Page 106 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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END TO END CHALLENGE
PTI Class 1 Course No 195
and SSgt Slade-Jones
SSgt (SSI) G Slade-Jones RAPTC
W
ith the tempo of life at the ASPT as fast as it is; especially We decided to make the Watt Bikes available from Wed lunch
for the Class One Students & Instructors, it is sometimes time until 1300 hrs on the Fri (when we would start as a course).
dificult to it extra curricula activities into the programme. From here members of the ASPT could cycle as much as they

When one of the students from PTI Class One Course 195 liked and record their efforts. Then on the Fri we would subtract
suggested completing the John O’Groats to Lands End bike ride, the distance from the overall total and PTI Class One Course 195
I instantly took interest. The irst thing that came into my head would cycle the rest.
wasn’t the distance or the logistics but how we could it it into

our programme. The plan was then hatched to complete the ride The members of the ASPT ate into the total and left a distance of
in 24 hrs at the ASPT!! We would use the new Watt Bikes and 685 miles for us to complete in 24 hrs. Throughout the night we
complete the ride as a team, in a relay format, without ever leaving watched re-runs of the ‘In-betweeners’ and those not cycling slept
Aldershot. We had 7 riders in total and 880 miles to cover.
on crash mats in Fox Gymnasium. We were visited by Capt (MAA)

Jase Murdoch RAPTC and his lovely wife around 2230 hrs who
We planned on completing the ride on Fri 22 Mar 13, and in turn brought us some morale in the form of sausage butties. The QM,
raise money for Scope. We published our plan to the Commanding Maj (MAA) Alhaji RAPTC then visited at 0610 hrs and completed a
Oficer, Lt Col (MAA) D Peters RAPTC and he also was interested 40 km stint for us. We inished the distance 3 hrs before schedule

in completing some mileage; and not to be out done, the Adjt and raised just over £600 for the charity.
and QM also offered their heart and lungs. So with a limited time
frame, and a variety of different times and dates available across
the board, we needed to hatch the plan.

QUARTERMASTER ASPT

Maj (MAA) S D Alhaji RAPTC

A
SPT Training Wing – The inal The old Trg Wing portacabins are being looking better than ever. The only other
piece of the Fox Lines Project relocated to another camp, which now addition left to do is to replace the current

Allenby Connaught (PAC) jigsaw creates some much needed additional wooden shed with a bespoke garden
has just been put in place. Some of you space for training.
retreat. The new Association Secretary
will know the building I am talking about (Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones) is looking into
as the HQ APTC (as it was then), or old Fox Lines Entrance Point – Access this, so watch this space.

NAAFI or even the old pavilion (back into Fox Line has returned to its original
in the day) but its oficial name is PTO position at Princess Avenue and a new MPGS – Sadly, with the reduction of MGS
133/137. Regardless of your memories guard hut has been built. At time of writing force across the MoD, we have lost our
of this building, I can tell you that the old we are in the process of purchasing a new dedicated MPGS Platoon, who have been
place isn’t the same anymore. On 6th electronic notice board which will inish off part of the ASPT since April 2007 and have

June 2013, I took over PTO 133/137 in the entrance area nicely and provide vital formed very special links with the school
its new guise as the ASPT Trg Wing. This information to all visitors.
staff. The MPGS have been redeployed to
building has been completely renovated backill the void left when the MGS were
to an exceptionally high standard. As you Garden of Remembrance – Before all the reduced. As a result of this reorganisation

enter the building, The 4 ofices on the left renovation work took place, by far the the ASPT were uncomfortably close to
hand side now belong to the TCO, then biggest concern was ‘what to do with the losing their guard service and would have
TWO & TCWO and the CI respectively. garden’. For those who were not aware, been expected to self guard Fox Lines!
Opposite, is the main ofice manned by the garden was literally picked up and Fortunately, (and after much posturing)

the three Trg Clerks. Then continuing temporarily replanted by Gavin Jones at we were allocated MGS who now reside
up the steps (where the museum used their head ofice (The Plantation Nursery) within Fox Lines 24/7 and provide our
to be) the room is subdivided into the in Addlestone. Once the renovations were much needed security blanket.
ASPT Instructors room, Resources ofice, complete, the garden was painstakingly

a breakout ofice and a kitchenette and returned to its original position. And I Hammersley Barracks – Work is still
disabled toilet. Finally on the right hand have to stress, ALL THE SOIL which was progressing on our old hallowed ground,
side of the building is a common room for used for families to spread the ashes of which will be the new site for the newly
the Class One Instructors with a bespoke their loved ones, has been returned to formed Support Command Headquarters.
kitchenette. The veranda has a new roof the garden. I have to say Gavin Jones
Work is not scheduled to complete until
and just in front is a new paved area.
has done a fantastic job as the garden is
2014.