BFBS Daily Dits

Musicians from British Army Band Catterick have helped children at Sacred Heart Primary School in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, turn their ideas and lyrics into an original recorded song.

Chris Kaye headed to a recording session and catches up with Lauren Mitchell. 
 
🎺In this episode 

• What’s life like as a musician in British Army Band Catterick? 

• Discover the unique opportunities British Army Music offers soldiers. 

• Kids turn rock stars, penning lyrics, exploring musical styles and recording tracks. 

• Soldiers inspire young people into careers in the armed force. 

• Plus, it’s a busy summer across Yorkshire for the military musicians.  

📻More stories like this on BFBS The Forces Station 

BFBS Radio 

🎧LISTEN to the latest Sitrep podcast 
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The Adjutant General’s Corps Warriors Netball team have been busy training in Gibraltar. Whilst on tour, they also lead a netball  session with military children. 
  
Jacob Dyer met the players and catches up with Lauren Mitchell.
 

🏀️In this episode: 

• Lieutenant Colonel Lorraine Thomas, Chair of AGC Netball, on developing the next generation of players - blending experienced athletes with soldiers new to Army sport 
   

• The team reflect on overseas training in the heat and humidity of Gibraltar 
    

• Players prepare for the upcoming Inter Corps Championships 
     

• Soldiers lead coaching sessions with military kids, inspiring future netball players.  

🎧Hear more stories like this on the radio:   
 
BFBS Radio 

 
🔊Listen to BFBS on your smart speaker 
 
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We take you behind the scenes of an exclusive, access all areas interview with the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, aboard HMS Daring at HMNB Portsmouth.  
 
Tim Cooper from Forces News joins Lauren Mitchell to talk through what it was really like to spend time with the man in charge of the Royal Navy.

⚓In this episode: 

• The First Sea Lord says “morale’s high and the Navy are ready to fight” 

• HMS Daring – a Type 45 air defence destroyer – laid up since 2017 following her refit, is now set to resume duties this year 

• General Sir Gwyn Jenkins reflects on his first year leading the Senior Service 

Plus, what was it like to plan and film this exclusive interview 
 
📺WATCH the full interview  
 
BFBS Forces News on YouTube 
 

📱Plus, there’s more with Forces Shorts on BFBS TV Player App  
 
BFBS TV Player | BFBS 
 

Soldiers of 1st Battalion The Rifles have conducted experimental counter drone exercises on Sennybridge Training Area in the Brecon Beacons, Wales.  
 
BFBS's Toby Pickard was there and joins Lauren Mitchell.  
 
 
🪖 In this episode: 

• Riflemen test identifying, tracking and jamming enemy drone threats in pioneering training  

• Learn how drone warfare is shaping and changing future world conflicts   

• Corporal O’Neill recognised for innovation, winning Soldier of the Year at the inaugural Fitzgibbon Award 

• Find out where 1st Battalion The Rifles will deploy to next  
   
   

📲 See more on the drone training exercise  
 
BFBS Radio on Instagram 

🖥️WATCH BFBS Forces News’ exclusive interview with the First Sea Lord  
 
BFBS Forces News on YouTube 
 
 

The Army Engagement Team host a “Meet Your Army” showcase in Colchester, giving students, school-leavers and local businesses the chance to find out what it’s really like to be in the armed forces.  
 
Ashley Paul tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.

 
🪖In this episode: 

• Busting common myths about the military 
   

• Young people explore the vast array of careers in the British Army 
   

• A Royal Logistics Corps Reservist shares how service life’s opened opportunities for international travel and adventure training.       
   

📲See pictures from the ‘Meet Your Army’ showcase  

facebook.com/BFBSColchester 

🎮LISTEN to the latest episode of The Lobby podcast 
 
BFBS Pro League: The Lobby | BFBS 

3 Battalion The Rifles have been commemorating the Duke of Wellington’s 1812 victory at the Battle of Salamanca. 

Mark McKenzie and Jim Gellatly from BFBS Scotland tell Lauren Mitchell how it was marked at Dreghorn Barracks. 

Content Warning: this episode features the sound of gunshots 

🫡 In this episode: 

• What is Salamanca Day? Jim gives us a history lesson. 

• How do 3 Rifles celebrate? 

• Re-enactors show off their weapons! 

