Baxterbear makes a difference with Royal Navy HMS YORK,

250 Baxterbears joined HMS York at Hull Docks near York, this afternoon to be met by Commander Rex Cox and some of the Crew.  To join the HMS York on it last trip to Portsmouth . To make a difference. Baxterbear supports the 3 Charities The Royal Navy,  ABF The Soldiers Charity and Royal Air Force Benvoletnt Fund.

Baxterbear is the Mascot  for the British Military Tournament for the 3rd year formally The Royal Tournament in Dec. The HMS York departed 8 p.m. Tuesday 18 th September  from Hull Docks and arrives Portsmouth Harbour 2pm Thursday 20th September. You never know when you need a Baxterbear. Crew Names: Captain Commander Rex Cox, AB (SEA) Johston, AB (SEA) Hargrave, ET Morris, ET Christian, ET Matthews, ET Hanson. AB (Able Seaman), ET (Engineering Technician)

It wasn’t A Bridge Too Far for Baxterbear!

13/09/2010 to 18/09/2010 Baxterbear journeyed the whole way from London to Brussels on the handle bars of Colonel Simon Vandeleur Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander. Baxterbear was TREEKLED to be able to send Colonel Vandeleur on his journey from Edinburgh Castle. 1 They recreated the journey made in the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far which featured a star cast including, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Michael Byrne, Anthony Hopkins and Laurence Olivier. Two relatives of Col Simon Vandeleur fought in Operation Market Garden during World War II, and that was the subject of the film. Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E Vandeleur was played by Michael Caine and Lt.Col. Giles Vandeleur was played by Michael Byrne. 11 The bike ride started at Euston Station, London, on September 13th and finished five days later in Flanders, Belgium. A military band made sure that the cyclists left London in style. 6 The cyclists were welcomed to Flanders with a World War II parade. 13 Baxterbear is TREEKLED to have made a difference for Help for Heroes, and is looking forward to the next event with them. Simon Vandeleur was riding with a group of other cyclists, including Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry. 8 For the first day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fourth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fifth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the sixth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. More photos below: 2 4 5 7 9 10 12 14 15

A Bridge Too Far: Col Simon Vandeleur Blog, Day Six

Colonel Simon Vandeleur, Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander, created a blog during the ‘A Bridge Too Far’ bike ride from London to Belgium. He rode with Baxterbear on his handlebars all the way there, and Baxterbear was TREEKLED to make a difference with him. To read a full round-up of events, click here. Here is his blog post from the sixth day: Nijmegan to Arnhem on Day 6 of our H4H charity bike ride. A very early start, like 0500 rise and 0600 on the bike and cycling through a cold and deserted Nijmegan. We crossed the famous bridge, captured by the US 82nd Airborne Division, in 1944 and as portrayed by Robert Redford in the film A Bridge Too Far. A very moving wreath laying ceremony with our US wounded veterans and our travelling Irish piper in his saffron kilt. Then on to Driel where the British Sappers have a memorial. They evacuated 2,500 members of 1st Airborne Division back across the Rhine when the operation was eventually called off by General Horrocks. At which point my green umbrella, which I have propelled, strapped on the crossbar of my bike, through 350 miles of Belgium, Germany and Holland, came into full use as the group was drenched in a torrential downpour of rain. I completed the remainder of the journey to the John Frost bridge in Arnhem with umbrella held aloft and remained mostly dry. A good umbrella beats Goretex any day! Another UK Ambassador popped up with his naval attach, to tell us that he would put H4H on his blog. A group photo beside the famous Arnhem bridge and then on to Ginkel Heath where 1st Airborne Division parachuted in Sep 44. We watched parachutists jumping from military aircraft for half an hour, with a very large Dutch and international crowd. It was nice to see so many veterans from 44 still attending. They are all in their late 80’s now and proud as punch with their WW2 medals and red berets. H4H have rather overdone the wreath laying, so repaired into the local hostelry with Baxterbear, Richard Cotton and Tom Helm, sitting in the sun and feeling pleased with ourselves having completed 5 hard days of cycling and raising much money for H4H. An overwhelming desire for a cigarette came upon us, so I cracked after 2 years of abstinence. Two cigarettes made me feel very dizzy, so let’s hope it will be another 2 years before such urges re-appear. Next stop, Oosterbeek church for another wreath laying ceremony and then on to the Airborne Forces museum, the site of the HQ of 1st Airborne Division in 44. It is amazing how friendly the local Dutch residents continue to be, having had their beautiful and peaceful village totally wrecked in the fighting with the German Army in 44. General Montgomery’s remark that Operation Market Garden was a 90% success, was a classic example of being factually correct, but utterly misleading. The strategic objective to seize a bridgehead over the Rhine and end the war by Christmas was a 100% failure. In footballing terms, it was a clear away loss to a German team that found their form after a shaky start. Then Baxterbear and I bicycled slowly back to our hotel, to wave goodbye to our bike as it went into a truck to re-appear tomorrow at St Pancras – let’s hope so anyway. That hot bath is looking inviting. Best wishes from a tired Simon and Baxterbear who hope to be back in Edinburgh Castle on Monday. And very many thanks to all the generous friends, relations and colleagues who have sponsored me on this ride and taken an interest, if you have read this far! It will be worth it. For the first day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fourth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fifth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. h4h 4

