Read the summer edition of the Journal. You will need to have Adobe Flash Player version 9 to view which can be downloaded for free. Use the arrows at the top of the screen to turn the pages; to zoom into the page left click once, and left click again to zoom out; to move up and down the page hold down the left button on the mouse to grab the page and move it.

Click here for pdf version 

Enter the summer Journal giveaways!

If you would you like a chance to win some of the fabulous reader giveaway prizes, then read the summer edition of the Journal!

To enter: Send your Reader Giveaway entries on a postcard to: The Journal, Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6BE, or email us at giveaways@afj.org.uk. Include your name, address, telephone number and name of the Giveaway. One entry per household per Giveaway. Separate email entries for each Giveaway. Closing date for entries is 20 August 2010 (unless stated otherwise). Your details will not be used for marketing purposes.

There’s more to discover at Butlins!

If you and your family are looking at getting away, then check out the latest adventures at Butlins. In a summer of discovery, Brainiac Live, Sky One’s fun science show, is bringing the weird and wonderful mysteries of the laboratory to Butlins. For the younger ones, Thomas and Friends™ offers fabulous activities and a spectacular live show. For the littlest members of your family, the fun-filled dance party, Baby Loves Disco, will get your baby’s booties boogying!

If you are feeling energetic, why not reach for the skies on the climbing wall, the high ropes and zip wire or, if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, have a go at volleyball, fencing or archery. There’s something for everyone at Butlins this summer.

Butlins and the Journal have teamed up to offer one lucky family a three or four night break at either Minehead, Bognor Regis or Skegness worth up to £1,000. The prize is for two adults and two children, aged 2-14 years, sharing a Gold apartment on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. For your chance to win, click here.

Terms and Conditions – The break is subject to availability and the terms and conditions as stated in the Butlins brochure. The prize is as described and for three or four nights, valid until 31 December 2010 excluding Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays. It is non-transferable, cannot be exchanged and travel is not included.

Rest and recuperate at Ribby Hall

Just ten minutes from Blackpool, nestling in 100 acres of stunning Lancashire countryside, is Ribby Hall, the award-winning, five star holiday village. The accommodation ranges from cottages to character houses and even a hotel, all offering the space and relaxation for a perfect stay. You  and your family can choose how to spend your time – whether you prefer an action-packed holiday with horse riding, racquet sports and swimming in the choice of pools or a more relaxing break enjoying the bars, restaurants and health and beauty spa - there’s something for the whole family to enjoy at Ribby Hall.

Ribby Hall is offering some fabulous discounts exclusive to the Armed Forces. Visit www.ribbyhall.co.uk/mod or call freephone 0800 107 0511 (+44 1772 671 111 from overseas) for more details. Quote reference RHV 290 when booking.

The Journal has teamed up with Ribby Hall to offer one lucky family (up to six people) the chance of winning a short break at the village, staying in a luxurious self-catering cottage, worth £875. For your chance to win, click here.

The prize is subject to availability and must be taken before the end of February 2011. It is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

The great outdoors

Finding a holiday to keep the whole family occupied can be quite a challenge but PGL, the adventure holiday specialist, offers brilliant, activity-packed breaks at amazing locations all over the UK and France. Your family* will have the time of their lives, so if you want to spend time together and challenge yourselves to raft building, climbing, kayaking, fencing, orienteering or even abseiling – while proving to the kids that you’re not yet over the hill! – try a PGL Family Activity Holiday that ticks everyone’s boxes!

The Journal and PGL have teamed up to offer one family (up to two adults and two children) the chance to win a superb weekend Family Activity Holiday in the UK, including full board accommodation, all activities, instruction and evening entertainment, worth up to £750. For your chance to win this fabulous prize, click here.

This prize is subject to availability and the terms and conditions as stated in the 2010 Family Active brochure (available on request) and must be taken before 31 October 2011. The prize cannot be substituted for an existing booking and cannot be exchanged for cash. Insurance and travel not included.

*Children must be aged 2-18 although, for safety reasons, they must be six years or a minimum size for most activities.

As time goes by…

Past Times’ high street and online stores are packed full of gorgeous products inspired by some of the great artistic periods in history. From nostalgic childhood toys to Art Deco vases there’s something to suit all tastes, so whether you’re looking for that special gift or a touch of historic charm for your SFA, Past Times’ range of home and garden embellishments is the perfect choice.

Journal readers can benefit from an extra 10% discount too – simply quote the code ARMY online or show this article in store.

For more information, visit www.pasttimes.com 

The Journal and Past Times have teamed up to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a £50 shopping voucher. For your chance to win, click here.

This exclusive discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and is not available on gift vouchers.

