Lord Lieutenant impressed by trust's successful cadet force

The Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire, David Laing, was invited to meet the Brooke Weston Trust Combined Cadet Force recruits on Friday, January 15, at their regular training base of Corby Technical School.

The Lord Lieutenant wore his uniform Blues for his official visit and was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blomfield.

They were met at the Corby school by the Contingent Commander for the BWT CCF, Captain Matt Isherwood.

The march past parade and salute for the Lord Lieutenant was led by the corporal for the cadets, Sonny Dalziel, a Year 11 student from Corby Business Academy.

After the cadets’ parade, inspection and the presentation of first year rank slides, Lord Lieutenant David Laing said: “I was incredibly impressed by the way all of them had chosen to be there as part of the cadets.”

He added: “I was impressed by their firm handshakes and their confidence levels, which they displayed when they spoke to me today.

“I could tell from the way in which they presented themselves that they are going to go a long way. It was a great privilege.”

Mr Laing spoke highly of the opportunities being presented to the students through the BWT Combined Cadet Force programme.

He said it was important such options existed within schools.

The BWT Combined Cadet Force is in its second year, but in its first year of operating independently, after being under the supervision and guidance of Oundle School in its establishing year.

It now operates as part of the Royal Anglian Regiment and is made up of 50 cadets selected from the five secondary schools within the trust: Corby Technical School, Corby Business Academy, Brooke Weston Academy, Kettering Science Academy and Thomas Clarkson Academy.

Captain Matthew Isherwood said: “To be part of the BWT CCF is seen as a great privilege and the students volunteer and are interviewed for the cadet places.

“We will soon be advertising for next year’s cadets.”

The cadets currently meet for two hours of training each week and learn various field crafts and activities; everything from navigation, parade marches, drills to air rifle control.

Plans for the trust’s CCF include the possibility of establishing a sixth form cadet operation which will help sixth formers gain leadership and management skills.