BEDFORDSHIRE & HERTFORDSHIRE CADETS
MARK THE START OF CADET150!

Thousands Of Young People To Celebrate 150th Anniversary Of Cadet Movement

Army Cadets from across the counties took time out from a recent training weekend to pose for photos to mark the launch of Cadet150. The UK’s cadet movement is celebrating a century and a half of support to young people with hundreds of events all over the country throughout 2010, all designed to promote the movement and encourage people of all ages to get involved. The year of celebration is entitled Cadet150 and Her Majesty The Queen is Patron.

Cadets from No. 1 Company, Beds & Herts ACF, during Exercise Steelback Cadet

With origins dating back to 1860, the cadet movement is one of the oldest and most successful voluntary youth organisations in the world. The cadet movement comprises the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the Air Training Corps (ATC). A force to be reckoned with, today it numbers 131,000 young people led by 25,000 adult volunteers in well over 3,000 sites across the country.

Cadet150 honours the role the Cadet Forces play in assisting young people towards responsible adulthood through learning new skills and developing self-confidence, and recognises the contribution the young people themselves make to their local communities.

Central to the national commemorations will be a royal review of the Cadet Forces in central London in July 2010, but celebrations will be ongoing throughout the year, all reflecting the spirit of fun, excitement, adventure and community service at the heart of the cadet movement.

60 specially selected cadets will be embarking on a unique expedition to southern Africa during which they will work with orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, while dozens more will be challenging themselves on treks and expeditions all over the world, including one to Mount Everest. Back in the UK there will be competitions showcasing first aid and a wide array of sports, as well as a special residential camp for cadets participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

Cadets from No. 4 Company, Beds & Herts ACF, during Exercise Steelback Cadet

To represent the lasting legacy of the cadet movement and its continued appeal to young people, cadets across the country will be planting 150,000 trees in partnership with the Woodland Trust. The national events will conclude with formal tributes during Remembrance weekend in November.

Within Hertfordshire, Cadet150 celebrations are also being planned to take place throughout 2010. As a community based organisation Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force are keen to share the festivities with local people.

Colonel Ian Macleod, Commandant Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force said:
“We are delighted to be celebrating 150 years of this fantastic movement. The Cadet Forces offer such great opportunities for thousands of young people across the UK. We are encouraging people to find out more through Cadet150 – come along and Live the Adventure!”