September - Aspire Defence

issue 07 | September 2005
aspirations
t h e
m a g a z i n e
the
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behind
behind
thethe army show
army show
Aspire Defence
sponsorship
of the Aldershot
Army Show 2005
our successful touchdown
Aldershot Army Show 2005
ration packs at the ready
Army familiarisation day
making a difference
A 35 year commitment
welcome
preparation is the key
contents
Recruitment
welcome
roadshows
Preparations for Contract
03
Commencement
Our progress towards financial close
Aspire has taken a great deal of care
he summer has been a lively
Michael
Ward, Construction
Director
creating strong relationships
with
time by
for Aspire.
We have been
specialist environmental groups and
Army Familiarisation Day
04
busy working on a number of
this is bringing tangible benefits for the
Ration packs at the ready
community and Army projects. These
plants and animals
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06
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Our successful touchdown
Aspire is proactively
working to protect
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35 years.
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Environmental News
08
that will preventquis
the disappearance
of
Sustainability and ecology
rare species.
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nisl.
Our understanding
how our presence
will affect those around us is an important
HSE Forum
11
I hope you find this issue informative and
part of our ability to provide customer
Always safety first
interesting. It is excellent that so many of
satisfaction. It is vital that we commit,
the articles have been provided by Aspire
MoD
12
from an early stage, to supporting events
people and I look forward to receiving
Making a difference
news from more of you in the future.
and causes that underpin the
development of the local communities
Garrison News
14
around Aldershot and the Salisbury
From Larkhill, Aldershot, TidNBul
Plain Area.
and Warminster
The Aldershot Army Show, where our
Larkhill Sports Day
16
sponsorship provided an opportunity to
Women’s Sports Festival 2005
work alongside the Army and Rushmoor
Borough Council, proved to be a valued
Capital Works BBQ
16
community event. Working together on
Soft-ball tournament
a major project we have been able
to develop our understanding of
Tina Lillington
community priorities.
Corporate Communications Manager
T
Larkhill Women’s Sports Festival was
fantastic fun for the participants. Our
sponsorship and support was very much
appreciated, and it was a great
opportunity for the Larkhill Garrison
Team to get to know some of their
customers better.
contract
commencement
The summer of 2005 has been extremely
productive for all areas of our organisation.
Our progress towards Financial Close has
taken some significant steps forward recently
and we are confident that it is now only
a matter of weeks away.
T
he detailed work that is
currently being completed is
necessary to ensure we secure
the best possible result for our client,
our sponsors and Aspire. Although much
of this work has been completed by the
Close Team personnel, it would not be
possible without the continued support
of the whole business.
And as Financial Close gets nearer so too is
the urgency around preparations for Contract
Commencement. This has been brought into
focus and together we are working towards
integrated solutions wherever possible. One
of our key values is to work in an integrated
way, and we are now demonstrating, through
our actions, that this is indeed the way forward
for Aspire.
ASPIRE DEFENCE
The Old Dental Centre St Andrew’s Road
Tidworth SP9 7EP
T 01980 849107
02 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
preparations for
|
Capital Works and Services have worked
as a seamless team to deliver excellence
for the residents at the Single Soldier
Accommodation Unit at Perham Down
and the feedback we have received has been
very positive. One soldier has even turned
down promotion because she didn’t want
to move out!
As good as the compliments have been
about the demonstrator and the investment
we have made collectively in our
preparations, I join with Al and Graham
to urge you all to keep your energy focussed
on Financial Close and Contract
Commencement. In just a few short months
we will be welcoming new colleagues and
working to satisfy a diverse customer. It will
be a challenging and rewarding time, and
we must make every effort to deliver
customer satisfaction from the start, so every
week counts.
Thorough preparation will pay dividends, it
will make new team members feel welcomed
and ensure that the early days of service
delivery meet expectations.
Thank you for all your hard work over the
summer, I am confident that with our
combined efforts we will provide the
excellence we all strive for.
