Surviving the Unexpected: The Journey of an Army Base Community

The Fields Association - On Air

Have you ever wondered what it's like to live on a military base, with power outages, water shortages, and the constant threat of unexpected relocation? Lesley, a Vice Chair of the Field Association and part of an Army family, gives us an intimate look into this not-so-ordinary life. She pulls back the curtain on a tight-knit community that was abruptly rocked by the forced removal— a move dictated by the powers that be, leaving these families with little say in the matter.
It's not all hardship and adversity, though. Despite the frequent power outages and potential contamination risks, Lesley speaks about the beauty within the chaos. She navigates us through the reality of the living conditions on the base juxtaposed with the bonds and lifelong friendships that have been formed. However, what she reveals about the conditions at the asylum seekers' site on the base is truly shocking - inadequate infrastructure, health risks, limited access to amenities, and hunger strikes paint a bleak picture of the human experience in such a setting.
The ripple effect of these sudden removals is not confined to the base alone. Lesley shares how this mass departure impacted local schools and communities, leading to layoffs among teachers, lost students, and families scrambling to find school places. Despite the trials and tribulations, the spirit of the community shines through in her stories, underscoring a testament to the human ability to adapt and thrive in the most challenging of situations. Join us on this riveting journey, as we explore the intricate web of life within an ex-military base. You wouldn't want to miss it!

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For more information about The Fields Association please visit
https://www.thefieldsassociation.org/

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All funds go to The Fields Association to be used for community projects to help to stop any inappropriate use of Wethersfield Airbase and associated causes.

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Hoofdstukken

1. Surviving the Unexpected: The Journey of an Army Base Community (00:00:00)

2. Army Families Moved Off Base Implications (00:00:06)

3. Airfield/ Airbase Conditions and Facilities (00:07:43)

4. Screening and Conditions at Asylum Seeker Site (00:15:46)

5. Army Families Impact on Local Communities (00:19:45)