Annual Camp 2004 - RAF Lyneham
On the 21st of August, eight of us set off to Wiltshire for a week on RAF Lyneham. Accompanying us was our WO, Mr Ward, Civilian instructor Miss Orritt and the CO, Flt Lt Mortimer. Already on the bus was Canvey Island squadron (2187) and along the way we picked up Hutton squadron (2476), Bishops Stortford squadron (1096) and Epping squadron (414). The bus journey didn't seem too long with a scheduled stop at a service station and an unexpected but necessary stop alongside the roadside for Cpl Ellis and another cadet as they needed the toilet and were unable to hold it!
After finally reaching the station and making our way down to our accommodation, we were able to get some time to unpack before being called outside for our camp brief. We met the staff for the camp and the station's ACLO, a Hobbit footed grounded Hercules pilot. After this was a most enjoyable experience for everyone, dinner! The food on the station was very good but apparently not as good as what the staff experienced in the Sergeants' and Officers' Mess. That night after dinner, we were off to the station's bowling alley, Lyneham lanes. This was the first of our evening entertainment that weekend as RAF stations are ghost towns at weekends. At the bowling alley, everyone had a lot of fun and was able to meet the Wing Padre, Revd Tony Jones. It also encouraged a little healthy rivalry with the bowling alley screens displaying the speed at which you threw the ball. (It annoyed the corporals slightly that mine went down the lane faster than theirs!) After bowling, it was back to our accommodation for our first night in the squeaky bunk beds.
The next day after breakfast (which was lovely), we were given the choice of two destinations for our trip. By unanimous decision, the camp decided to go to Bovingdon Tank Museum. With an extremely dicey journey in the Wing Padre's car for me and Cpl Whale, we finally made it to the museum. After a good look round (and a go on the simulator for two of the corporals), it was time to go back to the base. For that evening's entertainment, we were off to LaserQuest (Quasar) in Swindon. Split into teams according to our flights, we were suited up and off into battle to defend our flight's honour. Unluckily for Flt Lt Weston (a member of my team), he managed to take over a 1000 shots and MISS all of them. Later in the week on the last day of camp, he was presented with an award to display his shooting prowess.
The next day was not quite a good day for me. After breakfast on the way back from the Mess, I managed to fall and badly sprain my ankle. This led to me being on crutches for the duration of the week, multiple medical and physio appointments and an unexpected journey to Swindon Hospital. It also managed to get me out of the camp photo but resulted in an ungraceful and extremely embarrassing moment as I was carried in the WO's arms in front of the entire camp to a minibus in order to get to the station's medical centre. After a trip in a wheelchair with a flat wheel, I paid a visit to the sadistic physiotherapist. After three layers of padding and bandages with a leg now resembling a sheep and equipped with a pair of crutches, I was finally allowed out.
Sgt. Gardner
