On Monday 13th May, Terry Waite CBE visited the former Caterham Barracks in Caterham-on-the-Hill to retread the steps he took as a young soldier 53 years ago. The trip was a fact finding mission to establish what help and support Terry could provide to the Caterham Barracks Trust to address some of the challenges it faces at the present time. He visited the Chapel, The Officers' Mess, the Barracks Blocks, the Quartermasters Store and the Gyms (now the ARC). The trip clearly brought back memories which he offered freely to a small group including Robin Clements, Chair of the Trust, Dick Moran, Chief Executive of the Trust, Beth Wood from the ARC and researcher Matt Johnson.

Several initiatives were suggested to him and by him which will be picked up by the Trust and the ARC. He indicated that he would like to be involved with the work being done by the Trust and the ARC and promised to come back to contribute to a programme called 'Aspire' which is to be launched by the ARC in the autumn.

Following the visit, Dick Moran said:  “Terry Waite is one of the most charming people I have ever met.  Before he left he told me that while he was in captivity in the Lebanon he folded his trousers every night and put them under his mattress so they were pressed for morning - something he learned during his time at Caterham Barracks.  He said that it helped him to retain his sense of human dignity.”