W Company

Timings for Colts Canter training this weekend will be as follows:

Fri, 16th Sept: Minibus 1 (SI N. Watson):
Broomhill: 1845 hrs
Amble: 1900 hrs
Alnwick: 1915 hrs
Otterburn: 2000 hrs

#Note these timings have changed slightly from earlier.

We should leave Otterburn at around 1400 hrs on Sunday for the return journey home.

The training will involve navigation, first aid, command tasks, shooting and the march. Please pack accordingly and remember you'll need a parental consent form for the weekend.

Please keep checking back here in case there are any last minute changes before the weekend.

Annual camp finished on an even bigger high than normal this year, with the brilliant news that W Company is Northumbria ACF's Champion Company for 2011.

The announcement was made by outgoing County Cadet Commandant, Colonel David Smith, at his final parade earlier today.

As the results of various competitions were read out by the County Training Officer, Major Andrew Brown, the realisation that we couldn't be beaten slowly dawned on members of W Company.

As the final result was read out euphoria swept the squad, who relaxed into triumphant cheers and clapping. Following the parade the Company marched back to our lines via roads flanked by magnanimous applauding colleagues from X, Y and Z Companies.

Our journey towards Champion Company has seen us win the barrack room competition, first aid competition, County SAAM, County cross country. We were also highly placed in the annual military skills competition, Northumbrian Warrior, and the County orienteering competition.

In the end there was a 7 point gap between us and arch rivals Y Company, who pipped us to the post last year by the narrowest of margins.

The OC W Company, Major Mark Ewart, congratulates all the cadets and staff who have given so much of their valuable time to achieve this magnificent result.

We might be a small Company on paper but working together we're able to pack a big punch.

Photos of final parade can be found in our annual camp gallery.

On the final day of annual camp today the Company recognised the leadership, instructional skills and dedication of several cadets by making the following promotions:

To LCpl:
Cdt Bethany Charlton, Bellingham Detachment
Cdt Jacob Douglass, Bellingham Detachment
Cdt Natasha Reid, Bellingham Detachment
Cdt Joe Miller, Broomhill Detachment

To Cpl:
LCpl Josh Truman, Broomhill Detachment

To Sgt:
Cpl Ellie Tribe, Alnwick Detachment
Cpl Will Young, Alnwick Detachment

Newly promoted LCpls Charlton, Douglass and Reid are the first cadet NCOs to arrive at Bellingham Detachment, which only opened in September 2010.

The cadets were presented with their new stripes by the OC W Company, Major Mark Ewart, at a special promotion parade early this morning.

The Company congratulates the cadets mentioned above on their achievements, thanks them for their commitment to the ACF and looks forward to them developing their NCO skills further in the future.

Photos of the presentation appear in our annual camp gallery.

A very quick summary of what the cadets have done today, which is also captured on the photo gallery.

Most of the cadets spent last night outside in bashas, where they had a surprisingly good night's sleep despite the heavy rain showers. We decided to keep the more junior cadets, 1 Platoon, inside our converted farmhouse because we knew they'd probably get soaked through inexperience.

After rising at the unusually civilised hour of 0700 hrs the cadets got washed, cleaned their kit, polished their boots and started preparing breakfast. Depending on their choice of ration pack they either had bacon & beans, beans & sausage or creamy porridge oats. Even the porridge tastes good after a spending the night in the bracing fresh air.

Straight after breakfast the cadets cleaned their weapons, which they are responsible for until we get back to camp on Monday. The damp conditions means they need to be kept clean and well oiled so they don't seize up and become rusty, which happens remarkably quickly if left unchecked.

The Padre, Major Stephen Caddy, visited the Company out in the field. We spent a few moments reflecting on the responsibilities of being an army cadet and remembering the fallen.

Back out onto training and the cadets finished their preparation for the assessment phase, which begins later today. They have been practising obstacle crossing, duties of a sentry and fire & movement, to name but a few.

Just before lunch the Deputy Commander of 15 (NE) Brigade, Colonel Jeremy Hughes, visited the farm and toured some of the training. with the OC, Major Mark Ewart, and 2IC, Capt Tom Jackson. He spent some time chatting with the cadets to find out what they thought about the ACF and Army in general. 15 Brigade is responsible for all of the British Army units between the Humber and Scottish border.

After lunch the cadets moved 2 miles eastwards across the training area to their new location for tonight's assessment phase. 1 & 2 Platoons, under the command of SSI John Rollo and Lt Barry Lister respectively, are spending this evening practising their harbour drills, observation and sentry skills whilst 3 Platoon, under the command of Lt Keith Marchant, are conducting patrols against an enemy force located a couple of kilometres away.

The cadets are all likely to work late into the night, with their position being attacked periodically to test their response. That will involve lots of flares, smoke and blank ammunition, which they should all enjoy.

I haven't mentioned the cadets of Minden Company much, because they have been working separately to the rest of W Company. They're all doing well and were very chatty when our paths crossed earlier today.

Tomorrow 3 Platoon have an all out assault on the enemy's farm buildings so stay tuned!

New photos uploaded.

The cadets of W Company moved into the field this morning for the first of three days on exercise.

Today the 1-Star training cadets in 1- and 2 Platoons set up their bashas, got an introduction to ration packs, practised their cam & concealment and did a sniper stalk exercise. The 2-Star training cadets of 3 Platoon have also been practising harbour drills and patrolling. This evening the cadets will all take part in movement and observation at night exercises.

The cadets don't know this yet, but tomorrow and Monday they will be moving into an assessment phase where they will take on a live enemy out on the training area. The exercise will culminates at silly-o-clock on Monday morning with 3 Platoon cadets carrying out a blank firing attack on farm buildings. The more junior cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons will take part in a blank firing patrol lane exercise, where they have to detect and eliminate enemy around a predetermined route.

