CLUB
Home Base
Lisa Hackstein
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.
Open Invitation
Coffee mornings and lunches offer
opportunity to ‘meet and eat’
The ARRC International Club organises
regular coffee mornings and lunches
– each with their own distinct
international flavour, reflecting our
diverse military community here at
Gloucester.
The events are open to all members of
the ‘AIC’, and the latest programme is
listed below.
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!
Hanna Dering, the organiser of the
recent Polish coffee morning (pictured
centre), said: “They are a great way to
meet in wonderful company, and get
to know each other better.”
Club update
It’s been another busy period for the
‘AIC’, with some significant changes to
regular events run by the Club.
The earlier time for the monthly
lunches - 11.30am for 12 noon - is
working well, and a new payment
system has been introduced, as the
Officers’ Mess can no longer take
reservations. Instead anyone who
would like to attend a lunch must sign
up and pay at the Welfare office.
The monthly international coffee
mornings have moved from the
Officers’ Mess to the Community
Centre. Poland was the first country
to host in the new venue and there
was a great turnout. They’ve set
the bar high though, with the most
amazing array of cakes!
The recent AIC trip to the Houses
of Parliament in London was a huge
success and we’re looking forward to
more trips throughout the year.
Tracey Radford AIC Chair
20
SUMMER 2019 the imjin
She continued: “With the help of
decorations and traditional home-
made cakes such as apple pie, butter
cookies or cheesecakes, we brought
a small part of Poland to the
Community Centre.
“It was a great pleasure to welcome
you and present our culinary sweets.
I hope you enjoyed the flavours, and
we’ll be happy to share the recipes
with you.
“I would like to also thank all my
friends who baked such delicious
cakes, and for their support in the
organisation of the Polish coffee
morning.
ON SONG
GRUB’S UP
The AIC British lunch had a distinctly
Irish flavour this year. As well as some
traditional Irish food like ‘champ’
(mashed potato and spring onions),
there was a short presentation to give
guests a taste of what Northern Ireland
has to offer. It’s a part of the UK that
can be overlooked for a weekend break,
so, in an attempt to change that, guests
were shown some beautiful Northern
Irish attractions, like the Giant’s
Causeway, the Mourne Mountains and
the impressive Titanic museum. And
one lucky person won a two-night stay
in Belfast in the raffle!
There was a strong apple theme too,
with apples and cider at the centre of
the table displays, and a delicious apple
cake with custard sauce for dessert. A
short UK quiz got people talking - it’s
become a regular feature at the British
lunch and always goes down well.
Everyone went home with a little jar of
homemade jam and a small bottle of
locally produced Willy’s cider vinegar.
Future Events
MONTHLY LUNCHES
Held in the Officers’ Mess
• • Monday 29 April - Turkey
• • Tuesday 21 May - Italy
• • Tuesday 11 June - Latvia
COFFEE MORNINGS
Held in the Community centre
• • Tuesday 7 May - Canada
• • Tuesday 4 June - Greece
The Innsworth Military Wives Choir
(MWC) is always looking to expand by
recruiting new members.
Rehearsals take place on a Wednesday
evening, with regular concert
performances throughout the year.
For further details contact Becky
Chappell-King (e-mail Innsworth@
militarywiveschoirs.org) or visit
@mwc_innsworth on Twitter.