Peter Smart Chief Executive
W www.aspiredefence.co.uk
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 03
army familiarisation day
army familiarisation day
ration packs
at the
ready
by Sarah Rolfe
19 May was not your usual day in the office, we, Aspire had been
Next we went off to the classroom to find
out about some of the weapons used by
the Regiment. The boys got pretty excited
at this point, and couldn’t wait to get stuck in!
Handling the guns actually made most of us
feel quite anxious; it gave us enormous
respect for those who have to use them.
invited to take part in an Army Familiarisation Day. Little did we
know what awaited us in Aldershot at the hands of 10 Transport
Regiment! Through the course of the day we would complete a range
of activities that opened our eyes to what life is like in the Army.
W
e began by visiting single
soldier accommodation
which certainly gave us a feel
for how Project Allenby/Connaught will
improve the living standards of soldiers.
The shared rooms were poorly equipped
and crowded with just a single shower
room between a dozen people! From
there we took a look at a typical cook
house and Sergeants’ Mess.
We were just getting comfortable when our
hosts had other plans for us! We were
dispatched out into the rain where we were
tasked to complete some pretty tough team
challenges. But we weren’t easily put off
and we soon had the puzzles sorted!
The whole day was brilliant – like having a
Red Letter Day. We had great fun, but we
also learnt a huge amount about how the
Army works, how relationships are built
and how the work we do on Project
Allenby/Connaught will make a difference
to so many people. Nothing was too much
trouble for the team from 10 Transport
Regiment, they had obviously spent a great
“
deal of time and effort making sure our
day was a success.
There will be more opportunities in the
future to take part in familiarisation days,
so when you get the chance to go along
it really will help you to understand our
customer better.
We had great fun, but we also learnt
a huge amount about how the Army works,
All that effort made us pretty hungry so
lunchtime couldn’t arrive soon enough, but
we had to work for it. Ration packs at the
ready in the pouring rain we gathered round
our little fires and heated up lunch in Billy
cans. The food, although not Michelin
starred, was pretty tasty with a selection
that ranged from chicken curry to bacon
and beans, and included Yorkie bars and
coffee. By then we were pretty well soaked
so some hot bush tukka was just the job!
how relationships are built and how the work
we do on Project Allenby / Connaught will make
a difference to so many people.
”
The last part of the day was fantastic fun.
Our driving skills were put to the test when
all of us were let loose with a range of Army
vehicles. Fork lift trucks, transporters and
land rovers were all pretty tricky, and
despite the men trying to be cool, I’m sure
it was the girls who were the best!
04 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 05
the aldershot army show 2005
the aldershot army show 2005
Some 65,000 people joined the Red Devils at the
Aldershot Army Show on 2 and 3 July. The Show,
which dates back to the 1920s, is a major attraction
for the area and carries on the tradition of bringing
the Army and the general public together for a
weekend of events, displays and entertainment.
A
spire Defence was the main
sponsor of the Show for the
second year running and the
popularity of this year’s event led
organisers to herald it as a great success.
our successful
touchdown
by Stella Parkinson
The Show celebrated 150 years of the
Mounted Military Police with a fantastic
skill at arms and musical ride display by
the Light Dragoons Re-enactment Group.
It also commemorated the 60th anniversary
of VE and VJ Days and in honour of those
momentous events veterans took part in a
poignant march past and salute as a grand
finale on the Sunday.
“
Aspire Defence was the main sponsor of the Show
Displays in the main arena proved to be a
huge attraction and highlights included the
Royal Signals White Helmets motorcycle
display team who thrilled the crowd with deathdefying stunts such as riding through flames
and their famous pyramid display.
The Red Devils were hugely popular and
returned to the Show for the second year
running. As they jumped, two members of the
team displayed an Aspire flag and a Union
Jack along with their distinctive plumes of red
smoke. On the Sunday they braved low cloud
cover and jumped from the minimum height
allowed which sent them speeding into the
arena at a staggering 40 miles per hour.
