Wiltshire Blog

31/12/11

There is absolutely no way it’s nearly 2012! But wow what a year it’s been. Full speed, full on, learning curves, tears, meeting and making friends with some of the most amazing people as well.

As with my colleagues, I take this role as a BFBS Reporter, for the most part, extremely seriously, our audience deserve nothing less, my support, as well as my personal integrity and empathy for all the forces and their families is paramount, which I hope I display in everything I do.

Just browsing some of the stories I’ve had the privilege to cover this year makes me realise how truly diverse the job is, I have literally driven thousands of miles to gather and share news about our forces as well as collect recorded messages for those away from their loved ones.

January was a fairly quick month, but never the less I reported on a staggering amount of events…in February Tidworth’s 2 Royal Welsh returned from Afghanistan, but the rip soon over with Herrick 14 and 3 Commando Brigade on the frontline. I actually recall interviewing a young Marine on Salisbury Plain during his training; I was so impressed by his manner and professionalism at such a young age, his face stuck with me throughout the tour. I was somewhat relieved six months down the line to see that face again at his medal parade in Exeter. Of course, not all our men and women have been so fortunate, and it’s those and their families who are never far from my mind, not just around this time of the year, but always.

In March I followed the steady return from Ops of 2 RTR, and particularly recall the months of them being away. I was lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time with their families, on many social occasions as well… what a brilliant bunch they were and still are, many laughs, and tears of course, so thanks to all of the wives and the delightfully brave children for being so lovely and delivering the most sweetest broadcast messages to their husbands and dads.

There was boxing, Garrison’s Got Talent, the book launch of The Daffodils Girls based on the wives and families of 2 Royal Welsh, dozens of fantastic fundraising efforts, money raised for DecAid, Help for Heroes, the RAF Benevolent Fund to mention but a few.

That fundraising didn’t stop in April, a group of 8 to 10 years olds climbed Mount Snowden to raise money again for Help for Heroes, there was the Walking with the Wounded event, and locally in Tidworth we began to report much more on the opening of a state-of-art schooling academy, The Wellington Academy, where 70% of the children attending are from forces families. That’s pretty much how the rest of the year remained, constantly busy, as I often can be heard saying ‘everyday is a school day’, in the fact that my knowledge of various military subjects continues to expand.

Well, I’ve certainly met the great and the good this year,,, Sir Geoff Hurst, 1966 football legend himself gave out medals to soldiers for Larkhill-based 32 Royal Artillery, sweet to hear him say how humbled he was to be giving out medals to our soldiers. The role is tri-service, so not just tanks, I’ve sailed on war ships, had a shot in quite a few helicopters, and yes, I do know how absolutely lucky I am to do this job.

There were many many lovely events covered over the year, which ended almost perfectly with the most delightful story. A young Army wife making cute teddy bears out of their Army Combats and clothing – the bears to comfort young children whose mums and dads are on operations.

That is just a snippet of the year, but I think you get the gist. So, to 2012, I’ve no doubt at all, it will be equally challenging, happy, sad and emotional, both professionally and personally, but what ever it brings, I will make sure I grasp the joy, face the challenges with earnest.

I would like to give special thanks to so many but wouldn’t want to miss any one out, so to all who has worked with me, provided support and the all important good humour, may you all have a wonderful New Year from me and all the team at BFBS.

07/07/11

Completely inspired by my colleagues and their cleverly written blogs, I guess it’s about time I put some new ramblings to the web.

Once again the weeks and months pass in a blur, it truly is roving reporting in every sense. The last time I was here I was getting myself worked up in a right regal frenzy with the impending marriage of William and Kate and what a splendid day it was too – didn’t get a sniff of a chance to report on it – but the street party where I live more than made up for that – we had more bunting than London itself!

I’ve talked in previous blogs about the amount of kit us media types often have to carry around and I’m pleased to report that I’m beginning to grasp the fact that I don’t need to carry the entire office with me everywhere I go.

Mind you, it’s Sods Law I’ll eventually turn up at some press event and wish I’d picked up that spare microphone, or recorder – something always fails at the most crucial time.

There’s been a great deal of coverage in the press about the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the cut backs etc in the forces. It’s not a good time for many people, including civil servants and while I have a great deal of sympathy for those facing uncertain times, I have to confess I’ve become totally annoyed with the overuse of some of the language used to convey it all, either from defence chiefs or reporters. I’m not guilt free either, if I use the word austerity in anymore of my reports or questioning, I think I may impose my own gagging order!

