Old Leamingtonians RFC Rugby 4 Heroes Restart Beer & Gin festival established by Mike Vallance for Armed Forces Day 2021 was established in 2009 in the wake of the death of Private Joe Whittaker who was killed on operations serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan in 2008. To date the events have raised  £114,000 for military charities. 

What a wonderful day to come together after lockdown. A mini festival full of old and new friends, a couple of games of rugby, which regrettably I am unable to report on, some banging hotdogs, outrageous brownies and top gin cocktails. 

And how fabulous to hear and see live music again. 

Within the military community our absent friends are always in our thoughts and the support from one another within the community I’m not certain can be compared. 

Thanks Mikey and all of his team who hosted a fabulous day to celebrate, honour and remember. And as ever thanks to Hugh Keir from H-Hour Podcast who got me involved with this rabble 😉