Gratitude

This will be my last Padre’s Corner as I move in August to join 2 Signals in York.

As I find myself in my last couple of months here I have a wonderful sense of gratitude that I got to spend my first posting as an Army Chaplain with all of you Wonderful Wattisham Peeps. When I started I knew nothing about the Army, and some would say that being in the Air Corps for the last 3 years I still don’t!

I definitely know one thing though: I have the best job in the Army.

For a start, I get to do amazing stuff with you: crawling around trying to get the best shot on exercise (with my camera, obviously); limping back to the hostel after just a morning of skiing for an ‘old lady nap’; learning about our history at Pegasus Bridge; and leading you all in our Acts of Remembrance.

I will always remember with fondness my first Field Service in Estonia with 4 Regt, the elation when you all started humming with me, and the sound of tumbleweed as I began to sing and you all fell silent… You all sang with me for Christmas though, and what a sound you made!

More than that though, you trust me with the stuff you wouldn’t normally share. There is nothing that gives me a greater sense of purpose than when one of you stands in my doorway and says ‘thank you Padre, I feel better for talking about it’. It has been a privilege to walk alongside some of you as you have wrestled with life’s struggles and I will continue to keep you in my prayers as I journey on.

At it’s best the Army can be an amazing family tree with each Unit forming it’s own branch. Like a bird flitting around I get to join different branches for a short while before I move on. Each branch is unique in it’s own way and there will always be some that are more hospitable than others, you have all made me feel so welcome here. I am proud to say that 4AAC, 7Bn CSS, 3AAC and Wattisham Station provided me with my formative experience as an Army Chaplain. I have been bowled over by the affection that the Army has for it’s ‘Padre’s, and I am well aware that I stand on the shoulders of giants.

I have learnt so many things: always carry an extension lead on exercise; a sense of humour will take you a long way; sweets are always appreciated at the end of a long day, most of all I have learnt to be grateful every time I get a message or a phone call that starts with the phrase ‘Padre, could I come and speak to you…’ Gratitude in life is such a powerful feeling. Feeling grateful can help you overcome adversity and manage stress. It helps us to feel that whatever else may be going on around us our lives are meaningful. Like anything good for us it needs to be worked at because it is easy to forget to be grateful when we are tired, or feel undervalued.

So thank you all: for every long meeting; for every teaching session I did when you looked at me blankly; for all the times you mumbled the words and I made you start singing again.

Each of them was an opportunity for us to get to know each other better so that you felt able to talk to me when you needed to.

Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to do the best job the Army has.

Every Blessing, Padre Adéle www.birdstackle.co.uk

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Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

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Telephone: 01473 823268 Email: admin@stmaryshad.co.uk

Website: www.stmaryshad.co.uk

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St Mary’s Church of England Primary School is a vibrant, Christian school, in which all children achieve well and are inspired to a lifelong love of learning!

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FREE food for crews uplifting at least 100L JetA1

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4.5NM East of the Manchester Low Level Corridor

Class ‘G’ airspace

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Barton Aerodrome , Liverpool Rd, Eccles, M30 7SA

24

‘Helicopter Training Area ’ with sloping ground area

‘Barton Patches’ for squadron patches exchanges

CIVILIAN USE OF THE STATION P&RTC GYM AND SWIMMING

With immediate effect, the requirement for civilians (MOD Civil Servants and contractors employed at Wattisham Flying Station) to provide evidence of 3rd party liability and personal accident insurance is rescinded. The Station has taken out 3rd Party Liability and Personal Accident Insurance cover to remove the need for individuals to provide evidence. It should be noted that Personal Accident cover only provides basic cover, limited to a maximum claim of £10,000 for death or disablement.

Personnel are recommended to seek advice/additional cover, should that cover be insufficient for their circumstances. To arrange an induction, contact the Station QMSI on david. read530mod.gov.uk.

Swimmmers under the age of 8 yrs are to be directly supervised (adult in the water with the child) by an adult over the age of 18 yrs. Children over the age of 8 yrs and a competent swimmer can be indirectly supervised (This supervision can be carried out by sitting on the poolside seats). Adults are not to leave the poolside whilst the child they are supervising is in the swimming pool.

Clarity can be sought by engaging with the duty lifeguard.