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Defence Training Estate (DTE)

Excavating military tracks at Barrow Clump

Volunteers and archaeologists at Barrow Clump [Crown Copyright, MOD 2018]

Hi, my name is Richard Osgood and I'm the Senior Archaeologist at DIO. Today I'll be blogging about the team of military veterans, service personnel and volunteers from Wessex Archaeology and Breaking Ground Heritage who helped to unearth the excavation …

New vehicles crack down on illegal activity on Salisbury Plain

Hi, I’m Lt Col Stewart Andrews and I’m DIO’s Senior Training Safety Officer for Salisbury Plain. Last year, 2948 illegal incursions were reported in the South West; most were caused by people illegally driving 4x4s and motorcycles on the Plain. …

Monumental effort restores ‘Bulford Kiwi’ to its original splendour

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Archaeology, Army Basing Programme, Salisbury Plain Training Area
The Bulford Kiwi from the air, showing its white chalk figure, facing to the right, against the green hillside together with the letters "NZ" also in chalk. [Crown copyright, MOD 2018]

Hi, I’m Richard Osgood and I’m DIO’s senior archaeologist. Part of DIO’s role is to look after the MOD estate and we do a lot of work to preserve and protect monuments and sites of historical and scientific interest. Last …

Enabling Positive Experiences: Celebrating World FM Day

Looking after the training estate in Sennybridge, Wales [Copyright Landmarc Support Services Limited, 2018]

I’m Richard McKinney, Regional Delivery Director for DIO. Today is World FM Day and to celebrate I'd like to reflect on the vital work and vast range of facilities management (FM) services that DIO, staff, suppliers and industry partners provide …

DIO partnership provides protection for people and nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment and Ecology, Land Management, Salisbury Plain Training Area
Dartmoor Warbler [Copyright, Creative Commons 2018]

Hi, I’m Mark Sumner and I work in DIO’s Environmental Support and Compliance Team as the Access and Recreation Advisor, based in Salisbury Plain. Today, I’ll be blogging about the work DIO has done to protect our most important wildlife …

How people risk their lives on the military training estate

Cartoon from Reynolds News, 1941, showing someone picnicing in front of a line of tanks

We want people to enjoy the military training estate, but it can be a dangerous place if you don't follow the rules. There are a number of ways you can put your life at risk and here's a few of …

Maintaining the balance: Public Access versus Public Safety?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Military Training, Public safety, Salisbury Plain Training Area
WO1 Kevin Morris is a Training Safety Marshall.

The Defence estate includes some of the most dramatic countryside in the UK and every year large numbers of people enjoy access to it both legally and safely. But not everyone sticks to the rules with some people endangering themselves …

Behind-the-scenes at Castlemartin Training Area

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Castlemartin Training Area, Land Management, Military Training
A Challenger 2 tank on Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire, Wales. [Crown Copyright/MOD2014]

Hi, I’m Steven Philipps-Harries, a Deputy Training Safety Officer at Castlemartin Training Area. I blogged early last year about how Castlemartin operates and while we’re on a short quieter period I thought I’d blog again. Here’s a bit of a …