The Veterans Cottage

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Warrant Officer Class Two Andy Ellis served with distinction for 23 years with the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. During his exemplary career, he deployed on operations globally, completing seven tours of Northern Ireland, as well as deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout his time in the Battalion, Andy was an inspirational soldier and leader to many.

For the past 18 years, Andy has been a vital part of HQ 160th (Welsh) Brigade in Brecon.

In December 2025, Andy was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. Showing his characteristic resilience, Andy recently completed a grueling 22-mile walk across the Brecon Beacons to raise funds for the charity Military vs Cancer. You can donate here to support him and the charity. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/22-miles-for-military-versus-cancer

10/06/2026

The Royal Anglian Regimental Support line is open tonight 9 June 26 1800-2100hrs. A confidential, non-judgemental listening and signposting service.

Run by Royal Anglian Veterans.

This is not a crisis line, but a safe space to talk, share, lived experience.

If required the team can direct you towards trusted supported.

01284 654915

The team are looking ready to take your calls.

09/06/2026

A sincere thank you to Kori Construction for their incredibly generous donation of £5,000 in support of the work we do at the Veterans Cottage.

It was a pleasure meeting Richard and Lauren—and especially meaningful to hear that Richard is a fellow veteran. That connection matters, and it makes this support even more valued.

This donation will go towards building a pergola, creating additional sheltered space so we can support more veterans, families, and wellbeing sessions throughout the year.

Your contribution directly strengthens what we’re able to offer—therapies, peer support, and a safe, welcoming environment.

Thank you again—we truly appreciate your support.

06/06/2026

Another strong turnout for brunch today — thank you to everyone who showed up and continues to support what we’re building here.

There were some powerful conversations and stories shared from service, and it meant a lot to pause together and reflect on D-Day.

It was great to welcome some new faces — Lorraine, Rita and Jim — and we hope that’s the first of many visits.

It was nice to have the Dunion family with us as well. Seeing the little ones enjoying the garden brought a different kind of energy to the day ☺️

Plenty of connection, plenty of laughter, and as usual the dogs made sure they got their share of attention.

Simple formula: decent food, solid people, and time to talk properly.

We’ll keep doing it. Thanks to all of you who make it worth doing.

03/06/2026

PTSD doesn’t just affect one person.
It affects the whole family.

Whether your background is RAF, Navy, Army, Reservist, or any other service—
to the ones supporting, holding it together, and trying to understand—
we see you.

It can be exhausting. It can feel isolating.
You don’t have to carry it on your own.

At The Veterans Cottage, you’re welcome here too.
A safe, supportive space where you can talk, breathe, and be heard.

Reach out. We’re here for you as well.

02/06/2026

A big thank you to Colin and Jan Wall who popped in with a very generous £100 donation to the Veterans Garden. How kind is that?

Jan was really impressed with Garry’s design and all the work going into the garden — a very proud mum moment 😁

01/06/2026

Another amazing volunteering weekend! 🌿

What’s been achieved in just three weeks is something else. What started as an idea in Garry’s head is now becoming a calm, welcoming space for our veterans and their families — somewhere to sit, talk, breathe and just be.

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up this weekend and grafted in the sun. Digging, planting, turfing, building… real hard work, and it shows in every corner of the garden now 🌺

Gloria and Angela, your flowers and planters have brought real life and colour into the space. Deborah and Billy, thank you for your donations and for getting stuck in with the digging and design. Dave Langley, back again this time laying turf. Alex Godfrey has extended the patio and is now building a small fenced seating area — and donated materials too.

Garry has driven this from day one — organising, pushing it forward, and making sure it actually happens. Three weeks in, it’s nearly there, with the rockery in, the pergoda is up and the roof to come. Credit where it’s due, he’s delivered on the vision.

Thanks as well to AC Landscaping & Building Ltd for their design skills, Gemma for keeping everyone fuelled with drinks and snacks, and Ann W for donating the fridge 😁

It’s all coming together now, and you can really see what this space is going to be. Proud of everyone involved! 🙏🏻

25/05/2026

We would like to proudly congratulate Alfie Lee Pearce — affectionately known to many as “Alfred the Great” — on successfully passing the world-renowned Royal Marines Commando Course with distinction.

At just 22 years of age, Alfie has shown exceptional dedication, discipline and determination throughout every stage of his life. After completing the arduous nine-month Royal Marines training programme at Lympstone, Exeter, Alfie will officially pass out on Friday 29th May, joining one of the most respected fighting forces in the world.

His success is no surprise to those who know him. From the age of 12 to 16, Alfie played rugby at a high level and was selected for the Leicester Tigers Development Squad, demonstrating both athletic ability and commitment from an early age.

He later turned his attention to amateur boxing, where he was coached throughout by his father. After only three years in the sport, Alfie became the Harringay London Champion — a competition covering 128 countries — winning gold and earning selection to represent the United Kingdom in America, where he performed exceptionally well.

Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Alfie also spent several months training in Thailand, developing his skills in Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and Western boxing — always pushing himself mentally and physically to achieve more.

Everything Alfie has undertaken has been approached with complete commitment, heart and determination, and his achievement in earning the coveted Green Beret reflects the strength of character he has consistently shown throughout his life.

As part of the Veterans Cottage family in Corby — where his father serves as a director supporting veterans and their dependants — Alfie’s achievement is especially meaningful and inspiring to the wider veteran community.

Everyone at Veteran’s Cottage would like to wish Alfie every success in his future career and thank him for his commitment, courage and service to the country.

Congratulations, Alfie — a truly outstanding achievement.