Life on Salisbury Plain continues, the garrison areas that surround it are as busy as ever and although regiments and battalions as a whole aren’t deployed to Afghanistan at the moment, pockets of troops are still away. That doesn’t mean there’s no work for the remaining majority, there’s still endless training and maintenance activity taking place.

I had the privilege of meeting Major General John Lorimer recently, he’s the new Commander in charge of 3 UK Division, and while he’s based in Bulford he looks after four different brigades across the UK. It’s a big job, particularly in a time of austerity! Oops! I did it again – I’ve no hope. However, we have to admire how our military leaders who deal with the pressure and indeed the pleasure of looking after our men and woman who continue put their lives on the line for our country.

The team at BFBS Radio, TV, CSE and its own service charity fundraiser "Big Salute" continue to work incredibly hard for our audience. A personal thanks to all of you who watch, listen and share what we do.

Until the next time, catch me on Twitter @BFBSWiltshire or on facebook - just search BFBS Shirley Swain and I’ll be sure to add you.

14/04/11

I know it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but what can I say? It’s been a busy month.

I’m rather pleased though that the sun has started to shine (although not as I type this blog), making for many smiley faces as well as less wind and rain to play havoc with reporting.

The past month marked the return of hundreds of Salisbury Plain troops back home from Afghanistan, including Perham Down’s 22 Engineer Regiment and more recently the first 35 men from 2 Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR).

The homecomings in the area continue with more 2 RTR and 42 Battery from Larkhill Garrison over the next few weeks. With the homecomings however, come more deployments and I pray for the safe and speedy return of all of those on Herrick 14.

The many reports, features and programmes recently featured on BFBS Radio 1 and 2, as well British Forces News include1RHA Boxing, a book launch, DecAid, Jobs for injured troops, RAF Charity March, Orienteering, Tidworth Garrisons Got Talent, and a farewell to Commanding Officer Lt Col Jim Lansdon who departs First Regiment Royal Fusiliers for a new role in Afghanistan.

All news reports can be found at www.bfbs.com/news just type Wiltshire in the search bar for all local stories.

People often say to me that I’m lucky to be doing what I do, and I have to agree. Reporting and talking about our fantastic forces is an incredible privilege. I am proud to work with BFBS. It has an excellent reputation, a long and proud history and serves the forces in a truly unique way. Our service is for the forces, about the forces, portraying true military life and delivering honest and balanced news.

Keep up to date with me on my facebook page bfbs Shirley swain, or if you’re a keen tweeter find me @BFBSWiltshire.

Happy Easter!

04/02/11

What is it with everyone wishing their lives away... I’m certainly not in a rush. The amount of people commenting on the fact that they’re glad January is out of the way is a bit alien to me. I say... don’t put pressure on yourselves people, live it!
In terms of reporting, it was a slow start to the New Year – but as expected the pace has picked up pretty quick.

The biggest event on the Wiltshire patch at the moment is the fact that thousands of troops are currently on Salisbury Plain completing their final training before they deploy to Afghanistan this April.

Plenty of aircraft and a great deal of live firing can be heard if you live close by.

It’ll be 3 Commando Brigade deploying this time round, supported by troops from 7th Armoured Brigade.

It’s incredible how much training our guys and girls do and indeed all the planning required to take on operational missions – I’m constantly impressed with the professionalism of our Armed forces.

I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy it...it’s a broadcasters dream to capture all the whizzes and bangs and indeed talk to individuals about the amazing work they do.

Of late however, I’ve taken to wearing layers... and lots of them. Standing around waiting and watching for interview opportunities really does allow the cold to get to your bones...it’s not a great look, but I think I’ve just about sorted out the best warm kit to wear.

As a ‘roving’ reporter type, I have to carry a lot of equipment around with me... and so to introduce you to my ever increasing kit list: one stills camera, laptop, recorder, tripod and camcorder – I can’t be missed these days; I’m the one that looks like a transformer!

Happy February and long may it last.... ;)

05/01/11

Back from a fabulous break then and fully loaded with some lovely new gadgets…the main one being my new Sat Nav for my car. Maybe this year I’ll be able to stick to that New Years’ resolution and actually get to where I need to be each day on time.

I have to say, it was incredibly busy in the lead up to the festive period – racing around the garrisons making sure I recorded as many messages as possible from families in the UK to their loved ones on Ops in Afghanistan and around the world. Not just from me of course, but from our reporters located around the forces world – it sounded brilliant on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and really feel we made a huge difference to morale all round.

