W Company

The cadets of W Company will begin the move to Warcop Training Camp on Saturday (20th Aug 11) morning.

Transport times are available in the previous post.

The cadets will travel in civilian clothing and adult staff in uniform.

Should parents need to get in contact with their youngster during camp the Guardroom telephone number is 01768 343236.

The Guardroom is manned by MOD Guard Service staff 24 hours a day and they will be able to get a message to us.

The full postal address for camp is:

[Cadet's Name]
W Company
Northumbria ACF
Warcop Training Camp
Warcop
Appleby-in-Westmorland
Cumbria
CA16 6PA

Hopefully the cadets should be thinking about packing their kit by now. A quick reminder that a suggested kit list is available to download here.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Transport timings for the move to Warcop Training Camp, on Sat 20th Aug 2011, will be as follows:

- Coach 1 (IC Lt Marchant):
 Berwick 1200 hrs
 Alnwick 1240 hrs
 Broomhill 1315 hrs

- Minibus 1 (Dvr SI Watson):
Belford 1200 hrs
Alnwick 1230 hrs (2IC)
Amble 1245 hrs

- Minibus 2 (Dvr SSI Dilger):
Bellingham 1200 hrs

- Minibus 3 (Dvr Lt Lister):
Rothbury 1200 hrs

Cadets should arrive at least 10 mins prior to the departure times given above. The transport will not wait for latecomers.

A recommended kit list for annual camp can be download here. Cadets should address any questions to their Detachment Commander in good time.

Pick up timings for those cadets attending Minstreacres this Saturday (6th Aug 2011) are as follows:

Broomhill: 0745 hrs
Alnwick: 0810 hrs
Rothbury: 0830 hrs
Minstreacres: 0930 hrs

Minden are expecting the following cadets:
Cpl E. Inkster
LCpl K. Straughan
LCpl K. Netherwood (F)
LCpl C. Arundel
Cpl E. Tribe (F)
Cpl W. Young
LCpl J. Truman
LCpl S. Shepherd
LCpl B. Mayes
LCpl R. Rose (F)
LCpl M. Newson
LCpl P. Barber
LCpl G. Mason
Cdt J. Price
Cdt H. Power

Dress is CS'95 and be sure to bring a waterproof jacket. Minstreacres will provide lunch for everyone attending.

We should be finished at Minstreacres by 1600 hrs, so back up our way by around 1700-1730 hrs.

Timings for those cadets attending the Minden Company field training exercise (FTX) next weekend, 22-24 July 2011:

Friday, 22nd July 2011:
Minibus 1 (RSMI Lawrence to drive):
Alnwick, 1830 hrs (4 x cdts)
Broomhill, 1850 hrs (4 x cdts)
Rothbury, 1920 hrs (4 x cdts)
CTC Otterburn, 2000 hrs

Sunday, 24th July 2011:
The minibus should depart Otterburn at around 1500 hrs for the return journey home.

All cadets will need the correct dress and equipment to head straight out into the field on the Friday night. Speak to your DC for further advice about what to take.

The senior cadets of W Company were put through their paces earlier today, when they completed their JCIC teaching practices at Alnwick TA Centre.

Instructors from the county's senior cadet training company, Minden Company, visited Alnwick specially to test our budding new cadet instructors on weapon handling, map reading and drill TPs, which they had been preparing over the last few weeks.

Speaking at the end of today's session the Training Officer of Minden Company, Lt Richard de Planta, said: "I am very pleased with the performance of all cadets today. In particular their map reading lessons were well above average."

Cpl Will Young of Alnwick Detachment deserves a special mention for achieving an average score of 84% across his weapon handling, map reading and drill TPs.

The cadets now return to their Detachments where they will hone their skills by training junior cadets in basic military skills.

Photos from the assessment day feature in our 2011 gallery.

Those cadets involved with the JCIC TPs at Alnwick on Sat, 16th July 2011 should arrive at the TA Centre for 0845 hrs.

Dress is CS'95 and you'll require a notebook, pencil, packed lunch and any resources you've prepared for your TPs. Also bring anything extra Minden Company has informed you about.

Transport for the Broomhill cadets will depart the hut at 0815 hrs, with PI N. Watson driving the minibus.

Alnwick & Broomhill Detachments have been tasked with the job of providing junior cadet students for the TPs. If you're available to help with this please speak to your DC.

Training will finish between 1400-1500 hrs.

A list of TPs is included in the below Excel worksheet.

Team W Company have just come a very creditable second place in the annual Northumbria ACF military skills competition, Northumbrian Warrior.

The team, led by newly promoted Cdt CSM Craig Holman of Belford Detachment, competed in a series of training stands and a gruelling forced march across the scortched earth of an unusually hot Otterburn training area.

The result matches last years, where we went on to finish in the top 10 at the Brigade military skills competition, Colts Canter.

During Northumbrian Warrior the cadets were tested on their first aid, fieldcraft, weapon handling and practical navigation skills. They were also subjected to a rigorous kit check before setting off on the 6 km yomp across the moors. The march culminated with a timed shoot on Redesdale range.

Tired and sweaty after their efforts in the blistering heat the cadets were all flown back to Otterburn Camp in a Puma helicopter. The team are pictured below just before take off.

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make the event such a success for W Company.

(Edit: New photos added to the 2011 gallery)

Members of Amble Detachment recently celebrated the Royal British Legion's 90th anniversary.

The cadets, led by DC WSI Terrie Hedley, attended a service at St Lawrence's Parish Church in Warkworth.

The photo above shows the cadets with local vicar, Rev. Canon Janet Brearley, shortly after the service.

W Company will participate in Northumbria ACF's annual military skills competition, Northumbrian Warrior, this weekend.

PI training will also be taking place.

Pick up times this Friday (1st July 2011) are as follows:

Bus 1 (Alnwick-based bus, Lt Lister):
Berwick 1815 hrs
Belford 1835 hrs
Alnwick 1900 hrs
Rothbury 1920 hrs
Otterburn 2000 hrs

Bus 2 (County-based bus, PI Watson):
Broomhill 1830 hrs
Amble 1840 hrs
Alnwick 1900 hrs
Rothbury 1920 hrs
Otterburn 2000 hrs

Please remember to get to your pick up point in good time. Anyone unsure of what kit they'll need should ask their DC for advice.

Any updates to these timings will be posted here, so please check back.

Almost 100 cadets from W Company took part in fieldcraft training on the windswept Otterburn training area.

The Company's senior cadets also took part in a night time blank firing ambush, where they intercepted their junior peers during a patrol.

Everyone took part in navigation exercises and honed their skills at living in the field. They also got to sample the British Army's new (for us) Afghanistan ration packs, which are cleverly designed to suit soldiers operating in hotter climates.

Unfortunately, as the cadets will testify, their lack of stoginess mean they're not best suited for the chilly Northumberland moors.

The weekend also signified Bellingham Detachment's first Company training at Otterburn.

A few more photos appear in the gallery.