It should be a good couple of days and hopefully the weather will stop nice and dry. The cadets are all in good spirits, despite missing the comforts of home.

Notwithstanding the lack of facilities we will be trying to keep the website updated when we're out in the field. Remember to keep checking our photo gallery for the newest images of what we've been up to.

W Company is very pleased to officially welcome three new Sergeant Instructors into the fold (the three on the right in the image above).

SI Andi Allan is a former 4-Star cadet, who has been with the Company for several years before becoming an adult. He parades at Alnwick Detachment. SI Debra Jerdan is a youth worker, who comes to the Company with a raft of non-military experience. She is parading at Berwick Detachment. SI Neil Watson is an executive with an insurance company, who again joins the ACF with a wealth of alternative experience. Neil will be parading with Broomhill Detachment.

The three new W Company Sergeants, along with two colleagues from Y Company, completed the 8 day residential course under the guidance of Regular Army NCOs from the 15 Brigade Cadet Training Team. As well as developing their all important instructional skills, they were put through their paces on the drill square, rifle range and fieldcraft training area.

The Company is very proud of all their achievements and looks forward to their continuing success within the organisation.

The photos below show the Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Sue Haughie TD, presenting SIs Allan, Jerdan and Watson with their Sergeants slides.

The cadets spent Tuesday (23rd) and Wednesday (24th) this week taking part in Adventurous Training.

Half the 1-Star cadets spent Tuesday at Ullswater taking part in canoeing, rafting and rock climbing. The other half remained close to Warcop and took part in mountain biking and abseiling. On Wednesday the groups alternated.

The 2-Star training group, 3 Platoon, have spent these two days on expedition. The route started at Sun Biggin Tarn, which is 5 miles east of Old Tebay and finished at Murton. They had an overnight stop off route on the training area.

The Company welcomed 3 new Sergeant Instructors, who have just passed out from their Initial Training Course at nearby Stainton Camp. SI Andi Allan is parading at Alnwick Detachment, SI Debra Jerdan is parading at Berwick Detachment and SI Neil Watson is parading at Broomhill Detachment.

Several senior Officers visited camp on Wednesday, including Major General Robin Brims who commanded the Desert Rats during the First Gulf War.

Remember to keep a running check on our photo galleries, which are being added to daily.

Having passed their weapon handling tests and DCCT training yesterday the junior cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons were ready to head out on the live ranges today.

It was an early start with all cadets at breakfast for 0700 hrs and the armoury for 0730 hrs. After drawing their weapons from the armoury and completing all the necessary paperwork the platoon adults showed the cadets how to sling their weapons correctly for the short coach journey across the A66 to the ranges.

SSI Becky Matthewson put 1- and 2 Platoons through their paces on the 25 metre range, with non-firing cadets training on the adjacent obstacle course. The cadets had a great time challenging themselves across the obstacles, which included the usual array of high walls, muddy ditches and ropeways.

The senior cadets of 3 Platoon stopped in camp and trained on the DCCT in the morning. Lt Dan Carville ran a signals course in the afternoon, which allowed the cadets to get hands on and practice their voice procedure.

The same 3 Platoon cadets will be going out on a 2 day expedition tomorrow, so spent the evening preparing their kit and practicing with their tents.

1- and 2 Platoon cadets will be taking part in water activities, mountain biking, abseiling and rock climbing over the next two days.

You can follow what we're doing by keeping a check on the photo gallery.

The first full day of annual camp focused on range and weapon training.

First thing on Sunday (21st Aug) morning the 2-Star training group, known as 3 Platoon at camp, headed to the Electric Target Range (ETR) and completed their regular weapon handling tests under the watchful eye of SSI Cy Dilger. Once assessed as safe and competent with the weapon system they zeroed their weapons and completed the 2-Star assessment shoot. The Automated Marking System (AMS), which automatically plots the falls of each shot, was used to help coach the cadets to get their shots on target. Photos of the range, set on the spectacular Eden hills, feature on the photo gallery.

Meanwhile, back in camp, the 1-Star training cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons were carrying out their weapon handling tests before moving onto the DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) range. The DCCT is a computerised range, which does everything the outdoor ranges do but in a more controlled environment. Several practice shoots were conducted to prepare these more junior cadets for live firing tomorrow.

The evening was spent doing administration in preparation for tomorrow's training, which will also be on the ranges and obstacle course.

All the cadets are in good spirits, but a few of the junior ones are obviously missing home a bit already. We're doing our best to keep the cadets

Warcop is another one of these strange places with a climate of its own. Despite glorious sunshine all the way from north Northumberland as soon as we hit the Eden Valley the clouds formed and rain began to fall.

The cadets spent last night settling into their new surroundings and becoming familiar with where everything was. They are accommodated in rooms of about 12. The was also a certain amount of admin to deal with on the first night. Each cadet was allocated to a room and bedspace, nominal rolls and training groups were finalised and a fire practice was held. The cadets also experienced their first meal in the cookhouse, which included an option for Cumberland sausage rings quite appropriately. Later in the evening the cadets got some down time in the NAAFI.

Today (Sun, 22 Aug) began with the customary selection of cooked breakfast or cereal, before an early start with training. Today and tomorrow the cadets will be live firing on the ranges, using the DCCT range (firing at a computerised screen) and practising their weapon handling skills. It's looking bright and sunny at the moment, which will hopefully hold for the rest of the day when the cadets are out and about.

Photos will be published on our dedicated camp photo page.