W Company

Alnwick Detachment was officially reaffiliated to the Alnmouth Branch of the Royal British Legion on Monday night.

The cadets regularly help the Legion with fundraising in the local area.

The hour long presentation saw an exchange of certificates between Branch officials and Detachment Commander, SSI Ralph Brown. Our colleagues at 1801 (Alnwick) Squadron ATC were also reaffiliated.

The image above shows army and air cadets, members of the Royal British Legion and local dignatories.

We are pleased to announce that our new Bellingham Detachment will open its doors for the first time at 7 pm on Monday, 6th September 2010.

The new Detachment, which is badged to the Royal Regiment of Artillery, is open to male and female cadets between the ages of 12 and 18 years.

The Detachment meets at the Drop In Centre, behind  Bellingham Police Station.

The Detachment Commander, SMI Cy Dilger, looks forward to welcoming new cadets and their parents/guardians to a special opening and enrolment ceremony on the night.

W Company hosted a public meeting in Bellingham last night, which takes us one step closer to a new Detachment in the town.

The OC, CSM and SMI Dilger, DC Designate of Bellingham Detachment, made a short presentation about the ethos and organisation of the ACF before fielding questions about the new venture. SSI Matthewson, SI Hedley, Cdt CSM Sargent and Cdt LCpl Straker were on hand to demonstrate some aspects of ACF training to the fifty strong audience.

We're pleased to report lots of positive feedback from the locals, with many youngsters expressing an interest in becoming army cadets as soon as the doors open.

Stay tuned for futher updates on the realisation of Bellingham Detachment.

W Company were runners up in Northumbria ACF's annual military skills competition, Northumbrian Warrior, which was held at Otterburn this weekend.

The team took part in a wide range of military activities against stiff competition from other Companies in the County. This included a kit inspection, cross-county speed march, command tasks, shooting and first aid incident. The event was made even more challenging this year by the driving Otterburn rain.

The winning team are shown in the photo above.

Thanks to the cadets for their effort this weekend and all the adults who helped to train them.

Cdt S/Sgt Michael Sargent of Alnwick Detachment was promoted to the rank of Cdt CSM this evening.

Michael, W Company's senior cadet, has been with the ACF for five years. He recently completed his APC 4-Star , a leadership course and the Senior Cadets' Instructors' Cadre.

The OC W Company, Major Mark Ewart, said: "It gives me great pleasure to promote S/Sgt Sargent to the rank of CSM, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done during his time as a cadet. This is the most satisfying presentation I have made during my time as Company Commander."

Eighteen year old Michael will spend his remaining months in the ACF shadowing the adult CSM, SMI Peter Lawrence.

Thirty five cadets from W Company took part in the now annual Armed Forces Day celebrations in Alnwick.

The cadets from Alnwick, Amble, Belford, Broomhill and Rothbury Detachments marched along Bondgate Within to the Market Place, before being inspected by the Mayor of Alnwick, Councillor Eileen Blakey. The banners of Alnwick and Broomhill Detachments were also paraded through the town.

Local ATC Squadron Commander, Flt Lt Dave Gamlin RAFVR(T), acted as Parade Commander and our own SMI Lynne Bannister took the important role of Parade Marshall, making sure the event ran smoothly.

A Sea King helicopter from 202 Squadron at RAF Boulmer flew over the parade, which basked in the uninterrupted June sunshine.

The Company also ran Northumbria ACF's recruiting trailer in the Market Place all day. Some of the adults involved with manning the trailer are seen above enjoying a quick ice cream in the hot midday sun.

The day culminated with a short church service in the shadow of the Northumberland Hall, which included the lowering of the Union Flag and Last Post.

The OC W Company, Major Mark Ewart, said: "It was heartening to see so many of the people of Alnwick line the streets in support of our Armed Forces. The cadets of W Company are privileged to be associated with the fine work our Armed Forces personnel do overseas on operations."

The 2IC, Capt Tom Jackson, added: "We're grateful to all the cadets and adults of W Company for their enthusiastic support this Armed Forces Day. We look forward to making an even bigger contribution next year."

We hope to publish further images of the parade shortly, so stay tuned for updates.

Cadets from Belford Detachment were on hand to make sure Seahouses Summer Fete went with a bang last Saturday, 19th June.

The cadets helped assemble and dismantle the 25 market stalls, which took pride of place at the annual event. The work was gruelling as the hot summer sun beat down all day. Luckily the lads managed to get the stalls up before the strong sea breeze took hold later in the day.

Cadets from W Company have been put through their paces in preparation for the 15 (North East) Brigade cadet competition, Colts Canter.

Every year hundreds of cadets from ACFs and CCFs across the region pit their skills against each other in the annual battle of brains, brawn and stamina.

The cadets of W Company have just completed their third full day of training for the event, which has involved first aid training, command tasks, shooting and route marching across Alnwick Moor. The team have also been focussing on the finer aspects of how to keep their kit clean and serviceable, both of which attract hefty marks at the actual competition.

The selection process has seen numbers dwindle from the 50 cadets that expressed an initial interest to the 24 left at the end of today's session.

The lucky cadets making the final cut were:

A Team
Cpl Jack Hale - Rothbury
L/Cpl Ed Inkster - Alnwick
L/Cpl Joe Pendrich - Alnwick
L/Cpl Ellie Tribe - Alnwick
L/Cpl Meg Straker - Alnwick
L/Cpl Will Young - Alnwick
L/Cpl Kate Netherwood - Alnwick
Cdt Josh Truman - Broomhill
Cdt James Scott - Amble
Cdt Andrew Connor - Alnwick
Cdt Piers Barber - Rothbury
Cdt Liz Prime - Alnwick

B Team
Sgt Greg Hogarth - Berwick
L/Cpl Kevin Straughan - Alnwick
L/Cpl Nikki Beaman - Alnwick
Cdt Lee Scott - Amble
Cdt Joe Miller - Broomhill
Cdt Greg Mason - Rothbury
Cdt Harry Francis - Alnwick
Cdt Shaun Shepherd - Broomhill
Cdt Jack Metcalf - Belford
Cdt Christopher Arundel - Alnwick
Cdt Lidia Rocca - Broomhill
Cdt Ruth Rose - Broomhill

Both teams will be participating in the County cadet competition, Northumbrian Warrior, which will serve as a complete dress rehearsal for Colts Canter.

There are five more training days planned before Colts Canter, which is held on Catterick Training Area at the start of October.

W Company's resident javelin champion, Cdt James Scott, was presented with his national colours this evening.

James, who threw a personal best 38.2 metres at the National Championships last weekend, was welcomed home by proud Company Commander, Major Mark Ewart, and Detachment Commander, SI Zoe Luke.

Major Ewart is seen congratulating James on his triumphant return to the Friendliest Port. His brassard is now looking rather full, so I hope the RSM isn't reading.

Cdt James Scott of Amble Detachment has struck gold by winning the intermediate boys javelin at the Army Cadet Force's National Athletics Championships held in Grantham yesterday.

James, a cadet at Amble for the past three years, stunned onlookers at the County Athletics last month by throwing 30 metres, which was a good 10 metres better than his nearest rival.

Details of James' national winning distance haven't yet made it as far as W Company HQ, but we'll publish the raw statistics here as soon as we know them.

Cpl Jack Hale of Rothbury Detachment added to the Company's silverware by coming second place in the senior boys 4 x 100 m relay.

Our congratulations go to both James and  Jack  on their tremendous achievement.