5 Ordnance Battalion

I spent four happy years at Paderborn, good unit and a good town, it was a good posting. Although Bn HQ was in Barker Barracks and we were quartered just behind Barker Barracks (Uhland Strasse) I worked at Depot 90 in Normandy Barracks Sennelager.

Happy days.

I too lived in Uhland Strasse,the flats were brand new in '80 when we moved in,the only downside was the commute to Pombsen every day,we started later and finished earlier than anyone else so we could put up with it.
It was an excellent unit,up there with Hong Kong and 11OFP.

Hi Nobby, I only ever went to Pombsen once, to compete in an inter company run. I'm told the depot is derelict now, as are a lot of old barracks & camps in Germany sadly.

When I was at Soltau (1ADOC) we had to go on a parade at Ironside Barracks (early 1980) cant remember exactly what the parade was for but it was something to do with 7/11 OFP. The resident German unit put on quite a spread for us after the parade. We were bussed back to Soltau singing our heads off and dressed largely in German kit, LOL. Happy days.

Anyone been to Barker recently? if so, what's the new building thats appeared, I left in 1989 and it wasn't there then!

(Through main gate turn left immediately past the guardroom and it's there. Large grey roofed building)

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=51.721452&lon=8.785522&z=16&v=2

Guys, can help with both questions!
The new build in Barker is a PAYD cookhouse which replaced the 2 original ones, and Pömbsen camp is getting used as a private test track for cars.
Supposedly a few mil Euros will be spent doing the place up!
See www.bilster-berg.de

Thats Pombsen right enough,to think I used to hurtle at breakneck speed round the circut on the MHE Police Tractor to apprehend any Hyster operators breaking the rules.
Well we had to do something to pass the time.

The new cookhouse in Barker Barracks is called "Chard's Restaurant". It is operated under the Pay as you dine (PAYD) scheme by NAAFI - currently any one working on camp (incl locally employed civilians) may purchase meals in there. Generally meals are good value and there are arrangements for soldiers who have run out of money to get a core-meal on credit (to be taken out of his pay in the next month's pay run) or for duty personnel to get a ticket for no cost core-meals. The NAAFi's on camp have bhad facelifts and comprise (as a rule) an express shop, a take-out food point, a bistro style coffee bar called "Forum", a bar and recreation area, a fruit machine paradise with vending machines [24/7]. Strangely a sandwich baguette put togethere to take out frommthe hot-plate is a third of the price of a similar item from any other food outlet. Nowadays a soldier can phone from his quarter or his block and NAAFI will deliver a take-out meal!!

Paddyb wrote:

The new cookhouse in Barker Barracks is called "Chard's Restaurant". It is operated under the Pay as you dine (PAYD) scheme by NAAFI - currently any one working on camp (incl locally employed civilians) may purchase meals in there. Generally meals are good value and there are arrangements for soldiers who have run out of money to get a core-meal on credit (to be taken out of his pay in the next month's pay run) or for duty personnel to get a ticket for no cost core-meals. The NAAFi's on camp have bhad facelifts and comprise (as a rule) an express shop, a take-out food point, a bistro style coffee bar called "Forum", a bar and recreation area, a fruit machine paradise with vending machines [24/7]. Strangely a sandwich baguette put togethere to take out frommthe hot-plate is a third of the price of a similar item from any other food outlet. Nowadays a soldier can phone from his quarter or his block and NAAFI will deliver a take-out meal!!

Hi Paddy, thats incredible! things have certainly moved on since I left in 1992.

This PAYD scheme.... does this mean food charges for the single lads are no longer deducted from pay?

Andrew wrote:

Paddyb wrote:

The new cookhouse in Barker Barracks is called "Chard's Restaurant". It is operated under the Pay as you dine (PAYD) scheme by NAAFI - currently any one working on camp (incl locally employed civilians) may purchase meals in there. Generally meals are good value and there are arrangements for soldiers who have run out of money to get a core-meal on credit (to be taken out of his pay in the next month's pay run) or for duty personnel to get a ticket for no cost core-meals. The NAAFi's on camp have bhad facelifts and comprise (as a rule) an express shop, a take-out food point, a bistro style coffee bar called "Forum", a bar and recreation area, a fruit machine paradise with vending machines [24/7]. Strangely a sandwich baguette put togethere to take out frommthe hot-plate is a third of the price of a similar item from any other food outlet. Nowadays a soldier can phone from his quarter or his block and NAAFI will deliver a take-out meal!!

Hi Paddy, thats incredible! things have certainly moved on since I left in 1992.

This PAYD scheme.... does this mean food charges for the single lads are no longer deducted from pay?

