TCC: 6396

Discounts: Ext 6507

Welfare Houses: 6396

Schooling: Ext 6494

Local Information: 6507

We are based in the TCC so please come over a say hi we would love to see you and answer your questions.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

17

Station Snippets

WINTER IS COMING? – IT’S HERE ALL YEAR! Chf Tech Chris Edgar, CTS

B

y 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.

Lessons on the nursery slope.

Lessons on main 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 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.

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 18

Mainpoint Spring 2022

Race piste.

Snowboard students

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, Mainpoint Spring 2022

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 19

Community and Charity

SSAFA, SO GOOD! Sgt Baz Michel, RTS PEd

S

SAFA (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

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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

Mainpoint Spring 2022

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.

Mainpoint Spring 2022

21

History

HALTON APPRENTICES 100 YEARS YOUNG Gp Capt Min Larkin CBE MRAeS

E

xperience in civil engineering had proved that one of the best ways of producing a skilled man was to train him from youth as an apprentice in the environment in which he would afterwards work as a man. Lord Trenchard.

The Royal Air Force, in the early period of its life after the first world war, needed to train an elite of engineers in a wide variety of trades for aircraft maintenance in a new branch of the armed services which was becoming increasingly technical. To meet this need Lord Trenchard conceived and planned the RAF Aircraft Apprentice scheme whereby technical trades would be filled as far as possible by recruiting boys aged between 15 and 17 to undergo a three-year course in workshop training together with a technical and general education. He believed the added benefit of training boys in-house would foster a spirit in the RAF on which so

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much was to depend in the future. For this purpose, in 1920 No 1 School of Technical Training was established at Halton. However, while domestic accommodation for apprentices was being built here, the first four courses were trained at Cranwell.

Halton welcomed its first boys in January 1922, and for the next 71 years it was the spiritual home of generations of RAF apprentices.

The School quickly established an international reputation for the excellence of its training and Halton became a by-word for aircraft

engineering throughout the industrial world. By the mid-1920s boys from the old Commonwealth countries were under training at Halton as apprentices.

The training procedures and practices developed at Halton were copied by the burgeoning civilian aircraft industries and many foreign air forces. Today’s highly developed aeronautical engineering training in the RAF has its roots at Halton.

As well as producing an elite corps of engineers,

apprentice training contributed a great deal to RAF culture. As Trenchard had foreseen the Halton spirit did permeate the RAF at a vital time in its development. Recruiting boys from any social background and geography helped to endear a wider public to the new service. Trenchard was determined that meritocracy would replace privilege in the RAF officer ranks and introduced the award of up to 12 Cranwell Cadetships each year for apprentices who at the end of their Halton training were considered suitable for officer and pilot training. Further progress in social mobility was taken when Trenchard opened the path for all apprentices to volunteer for training as Sergeant pilots in the mid-1920s. After 6 years of air experience these pilots would return to their ground trades in higher ranks with a greater appreciation of the part engineering plays in aviation. Above all Trenchard wanted apprentice training to prepare the boys not just as a reliable source of high quality engineers able to deal with the rapid developments in aircraft technology then underway, Mainpoint Spring 2022

but also to be an asset to the economy of the country after their service commitment.

Trenchard had in fact laid plans for ordinary boys to achieve extraordinary things.

Of the 40,000 who graduated from Halton, seventeen won the Sword of Honour at Cranwell and others were usually in the top 10% of the College graduation lists. Over 12,000 were commissioned, with over 140 achieving Air rank. Several served on the Air Force Board. Thirteen have been Knighted and countless others awarded other State Honours. In later life many achieved high positions in industry, commerce, the law, medical professions, the police, teaching and the church. During WWII, 2000 ex apprentices gave their lives. Among their 1200 gallantry awards is a VC. Over 3000 were Mentioned in Dispatches.

Halton Apprentices (fondly known as Trenchard’s Brats) were one of the main foundation stones on which Trenchard established the RAF. They played a major part in cementing the service as a permanent third force.

