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The new Catterick Garrison Leisure Centre was the scene for an unusual outdoor interview with regular guest Garrison Commander Colonel Nick Millen. The Commander was on site, as it were, to discuss the development of the Leisure Centre, part of the Garrisons new town centre plans.

The complex is still on track and drawing quite a crowd from keen onlookers as each new construction takes shape. Hal is pictured with the Garrison Commander next to an example of the future brick work that will adorn the outside of the Centre. So get your swimming trunks ready for Summer 2009!

Breakfast host Hal was treated to a personal behind the scenes tour of the Georgian Theatre Royal in neighbouring Richmond during the summer promotion.

The theatre had stripped back its walls with original decor on show and no stone was left unturned during this lengthy guided backstage exploration. In full costume (see picture) the staff of the Georgian transformed you back over 100 years with tales of original plays, theatre mishaps and humorous happenings...one things for sure Hal will never stand on a 200 year old trap door again! The tour runs every summer in the Georgian and you can find out more on: 01748 825252.

Hal was joined in the breakfast show studios by two guests from SPACES, the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex Services, Steve Strefford the Housing Advice Worker and Trevor Morris the Support Manager.

Both explained to Hal how the charity run organisation aims to find housing for all single ex servicemen and women or those due to leave the Armed Forces in the next few months.

If you are thinking of leaving the Forces and will soon be looking for new accommodation you can visit them at the Resettlement and Welfare Centre on St Aidans Road in the Catterick Garrison.

Craig Nicholson, know simply as 'Tree' due to his height (see picture) dropped into Hals Breakfast Show studios to bring the news of discounts for local residents at the Colburn Community Health & Recreation Centre plus free fitness tests, so soldiers can put themselves up against their pals and see whos being cheating on the sit-ups!

You can pop into the Centre and work out while listening to Garrison FM on Catterick Road Monday - Saturday.

Cross-Country skier Stephanie Cook, from Skeeby, near Richmond, has taken a novel route to keeping up her training while she's away from the snow.

19-year-old Stephanie, who is studying abroad in Finland, is usually surrounded by slopes and snow as she trains with the Finnish national cross-country ski team, however now back in native Skeeby she's had to use roller-skis (as pictured with proud Stephanie).

Stephanie explained to Breakfast jock Hal Stewart how she hopes to be part of the Great Britain cross-country skiing team and further to that, one day, to take part in the Olympics. Whatever happens to Stephanie be sure that 106.9 Garrison FM will keep you up to date with every movement, be that on wheels or not!

The Army Families Federation Employment Advice Service (or AFFEAS for short) has always been well represented on 106.9 Garrison FM and the breakfast show is no different.

Each week presenter Hal welcomes Employment Advisor Andria Denton into his studio for a run down of the latest careers available in and around the Catterick Garrison.

Andria also offers CV advice, interview techniques and more and she can be contacted in the HIVE alongside our other regular friend of the show Georgina Dutton.

You can contact Andria (Mon - Thursday 9:30am - 1pm) on: 01748 833 351

Jacquelyn Berry of Pure Intention Management Training put Mid-Morning Presenter Warwick 'Wozza' Mead through his paces with stress reducing stretches ideal for the busy businessman (not that Warwick's busy or in business).

The Mid-Morning mouth was left red faced and out of breath after 2 stretches which Breakfast host Hal found most amusing especially as he was broadcasting at the time!

Jacquelyn has been a regular guest on the Breakfast show promoting her charitable work for Help For Heroes and now she's looking for volunteers to take part in a stretch marathon, 108 Stretches in one hour in aid of Help For Heroes. If you would like to take part or find out any more information you can email Jacquelyn: pureintention@hotmail.com

Darren Cox alongside pupils Sarah (13) and Jacob (14) from Risedale Sports and Community College were welcomed into the Garrison FM breakfast studios by DJ Hal for a chance to chat about Risedales return to hosting the previously popular Arts Evening, soon to be held once again every summer.

The evening is an opportunity to promote art, drama, sports, cheerleading and music within the College indeed guests Sarah and Jacob explained their passions for the Flute and Clarinet respectively which both play in the Orchestra.