Upon landing they were saluted by Aspire’s
Chief Executive, Peter Smart who, on being
presented with their baton, enjoyed a quick
joke with one member (originally from New
Zealand) about the Lions’ less than impressive
performance on the recent rugby tour! And the
fun didn’t stop there for the Devils who let their
hair down following Saturday’s jump joining
children for a quick go on the space hoppers!
The Army exhibitions were extremely popular,
especially with families as children had the
opportunity to explore the inside of tanks and
a Chinook helicopter including a full tour of
the cockpit. There was also camouflage face
painting, an inflatable assault course and the
chance to try out a 40 foot parachute jump
from a tower with the Parachute Regiment.
Rhys Evans, of the Regiment’s information
stall, said that they had been kept busy over
the two days supplying information for
people interested in joining, with many
visitors coming from as far away as London.
Excitement was provided by a large funfair
where family favourites such as a bouncy
castle, ghost train and waltzer went down well.
The fair also included a ‘human catapult’, not
for the faint hearted as it shot people into the
air at tremendous speeds, as General Officer
Commanding of the 4th Division, Major
General Seamus Kerr found out when he was
spotted having a go on Sunday! The General
told Aspire that the Show was “a huge
success and initial feedback to the Show’s
management team has been very positive”.
The Show continues to be a great success
for the community and the Garrison. Aspire
Defence will become a significant part of the
community in Aldershot, and will eventually
be one of the largest employers in the region.
The weekend was a great way for Aspire to
demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the
area and the Army, and it looks forward to
supporting further local events in the years
to come.
for the second year running and the popularity of this year’s
event led organisers to herald it as a great success.
06 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
”
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 07
environmental news
environmental news
caring for the
environment
by Emma Taylor
Sustainability and its associated ecological
considerations have been a driving force
in the development of Aspire’s solution for
Project Allenby / Connaught. A great deal
of effort has been spent as part of the
masterplan design and planning process
to ensure that the positioning of new
buildings and facilities would cause
minimal impact to surrounding sensitive
At the Perham Down site, there is an area
of ecological value that will be developed
by Aspire which has been classified as
calcareous grassland. Calcareous
grasslands are habitats that develop on
shallow lime-rich soils generally overlying
limestone rocks, including chalk, and
cover a wide range of plant communities.
Despite its poor nutritional content this
type of soil has a positive impact from
a biodiversity point of view because it
discourages plants which thrive on
nutrient rich conditions and encourages
other rarer plant types and the associated
wildlife which live off these plants.
Calcareous grasslands are important
habitats for a number of invertebrate,
plants and reptiles. Examples of species
that have been found in the Salisbury
Plain area include common lizards, slow
worms, the nationally significant butterfly
species of dingy skippers and green
hairstreaks.
Calcareous grassland habitats are
classified according to their condition,
ranging from ‘unimproved’ which are
undisturbed and the most ecologically
ecological areas.
I
Prickly Sedge
08 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
The valuable ‘unimproved’ habitats have
suffered a sharp decline in extent over
the last 50 years throughout Britain
and northwest Europe as a result of
agricultural improvements, inappropriate
grazing and lack of management leading
to invasion by scrub and coarse grasses.
“
Aspire has carried out discussions with
the DE EST, English Nature and the
Kennet District Council agreeing the
most ecologically valuable method
of compensation for the loss of the
calcareous grassland at Perham Down.
The 14,000 hectare calcareous
grassland expanse on the Salisbury
Plain supports herb-rich chalk grassland
species of which 13 species are classed
as nationally rare and scarce plants, 67
species of rare and scarce invertebrates
Calcareous Grassland
n the main, the
masterplan designs
focused development on
previously developed areas
or those of little ecological
value. However, there is limited
space at some of the facilities and
this has meant that encroachment
on areas of ecological value has
been unavoidable.
