Jolly Fisherman badges for soldiers testing for Covid-19 in Skegness

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) who have been testing at Tesco car park in Skegness, pictured with Coun Steve Walmsley.Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) who have been testing at Tesco car park in Skegness, pictured with Coun Steve Walmsley.
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) who have been testing at Tesco car park in Skegness, pictured with Coun Steve Walmsley. | jpimedia
Soldiers testing for Covid-19 in Skegness have not only earned their stripes - they have been presented with a Jolly Fisherman badges.

The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) arrived in town to set up in the Tesco car park on Monday.

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Skegness Town Council helped spread the word after a slow start for the team of 12, who were operating three marquees for drive-thrus and walk-ins and have been staying at RAF Scampton overnight.

Coun Steve Walmsley, who as a bus driver for Stagecoach is a frontline worker, went along on Wednesday to be tested and is happy to report his results proved negative.

"It really brings it home to you the seriousness of the pandemic when you experience this," he said. "The soldiers have done an excellent job.

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"Towards the end of the week, once word got out, they were doing around their maximum number of tests per day, which is 300.

"The Mayor of Skegness, Coun Mark Dannatt, wanted to do something to show our appreciation to the soldiers for coming to Skegness.

"So we decided to present them with a Jolly Fisherman badge .each on behalf of Skegness Town Council and residents.

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"It's a small gesture for what they are doing to keep us safe but we hope it helps them realise how much we appreciate them coming to Skegness to do this job."

The soldiers are back today (Monday) until 4.30pm. The swab tests take just a few minutes. Residents who have not registered beforehand have been able to do so with a number given to them.

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