Page 89 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2016/17

DEFENCE COLLEGE OF LOGISTICS, POLICING AND ADMINISTRATION (DCLPA) WORTHY DOWN
THE END IS NIGH, WHO KNEW
WO2 (QMSI) J Dykes RAPTC
The G4S security at Wimbledon had taken a turn for the worse
The past year has seen me continue in my usual pattern except for one large elephant looming in the distance; Resettlement. Having already entered this period once before, I was fully prepared when the message popped into my JPA inbox as I nudged 40! Realising that I may have to work for a living soon and lose the ability to be able to pop off for a game of golf or have 38 days leave per year, I gratefully accepted all those nice bits which we take for granted within the military.
The rst step was to x my shoulder after
18 months of unresponsive treatment.
Being asked to walk into the operating
theatre which looked like a cross between
the starship enterprise and a butchers
shop was a little disconcerting but it turns
out that man with all the knives in his hands
knew what he was doing! On a negative
side this was to affect my golf for the whole
of the summer as I couldn’t swing a club until Oct.
My last annual pilgrimage to Wimbledon was conducted with WO1 (SMI) Matt Arlow and WO1 (SMI) Steve Green. It was another fantastic year in ne weather, with plenty of laughs and great memories, most of which I will leave for idle chat in the bar. I shall miss the Wimbledon community of service stewards but the British & Irish Rugby tour to New Zealand is a bigger draw this year!
In Sep I was fortunate enough to be loaded onto an Upper Limb Cse at the RRU Aldershot due to my earlier shoulder op. The whole of the RRU staff were exceptional in their approach and care to all the students and I will be forever grateful for their time, patience and great humour. Whilst they have rebuilt my shoulder my glass back continues to irritate!
Throughout the year we had RAPTCIs
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The Triple Crown Competition for approx1000 competitors soon followed; a demanding week for all those involved be it Competitors or the Directing Staff. Sunburn, headaches and general frustration rule the day for the gym staff and that’s in the weeks leading up to the competition. However, it’s tempered with meeting up with old friends from Units all over the Army which makes it a thoroughly enjoyable 2 day event. A smattering of community engagement events for the gymnasium were conducted throughout the summer months, supporting school fetes and local village charity runs in amongst the year round support to the numerous lodger Units and the Central Reserve Headquarters within DCLPA WD. Delivering to both the Army and RAF has its challenges, especially as we host both the Administrators and the Chefs in this multi cap-badge, dual service environment, but they seem to be coming around to our way of thinking.
Who trashed our beautiful lines!
passing through whilst on the LE CAB and various other courses held here. It’s always great to see them and although my biscuit barrel takes a hell of a hiding every time they pop in for a brew, I will welcome anyone down here (bring your own biscuits!). The annual irtation of setting the Army Cross Country Relays was a challenge without the Athletics Secretary, but Claire and
Al were fantastic again and my team of AAPTIs were outstanding.
The winter brings a massive smile to my face as the green grass and rocks become covered in snow and the ski slopes of the Alps entice you in. This year was no different and after delivering the annual DCLPA WD ski Exped to Val Thorens I was asked to help