17 DECEMBER 2009 - 1 YORKS SOLDIERS CHRISTMAS LUNCH

The Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS), based in Munster, Germany serving their soldiers Christmas lunch. "Thanking you all for your support during the Battalion's Home Coming Parades in late July and wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year".

14 DECEMBER 2009 - MALTON & NORTON COUNCIL DONATE XMAS CAKES TO 2 YORKS

The Mayor of Malton (Councillor Jason Fitzgerald-Smith) and the Mayor of Norton on Derwent (Councillor Paul Farndale) along with Mrs Maureen Farndale and Mrs Marjorie Gaden, today donated four Christmas cakes to the Yorkshire Regiment which are to be sent out to members of the 2nd Battalion based out in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The cakes were kindly recieved by Major Routh of Regimental Headquarters in York, who on behalf of the Regiment sends their thanks to both the mayor's and everyone else involed in the making of the cakes.

13 DECEMBER 2009 - PRIME MINISTERS VISIT TO 2 YORKS IN CAMP SHORABACK

Despite the mist and fog, which threatened the Prime Minister's flight programme, the visit went ahead with great success. The PM arrived in Camp Shorabak on 2 Merlin helicopters having previously met with President Karzai in Kandahar. The PM and his party swiftly moved to ANA's headquarters where they were met by Brigade Commander, General Mohaiyodin, who is responsible for Helmand province. After a very formal introduction and inspection of the ANA soldiers the PM moved to view the Counter IED (Improvised Explosive Device) lanes. These lanes are used by OMLT troops to provide instruction to ANA soldiers about the dangers and procedures that need to be undertaken when finding or avoiding an IED. During his time with the OMLT Battle Group he met several key personalities in both the OMLT and ANA; he observed life saving Counter IED training and spent valuable time talking and listening to soldiers from the 2 YORKS OMLT Battle Group

11 DECEMBER 2009 - WAR OF THE ROSES UPDATE.

Army Boxers help to raise £140,000 for Army Charities - billed as "Wars of the Roses" staged in Leeds. Following the success of the Army Charity Boxing event - "Wars of the Roses" - at the Leeds Royal Armouries, a staggering £140,000 has been raised and subsequently presented to Military Charities. Held on the 12th November, soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment and Duke of Lancaster's Regiment fought 9 bouts under Amateur Boxing Association rules. The evening was enjoyed by more than 500 people and consisted of a mix of serving and retired Army personnel and civilians representing local and national companies. At an event held in York on the 4th December General Sir Nicholas Houghton KCB CBE ADC Gen, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, accepted the funds from Lt Col Smith and Capt Willis on behalf of the Army charities.

General Houghton then handed a cheque for £35,000 onto the Army Benevolent Fund representative Brigadier (Retd) Jeremy Gaskell OBE.

Event organiser, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Smith, speaking about the event said "The evening was about raising Regimental profiles and money for charity, we have been overwhelmed by the extent of the public's support and generosity and extend much thanks." War of the Roses II is scheduled to take place at Elland Road in conjunction with Leeds United FC, on the evening of the 24th April 2010. The event will run along similar lines and the organisers hope to raise even more money for these very worthy causes - directly supporting soldiers and their families. Tickets will go on sale early in the New Year - for further details view warsoftheroses.org.uk. Come and support your local Regiment seek revenge

5 DECEMBER 2009 - "CLASH OF THE WINTER WARRIORS"

Members of the 3rd Battalion football team stepped in to save a tiny central European town's Christmas soccer dream and then were beaten 10-1. The four members had barely touched down from Afghanistan when they flew out for Poprad in Slovakia where locals had been disappointed after two soccer events had to be cancelled. The manager of the London football academy, had pledged to visit their 1950s stadium, spurring farmers and factory workers to begin repairing it. But was taken ill and had to call off the Match, so in stepped Major (Retd) Terry Butterworth who co-ordinates the Holidays4Heroes Organization, which gives injured war heroes and their families free stays at eco-hotel Aqua City, in Poprad, who was keen to do all he could to help. The soldiers based in Warminster, were all too happy to accommodate the local side.

5 DECEMBER 2009 - LEEDS Vs HUDDERSFIELD TOWN. Final Score 2-2

During half time 12 Yorkshire Regiment soldiers received a standing ovation from football fans as they were presented their Operational Service medal by Peter Lorimer and Frank Worthington at Elland Road. The 12 soldiers, who recently returned from Afghanistan, were given their medals during Leeds United's derby with Huddersfield Town. As the Medals were being presented, the 38,000 crowd chanted "Yorkshire" throughout the whole ceremony.The soldiers, who returned from Afghanistan last month, took part in Operation "Panthers Claw" a five-week operation to clear the area of insurgents and enable people to exercise their democratic rights during the elections in August.