Plans for new Royal Artillery Museum put on hold

The museum, which was housed at Woolwich, has been in storage at Larkhill for the last three years while the Regiment has sought a new site for this unique collection.

The museum has been developing, in partnership with the County of Wiltshire, plans to create a facility where the majority of its collection could be made accessible to the public. A detailed planning application had been due to be submitted to Wiltshire Council this month.

Commenting on the decision, The Master Gunner at St James’s Park, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, said: “This site was offered by the Army for the Regiment to lease and confirmed to me as a credible option in writing in both 2018 and 2019.

“Regrettably, that means I must pause the submission of the planning application and engage with the Army Headquarters to clarify what this means and the way forward.

“While this delay is most disappointing, I and the Royal Regiment of Artillery remains determined to fulfil our responsibilities to the nation to ensure our heritage and collection are as widely accessible as possible.”

COVID-19 UPDATE

SOLDIERS from the Royal Tank Regiment have joined D Company 1 Royal Welsh in setting up mobile coronavirus testing stations across the South West.

B (Rorke’s Drift) Company have completed their virtual run to Rorke’s Drift in South Africa!

Throughout May, they ran a total of 5,383 miles to Rorke’s Drift, hit their fundraising target and raised £3,343 for the ABF the Soldiers Charity.

Trade training has re-started for the Royal Artillery at 14 Regiment at Larkhill.

“Isolation, social distancing, innovative lesson delivery will become the norm,” said Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Swannell.

During lockdown it’s important to keep yourself busy and Captain Tovey of 4 CS Battalion REME has baked an incredible gingerbread CRARRV for a member of Battalion HQ’s birthday.