• Soldiers take on a 24-hour physical challenge 

  
  

📺 See Salamanca Day videos here: 

• Instagram @bfbs.scotland 

  
  

🎧Listen/Watch Sitrep Here: 

• YouTube 

• bfbs.com/sitrep 

Tim Humphries joins Lauren Mitchell to explore the tennis tournament’s close connection with the British armed forces. 
 
 
🎾 In this episode: 

• Volunteers from the British Army and the Royal Navy reflect on the prestige and pride they feel serving as stewards on court this year 

• A bittersweet moment for one sailor serving at SW19 in memory of his brother 

• Hear the fascinating story behind the historic 80-year bond between the military and Wimbledon 

• Plus, the volunteers share stories of spotting celebrities court-side 
   

🎧 Listen to BFBS Radio for your chance to win with the Wimbledon tennis themed ‘Guess The Grunt’ competition 

• BFBS Radio | BFBS 
   

Lauren Mitchell and Curtis Tyler look back on a fun-packed community day in the sunshine at the Garrison Summer Fete.  
 
   
🍦 In this episode: 

• Why the Fete is such an important thank-you to service personnel and families posted to Germany. 

• Lauren climbs into a Challenger 2 tank and gets up close to the M3 amphibious rig with 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron. 

• There’s some seriously competitive welly-wanging 

• Plus, BFBS’ Operation Ice Cream van delivers tasty treats and its own World Cup style jingle! 
   
     

📱Watch more from the Sennelager Garrison Fete on our social channels: 

• BFBS Germany on Instagram 
   

🖥️ BFBS wants to hear your thoughts on BFBS TV and radio services for a chance to WIN online shopping vouchers. 

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The Royal Navy’s biggest training base, HMS Collingwood has held its annual open day and hosted the historic Field Gun competition. 
 

But who won bragging rights?   

 
George Ryland was there and tells Lauren Mitchell all about it. 

⚓ In this episode: 

• Behind the scenes at the historic Field Gun competition 

• Find out who won the coveted Brickwoods Trophy  

• HMS Collingwood opens its doors to the public 

See more on HMS Collingwood’s Open Day on our social channels: 

• BFBS Radio on Instagram 

📺 Catch up on all the action from the World Cup with the BFBS TV Player   

• BFBS TV Player | BFBS 
   

After a four-year tenure as Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Tom Guy waves goodbye and sets sail for the next chapter. 

BFBS Gini Carlin tells Lauren Mitchell about the special send-off... 

⛵ In this episode: 

• Visitors to the Rock 

• A final farewell for CBF Tom Guy 

• Highlights of Tom’s time in command 

• And who’s the new CBF? 

📻 Fancy more to listen to? 

• BFBS SITREP 

Captain James Harris of REME is taking on an extraordinary fundraising challenge: three ultra marathons in four months.  

BFBS’s Richard Wyeth gives Lauren Mitchell all the details.  

🏃‍♂️ In this episode: 

• A look back at the Jurassic Ultra 

• A summer holiday won’t stop preparations 

• Nearly £3000 raised for Help for Heroes 

• Can he conquer the final and toughest run of the summer? 

🤖 AI Skills Course 

• BFBS Academy 

The military community in SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Belgium, have celebrated British culture at BRIT Fete.   
Curtis Tyler visited the event and catches up with Lauren Mitchell. 

😎 In this episode: 

• British personnel and families show off their culture and cuisine 

• Find out about the diversity of the NATO teams that make up SHAPE  

• Curtis gets stuck into the fish & chips, ‘welly-wanging’ and Morris dancing 

• Plus, there’s a new BFBS recruit! 

📱Watch more from BRIT Fete on our social channels: 

• BFBS Germany on Instagram 

⚽ Catch up on all the World Cup action with BFBS TV Player:  

• BFBS TV Player | BFBS    

Team spirit was high in British Forces Brunei as the community came together for a 24-hour swimathon.

The event raised money for the Army Benevolent Fund and several Bruneian charities. 
   
Honor Mant was poolside and catches up with Lauren Mitchell. 

🏊 In this episode: 

• Serving personnel, families and locals take on this relay swim  

• Chief of Staff and other military leaders show their support putting in the lengths  

• Traditional Nepali music and club bangers kept morale high for swimmers  

• Who was crowned victors and claimed bragging rights? 

  
  

📱See more on the swimathon on our social channels: 

• BFBS Brunei on Facebook 

  
  

• 🎧 Listen to BFBS Radio for your chance to win with the Wimbledon tennis themed ‘Guess The Grunt’ competition  

• BFBS Radio | BFBS 
   

Armed Forces Day celebrations took place in Aldershot on Saturday, bringing together all three services for a packed day of displays, activities, and community engagement. 

