Veterans get a crafty helping hand from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), created a massive carving of a dragon’s head for Veterans from The Beacon, near Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.
The centre, which opened in September 2011, provides accommodation and support to approximately 80 ex-servicemen and women each year.
Land gifted to Riversideby the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was cleared to make way for the temporary accommodation, training and support facility, run by Riverside ECHG.
Timber from trees felled during the initial site clearance were put to good use by DIO regional forester Jez Kalkowski, who carved the dragon’s head sculpture from the remains of a 60ft oak tree.
Jez Kalkowski said:
“Some trees had to be felled to build the Beacon. However, Project managers from the Beacon and DIO decided that, if possible, some of the larger pieces of timber could be used for features within the Beacon Garden.
“I carved the dragons head in my own time using a range of chainsaws and power tools. However, the job was made more difficult because of all the nails hammered into the tree trunk over the years.
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces. We deliver training facilities that meet military needs, whilst ensuring we manage the land in a responsible and sustainable way. Felled timber from new building projects is often chipped and used as mulch on flower beds, so to be able to use this waste timber to create a more lasting feature was a great opportunity.”
Soldiers from 36 Engineer Regiment were drafted in to move the dragon’s head, which weighs over a tonne, to its resting place in the Beacon’s ‘Not Forgotten Garden’.
MOD Area Manager for Riverside ECHG Trevor Morris said:
“The dragon’s head has become a great focal point of the garden and has got everybody talking. We are extremely grateful to Jez for his handy craftsmanship and special thanks to the Royal Engineers for their manpower in moving the head.
“The residents are delighted to see such an enduring carving at the entrance to the Not Forgotten area; it is particularly relevant as the dragons head is within 10 metres of where the original tree was felled.”
Further information:
Press enquiries to: Tony Moran, DIO Senior Communications Officer: 0121 311 3879 or tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.mod.uk/dio
Notes to editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of theMinistry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.
3. The Beacon provides a supported housing facility for 31 homeless veterans and opened to residents in September 2011. It is managed and operated by Riverside English Churches Housing Group (RECHG) in Catterick near the existing garrison.
4. The centre provides training and support, being able to accept complex referrals, such as veterans with PTSD and substance abuse issues. The MOD gifted the land on which the scheme is built and provided start-up funding from the Veterans Challenge Fund. Partnership funding was also secured for the Homes and Communities Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government, in addition to voluntary and community sector organisations.
5. Riverside: ECHG stands for English Churches Housing Group
6. Picture from Left Trevor Morris and Jez Kalkowski
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