Positive Response to Bellingham Meeting 07/15/2010
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. Northumbrian Warrior Runners Up 07/04/2010
 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. New Cadet CSM 06/29/2010
 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. Alnwick Armed Forces Day 06/26/2010
 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. Colts Canter Training 06/20/2010
 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.  Cadet 150 Big Event Day 06/12/2010
 Cadets from across Northumbria ACF took to the streets of Newcastle today, in a celebration of 150 years of the Army Cadet Force.  The showcase event, benefiting from the splendid backdrop of Grey's Monument, included demonstrations spanning the entire cadet training syllabus from physical training to foot drill.  Cadets from W Company presented a segment about adventurous training, which included displays of mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, skiing and expedition work. The cadets also took part in a climbing wall relay race, which is shown in the video below.  Company Commander, Major Mark Ewart, was MC for the entire event and gave an almost flawless running commentary on the action. SSIs Ralph Brown and Becky Matthewson ran the climbing walls, which daredevil members of the viewing public also had chance to climb. Company Sergeant Major, SMI Peter Lawrence, narrated the Company's presentation and 2IC, Captain Tom Jackson, wore his second hat by provided first aid cover for the event.  After a hard day's work in the public eye W Company retired back north, calling for a healthy bite of lunch at a well known restaurant chain. W Company Jimpy Shoot 06/10/2010
 Six lucky cadets from W Company have just returned from a full day shooting the General Purpose Machine Gun with the local TA Pioneers. SSgt Michael Sargent, Sgt Andi Allan, Cpl Jack Hale, LCpl Robert Potts and Cdts Jamie Daley and Jordan Harnett spent the morning being put through their paces on the "jimpy" by the NCOs of 100 Pioneer Squadron, Royal Logistics Corps.  After a couple of hours honing their skills on the weapon, the lads were deemed safe and proficient enough to take to the firing point at Ponteland Ranges. Under the watchful eye of their TA mentors and Company Sergeant Major, SMI Peter Lawrence, team W Company were rapidly knocking chunks out of a cowering double Figure 11 target.  With ammunition expended and paste pots running dry it was back to the Detachments with wide smiles and eager anticipation of the next shoot. A great day for all the cadets and our thanks again to all at 100 Pioneer Squadron.  Potential Officers Introduction Evening 06/05/2010
The Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Haughie, is hosting a PO introduction evening at County HQ on Thursday, 24 June 2010. The evening will begin at 1900 hrs. The evening, which is open to anyone interested in Commissioning, will give details of PO training within the County and what to expect at Westbury on the actual AOSB (CFCB). Dress will be CS '95. Any W Coy adult interested in attending, please let the 2IC know so he can pass on your details. 
W Company Personnel Changes 05/09/2010
Just as the election day polls were opening last week a very different decision was reaching an equally gripping conclusion - the appointment of W Company's new OC. Step forward Major Mark Ewart, who succeeds our last OC Lt Col Sue Haughie TD. Major Ewart, a long standing member of the W Company team, was finally unveiled as our new boss by the Commandant last Wednesday night. He was previously the 2IC of W Company. The Company 2IC's position has gone to Capt Tom Jackson and the new Training Officer is Lt Keith Marchant. Lt Marchant remains Detachment Commander at Berwick. W Company Athletes 05/08/2010
 Cdt Catherine Phillips of Broomhill makes her winning jump. Forty cadets from W Company again made us proud by achieving success in Northumbria ACF's County Athletics Meeting, at Monkton Stadium earlier today.  Cpl Jack Hale of Rothbury gets off to a flying start in the 400m, which he goes on to win. The following cadets managed to win their events:
 LCpl Kate Netherwood of Alnwick two laps into her 1500m victory. Medals were presented at the end of the day by Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Sue Haughie TD, and Regional Director of Sport, Lt Col Jimmy Brown.  Cdt James Scott of Amble brings home the bacon with this 30 m winning throw.  Cdt Liam Jefferson of Alnwick achieves silver in the intermediate boys high jump with 1.60 m. Despite our mammoth haul of silverware we only managed third place in the overall competition, mainly due to our lack of older competitors. We'll not have that problem next year, when a lot of the names above will have moved up to the next age category.  Cpl Jack Hale throws a mean spear as well as being nimble on his feet. A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard and made the day so successful.  Cpl Greg Hogarth of Berwick makes his second place discus throw. | ArchivesJuly 2010 CategoriesAll | ||
