Mike Weir, MP for Angus, Scotland, paid an informal visit to the Royal Marines Condor Family Centre in Arbroath with Provost Frances Duncan (pictured). Mr Weir said, 'The whole community feels for the families now the men are in Afghanistan. Nobody knows how long they are going to be away, so it is a strain on the families.'
Assistant play leader Nicky Lucking said the centre's playgroup is more important than ever as the children are beginning to miss their fathers. She added, 'We are lucky to have this. Children really do need a routine, especially now. This at least stays the same for them.'
Play leader Karen Tidcome said she had found some children were more affected than others. 'The four-to five-year-olds have said "My Dad has gone to war". A lot of them watch the news, so we have to let them talk about it. Others are aware that their father has gone away, and that is as much as they know.'
While the children are used to their fathers going away - it is a fact of life for Marines families - there is more tension this time. 'It does show,' said Karen. 'There are children who are no longer happy to separate from their mothers and some whose behaviour is more challenging.'
As they always do when the Marines go to a foreign country, the staff brought in a globe to show the children. They will soon be starting a Father's Day project, probably involving photographs of the children, which they will send to Afghanistan. 'We will talk about Father's Day and tell the children what it's all about,' said Karen.
All the playgroup staff are or have been married to Marines, so have first-hand experience of the families' situation. The difference this time is that no-one really knows when the men will be returning.
