Autumn 2012

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Tattoo colour: p11
High
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R ES E
Inside
Merlin
magic: p7
FO R
A publication by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association
(RFCA) for the North of England
Autumn 2012
How we helped to
launch the Games
H
T H E N O RT
OF
News
Welcome
22
Our region
T
he North of England Reserve Forces
and Cadets Association (RFCA)
is one of 13 Associations across
the UK which coordinate the activities
of the local Volunteer Reserves and
Cadet units, employers support and
community engagement activities.
The Reserve Forces include:
n Royal Naval Reserves
n Royal Marines Reserve
n Territorial Army
n Royal Auxilliary Air Force
For more information please visit
NORTHUMBERLAND
www.rfca-ne.org.uk
TYNE &
WEAR
COUNTY DURHAM
TEESSIDE
New
website
goes live see page 4
Cover
picture: Bear
Grylls with
maritime
reservists
from HMS
CALLIOPE
Inside this edition
7
8
9
16
19
23
News and features............................4-13
Employers.......................................14-16
Cadets..............................................17-23
The Last Word...................................... 24
North East
Volunteer
Welcome
W
elcome to the Autumn 2012 edition
of the North East Volunteer. I hope
everyone has had an enjoyable summer
and I know that for most of our Reserves and
Cadets it has been an exceptionally busy one.
As well as attending their normal annual camps,
they contributed significantly to Her Majesty the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, both locally
and nationally, as can be seen from the many
photographs and articles included in this edition.
Our Volunteer Reservists, alongside their Regular
counterparts, gave outstanding support to the
success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
in London during July and August. It has been
a truly unique year and hopefully the spirit
engendered and displayed, particularly by those
injured military personnel who participated
in the London Paralympic games, and the
opening and closing ceremonies, will continue.
Although we now know the strategic outcomes
from the Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) Review,
the detailed size and location of every Reserve
sub-unit has still to be decided. We are
unlikely to know this laydown in the region
much before the spring of next year.
Our new Website is now up and running. It is
much easier to edit and for visitors, easier to
navigate. We hope everyone will make use of it
and find something there to interest them. Please
let us have details of any events or information
you would like to see added to the site.
Thank you to all those who have contributed
to this edition of the North East Volunteer, and
please remember to send us your articles and
photographs for the Spring 2013 issue.
COL JONNY HACKETT,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
North of England RFCA, 53 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3JJ
Tel: 0191 383 6256 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rfca-ne.org.uk
3
4
News and Features
New website
goes live
The RFCA for the North of England has
launched a new website to provide the
organisation with a means of providing
information to our Volunteers, staff
and other interested parties.
The original website was primarily
designed as a means of having
an internet presence to identify
what the RFCA is and does.
However, RFCA Head of
Administration, Richard Reed, said:
“The contents pages were static, but
as time passed the need to provide
new information in the form of news,
events and downloads became
clear, and although the site had
provision for a secure members’ area,
this was never fully developed.
“We decided that we should reexamine the requirement of having
a site and the information it could
and should contain. The possibilities
were endless but needed to be
limited to what was achievable with
the small number of support staff.
“There are aspirations to develop
the site further as we become more
confident with the management
system, and there is sufficient flexibility
to adapt the new version without
starting again.”
The new
site has been
designed and
developed to
be more in line
with industry
standards
and features
a simpler
navigation making it easier for visitors
to find the content they want.
Built by York-based web
development company See Green,
the new site was launched in August.
Richard said: “We’re really pleased
with how simple it is for us as
administrators to use the new site.
The main panel and photos are
now fully editable with a further
column on the right hand side for
additional content and photos.
“We are confident that the website
will be a useful source of information
and news for everyone with an
interest in the work of the RFCA.”
Best men
join forces
N
ew Officer Commanding
Major Dan Hall should
have no problems taking
over from his fellow Officer and
Best Man, Major Jon Carroll,
at 72 Engineer Regiment
They have been used to
following each other as their
careers and personal lives have
linked together over the years.
