The great and the good from the cadet forces across Essex gathered on Thursday evening to recognise the service and commitment of volunteers and cadets by awarding Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates for Meritorious Service to volunteers and to recognise the appointment of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets from each organisation. The event was held at Ingatestone Hall hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst by kind permission of The Lord Petre.
Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates are a means of recognising the outstanding commitment of these volunteers and their invaluable contribution to defence and society. The Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets are representatives of their service and an aide to the Lord-Lieutenant during their year of appointment. Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets are selected due to their exemplary participation, achievement and outreach in their organisation. This appointment is considered one of the highest achievements in the cadet forces.
The Lord-Lieutenant gave a short speech following the awards presentation thanking all the cadet force volunteers for their hard work and service, particularly during with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Lord-Lieutenant also recognised that all three services have had recent senior leadership changes and particular thanks for their service was given to those moving on to new roles including our very own former Commandant, Colonel Leona Barr-Jones in her new role as Colonel Cadet East Midlands. Our new commandant, Colonel Pete Mills was welcomed warmly to his new role and wished every success.
The awards presentation was followed by a reception allowing attendees to meet volunteers from the other services. Also present were local dignitaries from Essex, including the new Commander of Colchester Garrison, Lt Col Jim McManus. Both A and C Company extended invitations to the new Garrison Commander to visit our training weekends, and Lt Col McManus, was keen to build links between Essex ACF Corps of Drums and the British Army Band Colchester. He shared his experience of listening to the band rehearsing outside his office one morning and to his un-tuned ear sounding excellent, only to be politely informed by the Bandmaster that they had scheduled an additional rehearsal for that afternoon as the Band did not sound very good. Capt Shaw and Drum Major Little should take note that Lt Col McManus, expressed a desire to visit the Essex ACF Corps of Drums at Chelmsford.
As life returns to normal following the pandemic, everyone made the most of the lovely evening in the historical Tudor venue of Ingatestone Hall to catch up with old acquaintances and make new friends.
Essex ACF’s Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet 2021
Cadet CSM Jack Shorey from Chelmsford Detachment, B (EY) Company. CSM Shorey qualified as Master Cadet and delivered virtual training during lockdown to his Company; he aspires to join as an Army Air Corps Officer after completing a degree in Physics.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Services for 2020
SSI Ted Ainger for delivery of adventure training and Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold Level.
Lt Julia Hodgson for contribution to ACF music both locally and nationally, as well as voluntary service as a Combined Cadet Force Association trustee.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Services for 2021
Capt Tim Salmon for exceptional support during lockdown, especially ensuring Covid secure measures and a safe return to training in 2021.
Maj Steve Hudson as our Medical Support Officer, providing key assurance and delivery of Covid safety measures.
Lt Col Kristina Carrington for delivering an outstanding online summer camp to 425 cadets and adults and ensure excellent online training throughout the pandemic to the cadets.