Trenchard envisaged that the Halton trained men would provide a strong base from which the RAF could expand to fight another war. As indeed they did as Trenchard himself acknowledged in a speech he gave in the House of Lords on the air war in October 1944. “ There is no doubt at all, in my opinion, that Halton and the Halton spirit have

Mainpoint Spring 2022

been a pillar of strength to the Royal Air Force all over the world. The Halton trained men have provided the nucleus on which the great expansion of the Air Force was centred. They have set and maintained an extraordinarily high standard of efficiency. You only have to look at the promotions and the honours gained. Over 1,000 high honours have been gained, and a large

number of those men are very senior Air Vice-Marshals and Air Commodores, running the highest technical offices in the Air Force. Surely the efficient maintenance of aircraft has also been one of the outstanding features of this war and that has been made possible by the Halton training of our men.’’

For its contribution to the RAF and to the country No 1 School of Technical Training was awarded a Queen’s Colour on 25th July 1952.

This Colour (currently at RAF Cosford where the School is now located) is unique as it is the only Colour ever to be awarded to a youth training school in any of the armed services; it was the first Colour to be presented by Her Majesty to an RAF formation after she had ascended the throne and, as it was received by a Sergeant Aircraft Apprentice, a custom was established for it to carried by a non- commissioned rank on appropriate ceremonial occasions. The original Colour is laid up in St Georges Church at RAF Halton.

Visit the Halton Apprentice website at www.oldhaltonians.co.uk

23

The White Lion St. Leonards Tring

‘The highest pub in the Chilterns, Wonderful Village Location, Food, Drinks & Service’

01494 758097 www.whitelion.pub Jenkins Lane, St Leonards, Tring, HP23 6NW

The White Lion, St. Leonards, Tring

‘The highest pub in the Chilterns, Wonderful Village Location, Food, Drinks & Friendly Service’ The White Lion reopened its doors on 19th July 2021 after 9 years of closure.

Perched on top of the Chilterns, in the pastoral village of St Leonards, The White Lion has ample parking and is a short drive from RAF Halton and Wendover, serving Mediterranean Cuisine and Tapas. We offer cocktails, a great selection of wines, alongside a range of local cask ales and lagers. Mandy Grimwood our owner bought the pub over 4 years ago and undertook a superb restoration, returning The White Lion to the community and creating a delightful destination pub.

A recent visitor posted this: “We invited our friends and went for a Sunday lunchtime meal, safe to say it was well worth the trip, and we were not disappointed. They serve an authentic Tapas menu during the week up until 5pm, after that the whole menu is available. The atmosphere and the professionalism of the staff was second to none. We can’t wait to go back, probably in the spring, so we can take our dogs, the views from the pub garden are beautiful.”

Part of the family •• Quality childcare tailored for every child’s needs.

To find out more about our very special ‘home from home’, call 01442 891818 or email us at

Experienced, highly qualified staff Garden and covered outdoor play areas

orest School, Rugby Tots, Yoga, • FCommunity Outreach activities and more 5-Star rated on-site kitchen, for • all dietary requirements pen Monday to Friday from • O7.30am to 6.00pm

At Heirs & Graces Day Nursery we make it our goal to get to know your child. This means we can provide personal, bestquality care whatever their needs and yours.

You’re welcome.

info@heirsandgracestring.co.uk Florence House, 2 Christchurch Road, Tring, Herts HP23 4EE

We pride ourselves on being a family owned and run business and we all work hard to provide the best quality child-care for all types of children and family groups.

The nursery offers a wide variety of childcare options from full time, part time and sessional care.

Heirs and Graces is located in Tring in an old Victorian house with a good sized garden and covered decking area. We have refurbished the house to provide ideal childcare accommodation whilst retaining a lovely homely feel.

Heirs and Graces is designed to accommodate all our age groups on the same site, allowing siblings to have a reassuring contact with each other, and making life easier for you, the parents and carers. We are open 49 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery is not open on Bank Holidays, for the last week in July, on Christmas Eve and between Christmas and New Year.