Dan Hall was 50 yards ahead of
Jon Carroll as they marched off the
Sandhurst Officer Training square in
1999. In 2004, Jon mobilised with
3 Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment,
on Op TELIC 4 and Dan with HQ
4 Armoured Brigade on TELIC 5.
Finally in 2009, Dan was best
man at Jon’s wedding to his bride
Catherine, and a year later Jon
acted as best man for Dan, who
married Jill, and both wives are
currently expecting children.
The two started life as Combat
Engineers in 1 Troop at the
Squadron’s Headquarters in
Heaton, Newcastle, before
commissioning with 71 Engineer
Regiment (V) in 1999. Both
became Troop Commanders with
72 Field Squadron (Air Sp) (V).
“It’s been a busy three years
for the Squadron, with soldiers
and officers deployed on
four consecutive Herrick
tours and a large cohort on
Herrick 10,” said Jon.
Dan returns to 72 Engineer
Regiment after two years with
the Officer Training Wing of
15 (NE) Brigade, and many of
its soldiers will remember him
both as a sapper and later as
an officer, in the Regiment.
“It’s an exciting time to take over
a TA squadron, with the build-up
to an operational tour beginning
and the positive role that the
Reserves will play in the future
of the Corps. Becoming OC of
the Squadron where you began
your career as a Sapper is a real
privilege and I’m looking forward
to the challenge,” said Dan.
North East
Volunteer
5
Community covenants pledge support for Armed Forces
L
ocal authorities from
across the region have
been drawing up Military
Covenants, pledging to support
the Armed Forces in their areas.
They want to ensure that
members of the Armed Forces are
not disadvantaged, particularly
when moving into the area after
serving with the Regular Forces.
The covenants relate
to housing lists, schools,
doctors and dentists’ lists.
To date, 11 of the 12 local
authorities in the region have
formally signed their covenants.
Pictured above: the Durham
Community Covenant signing – Cllr
Linda Marshall, Mayor of Durham,
representatives of the Armed Forces,
the RFCA and representatives of
the Royal British Legion, who work
with Durham County Council to
support the military community.
Fusiliers Damian and Ross work
together and serve together
Two North East Fusiliers are used
to being left with bruises from
paintballs in their civilian jobs. But
Damian Rowell and Ross Davison
swapped paintballs for bullets when
they embarked upon a
recent tour of duty to
Afghanistan and came
under enemy fire.
The pair, both
members of Z
Company, the
Fifth Battalion the
Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers (5RRF),
grew up together,
became TA soldiers
at the same time, and served
alongside each other.
Now back on British soil they are
settling back into their day jobs
at the paintball centre in Felton.
Since May last year,
27 Territorial Army
volunteers from 5RRF
have been working
alongside their Regular
Army counterparts
in Afghanistan.
Damian and Ross
were also interviewed
for the local BBC Look
North news in July.
Soldier Steve
chosen for
Apprenticeship
Soldier Steve Dunn is
one of 10 Reservists
throughout the country
chosen to join an Army
Apprenticeship Scheme.
The national TA Education
& Qualification Scheme is
a national pilot course run
by the Army. It will give
Steve, from 72 Engineer
Regiment (V), the same
level of training offered to
regular soldiers to become
Army vehicle mechanics.
6
News and Features
Freedom for Rifles
A
North East Battalion
has been awarded
the Freedom
of Spennymoor in a
special ceremony.
Soldiers from D Company
(Rifles) 5th Battalion of the
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
were awarded the civic honour
on Armed Forces Day in
recognition of their services
and strong links to the area.
Major Gill said: “We are
very proud that Spennymoor
bestowed this accolade
on a company of such
high esteem and with
strong links to the area.
“This honour reaffirms the
traditional links between
Spennymoor and the Rifles. This
is particularly important at a
time when many of our soldiers
remain deployed on operations
in Afghanistan, and the drive
to recruit more soldiers into
exciting careers in the Territorial
Army is gathering pace.”
