Page 68 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

Celebrating Father’s Day AUO Jason Carpenter and Armed Forces Week innovation day where cadets where asked to
Cadet Sjt Alfie Carpenter of Broseley Detachment
For Shropshire Army Cadet Force (ACF), 2020 has truly been a roller-coaster
ride which started with six cadets from around the county being nominated for
the Outstanding Young Citizen Awards presented by High Sheriff of Shropshire, Dr Josh Dixey. This was the first year our cadets have entered the award which was held
at Telford College with each of the cadets receiving a commendation.
Adventurous Training has continued to be a growing activity within the ACF and once again cadets from the county took part in the annual Ex Snow Cub adventure to Bavaria for a week skiing kindly supported by the Ulysses Trust.
Cadet LCpl William Arden was one of the youngest members of his shooting team in last year’s competition held at Bisley ranges where his talent was spotted. William went on to win fourth place in the National 500-meter shoot, securing his place in a seven weeks bilateral exchange with the Royal Canadian Army Cadet (RCA), which will now take place in 2021.
As the coronavirus took hold the UK, all cadet activity came to an abrupt and unwel- comed stop and the ACF entered the new uncharted virtual world.
To help keep the cadets motivated each week we asked our cadet to take part in different online activities starting with the “cadet Salute” thanking the NHS and key workers for all the hard work to keep us
all safe! The Commandant, Colonel Gary Newbrook also set his own weekly challenge’s starting with asking the cadets to build a shelter in their garden and then hosting a
68 RIFLES The Bugle
raise a flag in their garden
family garden party to celebrate VE Day. To celebrate Armed Forces Week, the
cadets where set daily challenge’s including; the great Shropshire bake off, innovation
day, veteran’s day and then finally posting a picture of them saluting our armed forces in uniform. Cadet Erin Gallagher had an amazing opportunity to appear on the official AF20 government campaign where she explained why Armed Forces Day was important to her.
Helping our cadets maintain some type of “normality” had been a priority during the initial lockdown which was achieved when Cadet Serjeant Cook made history with Shropshire first ever “virtual” promotion. The promotions have since continued and more recently Cadet CSjt Elizabeth Lewis has been appointed as cadet CSM for A Company.
The county has continued to make history with the first virtual appointment of the Lord Lieutenant Cadet, which was presented to Cadet Sjt Abby Rooney.
Cadet LCpl William Arden securing his place in the Canadian exchange
Helping our cadets maintain some
type of ‘normality’ had been
a priority during
the initial lockdown
Commandant Challenge build a shelter in their garden
SHROPSHIRE ARMY CADET FORCE
Cadets enjoying the slopes during Ex Snow Cub