Annual Camp - Penally 2010

Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force held its Annual Camp at Penally in South Wales.

Day 1 - Saturday 14 August 2010

Over 200 cadets arrived safely and Camp got off to a great start with everyone settled in. The weather was good and a noticable buzz existed at the start of a challenging two weeks.

Cadets are already excited on the journey up

Day 2 - Sunday 15 August 2010

The four cadet companies were in shake-down mode as they prepared to start an exciting two weeks of hectic and varied activities.

Officers begin a fortnight of hard work in the company offices

Cadets are taught to make their beds and tidy their billets

Day 3 - Monday 16 August 2010

Cadets from Quebec Company were on the water doing kayaking and sailing in a Pembroke estuary, while Nivelle Company undertook military training at Templeton Training Area. Calais Company had their first shoot on the range and Somme enjoyed go-karting and clay target shooting.

Getting wet during sailing is all part of the fun

A cadet practises fitting a sling in first aid training

Day 4 - Tuesday 17 August 2010

Today there was a reversal of activities with Nivelle getting themselves wet in the water and Calais on the training area. There was a slight amount of rain, but nothing to dampen the high spirits of the cadets.

Cadets listen attentively in a fieldcraft lesson

Day 5 - Wednesday 18 August 2010

Now it was Calais' turn to go paddling (kayaking) and sailing, while Quebec went go-karting and clay target shooting and Nivelle were on the range. This just left Somme on camp doing first aid training.

A young cadet enjoys his first experience of kayaking

Concentrating hard yet having fun kayaking

Day 6 - Thursday 19 August 2010

Somme's turn to go paintballing, and Quebec went on the range. Today was also the main visitors' day with visits from the Brigade Commander, the Hon Colonel, new Commandant designate, Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council and the Mayors of Bicester, Carterton and Wallingford. All were impressed with the gusto shown by the cadets as they took part in the various activities. Unfortunately bad weather, rain and a biting wind caused the termination of some activities from the latter part of the afternoon onwards, including the overnight exercises of the adult Induction Course and the Initial Training Course. It is hoped that the weather will improve tomorrow.

Day 7 - Friday 20 August 2010

Unfortunately the wet and windy weather conditions had a major impact on training. All AT activity had to be cancelled and military training was reorganised. However in the best traditions of "improvise, adapt and overcome", alternative training was arranged and the cadets were kept fully occupied, and thus cheerful. There was classroom-based military training at Manorbier and those who were due to be doing AT training went to a swimming pool. The photographer visited to take a number of company-based group photos.

Day 8 - Saturday 21 August 2010

The weather improved and Quebec were able to do AT, kayaking and sailing. Calais were on the Range, Somme had a day out at a theme park and Nivelle did some training at camp.

Maj General Grieg Smith visited and presented Serjeant slides to the Probationary Adult Instructors (PIs) who had passed their Initial Training Course (ITC) and certificates to the new PIs who had attended the Induction Course.

In the evening the Officers dined out Colonel Paul Wenlock, who shortly completes his five years as Commandant.

Adult instructors complete their ITC course

Cadets use up excess energy at the battalion disco

Day 9 - Sunday 22 August 2010

Today, being the Sunday in middle of camp, was the day of the Drum Head Service, with all three Padres participating. After the Service there was the traditional parade with the Commandant, Colonel Wenlock, taking the salute for one last time as the Battalion marched past with the Bugles and Drums leading.

In the afternoon potted sports was held for two companies while Calais and Quebec companies prepared themselves to depart to the training area for an inter-company exercise. In addition the Battalion swimming gala was held in the early afternoon.

Calais and Quebec departed for Templeton Training Area, an old WWII airfield, to commence their exercise.

The Battalion parade for the Drum Head Service

Day 10 - Monday 23 August 2010

It was a tad wet overnight with rain in the morning. However nothing could dampen the spirits of the cadets, even those on exercise who had managed to keep dry under their bashas and central company areas.

As Calais and Quebec continued with their exercise, Nivelle were on the range and Somme cadets became wet by means of kayaking and dingy sailing, rather then just being rained on. The weather brightened up around lunchtime, brightening up spirits as well.

A cadet applies camouflage to hide from the enemy

An adult delivers a set of platoon orders

A section hides along a change in vegetation

Cadets dominate ground on a standing patrol

Weapons must be cleaned to remain serviceable in the field

Day 11 - Tuesday 24 August 2010

Calais and Quebec's exercise ended late morning with a well managed set battle without a winner, although both companies would no doubt disagree, both claiming victory. As the two companies prepared to return to Camp, Nivelle and Somme deployed to the training area for their exercise. Having settled in in the training area, the first battle between Nivelle and Somme occurred in mid afternoon. Fortunately the rain did not reappear and the weather was fine and sunny - a bit on the windy side, but what does one expect on an old airfield!

The Battalion's Corunna Band and Bugles gave a stirring performance in Tenby in the early afternoon and Calais and Quebec Company sorted themselves out on return to camp with everyone cleaning themselves up after two days in the field.

A Calais patrol is briefed on their task at the start of the exercise

Calais engage a Quebec defensive position

Quebec quickly change position to frustrate a Calais attack

Nivelle cadets take up a defensive position

A cadet observes enemy movements from afar

The runway is patrolled in staggered file

A section commander patrols onto the area

The duty female instructor guards her post

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the Army Cadet Force

Cadets from the Band met Prof. Stephen Hawking

Day 12 - Wednesday 25 August 2010

Another wet day in Welsh Wales. Despite this, spirits remain high and Nivelle and Somme had their final battle before returning to camp after lunch. Quebec managed to complete their shoot on the range before rain stopped play, but unfortunately the rain and wind aborted Calais' kayaking and sailing. The afternoon was spent with Plan B training for those rained off and cleaning/tidying/drying for those in from the training area.

At 1700hrs (5pm) Battalion Prizegiving was held with various awards presented by Major Brian Butler, the County Training Officer, who has been in the ACF as a cadet and then adult instructor for just over 50 years. The new Cadet RSM was introduced to the Battalion before the Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Rob Pollock, gave his closing address.

The Cadet150 Project Officer issued the Commemorative Medals to companies to present to each cadet and adult who had attended camp. (In October, medals will be issued for those unable to attend camp.)

So another busy, challenging and enjoyable Annual Camp draws to a close, with one more day to go before the return to Oxfordshire on Friday.

A Cadet NCO wins an award at the prizegiving

This prize winner has just returned from the field!

Nominees for the Best Detachment Commander step forward

The newly appointed Cadet RSM receives her Master Cadet badge

Day 13 - Thursday 26 August 2010

It didn't rain! Calais and Quebec had a great day out at a local theme park, with the adults enjoying it as much as the cadets, while Somme and Nivelle trained in camp, with Somme undertaking first aid courses plus star level testing on various subjects at all levels.

Sports and Band awards were presented after the tea meal to much cheering and clapping as the recipients went forward to collect their medals and prizes. The awards ceremony was followed by company events and a disco for the cadets.

Most packing has been done with stores vans/lorries loaded, ready for the return to Oxfordshire tomorrow.

A cadet wins Quebec Company's Rifleman award

Day 14 - Friday 27 August 2010

Well that's it for another year! All cadets and adults left for Oxfordshire by 1110hrs after an exhausting yet enjoyable two weeks in somewhat wet Wales, although not all the time, and the sun was shinning when we left - typical!

Next year's camp is scheduled to be at RAF St Mawgan, 5 miles from Newquay. Rock on.

Camp has been a great time to make new friends

Camp 2012 will be from 11 to 25 August 2012 at Okehampton Camp in Devon.

We hope to see many of you there.

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