Plaque Competition at March Detachment

On 29th April the Commandant of Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force, Colonel Lesley Deacon, visited March Detachment to inspect the cadets and judge a competition. Cadets had been asked to design a commemorative wall plaque to give to longer-serving cadets when they leave the organisation- to remind them of happy times and of what they had achieved during their cadet careers.

Colonel Deacon started with by inspecting the cadets, speaking to each person, she asked them how long they had been cadets and what progress they were making.

She then came to judging the competition. As she liked elements from two designs, there were two winners. The first winner, whose design will form the basis for the plaque, was Cdt LCpl Adam Twiddy. LCpl Twiddy has been a cadet for two years and is an A-Level student studying graphic design. His experience certainly shows in his winning entry, a blue and green shield featuring two soldiers and symbolising comradeship and teamwork. The final design will be re-arranged to have the Royal Corps of Signals badge (the cap badge worn by March cadets) replace the Army logo, and will also incorporate the text box from the other design.

The second winner was Cdt Henry Gatland-Shaw. His design featured the England Flag on a blue background (Cambridgeshire's colour) and the cadet logo, with a text box for the leaving cadet's details. Cdt Gatland-Shaw joined us last summer and is really enjoying his cadet experience so far. He said; 'Im very much enjoying it. I'm learning new skills, I'm making friends, its making sure I don't sit at home all the time. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is also getting me to do volunteering- litter picking, to help in my community.' He said his contribution to the final design made him feel 'really proud.'

Cdt LCpl Twiddy said; 'Cadets is equipping me with the skills I need for later life. I learn something new each week, and it was great to have the Colonel here to present the awards.'

The Commandant said; 'I would like to offer my congratulations to the winners. Well done to everyone who submitted a design, the entries were of a really high standard, and the finished plaques will help remind cadets of what they learned and achieved during their time with us.'

Text and Photos by SI Doug Stuart