Each year, we take a group of cadets from Ellesmere College CCF on a central camp. We tend to alter the venue each year, so that we are not always returning to the same places and the cadets receiving the same input from the same regular staff year after year. This time we headed down to RAF St Mawgan near Newquay in Cornwall. Although accommodated on an RAF base, it was run by the army’s 43 (Wessex) Brigade. Another unusual aspect of the camp was that the cadets were given 5 days training, rather than the usual 6 days we’ve always received elsewhere.

Having said that, the cadets had a great week. The first day saw them getting stuck into the Adventurous Training package which involved abseiling, a tyrolean traverse, command tasks and surfing. The next three days focussed on ‘green’ skills with days spent on Advanced Tactics, a Range Day and our own exercise conducted on Penally Training Area. We’d been given the last day to do with as we wished and, after everyone had enjoyed Sunday’s surfing so much, we headed back to the beach for some more instruction and practice.

The cadets had a great week, and nothing can change that fact. The staff of 43 Brigade were also fantastic, making every effort to deliver exciting but safe training. They were extremely knowledgable in their fields and truly supportive. However, a few things of a more general nature did stand out in a less positive way. Firstly, we were staying on an RAF base that had no airfield (because it’s been sold off), and conducted our exercise on a training area that had no camp (because it’s been sold off). I’m struggling to find the logic here. Secondly, although the 43 Brigade staff were commendable, there were obvious inter service tensions. I wouldn’t like to point fingers at either side of this argument, but it could have had a significant effect on the experience our cadets received. In reality, it didn’t as issues were resolved before it effected them too much, but it does leave me with questions about how well our armed forces work together.

A big thanks to all those on the Contingent’s staff that helped pull everything together, and to all the cadets who conducted themselves so well.