Page 72 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

A Company – OC:
Major (ACF) JP Hyde MERCIAN
B Company - OC:
Major (ACF) M Burrows RA
70
Hereford and Worcester ACF
Maj JP Hyde
There are four MERCIAN cap badge affiliated detachments within Hereford and Worcester ACF (HW ACF). The A Company detachments are located at Stourbridge and Halesowen and the B Company detachments are in Stourport and Kidderminster.
All the detachments have been affected by the current Coronavirus pandemic with the closure of face-to-face training since March 2020. During this period, we have been committed to deliver interactive training on weekday evenings. This was primarily designed to provide the necessary continuity of training and to engender the ethos of “keeping the flame alive”. This interactive training has been delivered via various social media platforms and has enabled the cadets to conduct lessons in the virtual space, take part in PowerPoint lessons and have access to training videos. The virtual training has included Shotgun Skills, Fieldcraft lessons and military themed quizzes to name but a few.
During the summer HW ACF conducted Exercise BREW UP & BASHA which saw some 200 cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) constructing bashas
in their gardens and all were subject to “back garden field conditions” for 24 hours. During the exercise period the cadets were invited to partake in numerous activities which included a STEM challenge, making
an improvised cooker to prepare their
ORP meals and spend the night out in
their bashas. The photographic and video evidence showed some very innovative and comfortable sleeping quarters with pets and mascots also taking part. Prizes were awarded for creative use of improvised materials and best in show for ORP Master Chef.
HW ACF Cadets and CFAV also took part in the National ACF Mile Challenge which provided the perfect antidote to the “Lockdown” blues and engaged the cadets and adults out some well received physical exercise. Cadets and adults also took part in the Clapping of the NHS and Remembrance Day Services during the lockdown period.
Alongside the virtual training both Companies have been making good use of the virtual space to reach out and connect to all our cadets and CFAV to provide the much-needed welfare checks throughout this challenging period.
Cadets from B Company took part in a fund-raising event which entailed individual cadets walking within their local areas and adding all the mileage together, the total accumulated recorded mileage was in excess of 300 miles, a distance equal to walking from Worcester to Normandy. They now need to embark on walking the journey back to Worcester!
The HW ACF Senior Cadets have been undergoing Junior Cadet Instructor Cadre (JCIC) training, this has been accomplished via Zoom meetings and lessons, we
also have cadets enrolling in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme and CVQO courses. The CFAV have also taken part in
the Return to Training exercises including Weapon Handling Tests, updated risk assessment training and safeguarding updates. The Company Headquarters, Detachment staff and Professional Support Staff have been actively preparing all the Detachments to achieve a COVID-secure training environment so that we can all look forward to a safe and secure return to parading in detachment training bubbles to keep the flame burning brighter than ever.
Overall, this has been a demanding period for the cadets and CFAV of HW ACF, nevertheless, it has been one which has not dampened the irrepressible spirit of our cadets and CFAV and has seen innovation, adaptability and flexibility rise to the fore... Stand Firm...Strike Hard!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE