(ASC)
The ARRC Social
Club (ASC) is an
inclusive club set up
for all partners of
everybody posted
to – or attached to –
NATO’s Allied Rapid
Reaction Corps at
Imjin Barracks (Headquarters ARRC,
1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade,
ARRC Support Battalion and GCHQ).
What does the ASC do?
The ASC arranges events to bring
together all nationalities and ranks
represented at the ARRC at Imjin
Barracks.
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 ASC organises
trips to places like 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. Anyone can try one of our
recent walks by following the route on
the opposite page.
There are also a variety of formal and
informal clubs associated with the ASC
to join, including Innsworth Military
Wives Choir, Cook with Me, ARRC
Theatre Lovers, various neighbourhood
book clubs, This Mum Runs, and
Photography.
How do I join?
It couldn’t be easier! E-mail the ASC
Secretary theascsecretary@gmail.
com for regular updates about
ASC events. Or join our Facebook
group www.facebook.com/groups/
ARRCSocialClub
We look forward to seeing you!
Club update
Welcome to the latest round up of the
ARRC Social Club. May I wish a warm
welcome to everyone, especially those
who have arrived in the last few months.
Thank you to all of you who have joined
in and attended the ASC monthly coffee
mornings and lunches. The infectious
enthusiasm of the host nations
certainly lifts the spirits and we always
leave a little bit better informed!
Thank you also to Jette and Daniela
who have arranged two fascinating
visits to Blenheim Palace and ‘Art in
Nature’. They look forward to publishing
a programme of cultural visits for the
year, which will open our eyes to the
opportunities on our doorstep.
Name change
The Imjin Barracks’ social club has
adopted a new name that better
represents its membership and purpose.
The ‘ARRC Social Club’ (ASC) is the
new title for the society that arranges
events to bring together the partners of
all nationalities and ranks represented
at Imjin Barracks.
Previously known as the ‘ARRC
International Club’, the name change
reflects the desire to appeal to the
partners of everyone posted to
Gloucester.
The Club Secretary, Devon McCuan,
explained: “There was a feeling that
Lucy Smyth-Osbourne
ASC President
16
SUMMER 2020 the imjin
“We wanted to ensure the Club was for
everyone – all ranks, all contingents,
all nations that come under the ‘Imjin’
umbrella.”
And Devon is keen that everyone newly
posted-in gets involved.
“I would say, ‘jump in with both feet!’.
Find the Facebook page, find our e-mail
address and join, participate!
“You’ll get a chance to make friends
with people from twenty-something
countries, and just how amazing is that
opportunity?”
CLUB TOGETHER
Meet, greet and eat
over lunch or a coffee
The ARRC Social Club organises regular
coffee mornings and lunches – each
with their own distinct international
flavour, reflecting the diverse military
community here in Gloucester.
The events provide an informal
opportunity for people to gather,
develop friendships, and learn
something about a member nation. All
spouses are welcome to attend and
of course if you have family staying,
please bring them along too.
SECOND TO NAAN
Recently the ASC has experienced
British, Polish, Dutch, Italian, and
American cuisine and culture.
A Gurkha lunch was organised by
the British contingent in the Gurkha
Messing hut, widely known as ‘Bhansa
Ghar’. During this event, we enjoyed a
traditional Gurkha curry, while sitting
under canvas in the rain! A Gurkha
captain from the ARRC Support
Battalion
delivered a
presentation
about the
history of
the Gurkhas
in Nepal. It
was a great
experience
for some the
ASC members
who received
a small packet of Nepalese spice to take
away and try.
Meanwhile the Polish contingent hosted a
coffee morning in the Community Centre.
The venue was beautifully decorated
with Polish flags and all the guests were
served with a multitude of delicious cakes
and biscuits.
GOING DUTCH
Another recent luncheon served a
fantastic Dutch feast in the Officers’ Mess,
featuring ‘Hachee’, a traditional Dutch
meal with mashed potatoes, red cabbage
and apple sauce. A unique wooden clog
centrepiece (pictured left) was won by
some of the luckiest guests at the event.
The Italian contingent came out in force
to support a colourful and enjoyable
coffee morning. It was a ‘Let’s Bake
Together’ event where the ASC members
experienced the process of making
Tiramisu and Crostata. This was a great
success and it’s hoped that the other
nations will be encouraged to show off
some of their traditional dishes in a similar
way.
Compliment a tutti!
Neelam Gurung
Future Events
One of the most popular ASC activities
is the monthly walk. Walks are free
and suit all levels of fitness, are great
for meeting lots of different people,
children and dogs, and you certainly
feel a lot better for seeing some of the
wonderful local countryside.
We are thinking of you and your families,
near and far, during this very difficult
time and hope that we will be able to
meet up before long.
calling ourselves ‘international’ meant it
was just for the international community.
MONTHLY LUNCHES
Held in the Officers’ Mess,
usually on a Tuesday.
Cost includes two-course
meal with beverage and
coffee.
‘Das
Wildschwein’
always gets
into the
occasion
COFFEE MORNINGS
Coffee mornings take
place every month in the
Innsworth Community
Centre, often on the first
Tuesday of the month.
COVID-19 UPDATE – Due to social restrictions imposed
by the coronavirus, at the time of going to print all
public events organised by the ASC are postponed. For
the latest information visit the Club’s Facebook pages
www.facebook.com/groups/ARRCSocialClub