When the idea was conceived to form a veterans hub in Shildon, writes Glenn Gibson, there was no idea that at Bishop Auckland Football Club, another veteran’s hub was already established and running every Wednesday between 11am and 12 noon. While the Hubs realised there would be a slight clash of times, after a productive chat, they decided to continue running their respective hubs at their originally scheduled times.
At the last meeting in July, it was an immense pleasure to be visited by the Bishop veterans after their meeting had ended. It was great to see everyone mix and continue the special banter that exists amongst all the services of the Armed Forces. New friendships were formed and both Shildon and Bishop veterans hubs will continue for the benefit of those veterans and indeed those still serving who need guidance and support, or just somewhere to come and sit, have and chat.
Talking of support, the hub had a visit from Durham County Council’s Armed Forces Outreach Service who informed the group how they help Veterans and those leaving the service with housing issues, benefits, employment, health and wellbeing and more. It was very informative, and some veterans will hopefully use this service in the near future.
Once again, apart from the new faces from the Bishop veterans, it was lovely to see new veterans dropping in, to see what it is all about and staying. It is also pleasing to see the returning regular faces settling in with their tea and coffee, welcoming and chatting to everyone. The conversations about where people were stationed, compo rations, what weaponry they used, stories about what they used to do, throws up some surprises when others realise that they were stationed at the same place at the same time, even though they were in either different regiments, corps or service. Listening and watching veterans chat to each other in a relaxed environment is what makes veteran hubs unique.
Now for an update on our Day Out plans. After a discussion amongst Shildon’s veterans, it was decided to have the day out at a different time to the scheduled meetings. So, it was decided to move the away day to Thursday 17 August and we will be visiting the National Museum of the Royal Navy, home to HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool.
Pick up will be at 10am outside the Civic Hall in Shildon. One Shildon Community Bus has been booked with a tail lift to aid anyone with mobility issues and has space for up to 16 people. If more wish to attend, the group will look at hiring a larger bus. So, if you want to book your seat, please either email g.gibson[@]shildon[.]gov[.]uk or ring/text me on 07811 801115 asap.
As always, we must mention and thank the organisations who ensure the hub continues to run: Shildon Town Council for their continued support, allowing the use of the Civic Hall building and general admin; Shildon Alive for their continued donations of food; Bishop Auckland Veterans SSAFA for further advice and guidance; other outside charitable organisations that attend to offer support to the veterans, and of course the veterans themselves who attend and make these hubs so special.
The next meeting of Shildon Veterans Hub will be at Shildon Civic Hall on Wednesday 16 August from 11am to 2pm. All veterans and their families are welcome and we hope once again to see members from Bishop Veterans Hub pop in afterwards for continued friendship and banter.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