We hope that we have provided all the information you need in our brochure but, if you find you still have any questions, we are always happy to answer them, please contact us by telephone, 01442 891818 or by email: info@heirsandgracestring.co.uk

Introductory

MEET THE NEW...

OC STATION MANAGEMENT SQUADRON, SQN LDR MELANIE COPSON.

HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Committed, Compassionate and Driven WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? Reading, fitness classes, swimming, socialising, travelling, skiing, cross stitch (badly) WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty BOOK: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know MUSICIAN OR BAND: Creedence Clearwater Revival FOOD: Thai PLACE: Roseberry Topping in North Yorkshire

ROLE SUMMARY The Station lead for engagement and oversight of the delivery of Real Life Support from the HADES and HESTIA contracts in order to maintain Stn output, the lead for the efficient and appropriate use of the Estate and responsible for the oversight of media output on social media and into the regional press to amplify RAF Halton’s achievements.

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE MILITARY? 13 years WHAT IS THE BEST JOB YOU’VE DONE? Aide de Camp to the 2* Head of Mission of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WEREN’T IN THE MILITARY? Probably in Thames Valley Police…

I went through the recruitment processes at the same time.

I had my uniform fitted and a start date for the Police but turned it down when I got my acceptance letter from the RAF. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Hard-working, Competitive and Reliable

26

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Buy a high-end Ski Chalet or two and set up a luxury ski holiday business WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Casserole and mash potato….

WHO WOULD ATTEND YOUR IDEAL PARTY? A mix between sporting and adventure personalities….

Ranulph Fiennes Ben Fogle Tim Peake Laura and Jason Kenny Helen Glover and Steve Backshall Helen Skelton WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? To be able to rewind time to give me more hours in the day to spend time with my family after work WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? A tablet prior to a deployment so that I could video call home more easily.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? To smile and to think positively – it’ll all work out in the end.

2IC SMS, FLT LT OLIVER EVANS.

ROLE SUMMARY It’s very difficult to sum up the work of Stn Management Sqn in just a few words but the most apt idiom is probably: having lots of fingers in lots of pies. It is very important to build relationships with sections across Stn and quickly make the connections that make RAF Halton run and give our people the capacity to do what they do best.

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE MILITARY? 22 years this May. WHAT IS THE BEST OR WORST JOB YOU’VE DONE? I have loved many of the engineering roles I’ve had in my career and wouldn’t change a thing, however, after 24 years in engineering I moved to more people focussed roles.

Being an Adjutant is incredibly busy but also very rewarding.

As Adjt at RAF Henlow my focus was improving life in the RAF for the Whole Force.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WEREN’T IN THE MILITARY? I would be a film and TV producer or editor.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Loyal, funny (in my head) and optimistic.

HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Messy, know-it-all and kind.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? I play the drums (very badly), snowboard and sail (when I can).

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT OR SECRET? WHAT IS IT? I had a line in the Eddie the Eagle movie.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? Winning Tipping Point WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: Back to the Future BOOK: Dracula MUSICIAN OR BAND: Fleetwood Mac FOOD: Chip shop chips PLACE: Home (wherever the family are) QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Start a band IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Last week to see the Euromillions numbers.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Chicken curry.

WHO WOULD ATTEND YOUR IDEAL PARTY? REAL OR FICTIONAL ALL OK… Ricky Gervais.

WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? Unlimited energy.

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? A mug with my dogs’ paw prints on.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Any “mug” can be uncomfortable – in other words don’t feel guilty/ silly about your creature comforts.

DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? WHAT WAS IT? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? Don’t needlessly correct people.

Still going well I think!

Mainpoint Spring 2022

STATION CHAPLAIN, PADRE KEVIN CAPELINJONES.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT OR SECRET? I worked as a chef for 4 years, and love cooking / baking.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? Naturally I would say my wife & kids. 2nd to them would be completing the London marathon twice.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: Gladiator BOOK: Simon Sinek’s ‘Leaders eat Last’ (and the bible, obvs).