Green Hairstreak
most important habitat on the Salisbury
Plain. Consequently, English Nature has
established the Salisbury Plain Life
Project which has the purpose of
improving the condition and long term
management of calcareous grasslands
on the Salisbury Plain. English Nature
is working with, amongst others, the
Defence Estates to meet the habitat
management objectives of this project.
In such instances, Aspire has liaised
extensively with stakeholders,
including Defence Estates
Environmental Support Team
(DE EST), English Nature and the
Local Planning Authorities, to ensure
that this loss would be kept to a
minimum and that adequate
ecological compensation can be
achieved through long term
sustainable solutions. An example
of how this will be brought to life is
the approach Aspire has taken to the
grassland habitat at Perham Down.
and is classed as a site of international
importance for birds.
Slow Worm
valuable, to ‘semi-improved’, showing
some signs of disturbance (this is the
condition of the habitat at Perham Down),
down to ‘improved’ habitats that
demonstrate extensive disturbance and
are developing into a species depleted
and a less ecologically valuable state.
These losses have meant that such
grasslands are becoming an
internationally threatened wildlife habitat.
Salisbury Plain has been identified as the
largest area of unimproved calcareous
grassland in Europe and constitutes a
massive 41% of the total United Kingdom
resource. English Nature describes this
calcareous grassland habitat as being the
”
Wart-biter Grasshopper
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 09
environmental news
the Health, Safety and Environment forum
always
safety first
Have you ever felt concern over a health and safety issue,
Leaf Beetle
Northern Brown Argus
Early Gentian
As a result we are planning a collaborative
project, subject to the formal approval
of Kennet District Council, where Aspire
will support Calcareous Grassland
conservation work ‘off-site’ on Salisbury
Plain so as to compensate for the
semi-improved grassland to be lost
at Perham Down.
built estate was developed on areas that
were once chalk grassland.”
the site is continually improved. The
restoration of these areas is regarded
collectively by Aspire, Defence Estates
and English Nature to represent the most
ecologically valuable solution which meets
some of the objectives of the Salisbury
Plain Life Project of the area by
conserving a large ecologically valuable
and sustainable habitat.
Dominic Ash, an Environmental
Advisor for DE EST, describes how Aspire
will work with other stakeholders to
ensure that wherever possible these
precious habitats do not disappear.
He said “When considering mitigation/
compensation measures for developments
the context of the work is vital in deciding
what strategy to take. The developments
at Tidworth are within a short distance
of the largest area of chalk grassland in
northwest Europe and the majority of the
“Aspire and Defence Estates’ Environmental
Support Team have taken the ethos,
intrinsic to the Natura 2000 directives and
Conservation (Habitats) Regulations, to
trade areas of unmanageable habitat for
areas where major long term benefits can
be achieved and maintained.”
There are areas of ‘semi-improved’ to
’improved’ calcareous grassland near the
Tidworth military facility that are gradually
being lost to invading shrubs and trees.
The DE EST has expressed an interest in
restoring a significant part of these areas
back to an undisturbed, ecologically
valuable ‘unimproved’ state that DE EST
will then be able to manage into the
future, ensuring the ecological value of
Peter Smart, Chief Executive of Aspire
Defence, is encouraged by this activity.
“This excellent work demonstrates our
approach to working closely with other
that bring tangible positive results for the
environment and supports Aspire’s
commitment to sustainability” he said.
10 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
Facilities Manager
Staff Representative
Staff Representative
Tidworth:
Val Stirrett
Linda Dainton
Phil Sheldrick
Facilities Manager
Staff Representative
Staff Representative
London:
Stella Parkinson Facilities Manager/
Staff Representative
and supportive way we seek to provide
first class responsible solutions through
Here are some of the ways in which the
forum has already had a positive impact
on the working environment of Aspire:
Lunch anyone?
