W Company

Cadets from across Northumbria ACF converged on Amble today for a full dress rehearsal of the County's Cadet 150 celebrations.

The Army Cadet Force was founded in 1860, when the threat of invasion by the French was heightened and the British Army was spread thinly across the Empire. Step forward 150 years and we've come a long way since Octavia Hill started the first Army Cadet units in deprived areas of London.

Back then the fortunate few boys who made it into the ACF struggled along with primative equipment on a shoestring budget.

Today's ACF has almost 50,000 cadets and 10,000 adults, based in local Detachments from Lands End to John O'  Groats. It uses some of the most modern equipment the British Army has to offer, including our own brand new weapon system.

Each of Northumbria ACF's four Companies staged a different activity at today's event, which ran alongside Amble Town Council's St George's Day celebrations.

Cadets from X Company gave a demonstration of PT; cadets from Y Company took a  historical look at cadet dress and equipment through the ages; cadets from Z Company gave a demonstration of foot, rifle and banner drill.

Northumbria ACF also had recruiting, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and first aid stands for members of the public to view.

Unfortunately our own cadets, from W Company, were unable to stage their segment because the climbing walls they planned to use have been recalled for a safety inspection.

Cadets from Amble Detachment were on hand to ensure the smooth running of the local event - some of them were even seen to participate in the country dancing sessions on the Town Square!

Overall it was a pretty good day, which has given us a good idea of where we need to concentrate in the run up to the big Cadet 150 event in Newcastle in June.