News
March 9th 2018
Officially opening a cadet centre in Hinckley
Air cadets in Hinckey: Cadet Erin Hoult, Cadet Adam Purcell, Cadet Morgan Coulton, Cadet Fenton Sweenie and Cadet Ben Draper
The new joint cadet training centre in Hinckley that is used by both Army and Air Cadets is set to be officially opened at an event next week.
Although cadets from both Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force (LNR ACF) and 198 (Hinckley) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC – a part of the RAF Air Cadets), moved in to the new building in October last year – an official opening event has not previously been organised.
The centre, that includes modern classrooms, a canteen and radio room will host a variety of guests at the event including The Mayor of Hinckley, Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Brigadier Matthew Lowe MBE and Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty CBE.
A variety of activities will be on offer on 13 March for invited guests to see and get involved in as such taking to the skies in the flight simulator, visiting a First Aid stand and seeing a weapons demonstration.
The new training facility took less than a year to build and was constructed on the same site as the former Territorial Army Centre.
Staff Sergeant Instructor Peter Holdsworth, LNR ACF’s Hinckley Detachment Commander, said: “To see a cadet grow in confidence, believe in themselves and achieve something they never thought they could is priceless. I would encourage anyone to join us as a cadet or adult volunteer as there are lots of opportunities on offer and our new centre is fantastic.”
Senior Adult Volunteer Flight Lieutenant David Berry from the ATC said: “198 (Hinckley) Squadron has been very fortunate to secure a brand new building. This allows us to deliver our exciting programme of activities in the most modern training environment.
“The Royal Air Force Air Cadets offers such a vast syllabus which I would encourage all those between the ages of 12.5-20 years to take advantage of. At the Squadron, we can deliver the necessary training required to fly in Royal Air Force training aircraft, practice target shooting as well as all adventure training plus much more. We look forward to welcoming our very own Commandant, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty to open this prestigious building.”
Martin Capewell, Head of Estates at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA), explained: “I am delighted that the building is open and is being enjoyed by both cadets and adult volunteers in the town. The construction process was project managed by East Midlands RFCA and was completed on time.”
Both cadet units based at the new centre in Hinckley are recruiting. To find out more about joining either youth organisation as a cadet or adult volunteer please contact:
LNR ACF – 0116 2779701 / em-lnr-ao@rfca.org.uk
Air Cadets – 01455 619375 / oc.198@aircadets.org
The Army cadets meet on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and the Air Cadets parade on both Monday and Wednesday evenings between 7pm-9.30pm.
“198 (Hinckley) Squadron has been very fortunate to secure a brand new building. This allows us to deliver our exciting programme of activities in the most modern training environment."
