The termly ‘Live Your Life Award’, presented by Beds & Bars in Association with the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, was held last week in the Hercules Pillars pub near Covent Garden, London. These awards are now in their fourth year with RNAS Yeovilton and are presented to a Junior Rating who has performed with distinction and stood out from their peer group. For the first time this has been widened to include RNAS Culdrose and a team from both Air Stations were welcomed by Keith Knowles (the Chief Executive of Beds & Bars), along with some of his Board members for a sumptuous lunch in London, followed by an evening of entertainment and accommodation overnight.
The Yeovilton winner was Naval Airman Andrew Simpson, who works in the Air Traffic Control section at the Air Station. Andrew was elected for a particular incident which took place when he was off duty, but which exemplifies how he approaches everything in life. He was having a quiet drink with some friends at his local pub in Somerset, when he realised that a lady had collapsed with a serious cardiac arrest. Andrew immediately leapt in and offered help and, calling on his Naval Training, he was able to provide Cardiopulmonary Response (CPR) until the paramedics arrived on scene. As soon as the ambulance crew arrived he handed the CPR over to them, before running down to assist with landing the Air Ambulance, where again his naval training with aircraft came to the fore. The citation notes that he acted in a composed manner in the face of adversity and portrayed himself as a calming figurehead amongst a lot of worried and extremely anxious family members.
The Culdrose winner was Air Engineer Technician Diana Noble from 824 Naval Air Squadron who has worked tirelessly, with total commitment to support all aspects of Squadron life. This work ethic covered a multitude of areas ranging from her enthusiastic support for the development of engineering trainees, to helping run the Squadron Welfare Committee and organising stalls at Families’ Day. Her citation notes that with an enviable work ethic, above average management skills and leadership qualities in excess of her current rate, Diana Noble is a credit to herself, her Squadron and the Royal Navy.
The picture shows, from left to right: Commodore Jon Pentreath OBE Royal Navy (CO Yeovilton), Sub Lieutenant Lewis Phillips RN, Naval Airman Andrew Simpson, Mr Murray Roberts (Beds & Bars), Commodore Jock Alexander OBE RN (CEO Fly Navy Heritage Trust), Air Engineering Technician Diana Noble, Commander John Holroyd RN (CO 820 Naval Air Squadron), Captain Danny Stembridge RN (CO Culdrose Designate).
