:: Annual Camp Day 11 - Wednesday 26 August 2009

Once again the weather started off wet and miserable. Not quite so cold, but very very windy. See the video clip below. 

Annual camp is slowly coming to an end. Training is being completed and the cadets are being tested to see how much they have learned. The lucky ones will receive their certificates and badges. 

What did the cadets do during their leisure time? On camp there has been a very well stocked NAAFI called the Tri-bar. Here the cadets can relax, socialise and purchase a whole range of food items. All credit to the cadets, there has been no bad behaviour worth reporting and all have been polite, well mannered and a privilege to work with.

TriBar - Cadets Chill Out				Three Star Cadets Planning Their TPs

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Corps Of Drums Struts Its Stuff	Black Light Display		Wanna See The Weather In Okehampton? Click On The Movie Clip	The Locals Call Okehampton - Soakhampton

:: Annual Camp Day 10 - Tuesday 25 August 2009

Again the day started off wet cold and miserable. The one stars were out overnight on their exercise and came in all smiles after a fierce dawn battle. By 10 o'clock the weather had cleared and the day became warmer and more pleasant. 

We were visited by representatives of "The Legion" magazine who were running a feature on the Army Cadet Force and their relationship with the Royal British Legion. Al our cadets spoke well and had a sound knowledge of the Legion and what it stood for.

The three star cadets took part in Adventure Training close to the camp. Climbing Canoeing, Kayaking and Mountain Biking were on the menu.

Rainbow	Interview	Cranleigh Detachment	One Star Exercise	Sgt Hughes	Under Officer Tresman	Climbing Wall	Climbing Wall

Canoeing & Kayaking

Surrey ACF Boat Troop	Brigadier Bennett	Mountain Biking	One Stars Back From Exercise

:: Annual Camp Day 9 - Monday 24 August 2009

The day started off cold and wet and miserable. However, by ten o'clock the weather turned, the sun came out and training started in earnest. I didn't manage to get out today to take some photos. However, here are some photos to amuse you.

SMI Bates Clearly Hasn't Understood The Marksmanship Principles	The New ACF Light Support Weapon	The Air Training Corps Are Clearly Suffering Budget Cuts	This Is Not Quite What The Commandant Envisaged When He Authorised SMI Stacey To Conduct Adventure Training On Water	Brigadier Bennett Spotting For The County Shooting Team

:: Annual Camp Day 8 - Sunday 23 August 2009

Sunday is by tradition the day we hold our Church Parade. Three hundred and fifty cadets and their officers and instructors crowded into the drill shed for a rousing service conducted by Padres Nigel Nicholson and Nigel Knights-Johnson. After the county banner was marched in the cadets participated in a noisy rendition of many favourite hymns. The lesson was read by former Commandant of Surrey ACF, Colonel Andrew Blowers OBE. Following the church service, the county formed up and Colonel Andrew took his final salute.

The Banner Is Marched In	Colonel Andrew Reads The Lesson		Padre Nicholson Prepares To Deliver The Sermon	Padre Knights-Johnson Leads The Congregation	Sgt Huggill Reads The Lesson

Padre Nicholson Addresses The Cadets	A Rousing Chorus Of Shine Jesus Shine	The Colours Are Marched Out	Major Rayner Leads B Company	Lt Col Newman Leads The Parade

Col Andrew Takes The Salute	Parade Prepares to Dismiss	Corps Of Drums Marches Off

:: Annual Camp Day 7 - Saturday 22 August 2009

Rather warmer today. The wind has dropped but the clouds are still very threatening. Lots of activity around camp.

Three Stars Playing In Sand	SMI Bates Pays Compliments To The Commandant	Three Stars In Good Form	This Is Just As Good As Colouring In	One Stars Practice Sentry Duty	Two Stars On Patrol

Major Hayter With His PA & Personal Trainer	Three Star Cadre Short On Rations

Meanwhile the 2 star seniors were out exercising on Dartmoor. 

Saturday night is traditionally Dining In night for the Officers' Mess. This year was particularly poignant because the County was saying goodbye to Colonel Andrew Blowers after five years as Commandant of Surrey ACF. Present at the dinner were Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Mrs Sarah Goad JP and Mr Tim Goad, Brigadiers Graeme Bartlett MBE DL and Paul Evans OBE, Col Patrick Crowley, The Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers, George Prescott Esq and his Clerk, Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Carroll. Prior to the dinner, a photograph of the whole county was taken followed by the Commandant being driven to the Officers Mess in a trailer pulled by a 1943 vintage Field Marshall diesel tractor. 