❝ We are very proud that Spennymoor
bestowed this accolade on a
company of such high esteem and
with strong links to the area ❞
North East
Volunteer
7
HMS Bulwark
in Freedom
of Durham
parade
Sir Paul Nicholson,
Lord-Lieutenant
of Durham, and
Capt Alex Burton,
Commanding Officer,
HMS BULWARK,
taking the salute
as the crew of HMS
Bulwark march
in the Freedom of
Durham Parade,
watched by the
Mayor, Cllr Les
Thomson.
8
News and Features
Countess presents
campaign medals
T
he Countess of Wessex
presented campaign
medals to members
of 201 (Northern) Field
Hospital (V) as part of
Armed Forces Day in June.
The Countess was the guest
of honour at a celebration in
Newcastle to mark not only
Armed Forces Day but also the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
She attended the Tyne
and Wear Diamond Jubilee
Gala as Honorary Colonel-inChief of Queen Alexandra’s
201 Field Hospital Commanding Officer,
Colonel Sharon McDowell, watches on
as the Countess of Wessex presents the
Afghan Medal to Major Robert Heycock.
Royal Army Nursing Corps.
More than 50 volunteers
from 201 Field Hospital
recently returned from three
months’ active service in
Afghanistan and the Countess
presented them with medals
in recognition of their service.
Members were also presented
with Diamond Jubilee medals for
their loyal service to the Queen.
Working in a range of
roles, members of 201 Field
Hospital ran the Camp Bastion
field hospital in Afghanistan,
treating more than 1,000
injured soldiers and civilians.
The Countess, who has
herself visited Camp Bastion,
went on to spend time
talking to members of the
Armed Forces, cadets and the
emergency services, finding
out more about their work.
North East
Volunteer
9
Diamond Jubilee Tattoo
A few snapshots of some of the colourful entertainment provided at the Diamond Jubilee Tattoo held in Sunderland
on Armed Forces Day. The event was judged by everyone – audience and performers alike – as a huge success.
10
News and Features
Injured Corporal moves to
specially adapted home
A
tetraplegic soldier injured
in Afghanistan has just
been given the key to
a new home, thanks to the
support of military charities.
Former Army rugby player
Simon Gilmore was injured in an
ammunition explosion in 2010 in
Afghanistan. On his return home,
and during his recovery, he was
also involved in a car accident. His
resulting injuries left him with no
sensation from the chest down
and limited hand movement.
Simon is confined to a wheelchair
and has to move around his
home with the aid of a hoist.
Simon wanted to live in Newton
Aycliffe, near Darlington, so with the
help of Haig Housing Trust, a suitable
property was identified in the town,
close to local shops, allowing him a
greater degree of independence.
Trust
Through the Shared Ownership
Scheme, Simon was able to
purchase the house which
was adapted to meet his living
requirements with more than
£150,000 from the MOD and
Armed Forces charities, which
included almost £10,000
from Haig Housing Trust.
The whole project was managed
by the estates staff of the NE RFCA.
Simon said “I’m really pleased
with the results. The house looks
fantastic, it has everything I need
to allow me to get around and live
as independently as possible. The
whole team has worked together
to help me and I can finally call
somewhere home again”.
A recent handover ceremony took
place at Simon’s new home with all
the agencies involved in the project.
Handover: from left,
Rory Ingleby-Mackenzie,
Operational Director, Haig
Housing Trust and his
assistant; WO2 Paul Smith,
Personnel Recovery Officer,
15 (NE) Bde; Maj Sid Goodall,
Capital Works Requirement
Manager, Defence
Infrastructure Organisation;
John Dawson, architect;
Clive Thompson, Building
Maintenance Officer, NE
RFCA ; and John Bainbridge
of Bainbridge Building
Contractors.
Haig Housing Trust’s Coming Home
Campaign aims to raise £20m over the
next five years to help more injured
and disabled servicemen like Simon
into suitably adapted homes.
To find out more, or to donate, visit
www.coming-home.org.uk or call
020 8685 5770
News and Features
11
Focus on… 216 Brigade
Support Squadron
The Squadron is part of the TA’s 159 Supply Regiment, The Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers) formed in 2007. As
a Supply Regiment, it controls the issue and accounting for all the 750,000 items of equipment the Army uses. Its
main aim is to train its soldiers for operations where they work alongside soldiers from Regular Army regiments.
