Representing a Common Heritage
Representing a Common Heritage
The annual TSW Bergathon was held at Swynnerton Training camp, Staffordshire, on the 1st October 2009. The competition comprised of 23 teams entering from various Army and RAF military organisations. For the first time, the Association was represented by 6 former Wing members.
The event included a march over a 10km circuit, while carrying a rifle and a 35lb bergan. Each team consisted of 6 personnel, broken down into 2 teams of 3. The teams completed a total of 3 laps, each person completing 30km with team total of 180km; every lap was followed by a competition shoot on the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT) range. Ten seconds were deducted from the total time taken for each hit on target.
Graham Nokes, Bob McBey, Jim Coleman, Norrie Murray, Neil Buckingham and Cliff Whitley
The Association team comprised Graham Nokes, Bob McBey, Jim Coleman, Norrie Murray, Neil Buckingham and Cliff Whitley. In preparation for the event, the team trained weekly on Cannock Chase for 2 months; the training effort paid off with the team achieving some fast lap timings on the day. Unfortunately, they lacked the necessary skill when it came to the shooting, understandably so, as only 2 of the team had fired the SA80 rifle before – and that was some time previously! So, as one might expect, the scores were rather poor.
Neil Buckingham and Jim Coleman slog it out!
Cliff Whitley, Graham Nokes, and Norrie Murray on the march!
The event went without a hitch on the day and the organisation of the event was exceptional, all due to the efforts of the TSW holding officer Rory Wood. The team was finally placed at 21 out of 23 having beaten the Defence Fuels Group Team and the TSW SNCOs Team. Presentation of awards was held in the TSW MT hanger and Jim Coleman was presented with a trophy for the oldest participant ever to complete the Bergathon – aged 67 – a worthy award; well done Jim! The team raised approximately £500 for the Katherine House Hospice, the TSW Charity. The team are now nursing their blisters and contemplating an entry in next years event! Volunteers are always welcome!!!
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