CLUB
Home from home
The ARRC International Club (AIC)
is an inclusive club set up for the
partners of everybody posted to
– or attached to – NATO’s Allied
Rapid Reaction Corps at Imjin
Barracks (Headquarters ARRC, 1st
(United Kingdom) Signal Brigade
and the ARRC Support Battalion).
The AIC arranges events to bring
together all nationalities represented
at the ARRC. These include monthly
lunches and coffee mornings, hosted
by different nations, which give a real
taste of each other’s customs, culture
and cuisine! They are a wonderful
opportunity to meet new people and
learn more about the different nations
that make up the Imjin community.
Throughout the year the AIC organises
trips to places like Blenheim Palace,
the Houses of Parliament and Ascot
Races, as well as various other events
and activities, ranging from tennis
coaching to family bingo. There is also
a walking club that meets regularly to
explore the local countryside.
If you would like to get regular
updates about future AIC events, then
please e-mail me, the AIC Secretary
([email protected]),
and also join our Facebook group
by searching for ‘The AIC (ARRC
International Club)’.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Lisa Hackstein AIC Secretary
Join the
Club
Make a date to
meet over lunch –
or just a cup of tea
The ARRC International Club opens
its doors every month to provide the
opportunity to meet up while enjoying
a different taste of the world.
The Club is open to all spouses
and partners of staff posted to
Imjin Barracks, and the popular ‘AIC’
luncheons and coffee mornings are
held throughout the year – each
hosted by a different country on a
rotational basis.
This past season, hosts have included
the United Kingdom, Romania, Canada,
Spain, Denmark, Poland, Turkey,
Germany, Italy, Greece, and the United
States.
Each host country’s unique personal
touches bring their country to life for
us. For example, our Romanian hosts
shared a photo display created by one
of their members. It was a special way
to get to know their country.
Club update
Where has the time gone? It’s hard to
believe I have been Chair of the AIC for
3 years - and what a 3 years it’s been!
I’ve learnt so much, made true friends,
and eaten my way around the world a
few times…
At its heart, the AIC is all about
bringing people together, through
the amazing International lunches
and coffee mornings, the local walks,
outings and more. The Club is for every
spouse here, and all nationalities. It
really can make a difference in the
first weeks and months when you’ve
just arrived and don’t know anyone;
especially for those coming from
overseas.
My life is richer for having been part
of the AIC community, and I’d like
to take this opportunity to thank
the committee for all their help and
support over the last 3 years. Lucy
Smyth-Osbourne takes over as Chair
in September, and I know, under her
guidance, the AIC will continue to go
from strength to strength.
Tracey Radford AIC Chair
18
AUTUMN 2019 the imjin
BON APPÉTIT!
Coffee mornings are held at the
Innsworth Community Centre,
usually on a Tuesday from 10 am –
midday. Attendance costs only £1
per person and includes coffee, tea,
and homemade baked goods in the
tradition of the hosting country.
Luncheons are held at the Imjin
Officers’ Mess, also usually on a
Tuesday from 11.20 am – 2 pm. The
cost is £13.50 per person and includes
a welcome drink, two course meal with
beverage, and coffee. Proceeds go
towards the AIC fund, which is used for
AIC events and community giving.
BUON APPETITO!
The AIC luncheons and coffee mornings
provide an informal opportunity for
people to gather, develop friendships,
and learn something about a member
nation. Here are some quotes from our
hosts and guests:
“…these events add a tremendous
amount of value to our experience
in the UK…It was so pleasing to see
that so many people made the effort
to come and enjoy with us. We also
want to thank all the mess staff for
their support to make this lovely event
happen.” Zümrüt Türen (Turkey)
“Hosting a lunch is a team effort,
and the general outcome of the
event reflects this team spirit very
much. [Also,] I would like to stress the
importance of luncheon/coffee mornings
as truly team building events for our
international community. There is so
much to share and to learn during these
gatherings, along with their ‘natural’
social follow ups (walks, book clubs,
etc.).” Laura Boni (Italy)
“The AIC lunches are a wonderful way to
meet wives from other countries and to
learn about each other’s cultures. We all
start off nervous to sit with each other
but leave as friends. They help bring our
communities together.” Danielle Hilton
(Canada)
Lindsay Hamilton
Future Events
MONTHLY LUNCHES
Held in the Officers’ Mess
• • September 2019 – UK
• • October 2019 –
Netherlands
• • November 2019 – USA
COFFEE MORNINGS
Coffee Mornings take
place every month in the
Innsworth Community
Centre, often on the first
Tuesday of the month.
Please look out for the dates for the lunches and
coffee mornings on the AIC Facebook page.
Pictured – The wild boar statue in the Officers’
Mess gets dressed for the occasion