Updated 20 July 2006

by Sqn Ldr D J Dunn WSO NMC

Any member of staff or cadet who is interested in registering for the 2007 Nijmegen International Marches may apply direct by either of the following methods to: -

By post to Sqn Ldr D J Dunn c/o Wing HQ or by e-mail to wsonmcdww@talktalk.net    

Nijmegen International 4 Day Marches 2006

Copies of previous progress reports are detailed below:-

Nijmegen International 4 Day March 2006

Final Information update #11 - Saturday 22 July 2006 at 20.20 hrs BST

All the military and civilian marchers are now back home or will be within the next 30 - 45 minutes.

Information update #10 - Saturday 22 July 2006 at 10.22 hrs BST

Confirmation has been received that the military team departed Kamp Heumensoord on schedule (08.00 hrs CET) this morning. 

For your reference I have copied below the timings for the Military team arrival in the UK.

21.05** BST Arrive Swindon (Holiday Inn Hotel) (EXPRESS BY HOLIDAY INN - SWINDON WEST - just off Junction 16 / M4)

If you wish to contact me please call the Nijmegen Emergency phone as notified in the Final Joining Instructions on 07792 515135 alternatively I can be contacted by e-mail wsonmcdww@talktalk.net

Information update #09 - Friday 21 July 2006 at 18.30 hrs BST

Following the cancellation of the 4-Day march in Holland I can now pass on the following information.

The marches were cancelled late on Monday evening due to the extreme hot weather conditions in the area.

I can confirm that ALL cadets and staff both Military & Civilian are safe and well.

The Military Personnel have today been sightseeing in Arnhem.

The Civilian personnel have a coach at their disposal and have been taking advantage of local excursions.

The return journey arrangements for both the military & civilian personnel for tomorrow Saturday remains as planned. 

Information update #08 - Thursday 20 July 2006 at 19.30 hrs BST

Following the cancellation of the 4-Day march in Holland I can now pass on the following information.

The marches were cancelled late on Monday evening due to the extreme hot weather conditions in the area.

I can confirm that ALL cadets and staff both Military & Civilian are safe and well.

The Civilian personnel are staying at their campsite and returning as scheduled on Saturday. As they have a coach at their disposal they will be taking advantage of local excursions.

The Military Personnel have today been having a social day sightseeing in Nijmegen, tomorrow the outline plan is a visit to Arnhem.

The return journey arrangements for Saturday remain as planned. 

If you wish to contact me please call the Nijmegen Emergency phone as notified in the Final Joining Instructions on 07792 515135 alternatively I can be contacted by e-mail wsonmcdww@talktalk.net  

Information update #07 - Wednesday 19 July 2006 at 20.30 hrs BST

Following the cancellation of the 4-Day march in Holland I can now pass on the following information.

The march has been cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions in the area and for your information I have copied below an extract from the official website which has a message from the Chairman of DE 4DAAGSE.

I have today spoken with both WO I Shearer the Military Team Leader and Sqn Ldr R Courtney the civilian coordinator who are both in the Netherlands with their respective teams.

I can confirm that ALL cadets and staff both Military & Civilian are safe and well.

The Civilian personnel are staying at their campsite and returning as scheduled on Saturday. As they have a coach at their disposal they will be taking advantage of local excursions.

Military Personnel... All RAF Cadet personnel have been confined in Kamp Heumensoord until 08.00 hrs CET on Thursday 20 July.

For Thursday and Friday I have recommended that they explore the possibility of local excursions by train/bus. e.g. Arnhem is only 30 minutes away by train.

The return journey arrangements for Saturday remain as planned. 

If you wish to contact me please call the Nijmegen Emergency phone as notified in the Final Joining Instructions on 07792 515135 alternatively I can be contacted by e-mail wsonmcdww@talktalk.net

I will be in contact again tomorrow with both team leaders and will update this page with any more news.

Next update scheduled for 19.45 BST approx Thursday.