It’s been a very busy year
for 216 Squadron – here are
just a few highlights:
Expeditions
❝ Following
more training,
the Squadron will
be preparing for
Operation Herrick
18 later this year ❞
The Squadron took part in two adventure
training expeditions - Barbarian Downhill
and Barbarian Soak. Learning to ski and
snowboard as part of Barbarian Downhill
and then going up to the Lake District for
Barbarian Soak doing Canadian canoeing
and Ghyll scrambling - an activity which
involves working your way up or down
a gorge in a tumbling mountain river.
The Squadron’s Sergeant Major
managed to lose his wedding
ring – just before his first wedding
anniversary – whilst canoeing; but
a great time was had by all.
Afghanistan
The Squadron welcomed back two
soldiers from operations in Afghanistan.
Private Paul Tambin and Private Mark
Tannock had been deployed on
Operation Herrick 16 earlier this
year and there are currently three
members deployed on Operation
Herrick 17 in Afghanistan.
Following more training, the
Squadron will be preparing for
Operation Herrick 18 later this year.
Olympics
Five members of the Squadron were
involved in Operation Olympics,
as part of the Venue Security
Force at the Olympic Park for the
Olympics and Paralympics events.
12
News and Features
CALLIOPE zip wire – the
T
housands of people
crowded on the Tyne
quaysides in June
to watch Bear Grylls zip
wire onto HMS CALLIOPE’s
parade ground as part of the
Olympic torch journey.
TV action man Grylls, who
is an Honorary Lieutenant
Commander in the Royal Naval
Reserve, made the 400m journey
carrying the legendary torch
before touching down within
HMS CALLIOPE and performing
the ‘kiss’ to pass the flame on.
Regional Staff Officer, Lieutenant
Commander Paul Dawson, helped
to organise the event. He said:
“It really was a once in a lifetime
opportunity involving the Royal
Navy Reserves, Royal Marines
Reserves and the Scouts.
“We were all delighted to
be part of the event, although
the organisation took some
doing and timing was critical.
“We were aware that the event
was being televised live onto the
BBC’s The One Show, so we were
conscious that if Bear Grylls started
too early the show might not be
ready, and if we waited too long
we could ruin the programme.”
The parade ground of HMS
CALLIOPE is often the destination
for charity zip wires from the road
level of the Tyne Bridge, but on
Bear Grylls
with maritime
reservists from
HMS CALLIOPE
and local
Scouts
this occasion, the zip started right
at the apex of the bridge, making
it much more of a spectacle.
Around 6,500 people lined the
River Tyne to watch the event
and Lt Cdr Dawson said that it
was an occasion to be proud of.
“It’s great to be able to say that
we’ve played a part in the torch
relay, and it serves to promote
who we are and what we do too.
Bear Grylls has served in the
Army and Special Forces and
his honorary position allows
him a ‘home away from home’
in any Royal Naval Reserve
unit around the country.
He features in TV series Man
vs Wild and Born Survivor, in
which he shows viewers how
to survive in dangerous and
inhospitable parts of the world.
North East
Volunteer
13
e Bear facts…
Fusiliers and
Flame move
forward together
THE Olympic Torch had a military
escort during the Durham leg
of the relay event. Soldiers from
the Fifth Battalion the Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers were called
on by the London Organising
Committee of the Olympic and
Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to
help the smooth transition of
the torch through Durham and
onwards to Newton Aycliffe.
The fusiliers and riflemen of
the Fifth Battalion escorted the
torch from Durham City, through
all the kissing points in the
county, until it left the county.
Fusilier Hanley, of Z Coy,
said: “It was a real honour to
help escort the torch through
Durham, and be on hand
to assist the torchbearers in
their moment to shine.”
Sergeant Kelly Crow,
HQ Coy, added: “We were
pleased to be asked to assist
in escorting the flame.
“It was a moment in
history that the Fusiliers were
proud to be a part of.”
The Olympic Flame was being
carried 8,000 miles around
the UK before it arrived at the
Olympic Stadium on July 27 for
the official opening ceremony.
Quayside wall replaced
More than 50m of quayside wall has
been replaced at HMS CALLIOPE in
Gateshead, leaving the Royal Naval
Reserve unit with a new parade area.
HMS CALLIOPE was built in the
1960s and the quayside wall had
fallen into serious disrepair, with
huge holes forming and parts
falling away into the river.
Funding from the Royal Navy meant
that the wall could be rebuilt, providing
a safer environment to work in, as well
as a restyled car park and parade area
- just in time for Bear Grylls’ zip wire.
The massive project began with
initial ground investigation works
before the heavy plant was brought
in to what is a very confined area.
Major strengthening works took
place by using boreholes, anchor
tubes and installing a sheet pile
wall and supporting beams.
Regional Staff Officer Lt Cdr Paul
Dawson said: “The project came in
under budget and on time, and we
are very grateful to the NE RFCA, who
managed the project from business
case to completion, for providing
us with a much needed new parade
area as well as a safe quayside.
“This was a massive undertaking,
from the clearing of the site to
actually getting the heavy plant in
place and then the installation of
the quayside wall, which was an
incredible feat of engineering.”
The work finished with the laying
of the concrete parade area and the
installation of a new flag pole.
14
Employers
A magical adventure –
S
eventy two adventurous
managers from companies and
businesses throughout the
North took part in a thrilling
weekend exercise event at
Catterick this summer.
The very first Exercise
Merlin Executive took
place at Catterick Training
Area in June, organised
by 4th Battalion, The
Yorkshire Regiment.
This was the first such
exercise for three
years since Exercise
Executive Stretch,
and plans are already
under way for a repeat
event next year.
Participants were welcomed to
the Camp on the Thursday evening
and on Friday morning the
teams were ready to face a day of
challenges, ranging from vehicle
recovery and casualty handling
through to boating and abseiling.
Friday was also visitors’ day,
when a number of their work
colleagues turned up to see them
in action and the day ended
with a Regimental dinner.
The following morning was
the Commander’s Challenge,
a gruelling stamina-testing
exercise with prizes for
the winning team.
Next year’s Exercise
Merlin Executive will
be organised by 72
Engineer Regiment
from Gateshead.
EGGER employees’ excellent experience
Nine brave employees from EGGER,
a leading wood-based panel
manufacturer, took part in this year’s
Exercise MERLIN EXECUTIVE.
The Austrian-owned company
has a worldwide presence and has
taken part in MERLIN EXECUTIVE
before, under its previous
guise of Executive Stretch.
Employees were asked
to register their interest in
taking part in the exercise
Jackie Stevenson, Human
Resources Manager explained:
“The event serves to expose our
employees to management principles
and processes that will develop and
test them in ways that many people
will not have experienced before.
“These will bring out strengths,
help them overcome weaknesses
and fears as well as giving them
the unique experience to interact
with others in a pressured ‘real
survival’ safe environment and
hopefully transfer the learning
back to the workplace.
“We would like to
congratulate the MERLIN
EXECUTIVE participants on
their excellent achievement,
particularly given the
terrible wet weather that
they had to contend with!”
“I would also like to express
my appreciation for the
Army personnel involved
with the Exercise. Their
training shone through and
filled all of our participants
with the confidence to
complete their appointed tasks” .
Tom Pearson, Pricing and Rebate
Co-ordinator said: “The MERLIN
EXECUTIVE Stretch was a challenging
and thought provoking experience
giving insight into life in the British
Army and the Reservists. The
exercise encouraged leadership,
teamwork and British bull dog
determination to carry on with
your chin up despite the weather,
tiredness and physical fatigue.”
And Sarah Yeats, Graphics
Sarah Yeats about to take
a leap of faith.
Co-ordinator added: “MERLIN
EXECUTIVE taught me that teamwork
and leadership are key ingredients
for success. It also reinforced in a
practical manner that it’s not just
important to work as a team, but vital
to encourage those around you to
achieve and exceed shared goals.”
North East
Volunteer
15
15
– it’s Exercise Merlin
16
Employers
Party is fanfare for
supportive employers
E
mployers who continue
to support the
Reserve Forces were
treated to a celebratory
cocktail party to mark the
Diamond Jubilee in July.
