Army Cadets in Thornbury have continued to be very busy throughout the lockdown period and have achieved many successes since the summer.
As well as continuing to train through virtual teaching sessions twice weekly and regularly attending virtual parade evening each Thursday on Zoom, they’ve also been active in National Army Cadet events.
All their achievements were recognised when Mayor of Thornbury, Cllr Jayne Stansfield awarded badges, certificates and trophy’s virtually at a Zoom awards ceremony.
The evening began with a huge well done to all the cadets who took part in a 100km national challenge.
The Royal Signals #100for100 event saw Army Cadets from all over the UK complete 1km for each year since the formation of Royal Corp of Signals, who are the Detachments sponsor unit.
Detachment Commander Sergeant Major Kevin Arnold set the cadets the challenge to run the whole 100km, rather than the option of cycling or walking.
The Thornbury cadets, led by L/Cpl Buckley (16), from Kington ran a total of 131km.
Cdt Faulkner (13) from Thornbury who was the ‘girls champion’ completing a total of 23km, and was presented with a unique Royal Signals plaque.
The awards of the evening included :
Cadet Curran, (16) from Dursley was awarded her Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
The Bronze award is in 4 sections: Volunteering, Physical (Sport), Skills and Expedition. Cdt Curran volunteered 80 hours over several months, coaching Archery at her club and qualified for an archery coaching certification.
Diving was the activity selected for the Physical section and she achieved the PADI junior open-water qualification, with dives in quarry’s, and in the the sea at Torquay.
The Expedition section requires a 20 mile journey and overnight camping, which Cdt Curran completed across the Mendip hills.
For her Skills section, Cdt Curran returned to archery as a competitor and took part in 30 archery tournaments, winning 2 silver medals and a bronze at the National Junior championships.
Cadet of the Year was presented to Cdt Keira Butler, (16) from Thornbury.
Butler has played Senior girls’ football for South West district, winning the national competition.
She now proudly wears the ‘ACF Champion’ badge.
This year she has also completed her Junior Instructors course and the St John Ambulance 1st Aid award.
She is a regular attender at detachment and Company events and has had a very good year and has developed greatly in her ACF career.
Cdt Faulkner and Cdt Curran were both presented certificates for passing their Basic Signals course.
The Cadet of the Month award went to Cdt Curran.
Curran has attended throughout lockdown and has twice been recognised by HQ instructors for her enthusiasm and commitment to the ACF.
She won this award last summer too and it was presented by the previous mayor.
Lance Corporal Buckley was promotion to Cadet Corporal.
This follows his award of 2019 Cadet of the Year at both the detachment last year and in the whole of the B Company, Bristol ACF.
Buckley has also received a ‘Mayor of Thornbury’s Youth Award. Cpl Buckley is without doubt the outstanding cadet of the last 2 years and is looking at a career as an Army officer.
Nationally the ACF held a National Cadet 1-mile challenge.
This event saw over 1000 cadets from across the country taking part. Cdt Elliott, (14) from Tytherington was the fastest cadet from the Bristol area and finished 10th nationally in his age group and managed a very credible 64th place nationally, competing against cadets up to age 18.
Finally, congratulations went to Staff Sergeant Liam Read on his promotion in July and his appointment to be the next Detachment Commander at Thornbury, taking over in a few months after Christmas.
Army Cadet activities were planned to re-start in November and the unit is currently recruiting new members from age 12 in school year 8 and up to age 18.
Thornbury Army Cadets meet usually meet on Thursdays next to the Fire Station on Gloucester Road in Thornbury, from 7pm to 9.30pm.
For more information Telephone 0117 986 3344 or email wx-bri enquiries@RFCA.gov.uk.
The ACF is keen to recruit new instructors too, no previous experience is needed.
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