The extract from the Chairman of De 4Daagse follows…

Nijmegen, Wednesday 19 July 2006

To our walkers,

With great regret we have decided last night to cancel the 90th Four Days Marches. We have done so after careful discussion with the local authorities, the medical services as well as police and fire department.

To our dismay, yesterday, on the first walking day, two of our walkers have died. We feel sympathy for the families of the deceased.

Because the temperatures rose steeply in the second half of the afternoon, hundreds of people became sick. Both walkers and spectators. This has imposed great pressure on the medical services. For us, the well-being of walkers as well as spectators always comes first.

Tonight we have removed the signs on the route of the second walking day (The Day of Wijchen). We strongly urge you not to start walking and hope for your understanding and cooperation.

We can imagine that you have many questions, also practical ones. We will soon send you a letter with as many answers as possible. Answers that we cannot give at this moment in time. We ask for your comprehension for the current situation.

Stichting DE 4DAAGSE
Wim Jansen
chairman   

INFORMATION UPDATE 18 JULY 2006 AT 22.45 BST

Press communication 2006-24 

Nijmegen, 18 July 2006

Four Days Marches 2006 cancelled

Because of the extreme weather circumstances, 2 deaths and many people falling ill, as well as the upcoming weather forecast, the Four Days Marches organization has decided to completely cancel this years event. This means there will be no start of the March tomorrow.

ALL our cadets and staff are OK and the plan at present is that they will be staying in Nijmegen until Saturday as planned.

More information will be available Wednesday evening

Information update #06 - Tuesday 18 July 2006 at 20.00 hrs BST

Message received from WO I Shearer.

Day 1 completed - all team members finished.

Due to the extreme weather it took 11 hours to complete the 25 miles.

I have just spoken to WO Ian Shearer on the phone - the team are all well - drinking plenty of water. On the route the 'locals' supply plenty of liquid complete with the occasional hosing down to keep everyone cool.

The organisers KNBLO have banned the carrying of excess weight for tomorrows march and will review the situation for the last 2 days.

March off times for the next 3 days are Wednesday 04.50 hrs CET, Thursday 05.00 hrs CET and Friday 04.50 hrs CET.

Information update #05 - Monday 17 July 2006 at 19.30 hrs BST

Message received from WO I Shearer at 16.52 BST.

A relaxing day spent in Nijmegen. All systems go for tomorrow. Troops are ready and the weather is forecast to be very hot!

March off time is at 04.30 hrs local CET. That means an early start reveille at 01.30 CET, breakfast at 02.00 CET  and at 03.30 CET form up ready for the 04.30 march off!

Information update #04 - Sunday 16 July 2006 at 20.35 hrs BST

Message sent by WO Shearer Team Leader at 20.05 CET

All going fine been to Amsterdam for the day - now all back at Kamp Heumensoord. 

Information update #03 - Sunday 16 July 2006 at 15.45 hrs BST

No report received at this time.

The plan for Sunday was an educational visit to Amsterdam.

Mondays plan is for a visit to Nijmegen City centre then an early night ready for day 1 march on Tuesday.

The 5 day weather forecast for the area is dry & sunny with temperatures reaching 30C

Information update #02 - Saturday 15 July 2006 at 21.20 hrs BST

Two further messages have been received  today -

15.30 hrs - All arrival admin complete now 'settling in'.

16.00 hrs - Plans for an educational visit to Amsterdam on Sunday now under way.

Information update #01 - Saturday 15 July 2006 at 10.45 hrs BST

Dorset/Wilts Wing Military Team

The following message was received at 10.00 hrs BST.

Had a good journey now on the outskirts of Nijmegen.

Members of the civilian team travel to The Netherlands later today. A list of civilian participants is included in recent news updates.

The civilian team members departed for Holland on Saturday 15 July 2006.

This year 7 personnel are participating in the marches.

The Wings Military Team was named recently. This year there are 17 personnel from Dorset/Wilts Wing plus 2 from Devon & Somerset Wing.

Nijmegen International Marches 2005 - History

Friday - Form up time 03.40 hrs - March start time is 04.30 hrs