I sincerely hope all our listeners and viewers had a wonderful time and I’m really looking forward to 2011, where I’ll get to meet even more forces people, and finding out what really matters to them.

30/11/10

So the big chill has set in then… I have to confess I’m not a great lover of the cold and while I love reporting on our fantastic forces community, I do get the grump when the weather isn’t on side.

It’s been as busy as ever, with lots of reporting going on since my last blog. However, I want to say a huge thanks to the team at the Army Powerlifting Championships at Shorncliffe last week, at which ‘despite the coldest gym in the whole of the British Army’, I managed to witness a superb day of huffing and puffing as well as a few cheeky little giggles – not resisting the temptation here to say ‘tankini’.

After taking a good 24-hours to thaw out I managed to grab myself a couple of days off, before being back on the case this week.

So far, Salisbury Plain has seen only a sifting of snow, but if the hyped up weather reports are anything to go by, we could see at least fifty inches by the end of the week! I am prepared though, sleeping bag, shovel and a weeklong ration of chocolate already in the car.

The run up to Christmas is a busy one, not least for the mounting invites of Christmas lunches and nights out to get along to, but also catching up with the families of troops currently on deployment around the world – huge thanks to all of those so far for making contact with me – I’m now looking forward to collecting your messages in time for your loved ones for Christmas.

Just want to quickly mention forces charities of which there are many, but I want to big up Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for children of the fallen. Calendars and wristbands are currently on sale in the 2 RTR PRI shop on Tidworth Camp, or checkout their website for the latest news www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk.

They’re also looking for volunteers and fundraisers, please do contact them if you can help.

Finally, visit www.audioboo.fm and type BFBS in the search area. Here you can check out some choice cuts of news, views and features recently broadcast on BFBS Radio 1 and 2.

15/11/10

Yes me lady… that’s how I felt last week when I was invited to lunch in the officer’s mess by the welfare team of 2 RTR in Tidworth. Strictly work of course, where I found myself drinking water out of a silver goblet. Thank you to the team and the mess for spoiling me.

I’m going to share something else with you as well. I’m not often seen in high heels these days, unless it’s for sparkly nights out. However, I thought I’d don them for a couple of meetings and all I can say is that it’s not big and not clever to go about your reporter business in stilts, which eventually resulted in a bit of toppling over! Not something you would want to do in front of a couple of soldiers, who couldn’t stop themselves from laughing – rather too loudly I felt at the time!

Putting the embarrassment behind me, I want to say a huge thank you to the families of 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, especially those from 21 Battery, Thorney Island, Portsmouth. What a fabulous welcome they gave me at the weekend when I turned up to collect some morale boosting messages for their loved ones in Afghanistan – and a fine brew too!

Also, equal thanks 5 Scots families at Howe Barracks, Canterbury – a lovely group of delightful people – so willing to get involved and record loads of lovely messages – nice one and thanks. Hopefully I’ll get to see you all again nearer to Christmas.

So this week – it’s back to flat shoes and my dignity.

Once again, the agenda looks a busy one; every day full… the main event is a visit to 40 Commando in Taunton. They’re all back after a six-month tour of Afghanistan and I’ll be joining them as they receive their operational medals.

Finally… did you wear your poppy with pride? I most definitely did… let us never forget.

08/11/10

There’ll be some big celebrations to come over the next two weeks… I’ll be joining 42 Squadron, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery this evening as they return home after a six-month tour of Afghanistan. They do a great job using their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to help keep an eye on what’s happening on the ground – a great spying tool as well and has helped to save many lives.

It’ll be a poignant few days too, as we all fall silent on Remembrance Day this coming Thursday. I’ll be at Bulford Garrison Church in Wiltshire, where no doubt I’ll be shedding more than a few tears as we all think about those we have lost in conflict.

I’m then off to Thorney Island on Saturday to spend some time with the families of 21 Engineers. It’s then over to 5 Scots in Canterbury on Sunday, both to collect some morale boosting messages for loved in Afghanistan.

Finally, next week I’ll be reporting from Taunton, a little out of my patch, but never the less it’ll be a great event. 40 Commando has recently returned from a very tough six-month tour of Afghanistan – tragically losing many of their own. There will be a medal parade at Norton Manor Camp, followed by a special march through the city of Taunton the following day – I predict more tears – me included.

