W Company

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 Belford Detachment have once again emerged as victors from the annual Fusiliers Military Skills Competition, held earlier this month.

The team, led by Lord Lieutenant's Cadet, Sgt Guy Renner-Thompson, pitted their wits against fellow army cadets from Northumbria in topics ranging from vehicle identification to shooting. Despite fierce competition from fellow W Company teams the defending champions managed to bring home the bacon this year too

The OC W Company, Major Mark Ewart,  is pictured above congratulating the winning team of Sgt Guy Renner-Thompson, Sgt Craig Holman and Cpl Kevin Joyce. LCpl Megan Smith was also a team member, but is absent from the photo.

Well done to everyone involved in Belford's marvelous achievement, which reinforces their position as the Company's hot shots.

W Company is delighted to announce that two of our cadets have successfully completed the Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre at Stainton Camp, near Barnard Castle.

Cadet Corporals Craig Holman and Greg Hogarth have just returned from the demanding week-long residential course, which is run under the watchful eyes of the Regular Army NCOs of 11 Cadet Training Team. Craig impressed the Team so much that he was awarded the prestigious title of best cadet.

New instructors Craig and Greg, of Belford and Berwick Detachments respectively, will given extra responsibility for training junior cadets. Their qualification will allow them the opportunity to instruct up to APC 2-Star level, making a real difference to the smooth running of their Detachments. It also qualifies them for consideration for promotion.

Former TA warrant officer, SMI Lynne Bannister, W Company's new CQMS, also attended Stainton and completed the week-long Adult Initial Training Cadre.

W Company congratulates them all on their continued hard work and dedication.

Another W Company cadet has won the prestigious position of Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Northumberland.

Sgt Guy Renner-Thompson of Belford Detachment will be officially installed as the Lord Lieutenant's right hand man at a ceremony next week. The accolade, which is the pinnacle of a cadet's career, is awarded to only one army cadet in the County each year.

Guy will spend the next year or so assisting HM Lord Lieutenant, the Duchess of Northumberland, at high profile events around the area.

Guy, of Belford Detachment, has been with Northumbria ACF for six years and has achieved success in a number of fields. In particular he has represented the County at Brigade and National level shooting competitions on several occasions.

Our congratulations go to Guy for his appointment and the hard work that went behind it.

Four cadets from Belford Detachment recently took part in the Northumbria ACF annual First Aid Competition at the Cadet Training Centre, Otterburn Camp.

The weekend involved the cadets honing their skills during several realistic training scenarios before battling against some of the finest first aiders in the County. They were under the watchful eye of their Detachment Commander, SI John Grey.

Fellow W Company member SI John Rollo provided some horrendous simulated injuries, which were so realistic that cadets recoiled in terror when they saw them.

The Belford team managed to come a very creditable second place, behind last year's Regional champions from Y Company.

Thanks to all the cadets and staff involved for their hard work leading up to and during the event.

Team members (Cpl Craig Holman, LCpl Becky Riseborough, LCpl Megan Smith and Cdt Hannah Parkin) are seen preparing for the competition below.