A Bridge Too Far: Col Simon Vandeleur Blog, Day Five

Colonel Simon Vandeleur, Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander, created a blog during the ‘A Bridge Too Far’ bike ride from London to Belgium. He rode with Baxterbear on his handlebars all the way there, and Baxterbear was TREEKLED to make a difference with him. To read a full round-up of events, click here. Here is his blog post from the fifth day: I never thought that I would bicycle 95 miles in a day, but Baxterbear and I achieved it yesterday. We arrived in Einhoven at about 7 p.m. In heavy rain having started the journey at 07.30 yesterday morning. After 60 miles I was well outside my normal comfort zone, but we survived in good spirits and I salute the limbless veterans on their handbikes who all completed the course. Only one casualty yesterday, the Officer Commanding Nijmegan company Grenadier Guards took a summersault over his handlebars and landed on his head, which has not done him much good. Baxterbear is still in good shape albeit a bit damp. We set off from Eindhoven this morning at 0730 and attended a very moving ceremony at the Son bridge which was one of the first bridges, captured by US Airborne Forces in September 44. The Germans managed to blow it up first, so much time and effort was expended in constructing a new bridge before Guards Armoured Division could move on to Nijmegan. We are scheduled to cover 90 miles today – phew, this is undoubtedly a physical challenge. We are sitting on the floor of a school gym having a fascinating talk about the experience of being wounded in 1944 by Uncle John, Bryn’s uncle, who commanded a platoon of the Rifle Brigade in 1944. Army medical practices have undoubtedly improved since 1944. Pennicillin was in its infancy in 1944. The camaraderie amongst the riders has been tremendous. Baxterbear and I have made many new friends on the trip from all walks of life and all ages. We were amazed this-morning passing the healthy looking Dutch schoolchildren bicycling to school. The smallest children were on huge family bikes. The roads in Holland are much better designed for bicycling, I suppose, than in UK. Must go, another 40 miles to go to Nijmegan! Simon and Baxterbear Freedom isn’t free. For the first day of Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fourth day of Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the sixth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. h4h 3

A Bridge Too Far: Col Simon Vandeleur Blog, Day Four

Colonel Simon Vandeleur, Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander, created a blog during the ‘A Bridge Too Far’ bike ride from London to Belgium. He rode with Baxterbear on his handlebars all the way there, and Baxterbear was TREEKLED to make a difference with him. To read a full round-up of events, click here. Here is his blog post from the fourth day: Well, Baxterbear and I have been struggling through the rain with a very wet bear on the handlebars. We visited the German WW2 military cemetery at Lommel where 39,000 German war dead were buried including 500 from WW1. Very different from our own Commonwealth War graves abroad which receive a subsidy from our own MoD. The German war graves are entirely supported by German charities. Two dead per gravestone and a third of them with a message “Ein Deutche Soldat”. And the names were not all German – a sign of all the small people who were caught up by the warped ideology of a few fanatics. As a soldier, I respect the war dead of former enemies. I have no anti-German feelings, despite the awful atrocities that were carried out by the Nazi party. A historic Dakota aircraft has just landed at the airbase where we are now enjoying the sunshine and drying out our sodden clothes. We are having a talk from two veterans describing the rudiments of parachuting into Arnhem in 1944. One of the cyclists is using the original para bike which is foldable in half, one gear and rigid pedals. A rarely used piece of kit. That’s it folks. Now we are setting off for the famous Joe’s bridge, named after my cousin JOE Vandeleur, over the Escaut canal, captured by the Irish Guards group thus enabling Op Market Garden to be brought forward by some days. Best wishes, Simon Vandeleur and Baxterbear Freedom isn’t Free For the first day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fifth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the sixth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. h4h 2

