BFBS Daily Dits

Military children from RAF Benson Community Primary School and neighbouring schools came together at the beautiful Dorchester Abbey in Oxfordshire for a special Remembrance service. 

Lauren Mitchell is joined by Jacob Dyer to hear how the event brought young people together to remember the fallen. 

❤️ In this episode: 

• How RAF Benson Community Primary School organised a bespoke Remembrance service for military children from across the local area. 

• The RAF Benson Military Wives Choir’s special contribution to the service. 

• Hear from the pupils as they share what being a military child means to them. 

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The Royal International Air Tattoo is getting a new home! Lauren Mitchell is joined by BFBS Salisbury Plain's Matt Gibbs to find out why the world's largest military air show is moving, and what the change could mean for the local area.

✈️ In this episode:

• What makes Boscombe Down the ideal new home for RIAT
• How the move could bring a boost to local businesses, tourism and community
• What visitors can look forward to in 2027, including the chance to get even closer to aircraft than ever before.

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Map makers Ordnance Survey are celebrating 225 years of mapping. 
But did you know their roots are very much connected to the military? 
Danni G joins Lauren to share what she's found out about the first military maps after speaking to Ordnance Survey CEO Nick Bolton. 

🗺️In this episode: 

• The history of military maps 

• The Royal Engineers and mapping 

• How the land was measured 

• Why Kent was mapped first 

Also:

🎧 Listen to MODCAST: bfbs.com/modcast

To help raise money for the Big Salute, the BFBS Brunei team brought the garrison together for a sweaty but brilliant fundraising challenge.

Lauren Mitchell caught up with Tamsin Robson about how the day went.

🏃 In this episode:

• Hear how personnel took part in the CO’s PT takeover, running laps around the garrison carrying 15kg packs
• Meet some of the participants and hear how they tackled the heat, the distance and healthy competition
• Tamsin shares her highlights from the day

📱 Watch the fundraising

BFBS Brunei

🎮 Hear from the Messiah of Motion Capture

The messiah of motion capture and video game voice, Neil Newbon

Op CABRIT 19 has begun in Estonia! British troops are working alongside French and Estonian forces as part of NATO's multinational battle group.

Lauren Mitchell caught up with Dave Roberts, who has been on the training grounds finding out more.

❄️ In this episode:

• Find out what Operation CABRIT involves and why the UK has maintained a presence in Estonia since 2017
• Hear about Exercise Bold Hussar and how international forces are training together
• Discover what interoperability really means – from coordinating communications and equipment to swapping ration packs!

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The Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth has opened its Royal Marines Experience for the public to explore the 360 years of history and personal memorabilia to virtual training challenges.

Lauren Mitchell caught up with George Wedlake to ask about how he found the museum.

⚓ In this episode:

• Explore the new Royal Marines Experience and discover the story of the Corps
• Hear from former Marines who have donated personal items to bring the history to life
• Find out how the museum is using interactive experiences to give visitors a taste of Royal Marines training

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Army, RAF, and Royal Navy personnel got a taste of the demanding physical test Gurkha recruits face during selection in Nepal at the Army Training Centre Pirbright. Teams across the forces took the challenge of carrying a 15kg basket on their backs across 5.7 kilometres. 

Lauren Mitchell spoke to Richard Wyeth about how the day went. 

🎒 In this episode: 

• Find out what a Doko is and why aspiring Gurkha soldiers carry one during the selection process 

• Meet Corporal Nissan Gurung who helped organise the challenge 

• Discover how bagpipes, plenty of encouragement and a well-earned Gurkha curry helped make the day a memorable one! 

📱Highlights from the challenge 

BFBS Aldershot 

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Reflecting on the purpose of Black History Month

From live music in St Andrew Square to celebrity appearances, Edinburgh Poppy Day is always a special event that gets bigger every year. 

Lauren Mitchell spoke to Mark McKenzie and Jim Gellatly about the highlights of the day. 

🥁 In this episode: 

• Hear from the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland about what supporting the Poppy Appeal means 

• Catch up with JJ Chalmers as he shares his personal connection to remembrance 

• Find out why the poppy means so much to serving personnel, veterans and their families 

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Powerful stories and reflections around Black History Month from the military community in Cyprus. 

Alice Vickery joins Lauren Mitchell to share an insightful conversation between five members of the military community from different cultures. 

🎤 Hear from: 

• Latoya Sutherland – SSAFA Service Lead for ESBA, British Forces Cyprus and military wife 
• Judy Kanda -  Receptionist at Dhekelia Medical Centre and military spouse.  
• Karen Grace Agyekum- Regional Hive Manager and military spouse 
• Sergeantt Dawda Jawneh – Sexual Health Nurse – RAF Akrotiri 
• Florence Dodoo - SSAFA Health Visitor based in Belgium 

🎧 Also - there's a new episode of Sitrep
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The Royal British Legion has gone all out to mark 20 years of London Poppy Day. 

More than 2000 volunteers have been selling poppies across the city's transport hubs.  

Lydia Tester joins Lauren from Waterloo Station. 

