Henry Cleaver

Chip Pan Fire Demonstration

Henry — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:30:37 +0000

I’m currently doing a young firefighter course with WYAT at Wombourne Fire Station. We’re just over half way through the course, and have done things such as hose running, spraying large amounts of water under high pressures, hydrants and learnt some things about how fire spreads. Last week we used the hydraulic cutting equipment to cut up a car, which was loads of fun.

Here is a video of a chip pan demonstration we did last night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eay2OdPV8Og

Warwickshire Firefighter Funerals

Henry — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:38:17 +0000

Today I played my bagpipes at the final funeral for the Warwickshire Firefighters who were tragically killed a few weeks ago. The whole thing was very moving. It started off marching the family from their house the short distance to the fire station, where the hydraulic platform was waiting with the coffin, flanked by Firefighters in ceremonial dress. We let the procession down the road to the church where the service was to be held. After the service, we played the coffin out to Flowers of the Forest, a very nice slow air. We then had a police escort to the crematorium (that was fun and scary having Police bikes whizzing past) where we played outside as people entered and again as they left.

Last week I also played at the first of the four funerals, doing a similar thing. Both funerals were very individual, and a very fitting tribute to those brave young men.

Video of me on the BBC news. If you can’t recognise me, I’m the piper on the left of the screen (on the right of the procession). This was broadcast on the BBC evening news last Friday. I was also on BBC Radio 1 news playing the bagpipes. That’s my moment of fame for this year!

Birmingham Remembrance Parade

Henry — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:52:05 +0000

Last weekends I played at the Remembrance parade in Birmingham with my pipe band. Here is a video of me playing the Lord Mayor of Birmingham onto the parade ground..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytfO77nwF04

737 Simulator Ride

Henry — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:15:18 +0000

Today I finally got my hands on my 21st Birthday present - an hour in a full-motion 737 simulator in Yorkshire.

I arrived at the flight centre at about 2.15, my flight starting at 2.30. I filled in a form with my details and was taken into the simulator. On first impressions, it seemed very small and cramped as I expected it to. I took my place in the left hand seat, and my instructor sat on the right. I was given a quick briefing of all the controls and gauge, then the instructor placed the 737-200 aircraft on runway 16 at Aberdeen. I pushed the throttles all the way forward and started accelerating down the runway, feeling every bump of the rough surface before finally getting airborne. The instructor called “positive rate” and raised the landing gear which locked in place with a clunk. After my initial comments about being able to feel all the bumps from the turbulence, the instructor took great delight in making the rest of the flight pretty bumpy which was a nice touch, but made it difficult to hold a steady rate of climb or descent.

I flew round in a circuit given headings by the instructor to establish on the ILS for runway 16 to make my first landing of the day. I kept on the power till over the numbers, then quickly retarded the throttles to idle to make a nice firm landing. I then taxied round back to the runway to make another takeoff. This time shortly after takeoff the instructor cut the number 1 engine, which caused me to apply a boot full of right rudder and went round to land on the single engine. I think I made a pretty good job of this one considering the situation; at least I made it onto the runway! Next up was a landing in low visibility. I managed to get established onto the ILS just inside 4 miles after a few problems relating to my inexperience and after a bit of wavering around managed to put it down just before the runway started - doh! Considering it was probably about 200 m visibility, I don’t think it was that bad for my third landing! Next up I did another few landings, including one in about a 15 knot crosswind which I managed to get down just right of the centreline.

All in all, a truly fantastic experience. To anyone who thinks they can fly an aircraft because they can use flight simulator - I say rubbish! It is so different being able to feel the aircraft moving in response to control inputs you make.

General Update

Henry — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:28:34 +0000

Just noticed I haven’t posted an awful lot over the last month of so. Probably due to the fact that I haven’t done an awful lot either. When I got back from the Jamboree I helped out with KOSSMIC for the last two weeks of the summer holiday which was good. Since then I have just been chilling and relaxing and looking for a job. I’ve applied for a number of jobs in numerous different positions, none of which have been successful yet. Guess I’ll just have to keep looking, I’ll find something interesting soon.

So, if anyone would like to employ me (I’m really good, honest!) don’t hesitate to contact me!

Jamboree Photos

Henry — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:30:45 +0000

I’ve just uploaded some photos I took at the Jamboree into the gallery. I took over 200 so it was a bit of a job selecting the best ones, but I think I’ve picked a few of the most interesting.

Jamboree Closing

Henry — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:22:39 +0000

This is my last message from the 21st World Scout Jamboree! The closing ceremony is this evening, starting at 2100. I am supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning at 1100, so hopefully should be home sometime not too late tomorrow.

I’ve had a great time, got loads of photos which I will put up as soon as I can, and loads of souvenirs with good memories. I expect I’ll be telling people all about it, so don’t worry!

Gilwell Park

Henry — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:01:37 +0000

Went on a day trip to Gilwell Park today. It was my day off from work so I decided I would go and see whats there. It is basically a huge campsite, with a bit of a museum and giftshop. There are also loads of activities that the jamboree participants are doing as well, such as the assault course and grass sledging, which all looked really good. There wasn’t really a lot there to do, but there were some very interesting things to see like Baden-Powells caravan he was presented on the 21st anniversary of scouting, original copies of ‘Scouting For Boys’ and other old things.

Centenary of Scouting

Henry — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:48:00 +0000

Yesterday was the 100th Birthday of Scouting - a Century of the most popular youth organisation in the world!

To celebrate this scouts from all over the world gathered at 8am to renew their promise. This involved me getting up at 5 and making my way to the main arena as I had volunteered to help steward the ceremony which started at 6. This meant I got a really good seat, and narrowly missed being caught on a BBC camera. At about 8 a video link was made with Scouts on Brownsea Island, two represenatives from each of the 156 Scouting countries represented at the Jamboree.

In the evening was the ‘Gifts For Peace’ concert which was a bit of a big party with some bands, including Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue.

Opening Ceremony

Henry — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:50:25 +0000

Yesterday was the opening ceremony of the 21st World Scout Jamboree. All 8000 members of the International Service Team left the adult sub-camp at 11am to join the queue of 40,000 other people on their way to the main arena. On the way people carried flags, danced and sang songs from their countries. I managed to find myself a place to sit right in the middle of the field, quite near to the back but I still had a good view of what was going on.

The ceremony started with HRH Duke of Kent and Prince William arriving, walking though the crowd and being cheered as they went. Then representatives of each country in the UK came in with massive helium baloons. Each of the countries represented at the Jamboree were then announced as their national flag was brought onto the stage, each country cheering loudly as their country was announced.

Today I had my first real shift at work. I had to get up at 5.30 to get breakfast and be at the security station for when my shift started at 7. I spent the first few hours of my shift taking care of all arrivals through the main gate with two others, then went on patrol around the plaza area, which was really good as that is where most people went. Today was the first of the day visitors as well so there were extra people on the site asking for directions.

You can keep up to date with the latest Jamboree news at http://eng.thejamboree.org/