MUSICIAN OR BAND: Queen FOOD: Baileysmisu (Tiramisu, but with Baileys & chocolate) PLACE: Too many: Lake District, Maldives, Florida, and Home.

ROLE SUMMARY A bit of everything! – Welfare, spiritual, teaching, sports…

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE MILITARY? I joined in 2006 for 4 years…

WHAT IS THE BEST OR WORST JOB YOU’VE DONE?: The best and worst was as Chaplain to the Role 3 hospital in Bastion, for obvious reasons.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WEREN’T IN THE MILITARY? Parish vicar. Or Pub landlord!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Happy-go-lucky. (It was on my primary school report!)

HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Mischievous, Particular, Jovial.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? Football, tennis, gardening & home-brew.

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Keep quiet!

IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Back to our wedding day!

(To enjoy again!!)

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Macaroni Cheese.

WHO WOULD ATTEND YOUR IDEAL PARTY? A dinner party with Stephen Fry, Kevin McCloud, Barack & Michelle Obama, Simon Sinek, Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Take leave before you need it; and take more than a week (it takes 3-5days to unwind).

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE GOT PLANNED FOR 2022?

Arriving at Halton!! What more could I wish for?!

HIVE INFORMATION OFFICER, GEMMA HOUGH.

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT OR SECRET? WHAT IS IT? Can tap dance WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? Performing at the Royal Albert Hall & having my daughter WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: Singin’ in the Rain BOOK: ‘Why Mummy Drinks’ – Gill Sims FOOD: Thai or Indian depends on my mood…

PLACE: Kuwait

ROLE SUMMARY Representative of HIVE, to provide support to the wider military network living at RAF Halton, irrespective of duty station.

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT HALTON??

I started in early Jan 22 WHAT IS THE BEST JOB YOU’VE EVER DONE? Best Job – Senior Cabin Attendant for BMI HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Fun, Outgoing, Listener HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Annoying, but a friend for life and keeps the family going!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? Choreographing musicals

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Lots of travelling IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL WHERE WOULD YOU GO? 1920’s WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Meatballs WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? Predict the future WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? A car from my parents WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Go and work at RAF Halton DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? WHAT WAS IT? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? No – as I never seem to get past day 3!

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE GOT PLANNED FOR 2022?

Attempting the worlds’ fastest Zip line, Velocity 2 in Snowdonia!

To have your article published in the next issue of Mainpoint Please send submissions to: HAL-Mainpoint@mod.gov.uk Mainpoint Spring 2022

27

Introductory

WHAT ARE YOUR OC SD&PS, SQN LDR JENNY MUNRO . HOBBIES AND

PASTIMES? Running, walking the dog and chasing after the kids.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? When I graduated university

ESTABLISHMENT FIRE FOCAL POINT (EFFP), EO CHRIS PEACOCK .

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: Superman, the new ones.

BOOK: Bram Stokers’ Dracula.

MUSICIAN OR BAND: Depeche Mode FOOD: Whatever my wife cooks.

PLACE: Any beer garden in the sun.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: All Christmas films FOOD: Thai food PLACE: Sri Lanka

ROLE SUMMARY Provide welfare and service discipline support to the unit.

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE MILITARY? 11 years WHAT IS THE BEST OR WORST JOB YOU’VE DONE? DAO 902 EAW Mussanah, Oman WHAT WOULD YOU BE IF YOU WEREN’T IN THE MILITARY? Dog Walker HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Patient, Positive, talkative HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Organised, positive, chatty

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Buy a large house near the beach WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Chicken salad and chips WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? To be invisible DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? WHAT WAS IT? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? Yes.To do more running and to use my phone less. Its going ok but it is only Feb. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE GOT PLANNED FOR 2022?

Holidays abroad with the kids

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT OR SECRET? WHAT IS IT? Dyeing my wife’s hair (apparently).

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? My wife and I having my daughter Georgina.

ROLE SUMMARY Assurance of all fire safety on station. Theory and Practical fire training for new recruits.

Support the HoE’s intent with regard to fire safety.

ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT HALTON? Since 31 Jan 2022.

