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Here you can keep up to date with the latest goings on around the County. 

News is added regularly to the site and you might even find us in your local newspapers - Surrey Army Cadet Force is always doing something worthwhile.

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:: Merrow Detachment Trump Walton To Win Poppy Appeal Comp

Merrow Detachment were the surprise winners of the 2009 Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition, trumping Walton Detachment by no small margin. The sterling efforts of the Detachment Commander, Colour Sergeant Alan Adams and his indomitable cadets raised no less than £9,425.19 putting Walton's £8,195.76 firmly in the shade. Nevertheless, both performances were first class and put the Army Cadets firmly in the lead across all three services with a grand total of £40,213.47 - nearly half the cadet total.

RQMS Charlie Cooper of Walton Detachment, whose unit has won the event in the three previous consecutive years commented, "It was a good result all round. We can all be proud of what we have achieved. It is good to see another Detachment win, but look out, we will be back!"

All three cadet organisations participated with 50 sub-units competing and raised at total of £84,942.18 (£23,782.32 more than last year), a staggering result. The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Surrey raised nearly £980,000 - just short of that elusive £1 million. 

The Army Cadet raising the most funds in Surrey was Cadet Harriett Cottrell of Merrow Detachment who raised £2,776.14. Second was Lance Corporal Sam Hillier £1,897.63, third place went to Cadet Joseph Webb of Merrow Detachment £1,311.65.  New entrant from Surrey ACF was Felbridge Detachment

The official presentation took place at Charterhouse School  in Godalming on 3 March 2010. The ceremony was attended by The Lord Lieutenant for Surrey, Mrs Sarah Goad JP, Lady Coulson CBE DL (High Sheriff), The Rev John Witheridge MA (Headmaster), Mr Gordon Lee-Steere DL (Vice Lord Lieutenant), All Surrey's Mayors,  Cllr Margaret Mead (Croydon), Cllr Celia Hodges (Richmond upon Thames), Cllr Richard Bailey (Past Mayor of Sutton), Mr Robert Douglas CBE (High Sheriff in Nomination), Col Piers Storey-Pugh (Past Chairman SERFCA), Chief Constable Mark Rowley QPM, Brigadier Roy Ratazzi CBE (Youth United), Col J Tuck (CO DRMC Headley Court), Lt Col David Pipe (President Surrey RBL), Kieth Ovens (County Chairman Surrey RBL) and Mrs LD Moore MBE (Chairman Surrey Women's Section). Special guest for the evening was Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB, DL, ADC - First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff 2006-2009. 

Sir Jonathon expressed his thanks and admiration for the work that the cadets, across all three services, had done in raising such an exceptional sum of money. The Lord Lieutenant praised the work of the Cadet Forces in Surrey and the dedication and enthusiasm of the cadets and their leaders.

:: Surrey Cadets Help Launch Cadet150

The Cadet150 Year of Celebrations kicked off in style on 17 February 2010 when HM The Queen welcomed 26 specially-selected cadet ambassadors to an audience at Buckingham Palace .  The 26 lucky cadets - including our own Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman - drawn from all four cadet forces (Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force) participated in a series of events marking the launch of Cadet150, the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement

After the audience at Buckingham Palace with HM The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, during which every cadet had the opportunity to shake hands with the Queen and tell her about their own plans for Cadet150, the party moved on to the Ministry of Defence for a lunch with officials.

After lunch they walked to Downing Street to have their photo taken outside No 10.  Defence Minister, Kevan Jones, and Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement, Dawn Butler, joined the cadets, bringing with them the exciting and unexpected news that they were to be given an exclusive tour inside the famous building.  First stop was the cabinet room where the cadets sat around the cabinet table while learning the history of the house.  They were also each told whose place they were sitting in.  From the cabinet room the party moved to No 11 Downing Street where Mrs Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, welcomed them warmly and showed them round the Chancellor’s residence.

Cadet Cpl Michael Curtiss - Yorktown & Cadet Cpl Liam Randall - Cranleigh	Cadet Cpls Randall & Curtiss  Join The Party At  The Lancaster House Reception
click on image to enlarge

The final engagement of the day was an evening reception at Lancaster House hosted by the Ulysses Trust and the Council of RFCAs in support of the unique Cadet150 expedition to Lesotho in southern Africa in July.  Guests included Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton KCB CBE, and HRH Prince Seeiso, High Commissioner for Lesotho .  World-famous explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, accepted a donation from the Ulysses Trust towards the Lesotho expedition and spoke fascinatingly and amusingly about how joining the Combined Cadet Force at the age of 12 led to his lifelong interest in travel to very remote places. Our own Cadet Corporals Curtiss and Randall (both of whom are participating in the Cadet150 Lesotho Expedition) were present and Cadet Randall made a speech of thanks to the Ulysses Trust for their generous donation.

