Page 67 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

The Bugle Majors end an impressive Sounding Retreat display
Sounding Retreat
The Battalion was honoured to welcome guests from the local community of schools, emergency services and local business. Including guests from the wider military community of Northern Ireland, all were excellently hosted by the RSM in the Warrant Of cers’ and Serjeants’ Mess.
The evening started by hailing new Ri emen into the Regiment from the Wallace Detachment of the Army Cadet Force, substituting their Caubeen for the Ri es Beret and Bugle. It was excellent to witness their commitment and passion for the Regiment and the Battalion looks forward to working with their detachment in the future.
The Band and Bugles of The RIFLES culmi- nated an exceptional week performing throughout the province with a remarkable Sounding Retreat. The guests and Ri emen were rewarded with an advanced preview of the performance planned for Horse Guards Parade the following month with an exhibition of drill and music of incomparable perfor- mance. The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett took the salute as the Battalion reciprocated his kind hospitality earlier in the week at a civic recepetion.
Capt S Eamer, RCMO
IT WAS EXCELLENT TO WITNESS THEIR COMMITMENT AND PASSION
2 RIFLES welfare
It has been a fast and furious period for the Welfare Team, the Battalion has been at the forefront of deployments worldwide, the Welfare Team has worked non-stop to keep the families occupied and ensuring they are well supported whilst their other half is away.
During this time the UWO has handed over the reins, the team would like to thank Capt Vince Bowerman for his support during his time with 2 RIFLES and wish him good luck in the future. The team gave a warm welcome to Capt Scott Maunders who is now rmly in the chair.
The girls and boys have been active organising events from a Battalion held ‘Cake Sale’ to replace essential fats and sugars after CO’s PT, the wives raised money for future events in the year.
Jan 16 saw the wives asking on coffee mornings “what do our partners do during the working day”? Freaky Thursday was born allowing the partners to stay at home and take care of the children, do the school run and some household chores. The wives were introduced to Circuit Training, DCCT serials where some of the girls shooting was very impressive. Towards the end the morning they were introduced to immediate rst aid training targeting incidents around the household and children.
With BHQ & A Company away in Romania and a break in the refreshing Northern Ireland weather Mrs Sian Whymark (Sjt Whymark – Provo Sjt) organised an 80’s sports day involving some demanding events including the formidable sack race and egg & spoon to raise money for local events. A programme of events for the ri emen and families is planned over the long Northern Irish school holidays whilst detailed planning for Ex WIFLES STORM in September continues.
2 RIFLES UW Team
Lt Col Bellamy presents the Major of Lisburn and Castlereagh a Silver Bugle
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 65