On 17th January Huntingdon Detachment celebrated two special birthdays, those of Detachment Commander SSI Andy Phipps, who was celebrating his 60th, and PI George Dutton, celebrating his 70th.
Special Birthday Party at Huntingdon Detachment
Andy Phipps, left, and George Dutton.
Playing Jenga.
This was a good reason for a party, which was attended by Huntingdon cadets, instructors and County senior staff including the Commandant and RSM. The party included games such as Jenga and Connect4, and food and drink including a large quantity of pizza! Cambs ACF always considers itself to be a family, and the evening proved to be full of fun, friendship and camaraderie.
Serving the pizza.
George and Andy’s combined ages were celebrated with a cake in the form of the numbers 130, beautifully made by our Admin Officer Kirsty Knowles. The birthday boys got to blow out the candles and everyone sang them happy birthday.
The birthday boys cut the cake.
A Falklands War veteran, SSI Andy Phipps has decades of military and cadet experience and has proved to be a dedicated Detachment Commander. PI George Dutton has made a great impact with Cambs ACF, providing vital support at Detachment and leading walking expeditions, for which he was recently awarded the Commandant’s Coin. During the party he was presented a silver tankard to commemorate his prior service with the Army.
Applause from the cadets.
George said: “We thought it would be nice to do a joint presentation and involve the cadets- show them the ‘other side’ of the instructors, and get to socialise with them. It’s been a great evening.’
The Commandant, Colonel Deacon said: “Andy and George do a lot for their cadets, and so its great for me to be here to say thank you to them both, and wish them very happy birthdays.”
George's silver tankard.
Text and photos by SI Doug Stuart.
