News
During the half term break, our Fifth Form Cadets attended a Cadet Force Instructional Techniques assessment at Crowborough Camp over four days, where they were assessed on their ability to plan and deliver a 30 minute lesson on a military subject. All performed well, and there were some impressive displays of instructing, particularly from Lance Corporal Aryan D-B, who was awarded the Davison Trophy for the best instructor.
In November, The Corps of Drums once again performed in the Lord Mayor’s Show which was a thoroughly exciting event to be part of. Incredibly, the Show has an uninterrupted history of over 800 years where the Lord Chief Justice receives the Lord Mayor on behalf of the Sovereign at the Royal Courts of Justice. The event has now become a unique combination of state procession, military parade and carnival. There were 150 serials, 7000 participants which included 1800 military personnel and 1800 children, 200 horses, 140 motor and steam driven vehicles and 24 carriages forming a procession three miles long! It is the longest parade in both distance and time that the cadets take part in, and it was broadcast live on BBC1. The actual length of the route is nearly one and a half miles, which is a long way to carry heavy musical instruments, play them continuously and maintain a smart military appearance. The Cadets were very well received by the hundreds of spectators that lined the route and they should be very proud of their efforts.
The following day the Corps of Drums were back on parade for the London Borough of Barnet’s annual Remembrance Sunday Parade. This prestigious and important local event, comprised of a march from the local Army Reserve Centre, along Barnet High Street to St. John the Baptist Church for a service of Remembrance. After the service, the parade marched back from the church to the Army Reserve Centre leading a long column consisting of Army Reserve soldiers from 240 Transport Squadron RLC (V), ex-servicemen and women and representatives from the CCF, Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps, Scouts and Guides. Members of the Corps were complimented for their commitment and professionalism, particularly for performing so well at two significant public events one after the other. The Cadets, ably led by Drum Major Stas F, were a great credit to the School.
Anthony Norrington
Contingent Commander
