Surrey Army Cadet Force Online

Annual Camp is rapidly coming to its end. Tomorrow sees the last morning of training followed in the afternoon by the County Parade at which all the prizes and certificates will be handed out. Today all the training cadres that had been out on expeditions and exercises returned to camp. There was much activity in the lines as cadets finished their Army Proficiency Training tests and participated in competitions and trials. It is generally agreed that this has been a good camp. The food was good. The training areas were nearby, within walking distance for most, and Beckingham Camp itself was small and compact.

The cadets are in good spirits but, like most, are looking forward to returning to the comforts of home.


One Stars	Clay Pigeon Shooting		Main Road Through Camp


Two Star Stretcher Race - Full Marks For Effort		Padre Nigel Mixes In	Senior Cadets Having A Breather	I Can't Believe It's All Over

:: Annual Camp Day 10 - Tuesday 16 August 2011

Today both the two and three star cadres were out of camp early on completeing their expeditions. The two stars returned after lunch, leaving the three stars on Yardley Chase for another night. It rained last night while the one stars were out on their exercise, although it doesn't seem to have dampened their enthusiasm. When I visited them in the morning they were bright and breezy and looking forward to a good lunch after cooking their own Operational Ration Pack (ORP) meals for the last 24 hours.

Mums should take note below of the immaculate state of the one star billets. There can be no possible excuse about the state of their rooms at home now. They all know how to keep their bed space clean and tidy. The Commandant was a little diasappointed about the crooked fire extinguisher at the end of the room.

The Commandant spotted a group of girl cadets whose saluting was bit iffy. After some practice they soon got the hang of it!!

I forgot to report on Cadet RSM Liam Randall's 18th birthday on Friday 12th August. Liam is used to celebrating his birthday in odd places, last year he was on an ACF expedition to Lesotho. This year his birthday was celebrated by the whole county singing on muster parade followed by lunch in the Officers' Mess with Brigadier Simon Wolsey, our Brigade Commander.


One Star Alpha Back From Exercise Tired But Happy			One Star Bravo Ready To Go On Exercise		SMI Kinnear Gives His Safety Brief To Adult Staff


Saluting Practice	Look How Neat One Stars Can Be When They Try		Cadet RSM Liam Randall Celebrates His 18th Birthday In The Officers Mess	Deputy Commandant Meets The New SO3 Cadets (Friday 12th)	Brigadier Wolsey Chats With One Of Surrey's New Instructors (Friday 12th)

:: Annual Camp Day 9 - Monday 15 August 2011

Another working day for the cadets, and another series of visitors. Today were visited by Major Oliver Shepard, Projects Officer at the Army Cadet Force Association Headquarters in London. Also visiting the cadets were two representatives of the Lincolnshire British Legion who gave a presentation on the work of the legion to our one star cadets. Another visitor was Captain Mark Gresty MBE, Officer Commanding 8 Cadet Training Team, who was looking in on his team who were running an Initial Training Course for our Adult Instructors. Altogether another busy day. The Three Star cadets disaapeared for two nights to Yardley Chase for their Three Star Field Training Exercise and the Two Star cadets were spending a night out for their Expedition Training.


One Star Training Cadre				Meals As Good As Ever	No Portion Control

:: Annual Camp Day 8 - Sunday 14 August 2011

Sunday at Annual Camp is the one day that the county comes together for Church Parade. A drum head service was held on the main square presided over by Rev Canon Nigel Nicholson DL and Rev Nigel Knights-Johnson. There was some raucous singing and a brilliant reading by the Commandant and Cadet Lovelock before the county held its march past parade at which the Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Mulder took the salute. After the parade the cadets mounted the awaiting buses for a day out at Pleasure Island near Cleethorpes. It is rumoured that everyone had a great time. The Commandant and all the senior officers had a quiet afternoon.

Many members of Surrey ACF have received messages from the former Deputy Commandant of Surrey ACF, Lieutenant Colonel David Newman, who is currently working in Dubai on an assignment for his company. It is clear that he misses annual camp and has been following events via the internet. I can only say, David, that the internet is OK, but you can't beat the real thing.


