(Above) Cdt CSgt Isla Martin receives her Two Star certificate from the Mayor.
St Neots Detachment in Cambridgeshire were very lucky to receive a visit from the local Mayor, Councillor Richard Slade, on Wed 24th September. Earlier in the summer the Mayor praised Cadet Houseago for finding a £20 note whilst litter picking at the Paxfest Village Fete. The Mayor was very impressed, as Cadet Houseago immediately handed it in to the event staff so that it could be reunited with its owner. Following on from that engagement, the Mayor was invited down to Detachment to learn more about the Army Cadets.
He was greeted by the Detachment Commander SSI Dale Irving and senior Cadet Sergeant Major Amelia Long, who took the Mayor around several stands the cadets had prepared in advance of the visit. These included: –
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Award stand led by Cdt Sgt Charlotte Walker. This included a demonstration of equipment and food used on expeditions, as well as a brief on the various sections within the award. The stand was manned by cadets who were at various stages of the award, from newbies only just enrolled, to those currently working on their Gold Award. Sgt Walker also explained her role as a Young Leader.
A field craft stand was put on by Cdt Cpl Jackson, Cdt Sgt Cheridjian and Cdt LCpl Cubberley, though it was difficult to locate them, as they were all fully cammed up with webbing and red torches in use! Cpl Jackson talked through the equipment they use, and demonstrated a basha (tent) setup & cooking in the field.
(Above) Cdt Sgt Tyler Sargent receives his 4 Star badge.
Cdt Cpl Isla Martin gave a brilliant presentation on her recent Cadet Vocation College Westminster Award achievements and explained the various BTEC and ILM qualifications which can be achieved through cadets.
Cdt Cpl Xerri and Cdt LCpl Byng gave a fascinating presentation on the County’s recent expedition to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The cadets talked through the expedition with a series of photos and showed various souvenirs from the trip.
(Above) Cadet Sergeant Charlotte Walker is presented with a certificate of Excellence for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, from the Army Cadet Charitable Trust.
The drill stand was led by Cdt Sgt Sargent and Cdt Sgt Kite, who explained the aims and purposes of drill, did a quick demonstration, with a squad, of some basic drill movements. This was followed by an inspection/chat with the cadets from by the Mayor.
Finally we had Skill at Arms stand showing some pictures of the rifles we use within the cadet forces, and a setup of an air-rifle target.
At the end of the evening the Mayor was asked to present some awards including: –
4* ACS Complete – Sgt Sargent
2* ACS Complete – Cpl Martin
Basic ACS Complete – Cdt Preston
ACCT Presidents Certificate for excellence in the DofE – Sgt Walker
All in all, it was a really positive visit which the Mayor and cadets thoroughly enjoyed.
Text and picture by SSI Dale Irving.