With origins dating back to 1860, the cadet movement is one of the oldest and most successful voluntary youth organisations in the world. Today it numbers 131,000 young people, led by 25,000 adult volunteers, in well over 3,000 sites across the country.

The Cadet Forces are about fun and opportunity in a positive, structured environment that encourages the development of leadership and teamwork, initiative, self-confidence, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. They welcome young people and adults from all backgrounds and abilities.  No cadets or adult volunteers will ever be called upon for duty with the Armed Forces, and whilst some cadets do follow a career in the Armed Forces, the Cadet Forces are not used as a recruiting opportunity.

Further information about the Cadet150 celebrations in 2010 can be found at www.cadet150.org

:: Walton Detachment Steal Connaught Cup Again - Triumph in Poppy Appeal Awards

Walton Detachment, commanded by the irrepressible SMI Charlie Cooper,  for the third year running was awarded the Connaught Cup for the most money raised by a Surrey Cadet Detachment in the Lord Lieutenant's Poppy Appeal Cadet Competition. The Detachment raised no less than £6,665.80 - just £4.87 more than they raised last year. 

The Army Cadets also won the prize for the cadet who raised the most single handedly. The winner was Cadet Romilly Forbes of Merrow Detachment who raised a total of £3,266.99 (60% of her Detachment total. 

The best newcomer Detachment was Surrey Army Cadet's Guildford Detachment  that raised £2,857.10 on their first attempt.

Present at the prize giving was Mrs Sally Vara (High Sheriff), Mrs Angela Fraser DL (Chairman of Surrey CC), Mrs Penelope Keith CBE DL, all Surrey's Mayors, Mrs Sarah Goad JP (Lord Lieutenant of Surrey), Major General David Rutherford-Jones (Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst).

The Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition raised a total of £61,159.86 (up by £10,095.98 on 2008) and Surrey came second overall in the country beaten only by Manchester. In Surrey the British Legion Poppy Appeal raised a staggering £890,000 - a testament to the high regard Britains have for the British Legion and their role in supporting our servicemen.

:: Potential Officers Puzzle It Out

In February 2009, eight potential officers from Surrey ACF tried their hand at the initial step towards gaining a Cadet Force Commission in the Army Cadet Force. Obtaining a commission in the ACF is no mean achievement. Adult Instructors need to demonstrate that they have above average ability in a number of areas that require both mental and physical stamina. The Command Task tests, designed to highlight those candidates with natural leadership ability, always generate moments of great hilarity as the plan goes awry and bodies land in a heap on the ground. The Planning Exercise, in which a candidates ability to take in information and process it into an action plan is tested, is always a killer, especially when the plan is torn to shreds by the Directing Staff. Nevertheless, all the candidates on the course including a young Detachment Commander from Kent ACF, gave their best and were given appropriate feed-back on their performance.

A Likely Looking Bunch	Concentration	Teamwork	Look Out For The Crocodiles

:: Walton Cadets Brave Cold Weather To Aid Soldiers & Their Families

With the festive season just starting the shoppers of Burgh Heath in Surrey showed that despite the recession they had lost none of their support of compassion for their soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families who have fallen on hard times. As they arrived at the ASDA superstore they were greeted by Walton cadets wearing the distinctive red tabards of the Army Benevolent Fund and holding the brilliant red collecting buckets. Who could resist the friendly smile and polite greeting of the the cadets? The shoppers at ASDA were generous to a fault emptying their loose change into the buckets and pushing in five, ten and twenty pound notes. The weather was bitterly cold and the cadets took it in turns to go on stag. Colonel Hugh Stott of the Surrey Committee stated that the cadets had done a great job under difficult conditions. Colonel Tony Ward, Surrey Committee Chairman was effusive in his praise of the cadets and added that the money raised would help to boost the funding that the ABF badly needed.

Many thanks to the cadets of Walton on Thames Detachment under their Detachment Commander SMI Charlie Cooper. In particular thanks to Cadet Colour Sergeant Dawn Elderton of Walton, Cadet Sergeant Major Matthew Boraman and Cadet Sergeant George Bowden who helped to organise the cadets. Thanks also to Colour Sergeant Joey Parrott for driving the cadets to and from the event.

:: Surrey Orienteerers Sweep The Board - Again

Once again the Surrey ACF Orienteering Team have swept the board in the National Orienteering Championships held at Warcop in Cumbria. Surrey ACF won Senior Boys'/Junior Boys'/Senior Girls' & Junior Girls' team events. Also (subject to confirmation) Surrey won the best individual in each of these events and, for the first time we were eligible, the overall best unit. In some instances the trophy returns to Surrey for the 10th year in succession. A staggering achievement.

