Page 37 - QARANC Vol 14 No 6 2013

This has been another busy period for the unit with another successful Ex Northern Challenge, Remembrance parades and Christmas festivities. All were undertaken with an enthusiasm that even the floods could not dampen... Oh yes we saw the floods!!
Ex Northern Challenge 2 took place in September with 2 week long exercises ending with a spot of Adventure Training. During the Exercise Northern Challenge unit members were taught a number of battle drills in preparation for a final Section attack before the end of the Exercise. Visit days were arranged for both weeks with personnel form both the Trust and Military personnel. We were honoured to host Col Bush Colonel Commandant and Lt Col Shepherd, along with senior members of the Trust. The visit was timed in order that the visitors could watch Section attacks which formed the culmination of the Exercise, and ‘quiet’ Cpl Larcombe demonstrating why she would later be awarded best Soldiers, along with Cpl Scott...Yes the standard was so high we awarded 2 for the first week! The visit was also an opportunity for the Trust to understand what we do on our ‘Military Days’. Prior to Adventure training the Exercising troops were able to enjoy a couple of well-deserved beers and BBQ. Unfortunately the second week saw the floods of September, so with dynamic risk assessments continuously being carried out, the troops were brought into the safe confines of the camp, where lessons continued and by the end of the week troops could return to the area to complete the section attacks. The BBQ was equally enjoyed and LCpl Gurung was awarded Best Soldier for second week Ex Northern
Challenge.
The floods have hit a number of
times during the later part of the year, but Business Continuity Plan and pure selfless commitment ensured that personnel covered shifts and helped each other out.
And so to Remembrance Parade, and then Christmas festivities. The 12th December was the main day of celebration; starting with Gunfire in the junior ranks accommodation, (no photos as requested). A tot of nectar was the perfect start for the rest of the day. The morning saw the members of the unit congregate for the annual Carol Service. This year held at the Garrison Church. With a mixture of music talent from some and unashamed enthusiasm we belted out the traditional carols. There were also a number of readings to ensure we did not forget the true Christmas message. After the spiritual cleansing the senior ranks went to prepare for the junior
THE GAZETTE QARANC 35
MDHU Northallerton
Commanding Officer:
Lt Col Ian Simpson RAMC
Senior Nursing Office:
Lt Col Gary Kenward QARANC
Regimental Sgt Maj:
WO1 Donna Price QARANC
News
ranks Christmas dinner...As happens every year the Junior Ranks have their Christmas dinner served by the senior members of the unit. This year it was held at the newly opened Hipswell centre. After a pray and welcome from the JR’s PMC for the day; Pte Martin, the serving staff sprang into action delivering food and drink with surprising efficiency. As the dinner developed it became increasingly clear that the afternoon’s sporting activity was no longer viable. So sadly, and to many cheers, the game of touch rugby had to be postponed until more physically able times. Luckily this did not impact on the last working day’s activity. The highly anticipated CO’s Cup Potted Sports...Seven events with a dubious Christmas theme. Rope climbing, swinging to carrot throwing, and cart racing. It was a compelling and absorbing competition.
All set for the New Year.