Before you read the citation below I wanted to thank all of the staff named below for their excellent and professional service to Greater Manchester ACF staff and cadets.
Each weekend that the cadets are on camp throughout the year they do everything they can to ensure everyone is looked after and all receive the food subject to their dietary requirements, whether that is vegetarian, halal, vegan, gluten free, etc etc. Nothing is too much trouble for them and for this every member of the team, as named below, deserves to be equally recognised as being truly deserving of the following Lord-Lieutenants Commendation.
Col Catherine Harrison, Commandant
Aramark Defence Services Staff Team Award
Lord-Lieutenants Commendation
Since the onset of COVID-19 and the national lockdown in March 2020 under the MOD’s operation Holcombe Moor Cadet Training Centre has been the base for a number of deployed service personnel operating within the Greater Manchester Lancashire region.
The MOD’s Service Provider for Soft Facilities Management is Aramark. The Aramark staff, under the management of Mr Richard Curry and the local Site Coordinator/Manager, Pamela Varley, remained on task for over 10 months. Both delivered a continuous and magnificent contribution in support of the COVID-19 military response across the Holcombe Moor site. There is no end in sight to this required support.
This continuous task has been managed with many unknowns. The military numbers have fluctuated, sometimes daily, and this has put added pressure on those Aramark staff members who have daily, 7 days a week, travelled in to and out of Holcombe Moor to come to work. Despite the concerns for themselves and their families, they have continued in a concerted team effort to support the cause. This included working up to Christmas and immediately after the New Year by providing support at irregular hours.
Holcombe Moor has not been full of troops, but that has not mattered. Those service personnel billeted said at Holcombe Moor have received fantastic support from the MOD’s Service Provider. As quoted by the Battery Commander from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery “In all my service, this is the best camp I have been too…” This statement is a testament to the commitment and excellent output of the Aramark and wider staff. In short, nothing has been too much trouble for the staff. When plans have changed as a moment’s notice, the staff have gone over and above to ensure that their support has continued.
In difficult and uncertain times, we rely on the leadership, professionalism, and ability of key personnel in our organisations to ensure that staff, irrespective of role, are engaged, motivated and made to feel valued. Under the leadership of Mr Richard Curry and Pamela Varley, all the staff have pulled together with the aim of supporting those soldiers, sailors and airmen working out on the ground from Holcombe Moor.
This really has been a magnificent effort from all involved. The utility and flexibility of the Aramark staff has really showed the true nature of them as individuals and as working as part of a wider team; their support has been truly humbling and deserves recognition in the form of Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Commendation as a Team Award.
Team names:
Pamela Varley
Charlotte Jones
Emily Mundell
Alice Moran
Shelly Skinkiss
Gina Mannion
Becky Pearson
The Aramark staff at Holcombe Moor are awarded the Lord-Lieutenants’ commendation.
