Thornbury Army Cadets finished 2021 with visitors to the detachment to make a host of end of year awards and presentations.

Mayor of Thornbury Cllr Jayne Stansfield presented Cadet Lance Corporal Butler (17), with the ‘Mayor of Thornbury’s Youth Award’.

Butler was awarded a trophy and certificate as the overall winner of the ‘Wider Community Change’ category.

She was nominated as a result of her work within the Army Cadet Force over the last four years. Butler was recognised for her dedication throughout the last year, being an ACF National Champion footballer and the ‘Cadet of the Year’.

The Mayor also presented a certificate to Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Liam Read, following the detachment's nomination by the ACF Area Commander, in the new ‘group’ category introduced in 2021.

On the same evening, the cadets hosted a visit by members of the Thornbury branch of the Royal British Legion who the detachment are affiliated with.

RBL Poppy appeal collection organiser, Mr Rick Laing presented a Certificate of Appreciation for the £1914 collected by the detachment over the three weekends of the national poppy appeal.

An earlier visit saw Mrs Katy Cadman of Thornbury’s Cadman & Co, who made a donation to the detachment in recognition of the work and what has been achieved by the instructors and cadets, during the years her son, Tom, has been a member of the detachment.

Gazette Series: Mrs Katy Cadman with S/Sgt Liam Read, presenting the cheque to the DetachmentMrs Katy Cadman with S/Sgt Liam Read, presenting the cheque to the Detachment

Mrs Cadman said: “I am so impressed by the team leaders who devote their time and show their commitment. Tom has been with the detachment since Year 8, so that says it all!"

The donation will go towards the cost of events, detachment external visits and qualification course costs.

The final visit was made by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tooze, who is the Deputy Commandant of Bristol ACF.

The evening started with the long-anticipated promotion to Cadet Lance Corporal for Cdt Elliott (15), from Tytherington.

Gazette Series: Lieutenant Colonel Tooze congratulates L/Cpl Elliott on his promotionLieutenant Colonel Tooze congratulates L/Cpl Elliott on his promotion

Lt Col Tooze awarded Army Proficiency Certificates and badges to six cadets who have all completed their Basic training since the unit began parading again following the ‘return to training’ and relaxation of restrictions.

The cadets were Cdt Faulkner (14), Carnaby (16), Horder (16), Cdt Crabtree (13), Hember (13) and Hughes (13).

Awarded certificates for completing their next level of the APC - ‘One Star’, were L/Cpl Elliott and Cdt Curran (17), from Dursley.

Their certificates were again presented by Lt Col Tooze.

Sport and Shooting are core subjects of the syllabus and badges were awarded here too. Cdt Hember, Faulkner and L/Cpl Elliott all played in the South West Region football tournament in Yeovilton and were in the winning team in all three categories.

For Shooting Cdt Smith-Russell (16) and L/Cpl Elliott were awarded 2nd class and 1st class proficiency badges respectively.

The awards evening was concluded with the presentation of the ‘Cadet of the Month’ (Best Cadet) shield. This was awarded to Cdt Hughes, from Berkeley.

Gazette Series: Cadet of the Month (Best Cadet), Cdt Hughes with Lieutenant Colonel ToozeCadet of the Month (Best Cadet), Cdt Hughes with Lieutenant Colonel Tooze

Hughes joined the ACF in June, completed his APC Basic and has achieved 94% attendance – and has completed 2 APC training weekends, the RBL Poppy appeal and Remembrance Sunday parades.

This evening also saw the last official parade for long serving detachment instructor, Sergeant Major Kevin Arnold, who handed over to S/Sgt Liam Read, after 6 years in-charge. S/Sgt Read now heads up a newly bolstered team of four instructors and looks forward to an equally successful year in 2022.

The unit is currently recruiting new member from age 12 in school year 8 and up to age 18. Thornbury Army Cadets meet every Thursday next to the Fire Station on Gloucester Road in Thornbury, from 7pm-9.30pm. For more information call 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.