From:  Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) A H Clark OBE

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DARTMOOR MILITARY HERITAGE WEEKEND  -  SAT 11 AND SUN 12 SEP 10

INTRODUCTION

 1.                  I haven’t left yet! As usual this is a bit of a circular letter to let everyone know what is happening following on from last year’s After Action Report and invite for DMHW 2010. If your details are wrong, please let me know, if you aren’t able to join us stop reading here, and if you are going to join us keep reading and let me know if intend to join us and if you need any assistance.  MVT members, please contact Peter Coaker or Steve and Sheila Perry.

 2.                  So for those familiar with the Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend (DMHW), the details for this year are similar to previous year’s.  Please browse through and pick up the points that are pertinent to you.  If you have any questions, please ring or e mail.

 3.                  This year our main effort is to be on helping the Cadet Forces to celebrate their 150^th birthday.  I doubt that we will surpass the 4,000 visitors of last year, but our reputation is such that we are assured of good numbers wanting to find out more about the military and Okehampton Camp. Lots of things to see and do remains our motto.

 4.                  English Heritage continues to support the opening of buildings that are not normally seen by the public, an endeavour that has now spread across Europe.  Okehampton Camp, which was built in 1893 to support artillery firing on Dartmoor and continues today as a battle camp for light forces, has been registered to take part in the scheme in September 2010.

 AIM

 5.                  This letter details arrangements for Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend 2010.

CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 6.                  The format will be similar to previous years when the exhibitors were more centralised and there will again be an arena to give a central focus.  Please do all you can to arrange for bright sunshine.

 7.                  To encourage our friends in the Military Vehicle Trust and other exhibitors, we will hold a party in the Junior Ranks Club on Saturday evening with some free ale for exhibitors, hopefully courtesy of Princetown’s own brewery, Legend Ale.  1940s music and a sing song are planned.  Do come and join us.  You will be assured of a warm welcome.

 PARTICIPATION

 8.                  A cross section of buildings and the DTA Information Centre will be available to the public illustrating the history of Okehampton Camp and the military use of Dartmoor.  Notices describe their history. 

 9.                  Participants, subject to confirmation, include:

GUESTS

 10.                 DMHW has no official guests but our many friends are assured of a warm welcome.

 OUTLINE PROGRAMME

 11.              The outline programme for the weekend is:

 LAYOUT

12.              The layout of stands within Okehampton Camp will be outlined on a map available on arrival.  We will be using the Junior Ranks Club, the classrooms opposite, the Visiting Unit HQ Bldg 116, the Hangar (83 E&W) and what was CTCRM’s Mess but not Wolverson Hall or the Sgts Mess – the prefab building.

 13.              WDBC’s Junior Life Skills is taking place either side of this weekend, but their exhibits will be clear of our buildings.

 ADMINISTRATION

 14.              Publicity.

a.                   Ronny Jones, MOD PInfo, is providing support.

b.                  Forewarning already given in many media and public outlets.

c.                   English Heritage will provide publicity at national level via booklets, the media and posters.

d.                  Devon County Council have publicised in their media.

e.                   Information included on DTA web site and headlined on DTA Firing Notice.

f.                    Village magazines requested to include in their September ‘What’s On’.

g.                   Posters produced by DTA and displayed at Tourist Information Centres.

h.                   Press releases sent out to gain editorial coverage.

i.                     Fig 11 targets will again go walk about.  RSMI to coord production.

15.              Insurance.  Exhibitors are responsible for their own insurance cover.  MVT provide cover for their organisers. English Heritage has insurance for all the events.  Detail is on their web site and also held by Comdt.

16.              Veteran Military Vehicles.  All entries must be through the Military Vehicle Trust to provide insurance cover for marshalling and group activities.  Contact Peter Coaker or Sheila Parry, details below.

17.              Entry Fees.   Admission to Okehampton Camp will be free. 

18.              Collections.  The Royal British Legion has priority for collecting for the Poppy Fund, which supports servicemen and women, and their families. Col Pyman is requested to collect boxes, sashes etc. Cadets are requested to help.