Members of 50 (Northern)
Signal Squadron hosted
an Employers’ Cocktail
Party with a Beating the
Retreat ceremony to mark
the occasion on 7 July,
with over 100 dignitaries,
employers and military
representatives attending.
The event included
presentations of medals
and a display from the
Royal Signals Band, 102
Battalion REME Pipes and
Drums and 405 (Darlington)
Squadron ATC Band.
Dinner for North East companies
Forty guests from North
East companies attended
the bi-annual SaBRE dinner
at Wynyard Hall this year.
The guests included Sir John
and Lady Hall, military personnel
and representatives from
employers in both the public
and private sectors. The evening
was hosted by Lieutenant
Guests enjoying the bi-annual
SaBRE dinner at Wynyard Hall
General Robin Brims, Chairman
of the North of England RFCA,
and Arthur Charlton, Regional
SaBRE Campaign Director.
The evening included the
presentation of four SaBRE
certificates in recognition
of support for the Reserve
Forces. These went to Davies
Transport Ltd of Darlington,
Darlington Building Society,
Stockton Borough Council and
Redcar and Cleveland Council.
Cadets
17
Here are the contacts for our
Cadet Forces in the North East:
TS Collingwood award
T
he South Shields Sea Cadet
Unit has won a prestigious
award for being the most
successful Unit in the area.
Sea Cadet Unit TS
Collingwood, picked up the
first District Achievement Award, a
new initiative by the local branch of
the Marine Society and Sea Cadets.
The unit was given the
award for its achievements
and high standards following a
rigorous assessment process.
The Trophy was presented
to the Unit Chairman, Mr John
Eltringham, by the Chairman
of the MSSC Tyne Tees Branch,
Mr Victor Spong MBE.
Sea Cadet Corps
(Northern Area)
HMS Caledonia
Rosyth
Fife
KY11 2XH
01383 425931/01383 412121 ext 65931
[email protected]
www.seacadets.org
Durham ACF
TA Centre
Picktree Lane
Chester le Street
Co Durham
DH3 3SR
0191 388 2351
[email protected]
www.armycadets.com/
county/durham/home/
Cleveland ACF
TA Centre
Picktree Lane
Chester le Street
Co Durham
DH3 3SR
01642 242412
[email protected]
www.clevelandacf.co.uk
Northumbria ACF
Fox Barracks
High Pit Road
Cramlington
Northumberland
NE23 6RA
01670 732323
[email protected]
www.nacf.org.uk
Central & East Yorkshire Wing ATC
Building 8
RAF Linton on Ouse
York
YO30 2AJ
01347 847463/847425
acowghq-ceyoc@
lintononouse.raf.mod.uk
www.aircadets.org
MBE for Colonel
Colonel David Middleton
became a Member of the British
Empire (MBE) on the Queen’s
Birthday Honours Civil List.
He was nominated by the
Department for Work and
Pensions for his work in
supporting community groups
and disadvantaged individuals.
Everyone from Northumbria
Army Cadet Force congratulated
the new Commandant on
his well-deserved award.
Colonel David Middleton MBE TD
Durham/Northumberland Wing ATC
RFCA Centre
Knightsbridge
Gosforth
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE3 2JJ
0191 213 1919
[email protected]
www.aircadets.org
1818
News
Cadets
Freedom of No
N orth East
Volunteer
Northumberland
A
rmed Forces Day
was celebrated
by members of
Northumbria Army Cadet
Force with a massive parade
and medal ceremony.
Around 250 members
celebrated with a parade,
headed by the Cassino Band,
with the Banner Party carrying
the national ACF standard.
Northumbria County
Commandant, Col David
Middleton, is pictured receiving
the framed scroll parchment
from Northumberland
County Council’s Chairman
Councillor Smith, granting
Northumbria ACF the right
to march on ceremonial
occasions with flags flying
and drums beating in the
County of Northumberland.
