Cadet Corporal Rhianna Murphy receiving trophy from Lt Colonel Hodson

Over 130 teenage Army Cadets from all over North and West London converged on Horsenden Hill, Perivale on a freezing Sunday morning 29 January to take part in the annual cross country running competition. Junior and Senior Boys and Girls events were run over the 5 Kilometre course in bitterly cold but bright conditions with over twenty teams competing.

Sixteen year old Cadet Corporal Rhianna Murphy of Hayes struck gold as she took first place in the Senior Girls run.( Pictured receiving trophy from Lt Colonel Hodson TD ) She is a pupil at Bishop Halt School and joined Army Cadets two years ago.

Lt Colonel Mark Hodson TD, Commandant of the Army Cadet Sector in North West London presented the awards. He said “This is an excellent turnout for the cross country event. It’s tremendous that so many of you have turned out to take part in the competition –you have all done well, those who won and those who took part “.

Winners from this event will go forward to represent London at the Regional and National Cross Country Championships later this month.

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.

Senior Boys Team Winners

Over 130 teenage Army Cadets from all over North and West London converged on Horsenden Hill, Perivale on a freezing Sunday morning 29 January to take part in the annual cross country running competition. Junior and Senior Boys and Girls events were run over the 5 Kilometre course in bitterly cold but bright conditions with over twenty teams competing.

Eighteen year old Cadet Lance Corporal Jamal Hounam of Shepherds Bush struck gold as she took first place in the Senior Boys run. ( Pictured receiving trophy from Lt Colonel Hodson TD ) Jamal has been in Army Cadets since 2008. In addition the 204 White City Detachment (Para) cadets (pictured) also won the Senior Boys Team prize.

Lt Colonel Mark Hodson TD, Commandant of the Army Cadet Sector in North West London presented the awards. He said “This is an excellent turnout for the cross country event. It’s tremendous that so many of you have turned out to take part in the competition –you have all done well, those who won and those who took part “.

Winners from this event will go forward to represent London at the Regional and National Cross Country Championships later this month.

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55

Caroline is head of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly and Brian is the Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, and a retired Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Met Police.

Caroline and Brian watched the Cadets performing drill and then inspected them in sub zero temperatures before moving inside where both of them gave presentations about their roles and work.

Caroline described her role on the London Assembly and as a member of the Police Authority and Transport Committee including the one hour bus ticket campaign.

Brian spoke about his time as a police constable in the mid 1970′s which the cadets found very interesting followed by his mayoral aspirations and a description of eating ‘creepy crawlies’ and accompanying weight loss when he starred in I’m a Celebrity in 2008!

Brian then assisted in a cadet education session focusing on robbery and stop & search. A scenario followed where Brian played the role of robbery suspect and 2 cadets acted as police officers. The Cadets showed considerable knowledge of law and procedure as they were quizzed by the ‘suspect’ before he consented to be searched, the stolen property (a mobile phone) was recovered and he was arrested.

Caroline has invited the cadet unit to visit and have a tour round City Hall, the home of the London Assembly.

Commenting after the visit Caroline Pidgeon said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. It was especially great to see so many young men and women actively involved in this organisation.”

“Before the visit I had some idea how impressive Police Cadets were, but this visit has totally confirmed that!”

Brian Paddick further commented: “I was very impressed with the turn out of the cadets, their numbers and how smart and keen they all were. I’ve always said that I don’t miss the job, but having visited the Cadets I realise how much I wish I could be out on patrol as a police officer in uniform again.”

Publishing, Journalism and Media student Lydia Gray, from 1st Leyton GB, shares her experiences of her time at GB in January…

‘I joined GB aged four, found that I loved it, and started going to church too. So, when I had to do a week of work experience for my journalism course at Middlesex University, it made sense to apply to GB’s magazine The View.

‘I live in London, and the GB office is in Didcot, so I only went in from Monday to Wednesday, travelling there and back on the train. I worked from home on Thursday and then met Media Co-ordinator Catherine Burt in Central London on Friday.

‘I spent most of Monday meeting everyone and finding out about their roles – that afternoon I chose some possible images for the spring View cover and wrote a cover headline. I was thrilled when I saw the cover design with the title and one of the images I’d chosen on.

‘It was amazing to be given such important work – on Tuesday and Wednesday I wrote some stories sent in by various groups for the spring edition and then a programme page.
‘On Thursday, I spent a couple of hours researching and thinking of ideas for design and articles. I also reviewed a series of books and spent the afternoon writing another programme page for the summer edition.

