Combined Cadet Force

ARMY SECTION

The beginning of this year saw a respectable intake of new cadets with both girls and boys joining in almost equal numbers. Training began with special attention being given to the use and handling of the L.98 Al cadet GP rifle in preparation for the necessary weapons test. The training given for this, and all the other necessary skills that a successful cadet needs, was intensive and arduous. However, all the cadets, with the care and guidance of the officers, the NCO's and the ever-present members of the 9th cadet training team, passed all their tests with flying colours first time.

Later in the year, the whole contingent was transported out to Catterick for the annual field day. This event was presided over by The Green Howards and went very well indeed. The day concluded with a presentation for the best overall section. The award was given unreservedly to Fit.

Sgt. Matthew Pittman's section. A great conclusion to a successful day.

The coming year should see an intake of more than sixty new cadets into the army section. This in itself is a credit to the effort and time that all the present C.C.F. members have given.

We are looking forward now to this year's annual camp to be held at Wathgill, Catterick and I am sure with the help of Mrs. Ruth Wogan and Miss Jacqui Finney it will be a successful week.

Finally, I would like to thank C. Sgt. Melissa Marlow and the platoon sergeants, C. Sgt. Mark Ludiman, Sgt. Jon Lacy-Colson, Sgt. Jack Weatherall and the other senior NCO's for their help in running the contingent. During the course of the year it was invaluable.

As always the whole section wishes to express sincere thanks to C O. Major Jelbert and to Captain H. A. Tombs for their unflagging support, guidance and patience during the last year.

CSM. Damien Lipman

The summer camp at the end of the '91/'92 year proved to be an invaluable experience for all cadets. Based at R.A.F. St. Athan, near Cardiff, the St. Peter's contingent was the largest alongside contingents from Bloxham, Bromsgrove and West Buckland. Events during the week included work experience, off-base excursions, night exercise, shooting, flying, an assault course, command tasks and, in recreation time, ten-pin bowling proved very popular. St. Peter's cadets fared well during the week, best cadet awards going to F.S. Doncaster and Sgt. White, and the aircraft recognition prize to Cdt. Benson.

The new academic year began with a large influx of new recruits which necessitated two flight sergeants, F.S. Pittman and the first female flight sergeant at St. Peter's, F.S. White.

The lower sixth members Cpl.'s Allworthy, Hall, Mulryne, Suttill and Whiting have all showed good leadership potential. Cpl.'s Mulryne and Whiting followed camp with the demanding and challenging leadership course at R.A.F. Hereford which both completed successfully. Best wishes go to Cpl. Hall and J. Cpl. Evans as they attend Hereford this summer.

In January the demanding prospect of fatherhood led Fit. Lt. Bellis to relinquish the running of the section and put it in the hands of Fig. Off. Grant and Pit. Off. Blood who have since kept up the good work.

The section has managed to get up in the air on a number of occasions throughout the year. J. Cpl. Bradley and Cpl. Mulryne successfully completed initial glider training and Cpl. Whiting basic glider training. We have also secured further places for glider training in the summer. Cpl. Suttill has gained a flying scholarship for which he will be spending a continuous period of training for 2-8 days at Teesside Airport. Mention must go to C.D.T. Mee who experienced an unfortunate turn in a Chipmunk at R.A.F. Leeming this year. In order to expand our flying opportunities the section intends to acquire a couple of radio-controlled gliders for the enjoyment of the cadets and to demonstrate principles of flight. It is because of the enthusiasm of the likes of cadets Anderson and Mee that the section is to provide this facility.

To further broaden the appeal of the section Fig. Off. Taylor is attending a navigation course this summer which will give cadets greater choice for their proficiency Part 2 awards. Thanks to her for that, and also to the cadet training team for providing the appropriate training for Fig. Off. Grant and Pit. Off. Blood to become qualified range conducting officers. This will facilitate greater use of the School's range and create access to the School's recently acquired clay pigeon shooting kit which is only available to C.C.F. cadets.

We hope everything goes well for the section next year in the capable hands of next year's officers. F.S. Pittman, F.S. White