COUNCIL: New resource to support West Dunbartonshire military community
heaneymedia
GUN RUNNERS- Navy Team put on public show ahead of Field Gun competition.
SPECTATORS gathered at Helensburgh Pier Car Park on Thursday (May 23) to cheer along Field Gunners from HMS Neptune as they prepared for this years competition at HMS Collingwood.
The 18-strong team of Royal Navy sailors from nearby HM Naval Base Clyde were conducting their public run, an annual tradition in Helensburgh which gives the public the opportunity to witness the naval spectacle and support their local team.
The Teams Number Two Trainer, Petty Officer Kevin Laing, said: Running in front of a crowd in Helensburgh gives the team a boost.
When we compete at HMS Collingwood its in front of hundreds, so practising here with an audience helps us get used to that and to work on our focus.
He continued: The competition is tough this year but we have a good team and were confident of giving our best. It was great that so many came along to give us a cheer.
To prepare, the team has undergone eight weeks of physical training, followed by five weeks of track training with the Field Gun. The final week of training will be at Collingwood before the competition.
The Field Gun events roots stretch back to 1899 and the second Boer War. British Army troops were under siege and The Naval Brigade came to their rescue, the sailors disassembling and unloading six, half-ton field guns from ships, HMS Terrible and Powerful, and transporting them over many miles of perilous terrain. The daring-do helped lift the siege of Ladysmith and rescue the desperate soldiers.
Royal Navy teams have been recreating the event ever since, beginning at the Royal Tournament in 1907, and continuing to the present day where they compete at HMS Collingwood in Fareham.
Teams must run, dismantle, reassemble and fire an antique field gun in as quick a time as possible. Lugging the gun, which weighs close to a ton, along the 78 metretrack, teams can pick up time penalties for
A Charity called Military Vs Cancer has visited HMNB Clyde to raise money for MacMillan and Cancer Research UK. The charity was formed by RN Submariners, many of whom live in West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh.
By Democrat reporter
A new Housing resource to support armed forces personnel in West Dunbartonshire has been launched.
The Armed Forces Pathway will ensure veterans can access all the information they require about living in the area in one central place.
The new web page provides a raft of information, including details on how to seek support with life outside the military; assistance on obtaining a home with any necessary adaptations or support; access to welfare support; and assistance with employment.
It has been introduced to improve the ways in which the Council engages with its Armed Forces community and make it as straightforward as possible to get support.
It comes after a number of employees in the Council’s Housing and Homelessness team undertook Armed Forced Covenant training, offered by the Scottish Government in partnership with Veterans Scotland and the Ministry of Defence.
The training is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the Covenant and how its principles can be applied at a local level.
Councillor Diane Docherty, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: “We truly value the service our military community provide, and this new hub of information is something we can do to give back to veterans who may be adjusting to life outside the military to make things easier for them.”
Councillor Caroline McAllister, Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, said: “This is a great resource for veterans who will find all the information they need in one place, from housing support, money advice and help to seek employment. Anything we can do to support this community is worthwhile.”