The Dog That Saved My Life

The bravery and loyalty of man’s best friend knows no bounds, as is conveyed beautifully in The Dog That Saved My Life. From the World War II dog who was torpedoed, shot at and registered as a prisoner of war, to the more recent heroics of Bonnie the search dog who saved hundreds of lives in both Bosnia and Iraq, this book tells the moving stories of five inspirational canine companions that cannot help but touch the heart of the reader.

The Journal has five copies of this lovely book to give away. For your chance to win, click here.

Stay connected with style

be.ez produces the ultimate in accessories for the mobile lifestyle, and their new LE vertigo notebook bag takes greener design to new heights! The cross-shoulder style laptop bag is made from re-engineered materials that provide waterproof and robust shock protection, boasting a unique design that positions your laptop in a vertical orientation. With plenty of pockets for all your favourite gadgets, the LE vertigo notebook bag is stylish and environmentally friendly - perfect for home or on the move!

The Journal has two smart LE vertigo bags, worth up to £60.38 each, to give away. For your chance to win, click here.

The talk of the trees

Muffin and her big brother Samuel are just two of the characters from CBeebies’ 3rd & Bird programme, the delightful animated tales of a community of birds who live in a big old tree, loved by children everywhere. Now little fans can recreate the show at home with Fisher Price’s adorable range of 3rd & Bird toys. From bathtime fun to the all-singing, all-dancing Do the Muffin toy, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

The Journal has three delectable Do the Muffin toys, worth £30 each, to give away. For your chance to win, click here.

© 2008 Little Airplane Productions, Inc

My silly body and book

Ever fancied taking a trip through your thirty foot long digestive system to find out why you are what you eat? My silly body and book is a fun, ingenious and colourful user manual for boys and girls, packed full of experiments and jokes. It comes with an illustrated life-size body with lift-and-learn flaps for checking out the organs, brain, nerves, bloodstream and muscles on one side and a complete skeleton on the other. Only for those with a strong disposition!

The Journal has five copies of this brilliant pack to give away. For your chance to win, click here.

Elsie & Mairi Go To War

By Diane Atkinson, published by Arrow Books, priced £7.99. Available from all good bookshops.

Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm met at a Bournemouth Motorcycle Club. When the First World War broke out, they roared off to London and, within a month, they were on the Western Front and had set up their own first-aid post. Elsie & Mairi Go To War is a compelling and true story of two extraordinary Edwardian ladies who became the most famous women of the war who were decorated with seventeen medals for bravery and self-sacrifice.

The Journal has three copies of this gripping ripping yarn to give away. For your chance to win, click here.

Working 5 to 9

By Emma Jones, published by Harriman House, priced £12.99. Available from all good bookshops.

While entrepreneurial author Emma Jones was investigating home businesses for her website, Enterprise Nation, she found that many people were either identifying a gap in the market or turning a passion, skill or hobby into a way of making a living. With advice on starting your business, sales, marketing and technology, Emma’s book, Working 5 to 9, presents over fifty business ideas, from baking to pig farming, that can be run in your spare time.

The Journal has two copies of Working 5 to 9 to give away. For your chance to win a copy of this inspirational book, click here.

Reader Giveaway Winners from issue 78

My daddy’s going away: Andrea Pittaway; Penny Boyce; Benjamin Clare; Victoria Lawrence; Karen Madronal

Shugborough: Suzanne Lane; Veronica Jurrison; Susan Black; Maylin Vuanicau; H Golding

Small Wars: Elaine Lewis; Kate Stone; Chinka Tuzcu; Clair Wiseman; Moira Douglas

Bug book & bottle: Mrs R Wilton-Rumney; Melanie Rose; Lisa Fraser; Andy Swain; Capt TPT Rogers; Ellie Mason

Usborne books: Kate Butler; Siân Campbell-Colquhoun

Lightwater Valley: AJE Hamilton; Edward Gough; Jim Goodwin

Arras: Mrs Vicky Wharton; Caroline Ogden; Kirsten Ciddelapaz

Legoland: The Christie Family; Bethan Dickson; The McSporran Family

Park Plaza Hotel: Sgt Kev Shaw

Orchard Cards: John Holliday

Money Saving Handbook: Katie Boag; Rajesh H Shah; Jessica Yassin; Daisy Rogers; Rebecca Key

War and Peace Show: Mandy Willan; Capt W Taylor; Sonya Kellner

The Soldier: Jon Best; Andy Swain

i-buddy: Hazel Connelly; Jennifer Avis; Jayne Hawkes

Army v Navy Rugby match: John Murphy; Ruth Seeds

Windsor Tattoo: Fiona Bullard; Rachel Butler