Page 173 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Durham ACF
Royal appointment for two Army Cadets
On Tuesday 12th March Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieuten- ant’s annual presentations took place at the Eden Armoury, Bishop Auckland. Hosted this year by 8 RIFLES, our local regiment in the North. Presentation of Certificates and Awards were made by Mrs Sue Snowdon – Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Durham has approved the appointment of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets to represent their Cadet Force and assist Mrs Sue Snowdon with Royal and other official duties for one year. One or two Cadets are selected from each of the three Cadet Forces in the County – the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the Air Training Corps – depending on the antic- ipated number of duties.
Durham Army Cadet’s Colour Sergeant’s James Godfrey, 17 from Chester le Street and Rachel Ivory, 16 from Ushaw Moor have been chosen by virtue of their outstanding performance as a cadet, personal qualities and contribution to their local communities and the aims and spirit of their Cadet Force. They have both given four years to the Durham Army Cadet Force and have been rewarded for their esteem service to their respective Detachment and surrounding community.
This is of course an outstanding opportunity for these young army cadets, and they will rise to the challenges ahead. To have one cadet selected but two from the same County is outstanding and is credit to their service and achievements so far in Durham Army Cadet Force.
Colonel Brian Kitching, Commandant Durham ACF “this is an outstanding and prestigious achievement for James and Rachel and they thoroughly deserve this recognition. James and Rachel will have the opportunity to meet and greet the Royal Family and other high-profile members of the community and business over the next 12 months, well done”.
Six-week Canadian adventure secured for Army Cadet
On Thursday 18th April 109 cadets formed up at Cwrt-y-Gollen Cadet Training Centre, South Wales the Headquarters of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force (ACF) to take part in Exercise Oak Leaf, the national selection event for the Canadian Exchange 2019.
They arrived from all corners of
the United Kingdom with cadets
attending from the Combined
Cadet Force (CCF) and Army
Cadet Force (ACF) to compete for
their place. The Durham hopefuls
arrived well prepared and ready for the challenges that lay ahead. There are three courses available in Canada each summer; Cadet Corporal Zak Bodur, 15 from Birtley will attend the Whitehorse Course in the Yukon Territory.
Over the four days the cadets took part in a wide range of challenging activities at local adventurous training (AT) facilities throughout Crickhowell including Llangorse Lake. They were assessed and observed taking part in the following activities; swimming test, hill walking, kayaking, mountain biking, and a personal interview. The weekend culminated with the Canadian fitness test on Sunday morning before the cadets departed for their home locations. All the activities are taken into account to decide the successful 46 cadets who will travel to Canada for 6 weeks this summer.
Colonel Brian Kitching, Commandant Durham ACF said “the weekend was a great success with all of the cadets participating in all of the activities to the best of their abilities. I am sure that the decision to select the top 46 cadets was tough however the best cadets were selected to take part in the 2019 exchange, well done to all who attended and selected. This is an all-expense paid experience for our cadets, which youth organisation offers this?”.
Zak Bodur said “the selection event has been an amazing experience. I have met some life-long friends. We have taken part in some excellent and challenging activities which will remain with me for years to come. I am really excited for my trip to Canada in the summer and would recommend the selection event to anyone”. Cpl Zak Bodur from Durham Army Cadet Force.
The exchange trip to Canada lasts for six weeks in July and August this year. Courses will take place in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, at Whitehorse in Yukon and at Argonaut in New Brunswick, and each will offer Cadets unforgettable oppor- tunities and experiences. Their adventurous training will consist of a range of activities including canoeing, mountain biking, horse riding and mountain trekking through stunning, wilderness landscapes. This year in a new development, a fitness and sports instructor’s course is available for an additional 10
cadets.
Cadet Cpl Zac Bodur attended a four day course of challenging activities to
be one of the 46 successful cadets to travel to Canada for six weeks
CSjt Rachel Ivory 16 receives her award for her esteemed service to the ACF
CSjt James Godfrey 17 receives his award from Sue Snowdon Lord Lieutenant
of County Durham for his outstanding performance over the past four years
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