Aldershot:
Mel Bradfield
Ben Bedford
Joan Carnell
“We should feel proud of the professional
For more information about these special
environments and the Life Project visit:
www.english-nature.org.uk/salisbury/
habitats/calcareous_grassland.asp
or Email any questions to Aspire’s
Environmental Management Team at
environment@aspiredefence.co.uk
Common Lizard
For any staff who would like an
issue to be addressed by the forum,
contact one of the team:
environmental groups to achieve solutions
projects like this one.”
Dingy Skipper
but not been quite sure how to let someone know?
A
spire Defence is keen to provide a
safe and environmentally friendly
workplace for its employees and
just under a year ago The Health, Safety
and Environment Forum was set up to
provide a way to encourage two-way
communication about health and safety
between staff and managers. The forum
aims to develop initiatives to assist
with this policy, and recommends
improvements to the Aspire Defence
management team. All Aspire staff can
raise concerns or suggestions regarding
health, safety, welfare or the environment
via representatives from each office.
Thanks to the forum, staff in the Aldershot
office are now able to eat their lunch away
from their desks. In addition to a meeting
room reserved for staff at lunchtime,
an outside seating area is also being
landscaped for staff to enjoy a well
deserved break.
On your bike!
The Aldershot office now has shower facilities
enabling staff to cycle into work, or have a
swim in the local pool at lunchtime, or even
enjoy a run along the canal. So now there’s
no excuse not to get fit!
Visitor safety
It is important that all visitors to our offices are
aware of any procedures that affect their safety.
The HSE forum has developed 'safety and
security leaflets' that are given to all visitors at
our Tidworth and Aldershot offices upon arrival.
Recycle, recycle, recycle!
The recycling of paper, cardboard and toner
cartridges in the Tidworth and Aldershot
offices is now in full swing in a bid to
conserve valuable resources – namely trees!
All offices have implemented paper saving
measures using recycled paper in printing
and photocopying.
Nigel Ball, QHSE Manager, says “It is vitally
important that staff can communicate with
the management and vice versa on all
matters in relation to the health, safety and
environmental aspects of our workplace.
Since starting the forum in November of
last year it has proved useful in identifying
areas of concerns and has enabled us
to take appropriate action”.
Each office has a health and safety notice
board displaying minutes from each monthly
meeting. The boards also promote current
initiatives and it is a good idea to check the
notice board regularly for further information!
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 11
35 year commitment
35 year commitment
making
a
difference
by Mike Cooper MoD Project Manager
“
The purpose of this PFI is to
provide Army personnel with the
facilities and environment that will
support Army life in the 21st Century.
”
Thirty five years is a huge commitment for any organisation
to make, but in the case of the MoD and Project Allenby / Connaught
the considerations that must be taken into account are vast.
any of us have been working
through the legal, financial
and operational issues for
some considerable time now and it is
often easy to forget that there are a good
many people who are now involved in
Project Allenby / Connaught but do not
have the same in-depth understanding
of its history and what has made it the
largest estates PFI ever to be let by the
MoD. Soon the number of people involved
will grow even more, and it is timely
to remind ourselves how Project
Allenby / Connaught came into being.
M
12 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
The purpose of this PFI is to provide Army
personnel with the facilities and environment
that will support Army life in the 21st
Century. The importance of first class
training and the selection of the suitable
personnel is recognised, but this must
be supported by an infrastructure that
is appropriate. From single soldiers
accommodation to Officers Messes, and
support functions like transport and stores
management, each play a part in making
the Army the best in the world.
The scope of Project Allenby/Connaught has
grown since it was first proposed. In the
beginning the two locations of Aldershot
and the Salisbury Plain were separated,
but it was soon realised that there would
be many advantages in bringing the two
together. Today the scope of the project is
necessarily wide and brings together an
ambitious nine year construction programme
and a comprehensive package of services
that will last for 35 years.
Success will come as a result of the
competence that Aspire Defence will bring,
the ability of teams to work in partnership
together and the quality of communication
that is sustained between all parties. We
have already seen how some of this is taking
shape. I am encouraged by the way in which
Aspire has been active across the garrison
sites, their growing knowledge of the local
facilities and the needs of personnel
at each site.