13/09/10

Well, as weekends go, that was both surreal and poignant. First up, I spent the day with the families of 40 Commando at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton, whose loved ones are currently on operations in Afghanistan. Their time is almost up and they’ll soon be returning home during October. It’s been a difficult tour and it was a final chance for the families to come together and record a few more encouraging messages for broadcast in Afghanistan. Listen to BFBS this Sunday 19th September from 10am UK time where they’ll be heard on Access All Areas www.bfbs.com

On Sunday morning I found myself at Netheravon Airfield, where the Royal British Legion’s Jump 4 Heroes team were set to complete a very special freefall display.
They were joined by amputee Ben Parkinson, who suffered a serious head injury, as well as losing both of his legs in Afghanistan four years ago. It’s been a long and tough journey for Ben, but his recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. Click on the link to read more http://www.bfbs.com/news/england/ben-parkinsons-skydive-39028.html

Finally, it was over to Twickenham where the biggest event for charity since Live Aid was taking place. It was of course the hugely talked about Help for Heroes concert and in true Shirley ‘blag’ style; I managed to get some backstage access, catching a few chats and glimpses of the stars appearing on stage.

The likes of Tom Jones, Robbie William, Alisha Dixon, as well as comedians Jason Manford and Peter Kay all entertained the 50,000 strong crowd, and while it was fantastic that these stars gave up their free time, the main highlight for me was talking to some of the troops from Headley Court…who told me they were completely humbled by all the fuss they were receiving. Watch a special report on British Forces News later this evening www.bfbs.com/news

06/09/10

Phew, into another week already…and it’s going to be a busy one!

Later this week, I’ll be joining some of the families of 2 Royal Welsh in Tidworth as they embark in a spot of painting and decorating. Dubbed the DIY Wives, they’ll be helping to brighten up their welfare office while their husbands are currently deployed to Afghanistan.

I’ll be watching military history being made this coming Thursday, when the former DLO site in Andover is officially declared the home of the British Army. Renamed Marlborough Lines, the new HQ for Land Forces will be opened by the Minister for Armed Forces, Nick Harvey MP and the Commander in Chief General Sir Peter Wall.

On the same day, it will be a case of Ready, Steady, Cook, as the Armies finest chefs go into cooking battle to compete for the top title in the prestigious Army Field Catering Competition – always a great event with some fabulous food to be had.

31/08/10

Had myself a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend, and while most of it was spent collecting the billions of apples that decided to drop at exactly the same time from the trees in my garden, the early part began with two totally inspirational events.

First up, early Friday evening, I popped over to Warminster to meet with team ‘Numb Bum Run’, a motorcycling event lead by Cpl Andy Reid. Andy is an amazing character, who despite losing three limbs in Afghanistan last October, has gone on to complete some incredibly tough challenges, both personally and for charity.

A self-confessed adrenalin junky, The Numb Bum Run involves Andy riding a specially adapted trike, so that he, along with scores of other motorcyclists can ride over a 5-day period from Land’s End to John O’Groats. They’ve still got today to complete, but I want to say in advance ‘a massive well done’ to the whole team.
Check them out for yourself at www.numbumrun.blogspot.com

On Saturday, it was the launch of ‘Scotty’s Little Soldiers’, a brand new charity for children of the fallen. It took place in Tidworth on the grounds of its community centre on Wylye Road and ‘wow!’ - What a great, great day. Hundreds turned out to show their support and help give the charity a great start!

Well done to Nikki Scott, its founder, whose husband Cpl Lee Scott, tragically lost his life in Afghanistan last year, and to all of Nikki’s family and friends involved and who helped make the launch of the charity a day to remember. Check out their facebook group or visit their website www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk and order yourself a very cool wristband!

25/08/10

Back and well rested then after a lovely holiday, and being an extremely nosey person, I am triumphant in the fact that I managed not to switch on my beloved blackberry once!

Being based on the Salisbury Plain area, there will be some difficult and worrying times ahead for many of our military families over the next six months, with several regiments already deployed and further more to deploy to Afghanistan in the next week or so.

This Saturday a brand new charity will be launching called ‘Scotty’s Little Soldiers’, which has been set up by Nichola Scott, the widow of Cpl Lee Scott who was tragically killed while serving with 2 Royal Tank Regiment in Afghanistan last year.

If you’re about in Tidworth, please show your support and pop along to Tidworth Community Centre on Wylye Road, where there will be a special event taking place to officially launch the charity, from 2pm.

There’ll be live music, a disco, and loads of fun things to do for the little ones.

BFBS’s Chris Pratt as well as little ole me will be there too – so do come and say hello and show your support!