Summer Holidays

August is always a quiet month in the City with no Livery events planned. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs take a well-earned holiday and the Masters, Wardens and Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers should do likewise, before the usually busy month of September with the final events of the Master’s year and the preparation for the installation of the new Master in early October.

August is also the month when the Army Cadet units go on summer camp and it is customary for representatives from organisations which have links with the cadets to be invited to spend a day with the cadets, observing their activities.

The Company and the Corps of Royal Engineers (“RE”) have had a relationship for many years and a formal affiliation since 2000. The RE affiliation with the Company is only one of three with Livery Companies, the Masons and the Engineers being the other two. In 2008, the Lord Mayor asked the Livery Companies to adopt and support youth organisations. The Company adopted the RE Cadets in the Greater London region, thereby further strengthening the relationship and ties between the Company and RE. At the Craft Awards Lunch held in March each year, we give prizes to the best cadet and adult instructor from the RE Cadets in the Greater London region.

I was invited to join a party of guests, including Masters or other senior representatives of eight other Livery Companies, visiting the Middlesex and NW London Army Cadets at their summer camp on Salisbury Plain on Tuesday 23 August.

We were greeted by the Colonel Commandant who gave an overview of the Army Cadet Force and the Middlesex and NW London sector which is based in White City but covers an area from Fulham and Hammersmith in the west to Barnet and Tottenham in the north. The Army Cadet Force offers opportunities to young people aged 12 to 18 years, of all abilities and backgrounds physically and mentally, improving self-confidence, teamwork, friendship, leadership and community spirit through a wide range of military themed activities as well as recognised vocational qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and BTEC Diplomas. The ACF motto is “To inspire to achieve”.

Cadets on exercise, Salisbury Plain

There are currently about 450 cadets in the Middlesex and NW London sector, with 284 on the summer camp. Numbers fell during lockdown but are now picking up again. This was the first camp since 2019 and, for many cadets, a first experience of an extended period away from home. I was able to speak to many of the cadets and was impressed by their enthusiasm, interest and genuine engagement with the wide range of activities that are offered. The cadets are lead and instructed by ACF officers, adult volunteers (some of whom have come through the cadets) and soldiers from the regular Army (in this case the Irish Guards).

Briefing for a night attack

We were able to observe range shooting, fieldcraft, a briefing for a night exercise and a simulated medical evacuation. We were given lunch “in the field” and were also allowed to have a go on the paint ball range, shooting at fixed targets, and with no one shooting back!

The Master preparing for the next Court meeting

The Army Cadet Force is not part of the recruiting process for the Armed Forces but the ACF will provide assistance to any cadet who expresses an interest in joining the Armed Forces later in life. All in all, an enjoyable and uplifting day out.