Church Parade	The Drums	Padre Knights-Johnson Takes The Surrey ACF Banner	Sergeant Lyall Tickles The Ivories For The Service


	Cadet Lovelock Reads The Lesson	Rev Canon Nigel Nicholson & The Commandant	Commandant Takes The Salute At The March Past

:: Annual Camp Day 7 - Saturday 13 August 2011

Training continued at the same pace as usual. The two stars were facing up th the challenge of the obstacle course, while the one stars were busy getting to grips with the intricacies of the Cadet GP Rifle. The priority was to pass their Skill at Arms test so that they could fire the weapon on the range and in their field training exercise.

During the afternoon we were visited by the Master and Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Coopers. Mr Peter Timms (The Master) spent time with the cadets watching them during their training and finding out what it is exactly that they do. He was introduced to this year's Coopers' Apprentice nominee, Cadet RSM Liam Randall.

During the evening the Officers held their Regimental Dinner Night at the Candidates Mess at RAF Cranwell. The guests were Colonel Andrew Blowers OBE (former Commandant of Surrey ACF), the Master and Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Coopers and Major Patricia McParlin Cadets Officer at HQ 2 Brigade.Prior to the dinner the Corps of Drums beat retreat and performed their amazing black light display.


One Star Desperate to Pass Their Skill at Arms				Two Star Obstacle Course


Two Star Obstacle Course				The Master of the Coopers Mr Peter Timms Visits the Cadets on Adventure Training		The Master With Coopers' Apprentice Cadet RSM Liam Randall


Officers' Mess Dinner Night					Mr Timms Presents Major Rayner With The Coopers' Cask

:: Annual Camp Day 6 - Friday 12 August 2011

Today we were visited by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Simon Wolsey OBE and the Cadets Focal Point at Brigade Headquarters, Major Patricia McParlin. The visitors went to see the one star cadets who were on Adventure Training and some who were having their first shoot on a full bore range. The two stars were engaged in their Field Training Exercise. In the evening a couple more service plaques were presented.


Brigadier Wolsey is briefed by Captain Murphy	The Brigadier discusses career options with Cadet RSM Randall	The two star FTX under way		A post exercise debrief by Brigadier Wolsey


Brigadier Wolsey discusses Annual Camp with the Cadre Staff	One star bikers return from their expedition	One star cadere on the 30 metre range		SI Raymond	Captain Paice

:: Annual Camp Day 5 - Thursday 11 August 2011

Today the 1 Star Cadre set off on their Expedition - an eight mile trek followed by an overnight sleep in a tent or basha. When I arrived at the camping site the scene looked like the retreat from Moscow. Chaos everywhere. Erecting the tents was a bit of a intelligence test, but slowly there was order out of chaos.


Hello Mum			Not quite sure which bit goes where


	Dining Al Fresco

On Wednesday evening we had a brief presentation for some of our instructors and officers who had been with Surrey ACF for 5, 10,15 or 20 years. It is of great credit to them that they give their valuable time so willingly to helping young people in Surrey. Our way of patting them on the back is for the Commandant to present them with a personalised plaque recognising their time served.


Captain Brocklehurst	SMI Bull	SMI Fryers	SMI Howell	SMI Fuiza


SSI McClean	Padre Nicholson	SSI Sobey	Lt Stanwick

:: Annual Camp Day 4 - Wednesday 10 August 2011

Today started very windy and cool with the threat of rain. By midday the weather had changed and the sun came out for a short while. However, training went on as usual.

It was an important day for the county as we had three of our key sponsors visiting us to see what we were up to. Colonel Stephen Oxlade OBE, Colonel Geoffrey Wright TD and Captain Tim Weale TD. Every year Colonel Oxlade and Colonel Weale of the South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (SERFCA) take time out to visit camp to see the cadets in action and to determine how well or badly we are managing. During their visit they saw our cadets participating in adventure training and shooting as well as watching some of the junior cadets qualifying so that they can shoot later in the week.

