Royal Logistics Corps Open Day

Our visit to the Royal Logistics Corps open day followed immediately after the Girlguiding centenary camp.

Cripes, we were made to feel special when met by Capt Christal Dalley who remained at our side for the whole of our visit. A full programme of activities was organised for us. Beginning by meeting the Director of the Royal Logistics Corps the Garrison Commander, quickly followed by a tour of the stands, including the Surrey Police accident prevention unit, the RLC Bomb Disposal, Army chefs, Ascot Ales, and more.

I’ve always been in awe of our military, and the closer to them you get, the more is that respect. Good to be able say thank you to the Garrison Commander, Brig A J Deas OBE.

Must report on two special kindnesses offered to us. On the Ascot Ales stand, we were presented with a bottle of Rorke’s Drift Ale, a best bitter to celebrate the gallantry of a past Corps hero James Langley VC. Then later to a presentation, along with a small group of RASC/RCT members, by Lt Col David Owen of the RLC’s medal collection, housed in the regimental HQ, where James Langley’s VC is on display, and the heroism of others RLC soldiers wonderfully described by Lt Col Owen.

Flying a flag to celebrate Armed Forces Day

Being among the celebration party at the flag raising at Surrey Heath House on Monday to mark Armed Forces Day this Saturday offered an opportunity to say thank you to those who bear arms in our defence.

Serving armed forces personnel, service veterans, past-Mayors of Surrey Heath, councillors, and our current Mayor, Cllr John May, were among those witnessing the raising of a flag to mark Armed Forces Day.

Our Mayor, pictured on the right, spoke briefly and eloquently on the sacrifice and duty of our armed forces. Point to note: I’m rubbish at taking photographs. I neglected to ensure that the Mayoress, Juliette May, was included in the picture. Juliette is the person in pink standing behind Cllr John May. Must try harder.

I’ve mentioned on my Lightwater blog, how delighted I was to see two friends, from Bagshot, respond to an invitation on my Lightwater blog to watch the flag raising. As they were each wearing a Help for Heroes tee-shirt someone in the flag raising party invited them to join the tea and biscuits gathering in the Council offices after the event.

It was a slight disappointment that there weren’t more to watch the event on the lawn outside the Council offices. Perhaps we need to do more to publicise civic events such as these.

Being Deputy Mayor means I attend events where the Mayor is unable to attend. I must say I’m absolutely chuffed to be the civic representative at The Royal Logistics Corps Armed Forces Open Day this Saturday at Dettingden Fields in Deepcut. We try to go to this event every year, so it’s a doubly pleasing to attend as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, which will give us the chance to say thank you again to the Army.

I can’t give a better description of the day than from Paul Deach on Surrey Heath Residents blog.