14 Oct 08

The newly refurbished Assaye Officers’ Mess for 1 Royal Horse Artillery (1 RHA) became the 100th building to be completed in Tidworth by Project Allenby/Connaught, thus making the Edwardian living accommodation fit for the 21st Century and bringing the total up to 161 buildings delivered across the whole of the Project.

The building was delivered by Aspire Defence Capital Works and Aspire Defence Services Ltd under Project Allenby/Connaught – the 35 year contract through which Aspire Defence, a joint venture between KBR and Carillion, is replacing and improving Army living and working accommodation across the garrisons of Salisbury Plain and Aldershot.

The Mess, which includes a lodge and annex, can accommodate up to 51 officers, and the refurbished building provides modern dining and living facilities with en-suite accommodation which has been converted from single rooms with communal facilities. To preserve the architectural heritage of the 1 RHA Officers’ Mess, the original facade and entrance to the building have been retained, along with the formal sweeping driveway to the pillared main entrance.

The Commanding Officer of 1 Royal Horse Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Humphrey said, “The completion of Assaye Mess is a milestone for both 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and Aspire Defence, and how appropriate that the 100th building on Tidworth Garrison goes to the 1st Regiment! Its re-occupation will mark the near completion of a completely redeveloped barracks providing much improved infrastructure and facilities.

Most importantly the re-development of Assaye Barracks has given my soldiers a quality of life they have deserved for many, many years”. Doug Weidner, Project Manager for the MoD’s Project Allenby/Connaught said, “This is another significant milestone for the Project and is further evidence of the outstanding progress we have made here in Tidworth just 2½ half years into the contract. The work here, and indeed at other garrisons in the Project’s footprint, has transformed the lives of the soldiers who live and work on the garrison. It is also testament to the effectiveness of the working relationship we have with our contractor, Aspire Defence, who has been set some very challenging deadlines for the delivery of new and refurbished buildings and, I am pleased to say, they have proved up to the mark”.

Peter Smart, Chief Executive of Aspire Defence Limited said, “We are delighted to hand over to the CO 1 RHA, this, our 100th building at Tidworth. In refurbishing this mess we have brought it up to modern standards, with single en-suite rooms but have also preserved the very distinct and important character of the building. Perhaps more important than 100 buildings, 30 months into the contract we already have over 2,500 hard working soldiers living in new accommodation across the Project – we really are making their lives better and with the delivery of another building every week we look forward to extending that to many more soldiers over the coming weeks and months”.