WHAT IS THE BEST OR WORST JOB YOU’VE EVER DONE? My best job was a Section Commander in the Army many years ago.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Opinionated, Chatty, Happy HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Stubborn, Particular, Chatty WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? I was a keen footballer and played as a goalkeeper until I became old. Now it’s Golf and Chess.

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Play golf a lot.

IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL WHERE WOULD YOU GO? 100 years into the future.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Jalfrezi curry WHO WOULD ATTEND YOUR IDEAL PARTY? REAL OR FICTIONAL OK… Winston Churchill or The Queen.

WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? Be able to fly.

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? My first bike as a child.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? It’s better to do something than nothing. Even if it risks being wrong.

DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? WHAT WAS IT? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? No. They normally last a day.

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE GOT PLANNED FOR 2022?

Summer holiday (hopefully)

FOR ADVERTISING 28

Mainpoint Spring 2022

PA TO OC SPT WG, SOPHIE RUTLEDGE E1.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? My BA Honours degree in Journalism WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE… FILM: Trial of the Chicago 7 BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell MUSICIAN OR BAND: The Beatles FOOD: Dark Chocolate PLACE: Sandbanks Beach in Dorset

ROLE SUMMARY Providing support to OC Spt Wg and general Support Wg/Stn output ABOUT YOU HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT HALTON? 5 months WHAT IS THE BEST JOB YOU’VE EVER DONE? This one!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Organised, Extrovert and Sporty HOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER DESCRIBE YOU IN THREE WORDS? Tidy, Compassionate and (a tad) naggy!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND PASTIMES? Going to the gym, live music events, travelling and swimming DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT OR SECRET? WHAT IS IT? Dramatic Arts (I went to drama school as a child)

QUICK QUESTIONS… WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Move to the Bahamas IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL WHERE WOULD YOU GO? 1970s/80s (for the music!)

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR TEA LAST NIGHT? Italian WHO WOULD ATTEND YOUR IDEAL PARTY? REAL OR FICTIONAL OK… Freddie Mercury, All the Beatles, Elton John and Elvis Presley WHAT ONE SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE? Reading minds WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? Earrings on my 21st Birthday WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Worrying is a waste of energy!

DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? WHAT WAS IT? HOW LONG DID IT LAST? Learn to do the splits...still practising but not there yet!

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING YOU’VE GOT PLANNED FOR 2022?

Buying a house (fingers crossed!)

Kitchener s Holidays for Servicemen & Women

Charity Number 230090

We have organised a Tandem skydive on the 10th anniversary of James Ashworth VC 10TH Anniversary.

The James Ashworth VC Jump

13th June 2022 UK Parachuting, Beccles.

All funds raised from this will go towards the upgrade of facilities in the Hotel for veterans who come and stay so that they will have the best experience possible.

To Donate Visit: https://localgiving.org/appeal/ jamesashworthvcjump/

01502 573564 | 07934 470100

enquiries@kitchenerslowestoft.co.uk 10 Kirkley Cliff, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0BY

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Mainpoint Spring 2022

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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER: OPENUNIVERSITY.CO.UK/EASYRESETTLEMENT

People who serve in the RAF are trained to be self-reliant.

All too often, when life gets tough, they suffer in silence.

Our Listening and Counselling Service provides confidential support.

We also offer online mindfulness training through free Headspace memberships.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, anxiety, stress or low self-esteem, we’re here to help.

Find out more: rafbf.org CALL 0300 102 1919 The RAF Benevolent Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SC038109).

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MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE RAF’S MOST DARING OPERATIONS BY CYCLING 56 OR 100 MILES

MAIN RIDE: SAT 14 MAY 2022 Start & finish: The Petwood Hotel, Lincolnshire, home of the Dambusters Ride to take a heritage route

VIRTUAL RIDE: SAT 7 – SUN 8 MAY 2022 Enter individually or as a team

Raise vital funds for the RAF Family Exclusive medal and jersey for all riders

Sign up now:

rafbf.org/ride Registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SC038109).