Page 25 - Cadet Review Summer 2023

BAND CAMPS
During the first week in April, Air Cadet Music Services ran two camps: Marching Band Camp and Concert Band Camps, which two cadets from Mirfield were lucky enough to attend. These high-profile camps were supported by instructors from Royal Marines Band Service, The Royal Corps of Army Music and RAF Music Services.
Sergeant Joshua Clark went to the Concert Band Camp and performed in a concert in Whittle Hall at RAF College Cranwell on Friday night with Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Tony Keeling, in attendance. He was also awarded his Gold Music Badge.
Cadet Emily Richards went to RAF Halton
for the Marching Band Camp which included an exciting visit to the band of the Grenadier Guards at Wellington Barracks. During the camp, they went on to perform to families and station staff at St George's Church, RAF Halton. She had this to say about the experience: “I am really thankful that I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate on the national marching band camp. I think that it has improved both my drill, and my musical skills due to the
great team of staff at RAF Halton. One of my most memorable experiences was meeting and playing with the Grenadier Guards in Wellington Barracks. It was great to have the one-to-one conversations with them and, learn first-hand what it would be like moving forward with music in the military and receive someinsightintoitasacareer. Despite
all the hard work and long days, I think the experiences I received from the camp will continue to impact on all aspects of my cadet musical career, which I hope to bring back to the region and squadron. The experience has encouraged me to better my skills to maybe one day join as a musician in one of the armed forces. It has been a great experience meeting and working with cadets from across the country and a lot of fun, and I hope to go back in future.”
HIGH PRAISE FROM THE HIGH SHERIFF
By Civilian Instructor Elizabeth Wright
At the end of March, cadets from 218, 366 and 1053 Squadrons lined the streets of Rotherham for the High Sheriff’s service at Rotherham Minster. The High Sheriff, Lieutenant Colonel Robert McPherson commented on how well turned out all
the cadets were, and how pleased he was to see them. It was wonderful to join together with other squadrons for this event, which was also attended by the Rotherham Mayor, Councillor Tajamal Khan, and the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE.
The office of High Sheriff dates all the way back to Saxon times, and High Sheriffs in South Yorkshire can be traced back as far as the Ninth Century! The earliest recorded High Sheriff was Gamel, son of Osbern in 1066. In 2000, the University of York published a book entitled ‘The Lord-Lieutenants and High Sheriffs of Yorkshire 1066 – 2000’ which traces the history and origins of the two offices and gives biographies of all the known Lord-Lieutenants and High Sheriffs from that period.
There are 55 High Sheriffs in England and Wales each year, one for each county. Originally, they were responsible for ‘keeping the King’s peace,’ which means
that they had to maintain law and order in addition to collecting taxes, like the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood stories. These days the High Sheriffs attend Royal visits, together with supporting law enforcement and crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.
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