BFBS Daily Dits

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 Ashley and how he trained for ten miles of hills
• Discover how the RAF Benevolent Fund supports serving and former RAF personnel

🛒Fancy winning some shopping vouchers?

BFBS Survey

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

🤖 Learn more about AI

AI Course

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!

🎃 Share your spooky stories

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

📢 Want to hear more about the Highland Games?

The Download

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 

🎃 Spooky Saturday Stories 

Submit your Halloween Stories 

Ain’t no party like a BFBS Live Events party! The team threw a series of gigs across British Forces Cyprus to say a big thank you to military families, after a challenging year. BFBS Cyprus Station Manager Ant Ballard joined the celebrations and catches up with Ryan Galpin.

🥳 In this episode: 

Aviators at RAF Akrotiri, soldiers from 4 SCOTS and The Royal Welsh End came together to party!

DJs Rickie & Melvin, Stavros Flatley and cover bands wow crowds at shows across Akrotiri and Nicosia.

Station Commander Group Captain Adam Smolak says thank you to serving personnel and their loved ones.

🎤 Find out more on BFBS Live Events:

bfbs.com/liveevents

⚽ Play the Predictor Saturday

Listen to BFBS Radio’s Saturday Sport show and email predictions to [email protected]

Blandford Garrison has hosted its first TED Talk-style event, bringing speakers together to explore leadership, personal identity and how to become a more effective leader. 

Ryan Galpin catches up with Jason Herbert to hear about the event and the inspiring messages behind it. 

🎙️ In this episode: 

• Find out how the event is helping soldiers develop their leadership skills 

• Hear from motivational speaker Chris Ashford about identity, confidence and life beyond the uniform 

• Discover why leadership is about more than rank, and how everyone has the potential to lead

   

Hear more BFBS Stories 

https://www.bfbs.com/radio/podcasts/bfbs-stories

The LGBTQ+ Defence Awards have brought members of the Armed Forces community and their allies together to celebrate inclusion and recognise those making a difference.  

Ryan Galpin caught up with Alex Harrison to hear about the night. 

🏳️‍🌈 In this episode: 

• Hear about the atmosphere at this year’s awards 

• Find out about some of the winners, including Lance Corporal Liam Cole 

• Discover why representation and inclusion matter across the Armed Forces 

📱See more of the awards 

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Big Salute Day brought the Forces community together for a day of fundraising, challenges and stories from across the world. 

Ryan Galpin catches up with Jess Bracey to look back on the highlights, including an incredible £22,744 raised for military charities. 

💙 In this episode: 

• Look back at Big Salute Day, and the live broadcasts around the world 

• Hear some of the highlights, including 100,000 steps in the Falkland Islands 

• Find out which military charities are benefiting from this year’s fundraising 

💙 Keep the Big Salute going 

Operation Summit 

📻 Listen to SITREP 

How to defend the UK from missiles and drones 

Every year military charities across the UK receive grants from the BFBS Big Salute. One of the beneficiaries are Forward Assist who support veterans across the North East of England. 

Chris Kaye caught up with Lauren Mitchell about how the charity have been using the grant to create opportunities for veterans. 
☕ In this episode: 

• Find out more about Forward Assist and the work they do with veterans 

• Discover how the project will give veterans the chance to gain barista and customer service skills 

• Find out about the truck’s military history, including its connection to the Falklands 

💙 Support Big Salute 

Every penny raised helps military charities make a difference to the Forces community. 

Big Salute 

📱Discover more about Social Media 

Social Media Specialist Course

Mark McKenzie from BFBS Scotland has taken on his very own Big Salute challenge, walking all seven hills of Edinburgh to raise money for military charities.

Lauren caught up with Mark to hear how the challenge went.

🏔️ In this episode:

• Find out how Mark came up with the idea to take on the Seven Hills of Edinburgh
• Hear about the team who joined him for the challenge
• Find out why the day became about more than just the fundraising

💙 Support Big Salute

Op Summit

🎮 Here about the talent behind Astarion

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

The cadets from the Royal Irish Regiment have been making the most of their opportunities, from taking part in the Veterans Day Parade to competing as part of their shooting team.  

