A WEEKEND AT BOCONNOC
This past weekend, Battling On hosted a stall at the annual Boconnoc Steam Fair, where we aimed to engage in networking and amplify our message.
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, and the weather wasn't too much of a bother. We managed to make over £500 in donations, which will come back to continue our project.
A big THANKS to all the veterans who helped out with running the stall, and a special mention for Sean Drewitt who stayed for the entire duration. BZ!
The highlight of the weekend was our photoshoot with The Rifleman, a miniature steam engine. Unfortunately, Nigel and Adam - the owners - couldn't get Rifleman working in time. Thankfully, another engineer was at hand to help!
Nigel and Adam are both Forces Veterans. Below is information about The Rifleman and why it carries the name.....
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This engine is a 4” Burrell Agricultural Miniature Steam Engine owned by Nigel and Tina James.
The build of this engine started in 2006 and was finally completed and steamed in 2010 by the second owner Nigel Surrah of Yorkshire. In Dec 2011, after a brief exchange of funds and the collection of the engine at Exeter Services the ownership of the engine was passed Mr Kevin Pethick of Nanpean Cornwall. Mr Barrie Charleston from St Austell operated the engine until 2013 and after he moved away, she was laid up in Mr Pethick garage until she was purchased in July 2017 by the new owners. The name of “The Rifleman” comes from Nigel’s last job after serving his last 10 years with the Regiment called “The Rifles”. It is a tribute to the 62 men of The Rifles who were killed in Afghanistan as the colours of the Rifles Regiment are Green, Black, and Red the same as the engine.
Nigel:
I joined the Army aged 15 in September 1972 as a Junior Soldier at the Light Division Depot Shrewsbury and after 2 years I was posted to 3rd Battalion Light Infantry stationed in Minden Germany. During my 22 years’ service 3LI had been posted to Catterick, Cyprus, Tidworth, Omagh Co Tyrone, Weeton Blackpool and Paderborn Germany. During this time, I have been on exercise in Kenya, Germany, USA and 6 months in the Falklands. My operational Tours were 3 years and 10 months in Northern Ireland and 4 months on OP Agila in Rhodesia, South Africa. I had one posting to the 5th Battalion Light Infantry as a Serjeant Mortar Permeant Staff Instructor (PSI). My last posting with the Regular Army was HQ 43 Wessex (Wx) Brigade (Bde) in Exeter where in June 1995 I was awarded the MBE for the Administrative Roll I played on the Ten Tors Expedition on Dartmoor every year. I was discharged from the Regular Army on the 14th May 1997 and re-joined the reserve as Non-Regular Permeant Staff (NRPS) taking up the post of Regimental Quarter Master Serjeant (RQMS) with 43 Wx Bde. Two years later after restructuring I moved to D (LI) Company, The Rifle Volunteers in Truro as a Quartermaster Permeant Staff Instructor (QPSI) and in 2007 the Battalion became 6 Rifles. I was discharged from the reserve on 14th May 2017 after completed 44 years and 8 months in uniform serving 34 years as Light Infantry and 10 years as Rifles. I am currently driving HGVs for a living and the Chairperson of the DCLI, SCLI, LI and Rifles Association Bodmin. The last three years I have organised The Light Infantry Contingent to march at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, two Dinner Nights in Newquay and many other events in Cornwall.
Remembrance Ceremony & The Battling On Mailing List
We're starting up a mailing list!
Battling On will be releasing termly newsletters, detailing all the most exciting things going on here at Merryhue Farm.
If you would like to receive these digital newsletters, please send your email address to [email protected].
We look forward to spreading all the good news from the farm.
Thank you to all those who got involved with our Remembrance Ceremony last week, especially Father Michael Brown who conducted the ceremony and our Bugler, David Reece. The field looked absolutely amazing, and the rain managed to stay away.
It's always a special time of year, but also a sombre one. We will always remember our fallen.
Remembrance Poppies to Those Who Donate
Would you like to own one of our Scallop Shell Poppies?
You may have seen our Scallop Shell Poppies on the latest edition of BBC's Countryfile. In order to raise money so that we may continue providing a service to our local Veterans, we will be giving our Poppies to anybody who donates £10 or more to our cause. The money raised will go towards Battling On and the Together We Can Succeed project at Merryhue Farm where the poppies are made and displayed.
If you wish to donate and receive one of our wonderful poppies, please get in touch. You can come to the site to pick up a poppy, or you can arrange for one to be sent to you (Postage & Packing charges will apply.)
Phone: 07769 604 471
Email: [email protected]
If you would like to join our Newsletter mailing list, please send us your email and you'll be kept up to date with everything that goes on at Battling On.
Thank you so much.
Kind regards,
The Battling On Team
Site Closure for Her Majesty's Funeral - Monday 19th
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
Considering recent events and the announcement of a public holiday for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we will not be opening on Monday 19th September, in line with DfE guidance.
This will allow individuals, businesses, and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
We at TST will be holding a minute’s silence this coming Wednesday morning, giving us and our learners the opportunity to demonstrate our sadness and loss at the passing of the Queen.
May we remind you to cancel transport arrangements for the Monday.
College will be re-opening as normal on the 20th of September.
Yours sincerely
Mark Claridge
Head of Education
Veterans Complete 'Striding Out' 30 Mile Challenge
This week, a team of Veterans completed a 30 mile challenge across Dartmoor over two days. Special thanks to all those involved! We couldn't have done it without you.
This Veterans ended the challenge with a great sense of achievement. Determination pulled them through, even over aching feet and sore calves!
End of Term 2021/2022
We hope you all enjoyed this academic year, and that you are making the most of the sun. The offices will now be closed until August 30th.
If you would like support with your mental health, the following agencies can be contacted:
If you are, or someone else is, in danger, always call 999 first.
For advice, or non-urgent calls, call NHS 111.
For free, safe, and anonymous online support, visit Kooth.com
For local support, call Livewire Youth Club – 01752 843570
Visit our website for further support agencies and information:
For financial support or advice on care and support services for families: Visit – www.supportincornwall.org.uk
If you require the use of a Foodbank, please contact: 0800 144 8848 to speak with Citizens Advice Cornwall who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher
Alternatively, call 0808 2082138 (National Foodbank helpline) This message is confidential, so please treat it appropriately and for its intended purpose only. Any views or opinions presented are those of the author only and not of TST South West CIC. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please accept our apologies and arrange for copies of it to be deleted.
Johnny Mercer MP and Active Plus visit the Veterans
The Veterans enjoyed a sunny day at Merryhue Farm yesterday, and were joined by members of Active Plus and Johnny Mercer MP. Some of the veterans received certificates for their participation in the Active Plus programme. Thanks to all those involved!
Torpoint Ladies Darts Team Drop In
The Torpoint Ladies darts team came to visit and play an epic game of darts against our veterans! They also very kindly donated £600 to our cause. You're always welcome back for a rematch!
We'd like to extend our gratitude for their wonderful contribution and company.
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