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Army experts brush up on scientific intelligence at world leading lab
British army bomb disposal experts have paid a visit to STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory after asking to find out more about its world-leading science.

“We were doing a charity walk along the Ridgeway and saw the Harwell campus from up there. It’s right on our doorstep and we decided it was time to come along and find out what it is all about”, said Warrant Officer Class One, Regimental Sergeant Major, Paul Hands from the II Explosive Ordnance Disposal (11EOD) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot.

The visit was part of a goodwill exercise being carried out by the regiment to strengthen relationships across Oxfordshire, allowing organisations to develop a mutual understanding of each other’s work. In return STFC had the opportunity to enthuse a new group of people about its science.

11 EOD spent the afternoon visiting some of the world-leading facilities at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory including:

- RAL Space, where they met the team developing an autonomous navigation system that will enable a future planetary rover vehicle to be in complete control of its actions
- the ISIS neutron source, a set of super microscopes that enables scientists to study materials at a level 10,000 times thinner than human hair
- the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron facility

Councillor Phil Hayward, Mayor of Didcot and a member of RAL Space at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory welcomed the members of the regiment saying: “We’re really proud to have you here today. The work you do is highly respected across Oxfordshire, the UK and the world. We’re delighted you have taken the time to allow us to show you the work we do”.

During the event two cheques were presented by Councillor Phil Hayward to WO1 (RSM) Paul Hands for money raised at a Burns Coffee Morning and also from a Didcot resident for the Felix Fund a charity that raises money for bomb disposal experts and their families.

More information about the charity can be found on their website (link opens in a new window)

More information about the regiment can be found on the British army’s website (link opens in a new window)