A Fun in the Field festival in Berwick St John over the August Bank Holiday raised an amazing £11,464.90 for Armed Forces charity SSAFA, which was handed over on Saturday to newly appointed Wiltshire Branch Chairman, Richard Sandy.

The festival was the brainchild of ex Royal Navy veteran and Berwick St John resident Garry ‘The Skipper’ Hall.

“It all started when I suggested to my wife that I could have a barbeque for a few veteran friends of mine,” said Gary.

“I said about 20 and the first year we had about 150, that was 2015, did a second one in 2016, and have been doing it biannually ever since.”

Gary teamed up with Ian ‘Smudge’ Smith, who had served with him on HMS Bristol during the Falklands conflict and gathered together a team of local residents and veterans to organise the festival.

Local landowner Mark Dineley gave them a field and helped with the organisation.

“It allows veterans to have a bit of fun and relax”, he said.

“Many of them have PTSD on this was therapy for likeminded people.”

Salisbury Journal: Matelots enjoying Fun in the Field

The festival is only open to service veterans and their families and because of Gary’s former service, a lot of the attendees are Royal Navy and Royal Marines. veterans.

This year, there were eight bands including the Lee Travis Trio, a London group whose lead singer, Lee was asked by friend Ian if he could write a song for the festival. This he did, called ‘The Fallen Ones’ it was premiered at the festival and received such a warm reception that Lee put it online and has raised £1,000 which he presented to SSAFA Wiltshire on Saturday.

Receiving the cheques, Richard Sandy said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this magnificent cheque for quite an exceptional amount of money.

"I am hugely grateful to all those who were involved in Fun in the Field.

"These events do not take place without a good deal of hard work, planning, organisation and commitment and perseverance."

One of the younger helpers, Berwick St John 15-year-old schoolboy Callum Long went one step further and the following week abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth raising £400 for Alabarè Homes for Heroes.

Salisbury Journal: Calum Long with his Spinnaker Tower abseil certificate

Callum, who attends St Joseph’s School, Salisbury, said the experience was ‘really great’.

 

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