ARRC SOCIAL CLUB ( 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 Signal Brigade , Gurkha ARRC Support Battalion and GCHQ ).
What does the ASC do ? The ASC arranges events to bring together all nationalities and ranks represented at Imjin Barracks . These include monthly coffee mornings and lunches , hosted in turn 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 are also opportunities to join a variety of formal and informal clubs associated with the ASC : including Innsworth Military Wives choir , the ASC walking club , Book Club and Movie Nights . See the list below for more details :
ASC activities / regular events : Coffee mornings - hosted in turn by different nations - every month . Everyone is welcome , with or without children , and with visiting relatives . Held at the Community Centre . Yoga classes - Redwood Yoga ( Michelle ) Tots Group , every Monday 9:30-11:00 Book Club - 1st Tuesday of the month at 8pm at the Community Centre . Friendly Football Club , every Tuesday 10:00- 11:00 Innsworth Military Wives Choir , every Wednesday 19:15 Fitness class with Sabrina every Wednesday 11:30 and Friday 9:30 Pre-walkers and parents ’ group , every Friday 10:00-11:00
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 !
Chair Introduction
We have had a difficult year due to Covid-19 but we were lucky enough that events could be held with gusto again after the Summer . A big thank you to Lucy Smyth-Osbourne for guiding us through these turbulent times as the President of the ASC . And our sincerest thanks to Julia D ’ Addario for her time as Chair . At its heart , the ASC is all about bringing people together , through the monthly International lunches and coffee mornings , the local walks , cultural visits 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 . You can find out about everything that is going on , on our Facebook page : www . facebook . com / groups / ARRCSocialClub or contact our representatives : Kirsty , ASC Coffee and Lunches representative : theasccoffeesandluncheons @ gmail . com Kat , ASC Adult representative : ascadultsrep @ gmail . com Helen , ASC Childrens representative : ascchildrensrep @ gmail . com
Theonie and Alice , ASC Cultural Coordinators : ascculturalcoordinators @ gmail . com Linda , ASC Secretary : theascsecretary @ gmail . com For now , the ASC wishes everyone a Happy New Year and hopefully we will all meet up in 2022 !! Stay safe and take care ,
Jette Berfelo Chair of the ASC
Good tidings from the ASC
The festive season is already behind us and what a treat ! Around the patch , the different nations finally celebrated it according to their traditions .
Bonfire night kicked off the celebrations . The amazing Imjin Barracks fireworks made both children and adult ’ s eyes shine ! Guy Fawkes Night is an annual evening of fireworks and bonfires held across Great Britain . It marks the failure of the Gunpowder Plot on the 5th November 1605 , when a group of conspirators planned to blow up parliament and kill the King James I .
At the end of November , Thanksgiving ( an annual national holiday in the United States ) is a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest . It ’ s usually a time for food , family , friends , and being grateful . In the spirit of giving thanks and helping others , this year you all generously donated to the CCP Hamper Scamper . A chance to help light up someone ’ s Christmas .
Children ’ s shoes ready for Saint Nicolas
On the night of 5th December children across Germany , Austria , Poland , France ( and many other places too !) will place their newly polished shoes by the fire for Saint Nicholas to come and fill with treats or presents . Some children may also leave some cookies for Saint Nicholas and a carrot for his donkey as a thank you for coming to their house .
Mulled wine , mince pies and Christmas pudding are a must in the UK . Putting a silver coin in the pudding is another age-old custom that is said to bring luck to the person that finds it . Did you know that in Germany the
Christmas children party
presents that
Sinterklaas Santa Claus sometimes brings in person are unwrapped ? In Estonia , during the day of Christmas it is usual to go to the cemetery and light candles in the graves of their loved ones . They usually go to church and in the evening , the whole family sits together . After having Christmas dinner , the long-awaited gifts are opened . To earn a gift , you must read a Christmas poem or sing a Christmas song .
On Epiphany Eve ( 6th January ), Befana is celebrated throughout all of Italy . Traditionally , an old woman
Befana delivers gifts to children . All Italian children may also expect to find a lump of “ coal ” in their stockings ( actually rock candy ), as every child has been at least occasionally bad during the year ! As with so many festivals , food will play an important part . The French will mark this date by eating the Galette des Rois , ‘ the King ’ s Cake ’ - a frangipane tart made throughout France to celebrate Epiphany . Traditionally , a trinket known as a ‘ fève ’ is hidden inside the galette des rois in much the same way as a sixpence was hidden in an English plum pudding . The finder of the fève is crowned king or queen for the day .
Christmas market at Community Centre
18 WINTER 2021 the imjin