The Duchess of
Northumberland and
Brigadier Bibby, Commander
of 15 (North East) Brigade,
presented Diamond Jubilee
medals to Adult members
of Northumbria ACF with
over five years’ service.
19
19
Cadets
2020
Youngsters from Longbenton Air
Cadets joined with 733 (Newcastle
Airport) Squadron on a silver
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
expedition to Hadrian’s Wall.
The three-day expedition included a
special Diamond Jubilee party. Daniel
Horner, 15, of Benton said: “We had really
good fun and enjoyed our Jubilee Party – it
was great celebrating in the middle of the
countryside and we’ll always remember it.”
Meanwhile, back in Longbenton,
the rest of the Squadron attended a
special service at St. Bartholomew’s
Church, before joining the community
for a Diamond Jubilee lunch.
The cadets also used the occasion to
raise funds for the British Heart Foundation
by selling homemade Diamond Jubilee
cakes and raised £126 for the cause.
Queen’s visit
Her Majesty The Queen
visited North Tyneside as
part of her Diamond Jubilee
tour and was greeted by
Longbenton Air Cadets.
The Air Cadets performed
their tribute repertoire to
The Queen to mark the
occasion and welcomed her
with a “Local Hero” fanfare.
Cadet Jonny Vickers, 17,
of Killingworth, said: “We
were all really nervous about
today but now it’s over it
has to be the best day of our
lives; I never thought I would
be saluting the Queen!”
Cadets mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Gosforth Sea Cadets were
crewing the boats which
escorted the Queen on the
Royal Barge down the Thames
as part of her Diamond Jubilee
celebrations this Summer.
In addition, cadets sailed
on TS Royalist, the Sea
Cadet Corps flagship, and
were also selected to light
one of the 2012 beacons.
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Winning at
a Canter…
A team of Cadets celebrated
after finishing first in a
tough military exercise.
The team from Y Company,
Northumbria ACF successfully
competed against 20 other teams
from across the north to win
Exercise Colts Canter, organised
by 15 (North East) Brigade.
The team is pictured here with
Brigadier Bibby, the Brigade
Commander, who presented the
team members with their trophies.
High standard
Two young Cadet Sergeants received proficiency awards from the Lord-Lieutenant
of Tyne & Wear, Mr Nigel Sherlock, earlier this year. The presentations were made to
Cadet Sergeant Hedison,17, (left) from Heaton and Cadet Sergeant McGregor ,17, from
Walker who both received the Army Cadet Force Four Star Proficiency Certificate.
Liam is
2012 LordLieutenant’s
Cadet
Seventeen year-old Cadet RSM
Liam Arnot from Gosforth has been
appointed as one of this year’s LordLieutenant’s Cadet for Tyne and Wear.
Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Nigel Sherlock,
appoints at least one cadet from each
of the three Cadet Forces in the County
– the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet
Force and the Air Training Corps.
Liam joined Northumbria ACF
in May 2007 and since then has
risen through the ranks to Cadet
Regimental Sergeant Major.
Liam was chosen for his
outstanding performance, personal
qualities and contribution to the
aims and spirit of Northumbria
Army Cadet Forces.
A Longbenton Air Cadet is
celebrating another first for the
Squadron after taking part in the
inaugural Junior Standard Bearer
Competition, organised by the
Royal Air Force Association.
Cadet Connor Price, 16,
said “I really enjoyed the
challenge of learning the
different movements and
then having to perform
them for the competition.
It was really good fun!”
Flight Lieutenant Gary
Richardson, Officer
Commanding of Longbenton
Air Cadets, added: “Connor
has taken well to his new
role as Squadron Standard
Bearer and the
competition
was his first
run out in
public.” 22
Cadets
Prince of Wales visits
Cadets got a chance to meet HRH Prince
Charles in Newcastle earlier this year when
Northumbria ACF assisted the Queen’s Own
Yeomanry exercise its Freedom of Newcastle. As the inspecting officer, the Prince of
Wales asked to meet local Cadets and he is
pictured here talking to Cadet McGregor
from Walker Detachment.
The new
bronze
statue of
Brandon.
Below:
The Cadet
models for
the artist.
