Page 29 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

Christmas was looming, and we now had high standards to meet after the tremendous success of the Halloween Party. The wives wanted to have a well- deserved Christmas party and so did the children. This was all to happen over one weekend; great idea UWO!
The wives committee helped organise their own function which was held in the Warrant Officers’ & Sgts’ Mess by kind invitation of the RSM. The evening was a great opportunity for a mixture of old and new wives, one of which had arrived that very week, to get together for a glam night out, with a dress code called Out-Out; I learn something new every day! Arrival drinks by Mrs Alannah Thomas, decorations by Mrs Kelly Hill and a Grand prize draw
by Mrs Emma Clements made it a night to remember. Sgt Baker dressed as Santa certainly added to the entertainment.
The welfare team could not stand still; we rolled straight into the children’s Christmas Party. The team had been decorating with the wives committee for a week; we had built a look a-like ice cave in the entrance foyer which led outside to Santa’s grotto. Numbers attending this time controlled by ticketing the event; however, we were still expecting 90 children and their parents, so
The wives’ Christmas party
we employed two elves on the door who go by the names of LCpl Nash and Pte Avery. The elves proved very good at crowed control and lead each child down to see Santa also known a Sgt John Baker. Santa did a great job of giving each of the 90 children a present and listening to what they wanted for Christmas; the children were also entertained by a children’s entertainer
Ghoulish activities at the families’ Halloween party
and then seated for a Christmas feast in the beeches café with the food professionally provided by the owner, Claire Merritt.
We now look forward to our Spring Season which will start with a wives shopping trip to London and the children’s Easter Party.
Adventure Training & Sport
1 MERCIAN Boxing team
The last year saw the Battalion participate in the Brigade Boxing championship in December 2017. The battalion had its work cut out and needed a strong coach to help with the journey ahead. Sgt Done was the man for the job, he showed the character and pursuit for excellence straight from the off, sacrificing his personal time to train the battalion. The turnout was quite impressive with 30 candidates turning up. Knowing we could only put one fighter in at each weight the journey started. After week one we
had to knock the team down to 15 boxers, and it was a constant battle for Sgt Done to ensure we had the best 15. All boxers showed commitment and willing however the 15 were picked.
The real training started and the three sessions a day took its toll. A well-deserved day off was needed and the newly promoted Team Captain Pte Shepard took the initiative and took the team go-karting. After the medicals the team reduced down to 13 boxers and the competition was on for whom would represent the battalion, after months of hard training 8 boxers were picked. Pte Kinsella and Rodgers were
both eliminated in the semi finials with both showing true grip and grit throughout, with the Finals seeing Pte Wainwright and Cpl Jones losing their bouts. There is always a positive outcome and these two boxers will have their day. The battalion also saw Pte Shepard, Hunt and LCpl Enright wining their
fights with Pte Shepherd taking the prize of best boxer. Also, the almighty Sgt Gardner won his revenge and boxed his way to victory regaining success which was taken from him last year by the very same boxer.
The Brigade Boxing also saw other achievements with an expedition bout in the Semi Finals, with Pte Briggs through sheer determination and hard work losing 32KGs; this enabled him to fight a 3 Rifles opponent at a Super Heavy Weight. Even though Pte Briggs lost his fight he shown immense heart and courage against a boxer that can only be described as a giant.
The Brigade Boxing wouldn’t have worked without its support staff; Sgt Done must be commended on his excellent work turning a team with limited experience
and turning them all into credible boxers, pushing the top boxing rivals on their back foot. 1 MERCIAN came a close second, just points behind the winning unit. Also, we must not forget the other unsung heroes like Pte Hassle and Wilkinson for training the team on technique and fitness and pushing the lads to the limit. In summary the whole boxing experience brought
a group of young men together with a sense of belonging and purpose with a great sense of pride representing their
cap badge. 1 MERCIAN will now focus on Army Individuals and hopefully winning the Brigade Championship late 2018.
Boxing Officer Boxing 2IC Lead Coach
Maj M Whillock WO2 Cook
Sgt Done
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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