Drumming Up New Volunteers in Devon

11 December 2019

Our two adventurers have successfully completed their trek around Devon.
Day One
After stopping to bang the drum at Teignmouth rail station and then the centre of Dartmouth we camped out at the Royal Naval College. We found a lovely pitch in a wooded area overlooking the river. It was turning very cold at around 0200 when I was woken up by owls in the trees overhead.
We were also woken up during the night by officer cadets skirmishing through the woods and firing their rifles. It really took us back to the old days and we spent some time as interested and critical observers of their fire and movement abilities. A most impressive display it was too. And for military personnel whose role is not geared to such front line and in your face soldiering they performed very well.

Day Two
By the time we got to Kingsbridge we were beginning to realise how phenomenally generous the people of Devon are towards our cause. Many people emptied their wallets and purses of all their change in addition to notes. One lady gave us all the cash she had and wished she could only have given more,that was very humbling.Four people also registered an interest in being caseworkers to help our cause.
Also and of particular note a veteran of the submarine service told us how grateful he was for the care and support given to him by SSAFA throughout a very difficult period of his life. It is very heartwarming to hear stories such as his.
We called in to the Royal Oak in Meavy in the early evening. The log fire and amazing welcome from our host Stephen Earp, a Falklands war veteran were quite an attraction and we stayed for a beer and in doing so met some wonderful locals, one of whom has now volunteered to be a SSAFA caseworker.

On leaving the pub we discovered the Landy had ice on both sides of the windscreen because of course the roof was off.
After scraping it off we headed out onto the moor to pitch our bivvies.

Day Three
We got up at 0630 after a brilliant night’s sleep, largely due to the lack of owls and noisy Royal Naval cadets. A very refreshing full body wash in a stream served to wake us up then we set off to The War Memorial in Tavistock.
The feature of this visit was the amount of old comrades who turned up to wish us well; some we hadn’t seen for over forty years. We all agreed we’d hadn’t changed a bit.
The afternoon visit was to the Co-Op in Okehampton. Our hugely friendly reception continued with a visit by two of Santa’s Elfin helpers on loan from Gilbert Stephens solicitors, (see photo). Again, we were both floored by the warmth of the people we have met on this tour.
By the late afternoon we were under strict orders from home command to put the canvas top back on the Landy. We knew we were beaten on this one and complied. Lucky because the cold dry weather gave way to warmer, wet and windy. Not our favourite.
That night we bivvied up in a wood near Hatherleigh and managed to construct some fairly effective wind breaks out of some old planking we found. Vegetable Korma was on the menu from the ration box then off to a local pub.

Day Four
Friday morning, after a wet and windy night we set off after having to jump start the Landy. It played up a bit on the way to Barnstaple, but got us there. Next stop was Tiverton where yet again we met some old comrades and many people who wanted to pass on their thanks to our caseworkers for what they’d done for them over the years.
At 1500 we set off for Woodbury common and our night’s bivvy ground. As it turned out the Landy became very temperamental and was only just coaxed back to a friend’s house near the common. Thank goodness for the RAC in the person of Jason Taylor, Call sign 5749, an ex REME mechanic who had solved the problem and fixed the Landy by 8.30 pm. We owe him a huge debt for his professionalism and great ‘get it fixed’ attitude.

Day Five
After a dry and peaceful night on Woodbury common, with just the odd owl again for company, we were woken up at 0635 by gunfire again. This time Royal Marines recruits were conducting an assault. A very effective display of firepower it was too. No need for alarm calls on this trip! Then off to Honiton followed in the afternoon by Budleigh Salterton sea front and an ice cream! Just the thing for December.

In conclusion. SSAFA has left a legacy of understanding in many parts of Devon over the past five days. And Devon has left us elated with our reception and heartened by the warmth with which we were greeted everywhere.

It was a sobering thought that we have just spent the last few days and nights sleeping out in all weathers. But we are trained commandos - retired admittedly, but the skills endure and there are still homeless people throughout the country who do it every day of the year.

We raised well over £1,000, and ten people have lodged their desire to help our veterans in need. However, we still need more volunteers and caseworkers because the more people we have, the more veterans we can help.

If you think you would like to make a positive difference to their lives please call Claire on 01392 254611