💂 In this episode:

• Celebrity Traitors Ross Kemp on why today is so important.
• Collectors take to the River Thames
• Lydia talks to the head of the Poppy Appeal and a veteran poppy seller.

📲 See it all on our socials PLUS Edinburgh Poppy Day!

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1st Battalion C Company Army Cadets have been put through their paces at a training event.

BFBS Northern Ireland’s Rachel Cochrane was there and tells Lauren all about it.

🫡 In this Episode

• Colour Sergeant Campbell explains the skills involved including safe weapon handling.
• Rachel tries out the shooting simulator

• Colour Sergeant Georgia Grimison tells Rachel about her shooting experience.
  

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It's been a busy week in Germany as Curtis Taylor headed out to Exercise Rhino Titan to see 2000 troops put their skills to the test. Lauren asked Curtis all about his week of adventures. 
 
🪂 In this episode:

• Discover what Exercise Rhino Titan is about with a parachute drop, Task Force Hannible and learning about unmanned devices from the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
• Meet Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade
• Hear all the highlights from the week, including military dogs, drones and a pair of serving identical twins

📱 Find out more

BFBS Germany

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Spooky Saturday

Swap the UK autumn weather for the tropical heat of Belize to discover what's happening on Exercise Sailfish.

Lauren Mitchell catches up with Toby Pickard as he shares the detail of the major renovation projects the Queen's Gurkha Engineers are taking on.

🌿 In this episode:

• Discover the aircraft hangar renovations to improve facilities at Price Barracks
• Hear how the troops are developing their jungle survival and navigation skills
• Find out what it was like spending a night in the jungle, complete with tarantulas, snakes and mountain lions

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From Olympic athletes to glider aerobatic displays, the RAF Sport Awards shine a spotlight on the talent, dedication and determination of service personnel. Lauren Mitchell speaks to Cath Brazier to look back at the ceremony. 

🏅 In this episode: 

• Discover the range of achievements being recognised 

• Meet the winners of the new Endeavour Award 

• Find out why the awards celebrate more than just winners 

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Think you could tackle a ten-mile endurance race carrying a 45lb backpack? Ryan Galpin chat to Chris Kaye to hear about the RAF medic who took on the gruelling PARAS 10.

🎖️ In this episode:

• Find out what the PARAS 10 involves
• Meet AS1 Louis and how he trained for ten miles of hills
• Discover how the RAF Benevolent Fund supports serving and former RAF personnel

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Gibraltar is full of military history, and for the Royal Engineers, it has a particularly special place in their story. Ryan Galpin talks to Greg Burnet to discover some of Gibraltar's fascinating stories and myths.

🪖 In this episode:

• Discover why Gibraltar is so important to the Royal Engineers
• Hear from Captain Phillip Brazier about the Great Siege tunnels
• Find out about Gibraltar’s naval history and some local legends

📱 Find out more about the history

BFBS Gibraltar

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The Brize Recognition Awards for Value and Outstanding Service (BRAVOS) celebrate the people making a real difference at RAF Brize Norton. Ryan Galpin caught up with Jacob Dyer to hear about the big night.

🏆 In this episode:

• Go behind the scenes at one of RAF Brize Norton’s biggest nights of the year
• Hear from Squadron Leader Benjamin Hanson, recognised for his leadership during the RAF Akrotiri attacks
• Find out what made the awards night so special!

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Spooky Saturday

Daily Dits reaches a milestone with its 100th episode! Ryan Galpin catches up with BFBS Cyprus Breakfast presenter Alice Vickery to look back at this year’s Highland Games.

🏴 In this episode:

Hear about the tug of war, strongman competition and the all-important chain of command race

Discover how a parachutist made a spectacular entrance with the Scottish flag

Hear about Alice’s DJ duties, traditional Nepalese dancing and a backing track that went a little faster than planned!

📱Catch Ryan's Dancing at the Highland Games

BFBS Cyprus

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Working from home can make it difficult to stay focused, especially when you’re juggling family life and a career.  

Ryan Galpin chats to Jim Gellatly to find out how the Military Coworking Network is helping military spouses. 

💻 In this episode: 

• Find out how the Military Coworking Network helps military spouses and partners balance work and life 

• Hear how the network supports people looking for remote work, starting a business or returning to employment 

• Get tips on staying productive while working remotely, including why it’s important to take breaks 

Find out more about the Military Coworking Network, its locations and membership at militarycoworking.uk. 

📻Catch up on SITREP 

We have to be faster than our adversaries 

The Dhekelia Sevens women’s football tournament has grown massively since it first began four years ago, bringing together teams from across the Forces community for a week of football, competition and fun. 

Ryan Galpin spoke to Alice Vickery to her all about this year’s event. 

⚽ In this episode: 

• Find out how the tournament has grown to around 15 teams 

• Listen to the hilarious on-pitch commentary captured 

• Discover how the tournament brings women together through sport, whether they’re playing competitively or just for fun 

📱 Check out the Tournament 

BFBS Cyprus Facebook 

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