For Captain Weale from the Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA) this was his first visit to an ACF camp and he commented later:

I was much impressed by the Surrey cadets. Almost without exception the ones I spoke to were keen and enthusiastic and answered intelligently the questions I put to them. They were able to hold adult conversations and were clearly growing up to be likeable responsible grown- ups, so different from some of the youngsters I have been reading about in the papers over the last couple of days. They are a credit to the team of dedicated instructors and officers who were very impressive I felt.

Well done everybody. Keep up the good work.


From left to right: Major Shipton (AT Officer) Colonel Wright (SERFCA) Major Wadley (CEO) Captain Weale (ACFA) Colonel Oxlade (SERFCA)	Major Shipton, Colonel Wright and Major Wadley	Using The Climbing Tower	The Cadets Enjoyed A 6Km Trail Bike Ride	Colonel Oxlade Discusses Annual Camp With The Cadets


Major Jamie Rayner Explains The 2 Star Shooting Practice On The Range


Getting Down To Business	Captain Weale Talks With The Cadets

:: Annual Camp Day 3 - Tuesday 9 August 2011

Training is now going at full swing. I visited the One Star Cadre today where the cadets were training on the obstacle course, shooting the air rifle and working on their camoflague and concealment.


Section Battle Drills	Having A Great Time	Obstacle Course


		Air Rifle Shooting	Does My Face Look Good In This?

:: Annual Camp Day 2 - Monday 8 August 2011

First thing on Monday morning is one of the most important activities of the camp – Fire Drill. What to do if the fire alarms go off. 05:45am the alarm is sounded and everyone is out on the square ready to be accounted for.

By now the cadets have settled in and are beginning to enjoy their training. Feeding is still one of the most important aspects of camp; ensuring that the cadets have a good breakfast to keep up their energy levels for the day ahead.

Another important aspect of camp is the Camp Bank. This is run by Padre Nigel Nicholson who keeps the cadets’ money safely locked away until they need it. Every day the cadets can withdraw enough money to pay for their treats in the Tri-Bar. The Tri-Bar is where they can chill out, meet their friends, play pool and generally relax after a hard day.

Not for the Three Star Cadre however, who have been preparing for a three day exercise in the Peak District. See you soon guys!!!!!

The weather has been cool with a stiff breeze and the odd light shower of rain. Nothing to interfere too much with training – yet!

Major Ian Wadley and Warrant Officer Balmer have been overseeing the running of the camp. Major Wadley is the Cadet Executive Officer who is in charge of the permanent staff in Surrey ACF and WO Balmer is the Training Safety Adviser who ensures that the training the cadets do is as safe as we can make it. These two gents are key players in ensuring the camp runs a smoothly as possible.

Fire Drill 05:45


A Hearty Breakfast	Walton Cadets Tuck In	Camp Bank	Tri-Bar	Hot Shot


Chilling Out	Good 'Ere Init?	3 Star Cadre Off To The Peak District	Major Wadley & WO2 Balmer	A Stiff Breeze

:: Annual Camp Day 1 - Sunday 7 August 2011

At last Annual Camp has arrived. The coaches started their pick up in Surrey at 8 o'clock and by 2 o'clock on a murky Sunday afternoon the first coach arrived.

The first day of camp is always full of surprises and problems to solve. Some of the cadets arrived late because their bus broke down en-route. Some had to leave their luggage behind because the bus couldn’t fit it all in. In the end everyone arrived, the luggage turned up, everyone had a bed-space, listened to the safety briefing and tucked in to a good meal in the cadets dining hall.

The weather is mild and not quite raining but it promises to be an action packed two weeks.

This diary will try to keep you informed of the progress that is being made and hopefully you might spot your nearest and dearest on the web. Click on the images to see a slightly bigger version.


The first coach arrives		Chaos and confusion


More arrivals	Excellent Grub	Smile Please