Top cadet Nicola joins the 'big guns'

Guests from the field of education gathered to enjoy the spectacle of the Royal Salute fired by officers and soldiers from 206 (Ulster) Battery, Royal Artillery (Volunteers), more usually based at Territorial Army Units in Coleraine and Newtownards. Among the guests was Cadet Nicola Robb, from Londonderr The ceremony showcased the high standards of military skills which are a trademark of Northern Ireland's Reserve Forces, but on this occasion the Province's Cadet movement was also a focus of attention. After the formalities of the Royal Salute, guests heard more about the Cadets' 150th anniversary, marked this year under the CADET150 banner.

Speaking to teachers and educationalists gathered at Hillsborough Castle, Colonel Norman Walker, Chairman of the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association Northern Ireland, said, "In Northern Ireland we have 3,600 Cadets who enjoy the camaraderie as well as the adventurous training and development opportunities which have always been at the heart of Cadet life. We are proud of our reputation for instilling confidence and commitment in young people and of equipping them with many of the skills which will make them good citizens in the future.

"There is no doubt that a record of achievement in the Cadets will help to add interest to any CV, but today our Cadets are also earning widely recognised qualifications. In this year alone 182 Cadets earned BTEC certificates equating to 728 individual GCSE passes!

"Given that background it is perhaps no surprise that we already enjoy such strong support from principals and teachers. Indeed there are many teachers amongst the 500 Adult Volunteers who are the backbone of the Cadet movement in Northern Ireland."