The Chepstow Division of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association charity, SSAFA, arranged their "Big Brew Up" in Chepstow last week. 

Tea, coffee and cakes, provided by the SSAFA volunteers and 1 RIFLES, were served to the public from their Fisherman Square gazebo in exchange for a donation to the charity. 

This is annual event enables the public to mix and meet with the Riflemen and their SSAFA team who cover Chepstow, Caldicot, Magor, Rogiet Portskewett and the surrounding areas. 

The public were clearly very proud of their Riflemen, lead by Serjeant Nick Fowler, and enjoyed seeing them in town with people stopping to chat and reminisce.     

Equally vital was the adjacent Barclay's Bank, who most generously applied their Community Matching Grant to this event. 

Their staff, including Paula Adams, worked alongside the volunteers and soldiers rattling tins and helping the public to choose one of the wicked cakes.

   For every pound raised Barclay's added a further pound, up to £750.  

The Divisional Secretary of Chepstow SSAFA, Commander Christopher Wilson, stated that he wished to record a great vote of thanks to both the 1 RIFLES and to Barclays Bank for their considerable support. 

He said that the event had raised some £2,000, which was an excellent result demonstrating both the generosity of local people and admiration for their Armed Forces.

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association  http://www.ssafa.org.uk">www.ssafa.org.uk