Poppyscotland

In our final Poppyscotland Podcast with Garrison FM we catch up with 1SCOTS before they make the 3500 mile trek back to Edinburgh. We hear from Cpl Jim Petrie and L. Cpl Craig Poole as they reflect on a testing six month deployment and look ahead to a long awaited reunion with their loved ones.

We hear from Padre Paul Van Sittert who talks about his spiritual and pastoral care to the 1 SCOTS soldiers as they near the end of the tour. We also talk to Lance Corporal Aaron Mitchell about his role and R&R.  

This week WO1 Alan Falconer, the new RSM of 1 SCOTS, tells us what it's like taking up his new role halfway through the six-month tour in Afghanistan. As well as ensuring the soldiers enjoyed a traditional Christmas and Hogmanay, plans are underway to celebrate Burns Night in style!

We have a bumper Christmas edition of the Poppyscotland Podcast. It's an emotional affair as we hear from some of the members of 1 SCOTS who have arrived home from Afghanistan this week in time for Christmas. But let's not forget about those who are still serving abroad. We also hear from many of those still on duty in Afghanistan as they sent their Christmas messages home to their loved ones.

In this week’s Podcast we’re back in Afghanistan with 1 SCOTS.  Cpl. James Sherlock and Capt. Andy McGrain join us to discuss their roles, explain how they marked St Andrews Day 4000 from home and they send their messages back to their loved ones.

We've a bumper podcast for Poppy Week.  We begin as usual catching up with 1SCOTS in Afghanistan then speak to Poppyscotland's Head of Fundraising, Colin Flinn, about the Field of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh.  Finally we hear from 2011 Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall about the Scottish Poppy Appeal single, Unforgettable, that he has just recorded.

This week we are hear from Privates Kane Sutherland and Scott Morrison of 1SCOTS, who share their thoughts on their first tour to Afghanistan.  We also speak to Lance Corporal Stephen Guest of Delta Company 1SCOTS who explains what life is like in Camp Shawqat.  It's all on this week's Poppyscotland Podcast.

It’s the last time we’ll hear from 3 Rifles before they head home to Edinburgh.  Lt Col Charlie Maconochie, the battalion’s Commanding Officer joins us from Afghanistan to discuss the handover process with 1 Scots, who have just arrived at Camp Tombstone to begin their six month tour.  We also look forward to 3 Rifles homecoming parade in November when they will receive the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh.

As 1 SCOTS head off for Afghanistan, we hear from 3 Rifles as they prepare to head home to Edinburgh. Capt Palmer Winstanley joins us from Camp Tombstone to reflect on the past six months. We also hear from the newly formed Edinburgh Garrison Military Wives Choir. Poppyscotland is delighted to be supporting the Choir and we'll be hearing more from them in the coming weeks. Watch this space!

We’re back in Afghanistan to catch up with 3 Rifles. This week’s Podcast hears from Commanding Officer Lt Col Charlie Maconochie who pays tribute to Lt Andrew Chesterman who died on August 9th.  We also hear from Lt Jen Dowdell who talks about her role in the Regimental Administrative Office. Click below to listen

In a bonus midweek podcast we hear from Owen Sheers, the writer of the hit theatre production The Two Worlds of Charlie F.  The show features a group of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel telling their own stories in their own words.  The show starts a 5-day run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before heading back to London's West End. For tickets for the Edinburgh run visit http://www.pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh/events/the-two-worlds-of-charlie-f

We’ve been speaking to 3 Rifles to find out more about a major operation they’ve just completed in Afghanistan. Commanding Officer Lt Col Charlie Maconochie tells us all about it on this week’s Poppyscotland Podcast. 

This week we hear from the 3 Rifles rear party at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh to find out how they manage to keep the home fires burning while the battalion are away in Afghanistan. From preparing for their return in October to looking after the familes of those on tour, the rear party play a crucial role. Hear how Unit Welfare Officer Cpt Harry Harrison does it.

After an extremely testing week in Afghanistan, Cpt Palmer Winstanley from 3 Rifles has some reassuring words on this week’s Poppyscotland Podcast. 

We've got a special Armed Forces Day edition of the Poppyscotland Podcast for you. Hear how the celebrations in Scotland are giving a huge boost to 3 Rifles, who are currently serving in the Lashkar Gah region of Afghanistan.  We also have an update on a major anti-insurgent exercise undertaken earlier this week.  CSgt Steve Opie, Sgt Stephen Gibbons from Mortar Platoon and the Unit Press Officer Capt Palmer Winstanley are on the line.

This weeks Poppyscotland podcast hears from our community fundraiser Roslyn Scoular and Captain Alex Rose from 3SCOTS  at the launch of this year's Highland Poppy Run, which takes place at Fort George Barracks near Inverness on Sunday 19th August. You can walk, run or cycle our 10k or 5k route through the beautiful Ardersier countryside. Visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk for more information.

Lt Col Charlie McConnachie, Commanding Officer of 3 Rifles in Afghanistan, takes time out of his busy schedule to update us on how their latest deployment  is going. This week also saw 3 Rifles granted the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh and Charlie explains how much this, and all the public support they have received, means to him and his Battalion. It's all on this week's Poppyscotland Podcast.

This week we hear from Lt Col Charlie McConnachie, Commanding Officer of 3 RIFLES. He tells us about the support and expertise 3 RIFLES is providing to the Afghan National Army in preparation for withdrawal in 2014 as well as the recent honour of receiving the Freedom of Edinburgh.

Afghanistan calling!  3 Rifles join us from Camp Tombstone for this week’s Poppyscotland Podcast to let us know how they are getting on.  Could romance be in the air for Cpl Jeremy Topp?  L. Cpl Liam Jones explains how he’s coping with the increasing temperatures and L. Cpl Rachel Bryant tells us how she is finding her first tour. 

We’re back in Afghanistan catching up with 3 Rifles on the Poppyscotland Podcast.  RiflemanTyrone Hoole and Cpl David Donoghue join us from Camp Tombstone and explain their role in training the Afghan National Army, and send those all important messages to their loved ones back home.