29 Sep 10. Shephard Group regret to announce that the live demonstration of night vision and optics systems at National Shooting Centre, Bisley on 12 October has been postponed until further notice.

28 Sep 10. The team behind Europe’s largest airshow is offering to share some of the magic that has made the Royal International Air Tattoo such a success over the years. Next month (October) sees the launch of Fairford-based Air Tattoo Event Services (ATES), a new initiative by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, which is offering to spice up events around the UK by providing an aerial spectacle that is guaranteed to create a memorable ‘wow’ factor. The team plans to use its knowledge and experience of staging the world-famous Air Tattoo each year at RAF Fairford to help others incorporate the excitement and thrills of an air display at their events. The aviation spectacle provided by ATES could include arranging displays by legendary warbirds such as Spitfires or Hurricanes, classic jets such as Hunters, Jet Provosts or Gnats, daring wing-walkers, synchronised aerobatic display teams, single aerobatic display aircraft, helicopters, modern military aircraft, large model displays, gliders, hot air balloons as well as static aircraft. ATES would book the aircraft, ensure all the regulatory requirements are met and choreograph the display to meet the needs of occasions such as private or corporate functions and large public events including outdoor concerts, conferences, gala dinners or staff family days.
27 Sep 10. The SSAFA Midnight March is to be held overnight on Friday 29th October in Aldershot, Hampshire. This 12.5K walk will raise money for our brave Armed Forces and their families and celebrate SSAFA’s 125th anniversary year. The March is a celebration of the resilience demonstrated by the families and friends of our Armed Forces. Since UK troops were deployed in Afghanistan almost a decade ago and throughout the Iraq war, families have spent each tour anxiously waiting for the safe return of their loved ones. Major General Kirkland, GOC 4 Div, who is starting the event off for SSAFA said “Service families are often the forgotten heroes but they are vital to a successful deployment. The March is an opportunity for them to show their support for loved ones and I hope it will raise awareness of the sacrificies they themselves make…” Starting and finishing at the Rushmoor Arena, the March will follow a 12.5Km army training route, setting off at 11pm. The walk is open to all members of the public aged over 16; wives, partners, grandparents, brothers, sisters, who wish to show their support and raise vital funds. So please join us and get walking for our Forces!

29 Sep 10. The Queen’s Gallantry medal awarded to SAS Sergeant Tommy G.C.Palmer for his part in storming the Iranian Embassy on 5th May 1980 was the top lot at £98,750 in the Bonhams For Valour sale that took place in Knightsbridge today. The entire sale sold 98% of lot by value. The medal was sold as a group with Sgt Palmer’s other medals from Northern Ireland, Dhofar, and the Falklands. Along with the medals was the hood worn during the siege, letters of congratulation from SAS officers and the chiefs of the Army, photographs and press cuttings, and a map of the Iranian Embassy. Further highlights of the sale included a rare Russian medal: the order of St. Stanislaus which was awarded by the last Emperor of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II in the late 19th century, to a dentist who had performed an operation on him. Exceeding its presale estimate of £2000 – 3000, the medal sold for over ten times the amount at £37,600. A top price was also paid for ten medals including the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross belonging to WW2 Group Captain A.H Donaldson. His plane was almost shot down twice, he lost his fingers but miraculously survived a plane crash into the sea off Gibraltar as he was being flown out of Malta on a stretcher. The m