Derbyshire services veteran organises 'tea and toast' event after watching Afghanistan horrors

Richard Aspinall, who now works for gin producers Derbyshire Distillery, is organising a ‘tea and toast’ event – a popular ritual for services personnel – after watching events in Kabul unfold on television.

The event will be held at the gin distillery’s HQ in Markham Vale and Richard hopes he can encourage people to come along and share experiences.

"We’ve all been watching events in Afghanistan on television and it made me think some people must be suffering flashbacks,” Richard said.

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"It could be triggering all sorts of things among ex-services men and women who have served over there and I thought they might benefit from a couple of hours when they can open up about their experiences.

"We will all be ex-forces so can all relate to it.”

Richard is hosting the event in the distillery’s gin experience room and is keen for the event to be led by the people attending.

"I’ve got no big plan,” he added. “I just want to get a few lads and lasses along for tea and toast. When you’re in the services and on camp this is a massive part of your day.

"You get up in the morning and go for a run or whatever PT is organised. Then it’s back for tea and toast for an hour or so.

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"This is not a new idea but I’ve got the facilities here for about 30 people to get together. And I’ll bring along a kettle and toaster.

"It doesn’t matter where people served or what their particular experience of the services has been.”

Richard did not want to mention his own career in the services – and he is also keen that no one is scared off from attending.

"They can rest assured everyone in that room is ex-services,” he said.

"If it’s a success it might become a quarterly or even monthly thing. It would be great if it took off and spread elsewhere in the country too.”

The first event will be held on Friday, September 17, from 10am-12noon, at Derbyshire Distillery in Markham Vale. To book a place call 01246 825 846.

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