40 (NIH) SIGNAL SQUADRON OPEN DAY

Op FORTIFY and Community Engagement were at the forefront when the Sqn held an Open Day on Saturday 23 August at Clonaver Park Belfast.  In preparation for the Jobs and Trades fair event being held the following week at the Kings Hall, Belfast, serious effort was input towards the implementation of a level 1 communications set up consisting of an 18×24 tent, Bowman vehicles, briefing equipment, and recruiting paraphernalia.  This was the first time that a stand on this scale had been employed so it was the ideal opportunity to test and adjust.

Families were welcome to attend and some took the opportunity to have archery lessons which proved to be great fun and an idea for an inter-troop competition in the future.  In the background were our REME team utilising all sorts of strange objects to make a blindfolded obstacle event which was enjoyed by the youngsters.  Keeping hunger at bay, the Sqn’s chefs provided the obligatory Barbeque.

Amongst the guests attending were Members of the Korean War Association and friends who use the Sqn facilities on a regular basis for their annual parade and reunion functions.  They got together with residents from the local Somme Hospital and spent a few hours reminiscing about old times including the telling of more than a few war stories and experiences.  They were delighted with the chance to come and meet the Sqn and we look forward to hosting them again in the future.