Yep, it does exactly what it says on the tin................well nearly! Joking aside the lads only pay for what they eat, concept is good unless like 'Falling-Bar-Stool' NAAFI get the contract and fcuk it right up, or am I being a tad unfair? No just being honest!!!

Are you having a "Giraffe" or what mate...LOL. Soprano I couldn't resist. Some time ago you suggested I was having a "Giraffe" at which point I very nearly spat a very nice Merlot all over the key board, however...

So, if NAAFI are providing meals on a pay as you eat deal, what's happened to the ACC? wait yes I know they were swallowed up by the RLC weren't they, but are cooks employed by the MoD or NAAFI?

Andrew wrote:

Are you having a "Giraffe" or what mate...LOL. Soprano I couldn't resist. Some time ago you suggested I was having a "Giraffe" at which point I very nearly spat a very nice Merlot all over the key board, however...

So, if NAAFI are providing meals on a pay as you eat deal, what's happened to the ACC? wait yes I know they were swallowed up by the RLC weren't they, but are cooks employed by the MoD or NAAFI?

Andrew - Right please take a seat, put your feet up, pour yourself a nice glass of rouge, relax slightly, pin your fcuking ears back and let me explain! The 'Slop Jockeys' (no offence) are still in business and IMHO are having to work with materials (food) that are below par from what they were used to, the one bloke who is employed by the 'Col Gadaffi' is the 'Chief Chip (Masterchef)! Funny old thing most of the civvy PAYD staff on the management side working for them are ex Army chefs (poachers turned gamekeepers) and they also employ people from UK and locally. There are some good threads over on the ARRSE site that cover this topic very well!!!

So do PAYD staff go where the army goes?

I'll have a look on the ARRSE site, cheers. Btw, I am actually draining a bottle of Blackberry wine (yes Blackberry wine) from the Lyme Bay winery picked it up at Trentham Gardens yesterday, it's OK but at £8.50 a bottle I can safely say I wont be buying any more. Sainsbugs are doing a lovely Chilean red for £3.50 a bottle.

Christ I hope I dont sound like that screaming ponce Oz Clark!

Andrew wrote:

So do PAYD staff go where the army goes?

I'll have a look on the ARRSE site, cheers. Btw, I am actually draining a bottle of Blackberry wine (yes Blackberry wine) from the Lyme Bay winery picked it up at Trentham Gardens yesterday, it's OK but at £8.50 a bottle I can safely say I wont be buying any more. Sainsbugs are doing a lovely Chilean red for £3.50 a bottle.

Christ I hope I dont sound like that screaming ponce Oz Clark!

You do , were you in Paderborn at the same time as 3RTR?

HaHaaaaaaaaa you toerag.

I was at Barker with 5 Ord Bn when 3 RTR where there but shortly after I arrived 3 RTR left and 5th Skinns took over...

...at last a propper cavalry regiment.

Andrew wrote:

HaHaaaaaaaaa you toerag.

I was at Barker with 5 Ord Bn when 3 RTR where there but shortly after I arrived 3 RTR left and 5th Skinns took over...

...at last a propper cavalry regiment.

Yeah you're right, we're not Cav BTW!

soprano54 wrote:

Andrew wrote:

HaHaaaaaaaaa you toerag.

I was at Barker with 5 Ord Bn when 3 RTR where there but shortly after I arrived 3 RTR left and 5th Skinns took over...

...at last a propper cavalry regiment.

Yeah you're right, we're not Cav BTW!

Ah yes, my mistake apologies.

I had a huge bust up with a bloke from 4 RTR, he was a decent bloke until he had a drink, a real jekyll & Hyde character. Not sure if it was something to do with him sitting in a tank all day or the fact that he was a big thick jock git. We did eventually end up as mates, actually he turned out to be a good lad. I still remember his name, from 28 years ago. Strange the things you remember.

Andrew wrote:

soprano54 wrote:

Andrew wrote:

HaHaaaaaaaaa you toerag.

I was at Barker with 5 Ord Bn when 3 RTR where there but shortly after I arrived 3 RTR left and 5th Skinns took over...

...at last a propper cavalry regiment.

Yeah you're right, we're not Cav BTW!

Ah yes, my mistake apologies.

I had a huge bust up with a bloke from 4 RTR, he was a decent bloke until he had a drink, a real jekyll & Hyde character. Not sure if it was something to do with him sitting in a tank all day or the fact that he was a big thick jock git. We did eventually end up as mates, actually he turned out to be a good lad. I still remember his name, from 28 years ago. Strange the things you remember.

Well go on then the suspence is killing me FFS!

Frank McCafferty.

Big lad who wore specs and was as nice as your fave auntie, untill the sherry came out.

Name doesn't ring a bell!