County Photograph

The Field Marshall Prepares To Transport The Commandant	Mr Luxton and the Commandant	The Commandant's Progress Through The Camp	A Fond Farewell	The Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers Presents The Coopers' Cask to "A" Company

Mr George Prescott, the Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers, presented the Coopers Cask to the winning Company of the Coopers Cask Competition. "A" Company have won the Coopers' Cask for the past four years in succession. Can no-one knock them off their perch?

During dinner Acting Commandant Lt Col Alan Mulder praised Col Blowers contribution to the ACF and on behalf of the County presented him with a silver tiger as a memento of his service with Surrey.

Mrs Goad With The Acting Commandant	The Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers with Brigadier Bartlett			Lt Col Mulder Addresses The Mess	Col Blowers Replies

:: Annual Camp Day 6 - Friday 21 August 2009

Mixed weather today. Lovely clear blue skies followed by torrential rain. The two stars were pulled off the moor because the rain was coming down so hard they couldn't see more than a few yards in front. Guess what? An hour later it was beautiful. That's Dartmoor for you.

Some two stars went out on adventure training and had a great time on the climbing wall, canoeing and trail biking.

All in all, a good day - despite the weather. 

Two Star Cadets After Their Experience On The Moor                                                     Far Right Three Stars Practicing Orders

Canoeists			Canoeists Are Go

One of the most important aspects of camp is the service that our padres render to the cadets. Cases of home sickness, bereavements and other issues are skilfully and tactfully handled by the two Nigels. Brigadier Bennett, Padre Nicholson's Labrador has a key role to play in the pastoral care of the cadets. Friday was a good day. 

Padre Knights-Johnson	Padre Nicholson Running Camp Bank		Padre Nicholson & Brigadier Bennett	The Climbing Wall

:: Annual Camp Day 4 & 5 - Wednesday & Thursday 19 - 20 August 2009

Wandering around camp I found the Yorktown Ghurkha Platoon up to no good. 

During Wednesday and Thursday the three star cadre were out on exercise on Dartmoor. After two gruelling nights out in awful weather, they prepared to move back to camp. Major Hayter was so disappointed with their dawn attack that he made them stage an assault on a Land Rover to prove they knew what they were doing.

Yorktown Platoon	One Star Training	Three Stars After Their FTX	Tabbing Back To Camp	Attack On Land Rover	Col Oxlade Meets The Staff

During the afternoon officials from South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association visited camp to see what the cadets were up to. Cols Wright, Oxlade and Ellis spent time with the County Staff and then went out to visit the cadets on the ground.

Okehampton Camp				One Star Drill

One Star Map Readers	One Star Fieldcraft

:: Annual Camp Day 3 - Tuesday 18 August 2009

Tuesday was helicopter day. We were fortunate to be able to use two naval Sea King helicopters. Most of the One Star cadets were able to have a familiarisation flight over Dartmoor. Really great.

Safety Briefing On The Sea King		Ready To Go		Duck	All Aboard

During the day we had a visit from the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Ian James OBE, and Squadron Leader Glynn Shaw. They discussed ongoing issues with the County HQ Staff and then went out to visit the cadets on the ground. The three star cadre were on exercise on Dartmoor while the one stars waited for a trip in helicopter.

Sqn Leader Shaw	Brigadier James with Padre Knights Johnson	Cadets Rehearse For Night Exercise	Brigadier & Acting Commandant With 2Lt Stanwick	Brigadier Chats To Three Star Cadets On Dartmoor	Sqn Leader Shaw  Fact Finding

Brigadier Chats To One Star Cadre			Major Rayner Receiving His Cadet Forces Medal From Brigadier James

:: Annual Camp Day 2 - Monday 17 August 2009

Training starts today. First off - every morning - muster parade. Who's here, who's not. Who's sick. Then on with the training. 

Muster Parade

Safety First. One of the first things that happens on camp is the fire drill. Who set off the alarm? Four hundred cadets heading for the main square is not a pretty site! After much too-ing and fro-ing, everyone was accounted for. 

The County Assembles	Acting Commandant Looks Pensive	Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major

Food is one of the most important considerations. Quality, quantity and variety. ESS the caterer at Okehampton has to be the best in the UK. All the cadets agree that the grub is brilliant. I won't name the cadets who said it was better than at home. The pictures below tell their own story.

Lovely Grub

After evening meal the County Regimental Sergeant Major and the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major judged the County Drill Competition. The standard of the drill was very high from all the competitors and the winner was selected by the narrowest of margins. I have been asked not to mention that Cadet Under Officer Tresman competed with a button undone!!!! Who won? Why E Company of course.

"A" Company Drill Team	RSM & Cadet RSM Judging  The Drill Competition	"E" Company Drill Team	"E" Company  The Winning Team