News
April 30th 2013
Visiting Loughborough Grammar School
The Chief Executive of East Midlands RFCA, Group Captain Nick Sharpe was delighted to accept an invitation from the Headmaster of Loughborough Grammar School, Mr Paul Fisher MA, to attend the School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Annual Review on Saturday 27 April.
The Review marked another successful year for this thriving cadet unit in one of England’s oldest schools, with the cadets demonstrating their prowess in drill and ceremonial duties with an impressive March Past, accompanied by the Cadet Corps of Drums, of over 100 young people from the three service contingents, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, that make up the Schools’ CCF, all under the watchful eye of the Cadet RSM Andrew Halliwell.
The Reviewing Officer was Group Captain Al Gillespie, the Station Commander of RAF Waddington.
Following the impressive parade the Cadet RSM became the first recipient of the Clive Priestley Sword and Prize, presented by Mr Daphne Priestley OBE JP.
The day included displays on various fieldcraft skills by the cadets in the school grounds, there was a drill display by cadets from the Army and RAF sections followed by the very impressive Loughborough Grammar School CCF Inter-Service Gun Run.
Competing teams from the three CCF sections competed against the clock to ferry an artillery gun across an aerial rope way and back again in this hard fought annual competition, which was complimented by the commentary of the CCF Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Peter Sergeant, and the encouragement of the assembled guests and fellow cadets.
In a very close competition the Army Section were victorious and were duly presented the Hipkin Shield by Group Captain Gillespie.
A much wider audience will have a chance to see the School’s Gun Run as they will be performing on the Main Arena on Victoria Embankment in Nottingham on Saturday 29 June as part of the National Armed Forces Day celebrations.
Group Captain Sharpe said: “The day was a great success. The Combined Cadet Force is made up of army cadets, sea cadets and air cadets – so I think it was interesting for the students’ parents and other visitors to see what types of things they can get involved in through these different units.”
Find out more about Loughborough Grammar School here.
Find out more about the National Armed Forces Day in Nottingham here.