‘On Friday, I met Catherine and GB’s London Development Worker Liz Sarkodie. I interviewed Liz about YOU.Matter for an article about that. After lunch, Catherine and I discussed my ideas from the day before, how my week had been and the interview article.
‘The week was wonderful and I’m sad that it’s over. I really enjoyed it and feel it was a useful experience, so now I’m just waiting to see the issue of The View with my work in it!’

Best new cadet – Ali Golchin
Award for exellence & commitment for 3 years – Patrick McCleary, Patron McCleary and Hamzah Parvez
Cadets cadet of the year – Patrick McCleary
Cadet of the year 2011- Alfie Bance
Team of the year – Iron team

Borough Commander Jason Gwillim said: “It is important that we recognise the positive and valuable contribution that young people make in our communities and I would like to congratulate all of the cadets whose personal achievements have been recognised this evening.

“Tonight’s ceremony however is not just about celebrating the personal achievements of a few and I would like to pay tribute to the effort and commitment of all our cadets and thank them for the fantastic job that they do, not only in supporting the work of my officers in the local community but also the professionalism and pride which they have displayed whenever they have been called upon to represent the Royal Borough.”

VPC Co-Ordinator for Kensington and Chelsea, PC Jayne Richardson said: “2011 has been an amazing year, which saw the Metropolitan Police Service pushed to the limits as we witnessed some of the most disturbing images seen in London with the riots. During those difficult times we were still able to rely on the help and support of our cadets, all of whom stepped up to the challenge and volunteered for all events as and when required.

Cadets & Leaders celebrate after intensive weekend course

Leaders in the Volunteer Police Cadet Programme (VPC) and the London Area Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) have received a letter from Her Majesty the Queen congratulating them on the delivery of the first ever Leadership course run jointly by the VPC and Sea Cadet Programme for Senior Cadets in London.

CRSM Patrick Wharton Lt Col Hodson ex CRSM Kris Patel handover stick

Seventeen year old Patrick Wharton of Lindfield Road Ealing has been selected from over a thousand Army Cadets to be Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major ( RSM) of the Middlesex and North west London Army Cadet ACF ( Army Cadet Force).

On Monday (30th January) before an invited audience of guests, family and fellow cadets at the Hammersmith Headquarters, he was formally appointed Cadet RSM for the year ahead. He received the stick of office from the outgoing Cadet RSM, under the watchful eye of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hodson TD Commandant of Middlesex and North West London ACF.

The Cadet RSM acts as a role model for others and is an annual appointment to the most suitable person who has also achieved most in their cadet time. Amid stiff competition, Cadet RSM Wharton recently passed his Master Cadet Course with flying colours, a prestigious event run at the Cadet National Training Centre in Frimley Surrey.

Patrick joined the Army Cadets in 2006 and made a good early impression at his 203 Brentford Detachment (Royal Logistic Corps) in Windmill Road. He has impressed his seniors with his smartness, attendance and unstinting contribution to the Brentford Army Cadets. Last year he was presented with the prestigious Deputy Lord Lieutenant Awards by Major Paul Kennerley Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow at a special evening at Chiswick House. 

On receiving the appointment he said “This is the role that I was aiming for and I’m very grateful that it has come good. I’m looking forward to meeting more cadets and staff around the whole sector. I hope to attend as many field weekends and events as possible. By the time I hand over to the next Cadet RSM, I hope to have helped as many cadets as possible to attain want they want out of their time in the ACF. The aspects that I most enjoy about belonging to the movement are the courses I have done such as Senior Cadet Instructors Course, the Cadet Leadership Course, and the Junior Commando Course, plus the rewards of improving and inspiring younger cadets. After the ACF, I’m aiming to go onto to university and then apply have the skills I’ve acquired from cadets to a career in the Royal Marines or possibly a geography teacher.”

A further boost for Brentford Army Cadets came when Adult Leader Sergeant Instructor Peter Lazell (19) received the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award gained during his time as a cadet at Brentford. Honorary Colonel Adrian Drage OBE presented the award to Peter of Ruislip Road East, Hanwell. Peter had been a cadet since the age of twelve and used his cadet community service, his shooting skills and an expedition to Bavaria to progress through the Award.

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.