Many congratulations go to the whole team but particularly to Captain (Retired) Malcolm Mair MBE whose tireless efforts over many years have raised the standard of Orienteering within Surrey to Olympian heights. 

More details can be found on the Orienteering pages. 

The photograph shows Captain Mair who retired from active service with the ACF many years ago. However, he maintains his links with Surrey ACF as a Civilian Assistant by his management and support of the Orienteering Team, devoting many hours of his time and publishing the monthly Oscope newsletter for Surrey Orienteerers.

:: Surrey Army Cadets Remember The Fallen

On a cold and windy November morning Surrey Army Cadets across the county turned out to support their local British Legion Branches in the annual Services of Remembrance held throughout the land. In Woking the crowds turned out in large numbers to remember the fallen in past and current conflicts. 

Woking

Walton		Cranleigh

In addition to turning out on Remembrance Day, many Surrey Army Cadets have been actively involved in the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, making collections in towns and villages throughout Surrey. Last year Surrey Army Cadets raised over £29,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

:: Reigate Cadets On Air With Mercury FM Radio

On Sunday 27 April 2008, cadets from Reigate Detachment assisted Mercury FM with a charity abseil off the Sofitel Hotel at the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport. The cadets were tasked to welcome volunteer abseilers and to help guide them through the ordeal. At the end the cadets were allowed to have a go at abseiling as well! 

Cadets involved in the charity event and now media lovvies were LCpl Parsons, LCpl Christmas, LCpl Allard, LCpl Woodfield, Cdt Copper and Cdt Stone. Story sent in by PI Kirsty McDermott.

:: Surrey Army Cadets Assist ABF Charity Fair At RMA Sandhurst 

:: Ryan Earns Young First Aider Of The Year Award - 31 May 2008

The prestigious St John's Ambulance Young First Aider of the Year Awards was held at St John's Gate, London on Saturday 31 May 2008. Of all the subjects taught by the ACF First Aid is one of the most important and beneficial. Therefore it is a huge achievement that seven Army Cadets from across Britain were nominated for the medal for outstanding First Aid action. Among these was Lance Corporal Ryan Lloyd of our own Surrey Army Cadets.

Ryan was in a playground with his friend when he witnessed a man being hit and violently knocked to the ground. The casualty sustained serious head injuries and was bleeding severely. Ryan approached the casualty and assailant and then called an ambulance when he realised the casualty was badly hurt. The victim was unconscious, so Ryan put him in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived. Ryan managed to stay calm and care for the casualty despite receiving threats from the assailant before he ran away. Ryan stayed with the victim until the paramedics arrived. The casualty underwent emergency surgery and remained in a neurology unit for three weeks after the incident.

Ryan's actions were in the best traditions of Surrey Army Cadets and demonstrate the best of Surrey's young people. Congratulations to Ryan from all his Army Cadet Force mates. 

:: Kiln Agility Training Society Show, Walton, 31 May/1 June 2008

Over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June 2008 Walton Detachment supported the Kiln Agility Training Society to run their annual dog show by assisting with the administration and organisation of the event. Mr Martin Posnette, the Show Manager and Club Chairman commented, "What a great bunch of young people you are.  You dropped everything at such short notice to help us out at Apps Court, without you the show would have really struggled to get through one day, let alone two." During the show the cadets also raised money to support the forthcoming Scuba-diving expedition to the Red Sea.

:: Walton Detachment ANZAC Parade

Thirty-five cadets from Walton Detachment participated in Walton's annual ANZAC parade and church service to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars. The parade takes place on the closest Sunday to ANZAC day which is 25 April. 

The Anzac Day service was held at St Mary’s Church, before a wreath of remembrance was laid to remember those who died in the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War and subsequent campaigns.

Walton has a distinguished history alongside the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac). In July 1915, the Mount Felix New Zealand Military Hospital was opened, occupying around 18 acres of land near Walton Bridge. The facility boasted 2,000 beds and saw 27,000 troops pass through during the conflict. 21 New Zealand soldiers remain buried in St Mary’s churchyard as a result of the war.

Among those paying their respects were Mayor of Elmbridge Rosemary Dane, MP for Esher and Walton Ian Taylor, Commander Chris Hoey from the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand High Commissioner Derek Leask.

:: Sainsbury Customers Cough Up For The ABF

On Saturday and Sunday 24/25 May 2008 Army Cadets and their leaders from Farnham, Deepcut and Mytchett Detachments gave up several hours of their personal time to help the Army Benevolent Fund to raise funds to help servicemen, ex-servicemen and their dependants who are in need. The worthy residents of Farnham and its surrounding towns rose to the occasion and demonstrated their support for their forces by contributing £2,159.11. LCpl Rudd of Farnham Detachment collected the highest total of donations with £333.28.

