Page 9 - 4RA 2021-2023

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Bdr Wilson and Richie Herschell-Smith getting ready to deliver the charity show boxes to Alanbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery
orated sledge created from a golf buggy, Santa delivered presents to children of members of the Regiment and of the local community. In addition, the welfare team delivered Christmas shoe boxes contain- ing small gifts provided by a friend of 4RA to Alanbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery. Much excitement surrounded Santa’s activities, and we expect and hope to see him return year after year.
Families Fourth Community Group
The dark and cold early months of 2022 saw the establishment of the Families
Fourth Community Group. This deter- mined and very motivated group of Army spouses successfully delivered several activities included a community litter- picking day, a community jumble sale, the creation of the “bumps and babies” initia- tive and several family discos. The group proved to be a welcome distraction for the families amid a very busy time for the unit, including preparing 88 Bty RA to deploy on Operation CABRIT 10.5.
Children’s Easter Party
The arrival of spring 2022 saw the deliv- ery of a children’s Easter Party by a small team of the Regiment’s partners and spouses, led by Mrs Stephanie Cowell. The day included an opportunity for the chil- dren to express their creative flair through crafts and a cake decorating stand and the chance to expel excess energy on the regi- mental bouncy castle. Naturally, and with a little aid from the welfare team, the Easter bunny delivered an vast trove of chocolate eggs.
Queens Platinum Jubilee Party and Fla- mingo Land Jubilee Day
As we moved into the summer of 2022, the welfare department organised a street party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, closing off the street outside the welfare building and turning the street into a mass of red, white, and blue to celebrate a truly unique milestone in Her Majesty’s reign. There was lots of fun for the children
(and adults) with games and music from our almost resident DJ, SSgt Danny Find- lay. In addition to the party, Flamingo Land (an amusement park and zoo located in nearby Malton) laid on a free day attended by over 100 soldiers and family members from the Regiment.
BFBS Cinema Day
As we moved into the New Year, we man- aged to secure the services of and take advantage of the BFBS cinema truck. This is an asset worth its weight in gold, with the ability to bring the latest releases right to the doorstep in a mobile cinema set- ting. We were able to show a children’s animated cartoon in the afternoon and then a grown-up film in the evening with popcorn, drinks, and sweets supplied by the welfare team. The truck was very well- received and we hope to make use of it again soon.
Final words
Change is the only continuity in the British Army, and 4th Regiment Royal Artillery is no exception. As the Regiment resubordi- nates from the 1st Artillery Brigade to the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, the Welfare Department will con- tinue to support all members of the Regi- ment and their families. As we approach the August stand-down period, we wish all the soldiers, friends, and families of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery a fabulous and well-earned summer break.
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Children of 4th Regiment soldiers on the Army Welfare Service residential trip to East Barnb, Summer 2022