Page 50 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

8 RIFLES
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Over the past six months, 8 RIFLES have made a significant push to further their relationship with three key pillars of the Regiment: the Cadets, the Veterans, and our communities.
Events like the joint 8 RIFLES and North East RFCA Bugle Breakfast primarily allow employers to pledge their support to the Armed Forces, but also serve to raise the awareness of the regiment within the local communities. The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant is an important step for
any employer wanting to publicly show their support; and in exchange for giving their reservists extra time off and ensuring great opportunities for employment for our veterans, they are often able to better attract the large pool of talent coming from the Armed Forces.
RIFLES in the North East allowed us to ensure we remain firmly within the public eye, with stakeholders from across the community coming out to show their support for the regiment and the wider Army. The 5-day event, run by Regimental Headquarters and supported by 8 RIFLES and Band and Bugles, consisted of Freedom Parades, Concerts, Bugle Breakfasts and civic meetings. This not only reaffirmed the position of the RIFLES as the premier local regiment of the North East, but also allowed the building of relationships between all Five Pillars.
As well as formal military events, such as the ones above, 8 RIFLES have also supported a large number of civic events ranging from memorial football games and race days to beacon lightings and jubilee celebrations. These have taken place at a staggering pace across the North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands and show no sign of slowing down.
The aim has been simple, to ensure we have the strongest links possible so that these organisations can support our serving soldiers and perhaps even more importantly, our Veterans. If anyone has, or is planning on leaving the Regular Army and is settling in the North East or the Midlands, let us know if you need any help. If we are not able to support, we will know someone who can.
Capt Ridley, Sjt Shepard
8 RIFLES BHQ Bugle Breakfast, signing of the Armed Forces Covenant
50 RIFLES The Bugle
8 RIFLES have also supported a large number
of civic events ranging from memorial football games and race days to beacon lightings and the jubilee
QM 8 RIFLES with the Mayor of Sunderland during RIFLES in the North East
A bugler plays during Proms in the Park, Durham