The Saturday team comprised LCpl Sinclair (Farnham), LCpl Rudd (Farnham)  and Cdt Goodwin (Pirbright). The Sunday team comprised Cpl Godolphin (Deepcut), Cdt Bryant (Deepcut), Cdt Bunyan (Mytchett), Cdt Gardner (Mytchett),  Cdt Isac J (Deepcut) and Cdt Isac T (Deepcut). 

Great effort from all concerned. Major Peter Grove (ABF Treasurer) commented, " I am very impressed by the dedication of the cadets who have been participating in this collection. They have given their time willingly and without complaint during a very long day. Surrey ACF can be proud of them all."

:: 4 DIV Military Skills Competition Cleaned Up by Surrey

The annual Military Skills Competition sponsored by 4 Division was won decisively this year by the Surrey ACF team. In an amazing performance they won all the trophies for which they were eligible - The March and Shoot Competition, the ACF Trophy and the 4 Div Military Skills Winners. The competition was fought over the weekend 26/27 April and involved all ACF counties and CCF units in the 4 Div area.

The team comprised: LCpl S Limbu (Yorktown), LCpl A Springham (Felbridge), LCpl M Hills (Felbridge), LCpl G Howard (Walton), Cpl W Cooper (Felbridge), Cpl G Bowdon (Farnham), Cpl A Paraskeva (Banstead), Cpl C Harrison (Farnham). The trainers were: Major T Hayter (OC D Coy), SSI G Fuiza (Deepcut) and SI M Lowes (Felbridge).

The team put in a first class effort in the observation and patrolling, were the fastest in the March and Shoot (leaving the safety supervisors trailing), had outstanding confidence on the obstacle course (being able to cross a 10 foot wall unaided) and saved all the victims in the first aid scenario.

Patrolling	First Aid	Obstacle Course	March and Shoot	Obstacle Course

The last word goes to their OC and trainer, Major Terry Hayter. "I am hugely proud of these Cadets as they have put their heart and soul in it - from selection to continuation training - but yet they still found whatever energy they could muster during the competition to win. We used to take the Mickey out of the TA SAS slogan where they say, "We are not elite. We are just better than everyone else" This team proved that. They have made themselves proud and they are a brilliant advertisement for Surrey ACF.

SURREY ARMY CADETS - BE THE BEST  

:: Leatherhead Detachment Help The Heroes

Six cadets from Leatherhead Detachment attended Walton-on-the-Hill's Annual Pageant on 17 May to help raise funds for Help for Heroes. Despite poor weather, a large number of people attended the event, and the cadets performed sterling work collecting donations from the public. The Surrey co-ordinator for Help for Heroes said that Leatherhead's cadets helped raise far more donations than would otherwise have been collected.

Help for Heroes is a national charity aimed at providing assistance for the rehabilitation of servicemen and women injured on active service. Their current appeal is focussed on improving the facilities at Headley Court, the MOD rehabilitation centre near Leatherhead. As the closest detachment to Headley Court, Leatherhead Cadets look forward to continuing their association with Help for Heroes and providing further fundraising support in the future.

:: Surrey Cadets Support TA100, Army Benevolent Fund & BLESMA

Throughout 2008, events around the UK will celebrate 100 years of service to the nation, during which Territorial Army soldiers have served alongside their Regular Army comrades in almost every major operation around the world. The history and achievements of the TA are rich in service and dedication, from its beginnings in 1908 as Lord Haldane’s ‘Territorial Force’, through two World Wars, the Cold War period of cuts and stagnation, to the present day when the TA operates and fights alongside the Regulars.

In Surrey, TA100 was celebrated by a parade through Guildford on Saturday 5th April. Hundreds of residents and visitors lined Guildford High Street to see more than 200 Territorial Army members parade through the town centre. TA units from Farnham, Camberley, Redhill, Reigate and Chertsey marched from Town Bridge to Holy Trinity Church, and held a short service outside the church before returning to the Portsmouth Road Car Park.

TA soldiers parade in Guildford	Cpl's Hennem & Bennett with ABF bucket	Guildford, Merrow, Cranleigh and Haselmere cadets raise funds for ABF and BLESFA

In support of the TA and working for the benefit of soldiers in need were Surrey Army Cadets from Guildford, Merrow, Cranleigh and Haselmere Detachments led by 2Lt Adrian Paice. A total of £2,671.97 was raised by the cadets for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA). Cadet Cpl Bennett raised £259.75 narrowly beating Cadet Peters who raised £254.16.