Garrison FM has been keen to show its support with roughly 50% of the colleges students coming from the forces, including young Jacob. To keep up to date with events taking place at Risedale College just tune into Garrison FM on the first Monday of every month.

Its no great secret that Garrison FM's Hal Stewart is always after your thoughts, opinions and queries and in a recent interview with Garrison Commander Crnl Nick Millen Hal put your questions directly to the man himself.

The breakfast wake-up merchant asked you for your concerns and you didn't disappoint, everything from housing, swimming pools and litter was brought up in a week long campaign, that was followed by Hal putting these posers to Crnl Nick Millen directly on your behalf. Never one to shirk a challenge Crnl Nick has indeed asked that more questions flood in and we repeat this successful experiment on a regular basis...so the rest is up to you. To email Hal with anything Garrison related: hal@garrisonfm.com
You can hear your Garrison Commander on the second Tuesday of each month only on 106.9 Garrison FM and Garrisonfm.com

Click here to listen 12/5/08  

Troops from the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick Garrison are supporting the Help For Heroes charity by walking the length of Hadrian's Wall.

Hal was joined in the studio by organiser, Major Greville Ramsay and Forces Financial representative Gemma McDermot (Pictured). Gemma explained how Forces Financial are helping fund this extraordinary event. A 4-day, 84-mile march from Bowness to Wallsend in Newcastle should not be taken lightly and Garrison FM DJ Hal was quick to contribute to the cause from his own pocket.

Garrison FM's breakfast Wake-Up man Hal Stewart was given the opportunity of a lifetime with 90 Signals Unit at RAF Leeming. The Unit organised a very special visit by Air Commodore Chalres Clarke and Andrew Wiseman (Pictured), both were held at Stalag Luft 3 prison camp, the scene of the great escape.

Charles helped plan the escape while Andrew arrived just afterwards so experienced the aftermath. Hal was given time alone with each to talk about their experiences as Prisoners of War during World War II. A rare treat for Hal and one any film and history buff would not turn down in a hurry.

Hal was a welcome guest at the Army Benevolent Funds' 'Worlds Biggest Curry Lunch', held once a year across the month of April worldwide. Cattericks offering was not one to be missed.

The PAYD area at the ITC, Vimy Barracks was packed to the rafters with hungry soldiers, Hal teamed up with Catering Manager Fiona Curby (Pictured) to get the secret recipe that makes Army Curry's taste so much better, "I think its the Army Pots its made in." A gleeful Fiona replied. On the evidence of these numbers that turned out to support the Army Benevolent Fund and enjoy a curry it could well be true. Roll on next year.

The Right Honourable Theresa May MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons joined Breakfast Wake-Up man Hal Stewart for a tour update.

Theresa has been travelling the length and breadth of the country on her innovative Parliamentary Road Show to get first hand accounts of the general publics dealings with parliament and also most poignantly their thoughts on the Armed Forces. Theresa fielded a host of questions from Veterans, Members of the British Legion and Forces Families all in a good natured, sometimes feisty debate whilst in Catterick. Theresa commented, "Its my belief that Parliament needs to be listening to the people on the ground so that we can debate the important issues that people are facing on a day to day basis."

Theresa is now aiming to continue her Road Show whilst updating the House of Commons on all the topics raised.

Breakfast DJ Hal Stewart was treated to a rare moment of star struck awe as he met one of his idols, former Premiership hit man and 100 goal club member Julian Joachim.

The current Darlington FC star was on hand to remind school children from the region about the dangers of racism within football and the wider community. Former Leicester, Aston Villa and Coventry player Julian also had time to speak with Garrison FM about his prospects for the future and pose for a quick snap too!

Breakfast wake-up man Hal Stewart was the honorary guest at the Northern Central Division qualifying rounds of the One Act Drama Festival in the popular Georgian Theatre, Richmond.

Presenting cups all evening, Hal was delighted to award Durham Dramatic Society for "Dickens' Children" by Nick Warburton the top prize as they progress through to the next round with hopes of eventually being crowned British Champions.