A Bridge Too Far: Col Simon Vandeleur’s Blog, Day Two

Colonel Simon Vandeleur, Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander, created a blog during the ‘A Bridge Too Far’ bike ride from London to Belgium. He rode with Baxterbear on his handlebars all the way there, and Baxterbear was TREEKLED to make a difference with him. To read a full round-up of events, click here. Here is his blog post from the second day: Message 2 from Baxterbear and Simon sitting on Eurostar passing through an overcast northern France. We are chatting to Phil from Newbury and another Simon from Derbyshire. And making lots of new friends. Had an excellent dinner with Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards who are guarding Buckingham Palace at the moment. Some have just returned from an operational tour of Afghanistan and sadly several fine officers and soldiers were killed and wounded. Baxterbear listened to some of the stories and then went to bed early, ready for a long day today. We breakfasted in St James Palace officers’ mess and then crossed London on our bike to St Pancras. We were a little navigationally embarrassed north of Baker Street but made it to St Pancras by about 1100 a.m. Handed in the bike and registered with the H4H admin team on the first floor and chatted with Bryn and Emma Parry, the co-founders of H4H and started to make other friends, for some this is their 4th bike ride. We have wounded veterans with us on the ride including 15 wounded US veterans from Texas. They are really impressive people, coping with some dreadful wounds. Not yet found anyone else from Scotland on the trip but it is early days. Baxterbear is really enjoying the trip so far, although this is the easy part. I have brought a huge umbrella, strapped to the cross-bar of my bike, as the weather forecast for Tuesday in Belgium is quite grim and like all semi military operations, I expect that there will be much hanging about in the rain. I am re-reading my Waterloo history as I am expected to speak for my dinner tomorrow to my fellow cyclists. We are now in Lille. The weather seems to be deteriorating. A bientot mes amis, Simon and Baxterbear For the first day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fourth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fifth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the sixth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. h4h

A Bridge Too Far: Col Simon Vandeleur Blog, Day One

Colonel Simon Vandeleur, Edinburgh Castle Garrison Commander, created a blog during the ‘A Bridge Too Far’ bike ride from London to Belgium. He rode with Baxterbear on his handlebars all the way there, and Baxterbear was TREEKLED to make a difference with him. To read a full round-up of events, click here. Here is his blog post from the first day: Baxterbear and I are on the train departing Waverley station for King’s Cross on a perfect sunny September day. Edinburgh was humming this morning as we said goodbye to friends and family who waved us off on the 1245 train. Baxterbear in fact is suspended in the air on the handlebars of my bike in the guards van, where I am sure he will have a more comfortable journey than me. We had a great send-off party in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle on Saturday night. The Lowland TA band of 6 SCOTS played beautiful music and finished with the theme tune of the movie a Bridge Too Far. About 120 guests from all walks of life in Edinburgh and UK came to the party and many made generous donations to Help for Heroes. I explained what H4H was trying to do by raising money to assist with the recovery of our wounded servicemen returning from operations in Afghanistan. So far I have managed to raise £8,000 from the generosity of friends and colleagues and the sponsored bike ride from Brussels to Arnhem, on which Baxterbear and I am about to embark on is part of that fundraising effort. H4H has so far raised £30m in a little over 2 years. We are looking forward to dinner tonight with the officers of Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards in St James’ Palace and a bed in the officers’ mess. Baxterbear is really excited about the re-union after his epic 350th anniversary march from Coldstream to London earlier this year to mark the formation of the Coldstream Guards in 1660, since when they have been in the continuous employ of the English parliament. That’s it ladies and gentlemen, I will send my next message from the Eurostar after we have departed St Pancras for Brussels on Monday afternoon. Subject of course to me being able to bluff my way past border controls with my expired passport and military Identity card! Best wishes Simon Vandeleur and Baxterbear For the fourth day of Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the fifth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. For the sixth day of Col Simon Vandeleur’s blog, click here. h4h 1

Baxterbear & Sub- Lieutenant Gavin Morris on HMS YORK at Hull Docks

Baxterbear is TREEKLED when Adam Brett visited HMS YORK on the open day prior to HMS leaving on Tuesday to sail to Portsmouth on its last trip. While talking with  Sub- Lieutenant Gavin Morris  and telling him about Baxterbear being the Mascot for the British Military Tournament . Adam recalled the saying  ” you never know when you need a Baxterbear” and gave his Baxterbear too him.  Went home with an idea . To make a difference.  Sub- Lieutenant Gavin Morris on HMS YORK he gave his own Baxterbear to  at Hull Docks near York.

Baxterbear goes back to Leuchars Air Show

Baxterbear was invited by Group Captain Bob Kemp Director of RABF to help make a difference at RAF Leuchars. Baxterbear was TREEKLED with the glorious weather and 40,000 people attending at the RAF Leuchars as a tribute to her Royal Majesty the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee. There was a marvellous collection of amazing planes from the Chinook to the famous Vulcan B2 and the American Vampire T55 returning to the skies over RAF Leuchars. Baxterbear helped make difference by raising funds for RABF and making new friends The Red Arrows left Leuchars followed by the Typhoon 9-Ship roaring overhead to conclude the 2012 Leuchars Jubilee Airshow. Baxterbear was TREEKLED to see the The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight represented by the Spitfire and Hurricane.This brought back memories of when he was the mascot for a RAF reconnaissance pilot who was shot down on WWII.