The High Sheriff was invited to partake in an Awards Ceremony for the Ellesmere Cadets where he was able to award certificates of merit to a number of well deserving Cadets.
There are about 600 young Army Cadets in Shropshire between the ages of 12 – 18 yrs old, of which there are 20 young enthusiastic cadets that belong to the Ellesmere Detachment. At the end of their training successful candidates can achieve The Army Proficiency Certificate (APS), but all recruits follow a training syllabus which teaches them leadership skills, discipline and gives them self-confidence which many thought not possible. They learn a wide range of transferable skills such as: the ability to command tasks; make decisions under pressure; plan and organise tasks and work as an effective team player as well as independently. These skills are designed to equip them for life and add an extra string to their bows at times when competition for college places and employment is fierce. This also can include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well many other relevant Certificates. Being a Cadet means they take in exciting and challenging activities such as fieldcraft, adventurous training, first aid, music, sports and shooting, to name but a few. They make new friends and get the opportunity to go on annual camp where they meet cadets from other detachments in the county. There is also the opportunity to go on expeditions both in this country and/or abroad.
Their detachment Commander is 2Lt. Morgan Collinge, an extremely dynamic and engaging young leader who most excitingly, and to her great surprise, was given her own award this evening, a promotion to ‘Lieutenant’. Huge applaud was given by all her platoon!
The evening began with the Award ceremonies, led by Lt. Morgan Collinge, with awards presented by the Mayor of Ellesmere, Cllr Allan Clarke, The High Sheriff, The President Ellesmere League, Lt Col Graham Hutchinson. and County Commandant, Col Marius Coulon TD. Following the Ceremonies guests went outside to see demonstrations of some of the exercises and activities that the Cadets engage in, which was followed by an informal reception during which time we were able to meet and talk to the cadets and their proud families. It was an extremely rewarding evening to see for oneself how much enjoyment and sense of achievement these young people derive from being an active member of the Shropshire Cadets.