Attention! Cadets on display

Cullybackey Army Cadets Force (AFC) celebrated the hard work and achievements of the past year at their latest annual Inspection and display.

The C Coy, 1st Battalion Inspection evening was well attended last week by family and friends and members of the Irish Guards with which the village’s ACF are proudly cap badged.

Cullybackey Army Cadets pictured with officers last week in Cullybackey College hall where they attended their annual inspection evening for parents and friends. Photography by Hugo@Digital Image Photography

placeholder image — Cullybackey Army Cadets pictured with officers last week in Cullybackey College hall where they attended their annual inspection evening for parents and friends. Photography by Hugo@Digital Image Photography

The packed audience was treated to an active programme featuring drill display, field craft and Duke of Edinburghskills, all of which is offered to any young person joining cadets.

There was particular interest at the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition stand as adults were treated to a freshly boiled “cuppa” as part of the cadets’ menu planning exercise.

Lance Corporal Joel Roxborough, Cadet Ellen McCaw, Captain J Parke, Lance Corporal Andryi McClenaghan, Cadet Samuel Douglas receiving their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. (Submitted Picture).

Piper Lance Corporal Wilson from London, along with piper Senior Pipe Major (ACF) Karen McAleese from Ballymoney, entertained the audience with music, from traditional Irish Guards’ tunes to chart hits.

Promotions, certificates and prizes were presented at the end of the evening and these included six promotions for Cullybackey ACF and two British Canoe Union (BCU) paddle sport start certificates for kayaking, a Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and four Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards which special guest Capt Jimmy Parke had been involved in assessing.

Speaking after the evening, Cadet Jessica Beverland, who recently achieved success in Girls’ Cross Country, said: “Cadets has been a brilliant experience for me and I’m really looking forward to the next stage of the cross country competition which is taking place in England.”