19.              Safety, Health, Environmental, Fire.

a.                   All participants are to make a risk assessment and to have it available for the Comdt’s inspection between 0915 and 1000 Sat.  

b.                  A safety briefing will be held at 0900 Sat on the main square (in Bldg 116 if raining).

c.                   No pegs over 6” should be driven into the ground or digging carried out without agreement of the Estate Manager.  Care should be taken to avoid interfering with overhead power cables.
First Aid medical facilities are available at Okehampton Hospital.  The Royal Devon and Exeter (RD&E) Hospital has full accident and emergency facilities. 

d.                  Sheep are to be excluded from the Camp. Action Accom Supvr.

e.                   Action in the event of fire. Evacuate area. Call 999. Parade on square.

20.              Security.

a.                    Comdt has notified a “Public Military Event” and liaised with local police.  Civpol will attend weekend.  MOD Police are informed via this letter.

b.                    All exhibitors are to check their area at the beginning of each day and report concerns to Comdt, who will, if necessary, alert the authorities.

c.                    Exhibitors are responsible for the security of their exhibits.

 21.              Car Parking  The east end of the main square and the field at the top of Camp will be the main car park in order to ease the parking problem.  Thirty disabled (blue pass) slots are to be held on the square.  Parking assistance is to be shared by cadets.  RSMI is to control.

 22.              Accommodation and Camping.  Beds are only available for military personnel if booked in advance with Comdt DTA.  Exhibitors may camp alongside their displays. 

 23.              Messing. 

a.                   Any serviceman, woman or cadet requiring meals, is to send HQ DTA by 5 Sep name, rank, number and unit, and meals required so that they can be rationed.

b.         Meals for participants will be available from the cookhouse on repayment or through the Junior Ranks Club.

d.         Only the Tri Bar is permitted to sell food and drinks.

 24.              Toilets.  Locations of toilets will be marked on the map.  Disabled toilet facilities are available in Wolverson Hall, Bldg 136.

 25.              Visitors Guide.  An A4 leaflet will be produced by the Comdt mapping the layout of exhibits and timings of displays.

 26.              Driving Activity Area.  RSMI will have available a map showing Dartmoor tracks that may be driven over.  Permission is being sought from the Duchy of Cornwall.

27.              Inclement Weather.  DMHW will continue regardless of the weather.  

28.              CTCRM Mess and Tentage.  Sgt Maj CTCRM Oke Det is requested to provide 12 x 12 tent for HQ DTA.

29.              Stores and Equipment.  Accom Supvr is requested to arrange to:

a.         Erect signs for toilets and from the Camp entrance to the car park at the top of the Camp and then to the exit through the Camp rear gate and a different colour of signs for disabled to the main square.

b.         Provide a flag pole by the RM Galley and union flag.

c.         Make available 50 chairs at the west end of the Square.

d.         Provide 30  x 6’ tables in the JRC and 5 x 6’ tables in 83E.

 30.              Comms.  BSM DTE SW is requested to arrange for the Comms Sect to

 a.         Position loudspeakers with roving microphone in the Square and Bldg 83 areas.

b.         Make available the loudspeaker facility from 110900 to 111700 and 120900 to 121600.

 31.              Manning.

a.                   HQ DTE are requested to assist with the manning of the DTE SW Stand by providing one officer at any one time.  Col Pyman is requested to roster.  SLA is requested to provide person to assist setting up and manning the Stand throughout

b.                  Landmarc TAROM Mgr is requested to provide one TAS or warden to accompany each of the walks; one TAS or warden to man the Information Centre when not displaying.

c.                   RSMI and both TAM are to be on duty throughout the weekend with primary responsibility for manning the DTE SW Stand.

32.              Finally.  Please don’t arrive before 1500 on Fri.

 Tony Clark

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Last modified: July 29, 2010