Page 23 - 103RA 2018-20

High Ropes AT and 210 Battery Association
Dinner October 2019
By Sgt Les Martin
2Lt Willers, WO2 King and myself (Sgt Martin) met at Bulwell ARC eager for an early start. We reached the ‘NAYC & ACUK Pioneer Centre’ near Kidderminster at 08:00. It was not long before the rest of the Battery arrived, and we were introduced to the staff who would take us through the day’s activities. We began with team- building puzzles and competitions.
The group was divided into two teams and we set about solving the puzzles and games as quickly as possible. One such game was the team ski challenge. Each team stood on long wooden ‘skis’ and raced to reach the other side of the room without falling off. The final game was also a race between the two teams. Each team member had two lengths of tube. The objective was to get a marble around a course using the tubes
and without dropping the marble. Success required great coordination and communication. I would like to say there was not any cheating...
Next, we ventured
outside to the ‘aerial
assault course.’ Here we
were each given a safety
harness and then headed
towards two huge, wooden
towers. Between the two
towers were a series of cables, ropes and obstacles. All we had to do was navigate across from one tower to the other. Five at a time, we were attached to the safety cable and sent out across a course 30 feet above the ground. Everyone reached the other side. Although, some required a bit of encouragement else they would probably still be up there to this day.
Once everyone had reached the other side we realised there was no way down the second tower... Our next task was to return the same way, except this time we tried to do it while hanging upside down. One by one we returned to the starting tower, unhooked and went down the stairs to firm ground, much to the relief of some.
After a well-earned lunch we put our harnesses back on and set out to the next activity - the ‘leap of faith.’ This is a single pole with a small platform at the top, just big enough to stand on. I did not think I would ever have the nerve to go up but once the instructor announced that we were about to finish I plucked up the courage to give it a go! It seemed fine until I reached the top. It felt very wobbly
210 Battery team photo at the NAYC & ACUK Pioneer Centre. From left to right: Captain Crisp, Sergeant Wilkinson, WO2 King, Sergeant Kitajewski, Gun-
ner MacDonald, Gunner Passmore, Major Picken (former BC), Staff Sergeant Chance, WO2 Lewis (BSM), Staff Sergeant Jowett, Sergeant Martin, Bombardier Hemsworth and Second Lieutenant Willers.
Regimental Journal 2018-20
Unfortunately, my fingertips just grazed past the bar and I was left hanging by my harness
so high in the air but there
was only one way down and that was to jump for a bar hanging 6 feet away. I held my breath and jumped as everyone beneath me cheered me on. Unfortunately, my fingertips just grazed past the bar and I was left hanging by my harness. Nevertheless, I was proud of my effort. After a great day of pushing our limits and defeating our fears we thanked
WO2 (BSM) Esther Lewis and 68 other past and present members of the Battery. The battery’s chefs prepared a wonderful three course meal which was then served, by Sergeants and below, to all guests.
The Battery was first established back in April 1966 shortly followed by the Associ- ation on the 11th March 1977. The Associa- tion was formed by ex-serving members of the 106, 104 and 103 regiments. They meet
the staff at the centre and headed back to the Wolver- hampton ARC to get ready for the annual 210 Battery Asso- ciation Dinner.
The dinner is held monthly at the ARC where current battery members
This was the 41st 210
Battery Association Dinner.
The nights VIPs dining
at the top table included
Chairman of the Association
Colonel Comport as well as
Major David Harris, Major
Paul Salaway, Major Roger
Walters, Major Tom Williams,
[former] BC Major Wayne
Picken, Captain Tony Willington, Captain Andrew Thomson (PSAO), Lieutenant Stuart Manford, Secretary Lieutenant (Rtd) Myles Cadman, WO1 Mick Stevens,
packed weekend. We hope to maintain such strong relations with all association members in the years to come.
every October to share fond memories, enjoy great food and keep up-to-date on the current battery’s activity
often meet with them for a drink in the bar. The dinner is held every October to share fond memories, enjoy great food and keep up-to-date on the current battery’s activity. Association members were delighted to hear of the success of the formation of C Troop – our newest troop located in Nottingham. A fantastic night was had by all. A fitting end to an action-
21