Lauren spoke to Cherry Casey about what the cadets have been up to 

🎯 In this episode: 

• Meet the E Company cadets sponsored by the Royal Irish Regiment 

• Find out how the shooting team qualified to compete at Bisley 

• Discover how the cadet programme can help young people explore future careers in the military 

📱 Watch the Cadets on Parade 

BFBS Northern Ireland 

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Connect your smart speaker to BFBS 

The LGBTQ+ Defence Awards take place this Thursday, celebrating role models and allies across the Armed Forces and recognising those helping to create a more inclusive Defence community.  

Danni G joins Lauren to chat about some of this year’s nominees and their stories. 
 

🏳️‍🌈 In this episode: 

• Find out more about the awards and why they’re important 

• Hear how nominees are using their voices to advocate for others and create safe spaces 

• Find out how attitudes have changed across the Armed Forces and the progress still being made 

📻 Want to have your say in BFBS Content? 

Take the BFBS Survey 

With BFBS Big Salute Day just around the corner, Lauren talk to Jess Bracey about all things Operation Summit and the huge fundraising challenges taking place across the Forces community.

🏔️ In this episode:

• Find out what Operation Summit is all about and how you can get involved
• Hear how people across the Forces community are taking on everything from mountain climbs to stair challenges to raise money for military charities
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect from BFBS Big Salute Day on Thursday 8 October

📻 Want to get involved?

Operation Summit

🎮 The Lobby

The Lobby: Season 2, GG!

BFBS Germany headed to the Netherlands to see teams take on the Mount Everest Challenge, raising money for the Armed Force Para Snowsports Team.

Jess Bracey caught up with Jade Callaway to hear all about it.

🏔️ In this episode:

• Find out how teams tackled the equivalent height of Mount Everest
• Hear how Armed Forces Para Snowsports helps wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans through winter sports
• Discover how the charity is creating new opportunities and pathways, from newcomers to Paralympic-level competition

🎿 See the challenge

BFBS Germany

📻 Want to get involved in the Big Salute?

Operation Summit

Lauren Mitchell takes Daily Dits on the road and dons a hard hat to join the Army Adventure Training Wing in Germany's Harz Mountains. Swapping the studio for the great outdoors, she’s with soldiers of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from Tidworth tackling rock climbing designed to build soldiering skills.

🧗 In this episode:

Wing Sergeant Major Tom Kirby on the wide range of adventurous training opportunities on offer.

Fusiliers’ soldiers challenge themselves on the rock face, developing confidence, resilience, communication and teamwork.

Collaboration and strong bonds between the British Army and their Germany counterparts. 

📻 More stories like this on BFBS Radio

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The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is preparing for a busy year of operational commitments.

Jess Bracey spoke to Gini Carlin about what's ahead for the regiment and the bittersweet final chapter of Lieutenant Colonel John Pitto's time as Commanding Officer. 

☀️ In this episode:

• Find out what’s ahead for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment as its operational tempo increases
• Exercises and Operations across the globe
• Meet Colonel John Pitto as he reflects on his time with the regiment

📺Exclusive interview about The Wargame

A thrilling and timely constructed-documentary series

Hear highlights from The BFBS Pro League Grand Final at the RAF Museum in London.  Lauren Mitchell gets the esports lowdown from Richard Wyeth after the three services and a civilian team battled it out for the trophy. 
 
🎮 In this episode: 
 
A look back at a summer of esports featuring F1 25, League of Legends and Rocket League. 

Hear from the champions! 

What's coming next from the BFBS Pro League? 

📲 Watch The BFBS Pro League Final  

BFBS Pro League on YouTube 

🎉 Win with the BFBS Survey 

BFBS Survey 

Senior Met Officer Bill Shielddods from RAF Leeming has gone from forecasting the weather to appearing in the new World War II drama Pressure.

Chris Kaye spoke to Lauren about how Bill landed him the role.

🎬 In this episode:

• Find out how Bill went from the Met Office to the big screen
• Hear how his experience with hand-drawn weather charts helped him land the role

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Pressure

📻 Want to see more

BFBS Catterick Facebook

🎮 The Lobby

The Big One: Grand Final Weekend Is Here!