Page 39 - QARANC Vol 14 No 10 2015

other peaceful methods have been exhausted.
The second presentation was hosted by the Sikh chaplain for the British Army. Mrs Mandeep Kaur works within regiments throughout the UK and promotes an official Armed Forces organisation call British Armed Forces Sikh Association (BAFSA). This organisation acts as a vocal point for serving Sikhs and their community within the MOD. BAFSA aims to support Sikh serving personnel by advising them in all aspects of life whilst also promoting personnel to defend the wider community and most importantly
preserving their military history.
The presentation discussed her role within the Army and
the importance of understanding the values of Sikhi and the roles of their Guru’s. We also had time to ask the hosts any questions that we had. This gave us an opportunity further our learning and understanding.
After the inspirational presentations we were all invited to join the members of Gurdwara in lunch. We all sat as equals to eat food that was prepared by volunteers. Everyone in
the unit enjoyed the variety of the traditional curries provided and the chapatti’s which were abundant. We were waited on intently, ensuring that everyone had enough to eat and drink.
The trip to the Gurdwara has provided MDHU Northallerton with inspirational words of wisdom whilst enabling us to have a greater respect and understanding of the values of Sikhs. The knowledge gained from this trip will not only assist every individual in their military work but also in our clinical professions as all of the information provided is easily transferable on to the wards within main stream hospitals.
On behalf of all personnel, I would like to thank L/Cpl Singh for organising the event, Captain Singh, Jagraj Singh and Mandeep Kaur for their kind hospitality and presentations. I would also like to thank the members of the Gurdwara who have taken a lot of time and effort to produce such a beautiful lunch for us all.
Cpl Newman
THE GAZETTE QARANC 37
one, the Pte was issued with the task of completing 62 burpees at the summit of Snowdon!
Led by Lt Keenan and Capt Lewis, mountain walking routes varied on each day. On Wednesday morning my group, accompanied by Lt Col Simpson commenced our ascent of Snowdon via the Llanberis Path. Once at the 3,560ft summit I proceeded to complete my 62 burpees; 1 for each penny that it now costs you to buy a First Class stamp. Half way into the task, as
I began to feel a different ‘gut feeling’ from the previous evening, I overheard a group of confused civilians. “I wonder why he’s doing star jumps?” they said. Struggling to breath I replied “they’re burpees!!!”. The group descended via the Snowdon Ranger Path and Penceunant Tea Rooms. It was an excellent outing. Approximately 9 miles walked in beautiful surroundings.
Instructed by SSgt Hewitt and Mr Livermore each group was taken to the mountain biking Mecca of Coed- y-Brenin, recognised as “one of the best mountain biking locations in the whole of England” (Mr Livermore, 2014). This forest area is packed with the Ffowndri ‘skills area’ and a network of varying graded intensity single- track routes; something for all abilities ranging from Green for novice to Black
for probable maiming or death. A small group of elite dared to complete the Black route...and lived on to proudly tell the tale. This can be put down to peer pressure, competiveness and a sheer will to survive. The technical roller coaster bike riding experience had you grinning like an adolescent fool, whilst at other times in immediate fear for your life! Few left Coed-y-Brenin bruise free with a number of individuals taking hard falls although managing to bravely soldier on.
In closing, a big thank you must be paid to SSgt Hewitt, Capt Charlesworth, the instructors and advanced party for coordinating a fun, sociable week of challenging activities whatever your ability, enjoyed by all and complimented by the weather. Pte Page