BFBS’s George Ryland shared her highlights with Ryan Galpin. 

🫡 In this episode:

• A rundown of the day
• Insight into being a Chinook pilot
• George makes friends with ex-sniper Aldo Kane
• More football predictions

📱Watch the highlights on our social channels:

• @yourbfbs on TikTok

• @bfbsradio on Instagram

📱More about the Chinooks:

• Forces News

🎧 Listen to BFBS Pro League: The Lobby for the latest Pro League news!

• The Lobby

Recruits at ATC Pirbright marked a major milestone with a pass-off parade after completing 13 weeks of training. 

Natasha Reneaux from BFBS Aldershot talks to Ryan Galpin about the big day.  

🎉 In this episode: 

• Ice cream, cheer masters, and proud parade-day moments 

• A name change for the 1 Fowler Squadron 

• Look ahead to Armed Forces Day in Aldershot 

📻 Useful Links 

• SITREP 

🎟️ Join the fun on AFD 

• Get a Ticket 

Government plans for new restrictions on social media use for under 16s are likely to change how those in service families keep up with their friends overseas. 

BFBS’s Joe Carden tells Ryan Galpin what this could mean for the Armed Forces Community.  

📱 In this episode: 

•  Insight from Clare Shere MBE, CEO of the Naval Children’s Charity  

• The shift to safer communication – the return of blueys  

• Advice and support for parents navigating the changes  

🎮 Sign up to the BFBS Pro League  

• Pro League 

Edinburgh commenced Armed Forces Week with a flag raising ceremony at the City Chambers.

BFBS’s Mark McKenzie tells Lauren Mitchell all about the day and how he is spotlighting the reserves by making them radio stars.

☀️ In this episode:

• Celebrations in Edinburgh
• Scotland’s Armed Forces Week Plans
• Mark gets some new co-hosts

📱Watch the Flag Raising on our socials:

• @bfbs.scotland on Instagram 

• @BFBS Scotland on Facebook

📻 Catch Mark's breakfast special:

• Scotland Breakfast

📢 Join our social media course

• Social Media Specialists

Gibraltar is home to a unique Armed Forces community, it’s a great posting with plenty of things to get involved with.

BFBS’s George Ryland recounts her recent adventures in Gibraltar for Lauren Mitchell.

☀️ In this episode:

• A look into the Royal Gibraltar Regiment
• Gibraltar’s unique runway
• Life with the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron
• Photobombing the royal navy

📱Follow the journey on our social channels:

• @yourbfbs on TikTok

• @bfbsradio on Instagram

• @BFBSRadio on Facebook

🎧 Listen to Northern Ireland’s Armed Forces Day

• Saturday Catch up

Armed Forces Day celebrations kicked off in Coleraine in Northern Ireland on Saturday. 

BFBS’s Rachel Cochrane has all the highlights for Lauren Mitchell. 

🫡 In this episode: 

• The Royal Marines abseil from the top of the town hall 

• Rachel chats with Sergeant Luke Riddell from the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team 

• A flypast from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 

• Rachel gets “military band goosebumps” 

📱Watch the highlights on our social channels: 

• @yourbfbs on TikTok 

• @bfbsradio on Instagram 

• @BFBSRadio on Facebook 

🎧 Listen to BFBS Pro League: The Lobby for Father’s Day gaming fun! 

• The Lobby

At RAF Odiham, the Royal Air Force Chinook Role Demo Team are making final preparations ahead of appearances at several airshows across the UK this summer. 
 
Richard Wyeth has been chatting to the air crew and shares some behind the scenes insight with Lauren Mitchell.  

🚁In this episode: 

• Hear how the RAF aviators wow the crowd, demonstrating the aircraft's versatility and capability to the public  

• What does it take for the hardworking crew to get the Chinooks off the ground and into the air 

• How do they balance the commitments of being a frontline operational squadron with staging displays? 

• Hear how a boyhood dream came true for the Team Manager who captains the crew   

• Plus, what are the BIG orange hands 
   

📺Plus: 

Listen to the latest episode of BFBS Esports: The Lobby:  

🎧 bfbs.com/radio/podcasts  

Discover more armed forces stories, listen to BFBS Radio: bfbs.com/radio