(Pictured from left to right: Festival co-ordinator Alice Johnson, Garrison FM's Hal Stewart and Adjudicator Rex Walford G.O.D.A.)

Hal was a welcome guest to Cambrai Barracks on a beautiful Spring morning to see the idyllic best kept secret in the Garrison, Nature Reserve Foxglove Covert.

Pictured is the proposed WetLands Project which Emma Wyldes (a fond and active participant in the project) will look to help get off the ground as she enters the London Marathon with keen sponsors encouraged to assist her. The ambitious project will hopefully be completed by the end of next year with an estimated £70,000 required to achieve this target. You can visit the Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve by driving to Cambrai Barracks and heading to the Field Centre open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm or contact Susan Rowley, Warden on 01748 831113.

Glamour model and TV star Taylor Ray Lewis returned to Hal's Breakfast Show studios at Catterick Garrison FM for a follow up interview after the celebs recent feature on popular Channel 4 programme 'Wife Swap'.

Taylor spoke candidly about her experiences, her children and how she's likely to continue working in Television for the near future, most probably on property based shows. Taylor, a glamour model and former Miss Limo, admits her days behind the photographic lens maybe over and a new chapter on the small screen could be just around the corner.

Whatever happens Taylor has promised to give Garrison FM the scoop!

Funny man Hal Stewart was joined by two members of local Indie/Folk group 'The Conspirators' on his Breakfast Show.

Bassist Nathan Reeve and Drummer Laura Goodacre were good enough to pop down to their local radio studio and give Hal the exclusive on there debut single 'One Sure Thing'. The recently signed band, who also consist of Vocalist Genevieve Parker, Rhythm Guitarist John Gillies and Lead Guitarist Darren Banner, have struck a deal with major players Transcend Records and released this single worldwide with the hope of making it into the big time!

You can find out more about Garrison FM's new favourite group and check out their progress on: www.theconspirators.co.uk

Your Garrison Sergeant Major Sgt Mac McGeary will once again be rekindling his regular position on the Catterick Garrison FM Breakfast Show and updating not only Hal but the whole community, civilian and serving on all the latest initiatives, events and debates currently taking place behind the doors of HQ.

You can hear 'Mac' on the first Wednesday of every month only on Garrison FM.

Garrison FM Morning man Hal Stewart, seen here with Colonel Paul Farrar OBE the Head of Recruitment at the Infantry Training Centre Vimy Barracks on the Catterick Garrison, was one of several nation wide media invited to the first 'Media Recruitment Day'.

Not an opportunity for the services to call on hairy journalists, rather a chance for those behind the computer screens, cameras and microphones to get a glimpse of what training and recruiting is really all about. The day lasted until the early afternoon with stalls, demonstrations, talks, walks and video displays all encompassed in a thoroughly diverse days work. The next one is scheduled for the Summer and as you can probably tell Hal cant wait!

The Garrison Radio team at Catterick lent a helping hand to Radio Teesdale just down the road in Barnard Castle who hold a Community Radio licence.

The station which took to the air in 2007 was given a Neve radio mixer by Catterick Garrison Radio which will be used for a variety of tasks including recording music sessions.

Similarly Catterick Garrison has earned itself a Community Radio licence at the second time of application, with the Army hoping the service will launch in spring.

Pictured front are Mandy and Charlie of Garrison Radio with two of the fellers from Radio Teesdale.

Canadian born, but Richmond dwelling, singer song writer Randall Arsenal aka 'Dr.Zoo' took time out from his busy season of world tours to check out the inner workings of his local radio station.

Garrison breakfast man, Hal, was only too happy to let both he, and drumming sidekick James Lambert, perform their signature track 'Welcome to Africa' live on air! Randall, a guest on the show a year ago, has spent the time in-between visits taking his special brand of guitar based Celtic Afro-Rock across the globe to far flung destinations such as Swaziland and South Africa but admits next year will be spent closer to home and started as he meant to go on by performing in the Zetland theatre in neighbouring Richmond that very evening.