Running for Ryan
A group of Army Cadets paid
tribute to a former colleague as
they ran in his memory at this
year’s Children’s Cancer Run.
Northumbria Army Cadets took
part in the five-mile course at Gosforth
Park in May, as they competed for the
“Corporal Ryan Francis Trophy” in the first
Cadet Tri-Service five-mile competition.
Corporal Ryan Francis was a cadet from
Ashington who sadly died of cancer in
July 2009. The Cadet Force decided to
start the Tri-Service five-mile run in his
honour after volunteering at the Children’s
Cancer run throughout its 30-year history.
Since the very first run in 1982, various
detachments and companies from
the ACF have supported the event.
Captain Richard de Planta was
overseeing the day’s challenge as well as
the behind the scenes support for the run,
“I can say, on behalf of the AFC, that our
involvement in the Children’s Cancer Run is
our pleasure and privilege. The organising
Committee are always very appreciative
of the help given by the cadets as they
are all volunteers as well, and they’ve
said that they could not run the event
without the help of Northumbria ACF.”
Cadet statue unveiled as
Brandon immortalised
Durham Cadet Brandon Mulvey
has been immortalised in bronze.
He was chosen to model
for the statue, which is a
memorial to the Durham Light
Infantry’s service in Korea.
The life-sized bronze statue,
which cost £75,000, has been
unveiled and is now on display
at the National Memorial
Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Lord-Lieutneant’s Cadet
Mulvey from Chester-le-Street
detachment of Durham
ACF was there to see it
being unveiled in July.
Army Cadets reaching out
Youngsters from Walker Technology
College took part in a discovery day
at Otterburn Army Training Camp,
as part of the Army Cadet Force’s
Outreach community project.
Since it started in 1994 nearly
9,000 young people, have taken
part in the Outreach community
project. Outreach seeks to help
build confidence and broaden
people’s perspective on what
they can achieve with their lives
to become responsible citizens.
The discovery day, led by
Northumbria Army Cadet Force,
included the climbing wall, obstacle
course, Command tasks, PAT (Physical
Achievements Test) and Drill.
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Packed
schedule
at Durham
ACF Camp
There was time for both
enjoyment and reflection
at Durham ACF’s annual
camp this year.
In the coastal setting of Barry
Buddon military training area,
cadets enjoyed a wide variety of
military and adventure training,
including mountain biking.
They also attended a memorial
service to honour the fallen of
45 Commando at the Marine
Commando Memorial, which
is located in a tranquil corner
of the training centre.
The County’s Padre, Major
The Reverend Canon Alan
Hughes CF TD, conducted
the service, and asked cadets
to remember as well those
currently serving on operations,
many of whom trained at Barry.
Representatives of the Royal
British Legion also attended and
music was provided by The Band
and Bugles of The ACF, who are
to play at The Royal Albert Hall
in London later in the year.
Air Cadets fly in to tidy local country park
Young Air Cadets received recognition
from the Duchess of Northumberland for
helping to tidy their local country park.
The Air Cadets from 2344
(Longbenton) Squadron joined forces
with Northumberland County Council
almost five years ago to assist in the
battle to tidy Bolam Lake Country Park,
near Belsay in Northumberland.
Over the years, the young people
have undertaken conservation work
such as clearing streams, laying
paths, building drains and have
ploughed their way through the
rhododendrons in order to conserve
the woodland for visitors and its natural
inhabitants; including red squirrels.
Commended Cadets: From left,
Cadet Sergeant Chloe Durham, The
Duchess of Northumberland, Cdt
Cpl Zach Wylie, Cdt Andrew Corbett
and Flt Lt Gary Richardson.
The cadets’ environmental project
has been highly commended by
Northumberland County Council as
part of the LOVE Northumberland
Awards 2012.
Cadet Chloe Durham, 17, of Forest Hall,
said: “It’s always very hard work at Bolam
Lake but we really enjoy it and it makes
us feel good to know we have made a
difference to visitors’ experiences and the
animals that live there.” The youngsters were presented with
their commendation certificate by the
Duchess at an awards ceremony in the
stunning setting of Alnwick Gardens.
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