Well the Troop getting them self in the news!

London - The security of Windsor Castle passed into female hands for the first time in 900 years on Monday as women soldiers of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery took over guard duty at the main royal residence just outside London.

A team of 20 soldiers - five of them women - have been trained for the task of guarding the castle, the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II outside London.

On Monday, complete with plumed busby hats, gold braided tunics and ceremonial swords, they marched into the castle led by a brass band and watched by scores of onlookers.

The female soldiers will help provide a 24-hour guard with soldiers standing on duty for two hours at a time, and perform the changing of the guard, known as guard mounting, every day except on Sunday.

In January, the King's Troop became the first unit in the 350-year history of the Household Division to have a woman as commanding officer.

Major Erica Bridge took charge of 168 officers and soldiers as well as 120 horses at their barracks in St John's Wood, north London.

She herself is too senior in rank to perform sentry duty. - Sapa-dpa



mmm interesting and thank fuck i not there lol oh and other news

A former Captain in the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will be riding from John O'Groats to Land's End in aid of the ILPH. Grant Nicolle, from Edinburgh, and his horse Marv (pictured right) will start the 1,300-mile journey on 29 April.

According to Grant, the trip should take 12 weeks, if Marv, a 10-year-old Clydesdale-cross gelding, can manage 20 miles a day. "It is an adventure for us both and I will ensure Marv enjoys it as much as I will," Grant said. "I bought Marv in mid-January specifically for the trip. He has a fantastic temperament, is great in traffic and should have both the endurance and weight-carrying ability to go the full distance."

Grant has accommodation arranged for about a third of the trip and is hoping local farmers will allow him the use of their fields for the remainder. He will be spending one night at ILPH Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset.

"I have not yet heard of someone doing the UK length on the same horse, alone and with no support," he said. "I am meeting any costs involved myself as I want donations to go to the ILPH, which does wonderful work for horses around the world."

The trip will not be the first time Grant has supported the ILPH. Whilst in the King's Troop, he brought the royal horses to ILPH Penny Farm in Blackpool for their summer camp. ILPH Penny, an ILPH horse, was also rehomed to the King's Troop under Grant's care.

If you would like to support Grant's marathon ride please contact Mel Wallis-Johnson of the ILPH (tel: 01953 497207). Alternatively, Grant has set up a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/grantnicolle where you can donate securely online to the ILPH. You can follow Grant's trip by visiting www.grantnicolle.co.uk.