One particular area where a joined-up
approach is imperative is the TUPE transfer
of staff on vesting day. Structured
communication forums have been
established between my team, Aspire, the
unions and Aspire’s delivery partners.
Substantial effort has been made to raise
awareness of the process that will take place,
and I am confident that Aspire is driving a
co-ordinated and well planned approach to
this activity including Garrison Open Days.
These regular events provide an opportunity
for staff affected by the TUPE transfer
to bring themselves up to date with
developments and raise any queries they
may have about TUPE.
People are at
the centre of this Project,
from employees to soldiers it will
touch over 18,000 of us in the future. The
first to benefit from the Project have been
the residents of the single soldier living
accommodation demonstration unit at
Perham Down near Tidworth, which was
completed at the beginning of the year.
The unit has provided the MoD, Army and
Aspire with invaluable information about
design, service and communication.
The scale
of the project means
that at its peak there will be
27 separate construction sites and a
building a day will be handed over from
Aspire to the MoD for four years, that is
an impressive statistic. In addition over
30 different services will be provided
including media centres, gymnasiums and
transport management. All of us must be
confident that we work in a joined-up way
to deliver what promises to be an exciting
and groundbreaking project, and the
demonstrator is one of the ways we are
establishing the working relationships
necessary to achieve this.
As the teams working
across the project grow in size
and complexity we should take time
to remember what we are setting out
to achieve, and just how each of us
can contribute towards its success.
More information is available about
the project online at:
www.allenbyconnaught.mod.uk
and www.aspiredefence.co.uk
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 13
garrison news
news
garrison
The activities across all the garrisons within Project Allenby / Connaught
have continued to increase over the past few months. Here the
Garrison Facilities Directors bring us up to date with achievements
at each location.
Larkhill
by Tony Shearman
At Larkhill we have completed the design
layout of our Aspire office. Paul Rayner,
Garrison Estates Manager, has worked
closely with Garrison staff to ensure we
have a facility at building 362 that will
be suitable for our activities following
Contract Commencement.
Helpdesk
The work that will be completed will upgrade
the building to meet the requirements of
current legislation. The helpdesk will be a
new service offered by Aspire and for our
Larkhill operation it will also be based in
building 362. Our IT support will be installed
in the autumn and we hope to have a
functional office by the end of the year.
Aldershot
by Les Stratford
The Aspire team for Aldershot
Garrison has moved into offices in
Tournai Hall next to New Normandy
Barracks. This will be our home for
the next few months, eventually we
will move to G4 facilities in St Omer
Barracks. Our knowledge of the
people and facilities across the
Garrison continues to grow and having
a base within the estate is helping our
preparations for Contract
Commencement.
My team are working closely with the
Army, existing personnel and our delivery
partners to develop strong working
relationships for the future.
It is important that Aspire understand
the needs of the Army, and we are
working with the new Garrison
Commander, Colonel Nigel Josling,
TidNBul
by James Thoden van Velzen
In the last issue we talked about the
new offices based at the Stables in
Tidworth. The move onto the Garrison
has been an important step forward
and has enabled our team to develop
our capabilities. Significantly this has
included the initial team for the
helpdesk that will provide customer
support once Aspire is operational.
Ken Fairclough, our first handyman,
joined us in the early summer. His
appointment has been pivotal to our
ability to respond effectively to the
needs of the residents at the Junior
Ranks Single Living Accommodation
Demonstration Unit at Perham Down.
Our response system is designed
around a paper free process where Ken
is contactable through a palm top
device that automatically records his
actions against our service database. It
is our aim to provide the best possible
service to all our residents and this
to maximise our ability to work with
them in a positive way from day one.
I was encouraged by the success of
the Aldershot Army Show. The event
demonstrated how Aspire, the Army
and Rushmoor Borough Council will
work together on major projects to
benefit the community. Over 60,000
visitors attended the Show, more
than ever before and there are plans
to build on this in 2006.
system is certainly proving to be
a success.
