A day to mingle at open barracks
of civilian and military guests visited Deepcut at the weekend for what will likely be one of the last major events at the barracks before it is decommissioned.
Home to the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), Deepcut’s Princess Royal Barracks threw open its vast grounds to the public on Saturday for its annual RLC open day.
The civilian and military communities mingled between 9am and 6pm to watch and compete in a variety of sporting events, from rugby and football to tug-of-war.
There were also hands-on activities for young and old, as well as demonstrations of military equipment, vehicles and opportunities to catch a rare glimpse beyond the wire fencing.
The RLC is due to relocate to Worthy Down in Hampshire in 2016, with the Princess Royal Barracks site to be turned over in its entirety to a 1,200-home development.
Captain Sarah Dunn was among those organising the event at the weekend and explained that its significance was largely two-fold; an opportunity for the regular and reserve regiments to formally get together, and also to socialise with their civilian neighbours.
In total, 14 regular regiments were represented as well as 11 reserve regiments.
After the daytime arena events there was a party in the park-style extravaganza during the evening, which saw performances by the RLC band and a covers group.
Major Kathryn Heppinstall, head of the RLC’s recruiting and liaison office, said the day was a tremendous demonstration of the unity in the village and the borough.
“Despite changeable weather, the support from the local community was terrific,” she said. “It was great to see so many people of all ages having fun. The community give us so much; it was a pleasure to be able to give something back.”