Although I've been hoping for the snow to return to Scotland, I couldn't quite believe it this morning when we woke to see a white scene at all levels. Almost in celebration, we planned a Munro 'bagging' day in the Fannichs. With the group still untrained in the use of ice axes and crampons, they seemed a little nervous as we got off the minibus … Read More »
Category Archives: Cadets
An Teallach from Dundonnell
Staying at JSMTC Dundonnell puts you right at the base of the famous An Teallach mountain, with the path approaching from the north starting about 100m from the centre. It would seem almost rude not to make an ascent of this glorious mountain at some point during the week. After starting on the main path, we drifted to the south a little to follow the river … Read More »
Cul Mor in the Cloud
Each year Ellesmere College CCF aim to take a group of cadets up to the Scottish Highlands for a week of mountain walking in the snow. Unfortunately, this winter had been particularly poor for snow conditions, and we travelled for almost 10 hours up to Dundonnell JSMTC (Joint Service Mountain Training Centre) in glorious sunshine yesterday. Today was our first venture out into the mountains, and … Read More »
A Wintery Day on Moel Siabod
Knowing that today would need to be a shorter day on the hill, in order to allow time for traveling back to Oswestry, we decided to make Moel Siabod our target for the day. I've taken groups from the school up this particular mountain before, but never in winter conditions and not by this route. We took farm tracks to the old mine workings to the … Read More »
Return to the Snow
This weekend has been advertised to the Oswestry School cadets as a 'Winter Skills' weekend since September. The reality is that we never know what the conditions are likely to be in Snowdonia from one week to the next, never mind four or five months in advance. By Wednesday of this week, I was consigned to the fact all hope of any significant volumes of … Read More »
Exercise Kennerley Kestrel with Ellesmere College
Each week during term time, I help deliver training to the Army section of the Ellesmere College CCF (Combined Cadet Force). My specific role is in the training of the Advanced Infantry for Year 11 cadets, that have already been in the CCF for 2 years. Each term we get to do an exercise on a military training area. This term we headed to Nesscliffe … Read More »
Summer Camp at Wathgill with Ellesmere College CCF
Each year, the army cadets of Ellesmere College CCF get the opportunity to spend the first week of their Summer holiday at an Army Training Camp. For many, this is their first real experience of regular soldiers at the Army's way of doing things, and can take a bit of getting used to. This year we headed up to Yorkshire to Wathgill, a small camp … Read More »
3 Day Exercise at Swynerton with Ellesmere College CCF
As the academic year starts to draw to a close, Ellesmere College put classroom lessons on hold for three days to allow the pupils to take part in 'Expeditions'. These take a wide range of formats for pupils with different interests. Some use the time to do a Duke of Edinburgh expedition while others go on trips of a music or artistic nature. My involvement … Read More »
Inspection for Ellesmere College CCF
Every 2 years, all CCFs (Combined Cadet Forces) are inspected by a high ranking, serving member of Her Majesties Armed Forces. Two years ago the Army section invited Lt Col. Chambers of the Rifles to conduct the inspection, which went very well and the contingent was rewarded with a glowing report. This time, the Navy section invited Lt Col. Armstrong of the Royal Marines, who … Read More »
5 Day Rock Climbing Course in North Wales
Why does it seem that whenever I run a multi day rock climbing course, the weather plays havoc with the week's program?! However, at the end of the day there aren't many people that get to enjoy working outdoors in such stunning places. I've spent this week working for CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training) out of Capel Curig Training Camp in North Wales. As well … Read More »