The TidNBul team presented to the
Garrison Commander and his team
on 13 April. The day was a two-way
communication workshop whereby
the Garrison Commander and his team
presented to Aspire explaining the
function of the Army here at TidNBul;
Aspire presented back explaining who
we were and our responsibilities, how
the project came about and Aspire’s
vision for the future. The day proved
to be a great success and of significant
value to all. This is the start of many
more workshops to come.
The Tidworth Area Festival took place
at the end of July with some arena
displays and pop acts to entertain those
attending. My team and I were pleased
to support the Festival and to be
involved in a local community event.
Warminster
by Andy Fontana
The Aspire management team for Warminster
Garrison is almost complete and preparing to fully
mobilise to deliver the hard and soft Facilities
Management services on the Garrison. In the
picture below, from left to right they are Jim Payne,
Stores Manager, Bob Broadbent, Estates & Utilities
Manager, Andy Fontana, Facilities Director and
Mark Ford, Commercial and Performance Manager.
During the mobilisation phase the team will be
recruiting for an Office and Soft Services Manager
and a QHSE Advisor. These posts, together with
Peter Jones, the Lex Transport Manager for
Salisbury Plain Area, and the Sodexho Garrison
Services Manager, will complete the line-up.
The full team will be based at various service
delivery points and offices around the Land Warfare
Centre with the central management and Garrison
helpdesk based in the Old Dental Centre, next to the
Garrison HQ.
With the addition of the stores and estates manager
the team now has the resources to begin examining
the detail of how the Garrison works and to start to
produce plans and procedures that will
deliver the services. They we will be
relying on the staff already in place to
help in this process. All of the Aspire
team have previous military experience
to mix with their commercial experience
and ensure that the needs of the
customer and the requirements of the
contract are met.
They can’t wait to get started!
From left to right they are Jim Payne, Stores Manager, Bob Broadbent, Estates & Utilities Manager,
Andy Fontana, Facilities Director and Mark Ford, Commercial and Performance Manager.
14 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07
issue 07 | September 2005 | aspirations | 15
sports news
winning soft
support
tactics
In July Larkhill Garrison was the venue for
one of the largest women’s sports competitions
to be held by the Army. The Women’s Sports
Festival was a showcase event for personnel
from across the country, and with over
200 participants, competition was hot.
Thursday 14 July 2005 saw Aspire
Defence Capital Works, with
representatives from Aldershot and
Tidworth, don their sporting gear
and hit the field to play soft-ball in
Tidworth. With soaring temperatures,
team spirit was high as four teams
competed to see who would come
out on top.
At half time the teams recharged their
batteries by delving into a Hog Roast
and refreshments offering the perfect
opportunity to talk tactics!
After the final game, the result loomed;
Team 4 was declared the winner scoring
the most runs across the three matches
played. Michael Ward, Construction
Director presented the winning team
with their Certificates.
As all of the weary participants
departed for their journey home, it is
safe to say a good time was had by all!
here were team and individual
events ranging from swimming
to football, and cross country
running to squash.
T
At one time it looked as if the weather would
beat the athletes before they had finished,
a huge thunderstorm brought a downpour
at the end of the first day, but all was well
the next day for the finals. The quality of
the competition was excellent, and everyone
was exhausted by the close of the
presentation ceremony.
Aspire were delighted to act as main sponsor
of the event and Tony Shearman, Garrison
Facilities Director at Larkhill, took the
opportunity to present the trophies alongside
Major General Christopher Elliott from the
Army Sports Control Board. “ We appreciate
the opportunity to be involved in activities like
the Women’s Sports Festival ” said Tony.
“Aspire is committed to excellence in the way
we deliver our services, just as the
competitors today are committed to achieving
the best result they can. I look forward to
working with the garrison here at Larkhill to
support other initiatives like this in the future.”
16 | aspirations | September 2005 | issue 07