Tony Treadaway receives Jack Petchey Award

Feltham based Army Cadet Leader Staff Sergeant Tony Treadaway stepped forward proudly on Monday (30th January) to receive the prestigious Jack Petchey Outstanding Youth Leader Award at the Army Cadet Headquarters in Hammersmith.

The Award, presented by Honorary Colonel Adrian Drage OBE, was in recognition of the outstanding leadership, energy and drive which, as a volunteer, Tony had devoted to the young Army Cadets in Middlesex and North West London Army Cadet Force.

“This is a huge honour and something of a surprise too” says Tony. “I was completely unaware and I’m just very proud to be on the receiving end of this award”

A former Army Cadet himself at Heston Detachment, Tony of Nene Gardens Hanworth, decided to rejoin as an adult leader when he was too old to remain as a cadet. He currently serves at 197 Feltham Detachment (Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) which meets at the Cadet Centre, Elmwood Avenue.

Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25. The Foundation exists to raise the aspirations of young people, to help them take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. The Leader Award has been designed for young people to thank and celebrate the adults who support them. Linked to the Achievement Award Scheme, the Leader Award enables schools and youth organisations to honour the dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers – particularly those who go ‘the extra mile’ to support young people. 

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.

lcpl Aaron Field receives award from Lt Col Hodson

Fourteen year old Finchley Cadet Lance Corporal Aaron Field has been awarded the St John Young First Aider of the Year Award at Cadet Headquarters in Hammersmith. The presentation by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hodson TD Commandant of Middlesex and North West London ACF was made on Monday 30th January in recognition of life saving actions by Aaron in January 2011.

As part of his normal syllabus Cadet Lance Corporal Aaron Field had just attended his First Aid Training. Amazingly he put it into practice at home in the following week.   Whilst his dad was doing some repairs at home, he fell off a ladder and through a glass window severely injuring his arm. Luckily, Cadet Lance Corporal Field was on hand and able to give first aid straight away, which saved his dad the use of his arm. He recalls what happened.

“Late one Saturday evening I was in my room when I heard a crash. I ran downstairs and saw my dad hold his forearm. I told him to let me have a look and I saw a big deep cut with lots of blood and there was muscle hanging out. I looked to see if there was any glass in the wound but there wasn’t so I gave my dad a towel which he wrapped round his arm and told him to apply pressure. He went pale so I asked him to sit on the floor and raise his arm.  There was a lot of blood but I didn’t panic, I remembered what I was taught and having called an ambulance I put into practice all the First Aid training I’d learned at Army Cadets.”

Aaron, a pupil at Bishop Douglas School has been a cadet for 18 months. His father, a former cadet himself, is Company Sergeant Major Instructor Martin Field has been a Cadet Leader since 2004. At the presentation he said. “I am both very proud and also very grateful to Aaron, he saved my life in were fairly dire circumstances – he knew just what to do and took full control of the situation” 

First Aid is one of the many life skills taught in the Army Cadet Syllabus to teenagers aged 12-18 years.
 
More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.

Lt Steve Ronner receiving JP Award

Rochester Row based Army Cadet Leader Lieutenant Steven Ronner stepped forward proudly on Monday (30th January) to receive the prestigious Jack Petchey Outstanding Youth Leader Award at the Army Cadet Headquarters in Hammersmith.

The Award, presented by Honorary Colonel Adrian Drage OBE, was in recognition of the outstanding leadership, energy and drive which, as a volunteer, Steven had devoted to the young Army Cadets in Middlesex and North West London Army Cadet Force.

“I am very honoured and proud to have received this award, said Steven, “It’s a real boost to morale and recognition of the work that the volunteers in Army Cadets just get on and do”

Steven, who is originally from Pimlico, now lives in Bromley and travels twice weekly to run the 235 Westminster Detachment (London Scottish). He joined as an adult leader in 1998. In addition to the Jack Petchey Award Steve was also presented with the Cadet Forces Medal for his long service to Army Cadets.

Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25. The Foundation exists to raise the aspirations of young people, to help them take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. The Leader Award has been designed for young people to thank and celebrate the adults who support them. Linked to the Achievement Award Scheme, the Leader Award enables schools and youth organisations to honour the dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers – particularly those who go ‘the extra mile’ to support young people. 

More info at www.armycadets.com about your local Army Cadets. Cadets are aged 12-18 and Volunteer Leaders aged 19 -55.