CCF Annual Report 2015

CCF Annual Report 2015

by Lt Col Mike Slemen

The CCF continues to offer a tremendous range of activities. These activities, supported by Merchant Taylors’ Schools’ Staff and the Regular Services, build confidence, increase pupils’ reference points and allow pupils to glimpse life beyond the school gate.

With cadet numbers at 260, the CCF remains perennially popular and it is common for pupils to demonstrate their loyalty by staying for five full years.

During this year 23 Royal Navy cadets attended our Northern Adventure weekend where they experienced life at HMS Neptune, the RN Naval base at Faslane. This included skiing, fire fighting, a morning on the RN police patrol boats and a minesweeper. Cadets also attended the annual RN Junior Leadership weekend and the Senior Leadership weeks held at HMS Raleigh and Britannia Royal Naval College. Five cadets have since passed their senior leadership course this year. Cadets have attended various summer courses gaining RYA qualifications in dinghy sailing and power boating Level 2 as well as National Pool Lifeguard qualified cadets. Our boys and girls have once again taken part in the NW regatta and competed in Bosuns, Pico’s and toppers representing the school at a very competitive level. Weekly attendance at Crosby Marina for sailing sessions continued this year. A highlight for many cadets this year was the opportunity to fly in the Royal Navy Merlin Helicopter arranged via HMS Heron Yeovilton at the Centenary inspection – an experience never to be forgotten!
The army section continues to attract the majority of cadets who enjoy shooting, first aid, navigation, methods of instruction and military skills. The Summer Central Camp at Warcop was supported by the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who were able to raise the cadets’ game with both their enthusiasm and their professionalism. Many of the activities provided were of a level above what cadets would normally experience and the Adventure Training day offered a wide range of choice.

The RAF section, run by Sqd Ldr Charlie Ryan, enjoys flying and gliding out of RAF Woodvale and cadets can gain wings; this is a tremendous achievement for teenagers.The RAF section attends camps both at home and overseas over the course of the year. Last year’s UK annual summer camp was at RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria, which was a resounding success, and cadets were able to enjoy the company of their peers from St John’s School, Leatherhead. Several cadets enjoyed the activities provided by regular RAF personnel at two camps at RAF Troodos in the Atlas Mountains in Cyprus – the first at Easter, the second in July.
Another overseas camp in July saw four MTS RAF cadets attend camp in the shadow of The Rock at RAF Gibraltar. Sgt John Ball was fortunate enough to be selected for a 17 day International Air Exchange Scheme (IACE) placement in Canada during summer and finally Mr Ryan was delighted to be chosen as an adult escort for another IACE camp in Tennessee, USA.

All cadets are encouraged to involve themselves in tri-service activities: adventure training in Cumbria, shooting at the Brigade Shooting Competition at Altcar, and, of course, attaining the three levels of awards in the hugely popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

The focal point of the CCF year is the Inspection Day and was particularly special this year as it was the Centenary of its foundation. The 25^th June was a very special day beginning with a Church Service at St. Faiths’, with many guests, including Prince Andrew, HRH The Duke of York. During the service a new CCF Banner was dedicated to the 155 Old Boys who died during the First World War. After lunch the normal Inspection took place with the Inspecting Officer, Commodore David Dutton, an Old Boy on his first visit since he left school in 1983. The culmination of the day was a Centenary Dinner at MTGS with the many Old Boys and Girls in attendance. The Chief Guest was Dame Lorna Muirhead, The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, and David Dutton gave an inspiring speech.

Lt Col Mike Slemen