Thongsbridge Army Cadets Page 1 of 4

Recent Awards

& Promotions!

New promotions include: L/Cpl Lewis, L/Cpl Haigh and Cpl Steadman Cadets who have recently achieved their basic, Cdt Green, Bushell, Dronsfield, Wormald, Stewart, Waller & Ettienne. Well done!

Cadet of the

Month

March L/Cpl Holmes

May

Cdt Cornforth

Recruit of the Month

March

Cdt Bushell

May Rec McDonald

Thongsbridge Army Cadets Huddersfield Road, Thongsbridge, HD9 3JQ

Mobile number: 07917086623

E-mail: thongsbridgeacf@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.yorkshirearmycadets.co.uk

Detachment Commander: C/Sgt Dan Heneghan

It wasn’t that long ago we were complaining about the snow and breaking our new years resolutions, and yet so much has happened at Thongsbridge Detachment that it feels like century’s ago. We are very excited to let you know whats been going on – Armed police, Royal British Legion, Promotions, Sports and that’s just, the tip of the iceburg!

Getting stuck in!

New Mill Royal British Legion Present Standard!

Don’t forget that you can get involved in all the fun, just call down to your local cadet unit and ask for some information on joining. Anyway, what are we waiting for, lets get stuck in and spill the beans.

As you may have seen, we at Thongsbridge have been on a recruiting campaign for both cadets and instructors and with much success!

“Attendance up 60%”

Our cadet attendance has risen by 60% since November. To add to this we have 2 new volunteers joining us, Liam Boland-Quinn is an Ex Thongsbridge Cadet and also ex regular army. Liam has been able to pass down experience from both backgrounds to our recruits and is keen to help with building Thongsbridge into an excellent cadet detachment. We have also had Miss Hannah Dawson join us, who from a

New Mill Royal British Legion went the extra mile for the cadets in April as they presented the detachment with a brand new ceremonial standard.

Thongsbridge Army Cadets and New Mill Royal British Legion Branch have always had a close working relationship but this act of generosity has strengthen the bond.

Thongsbridge detachment has not had a parade standard for many years and we are excited to use it on our next parade. Training has already commenced on the use of banner drill so we hope to make the RBL proud when we show it off on rememberance parade!

Detachment Commander, Ashley Brook gave a speech to the cadets about the importance of the RBL and ACF’s relationship shortly followed by a small parade.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the New Mill RBL who work within Holme Valley please contact us to find out more.

Above: New Mill RBL President Ivan Conroy presents the standard

to C/Sgt Dan Heneghan of Thongsbridge Detachment.

June 2012 Newsletter Issue 2

Right: Cadet of the month for March, L/Cpl Holmes

Building a team

civilan background is keen to learn the military side of cadets and is looking forward to pushing the detachment to new levels Both Hannah and Liam join a proactive team at Thongsbridge, pushing all aspects of the cadet force for our cadets, with excellent results!

Above: Liam Boland-Quinn on exercise

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“It is really good of both officers to take time out of their busy schedule to show the cadets what goes on in the real life of West Yorkshire Police.”

2 cadets from Thongsbridge have recently been promoted, Adrianos Lewis was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and Peter Steadman was promoted to the rank of Corporal, both these promotions have come through their hard work at the detachment. Each cadet has put the effort in to benefit the detachment, as they have now been promoted to their new ranks, they take on new responsibilities are the detachment, Lance Corporal Lewis takes on the role of Section Commander, looking

MOVING UP THE RANKS!

Two Police Officers from the Wakefield Armed Response Unit gave Thongsbridge Army Cadets an insight into their specialist and sometimes extremely dangerous roles within the West Yorkshire Police. Cadets listened intently as Officers Tim Schofield and Alan Farrar spoke about the role that the Armed Response Unit played throughout West Yorkshire and how the team provide 24 hour coverage every day in order to deal with public incidents or situations where weapons could be involved. The team are trained to deal with many dangerous situations and are instrumental in dealing with terrorist attacks. The cadets were then shown a number of weapons that are used by the Armed Response Officers during operations. As the officers displayed and talked through the various weapons used the cadets had the opportunity to see close up, Tazers, pistols, Flashbangs, shields, and various rifles together with holographic sights and even a clipboard that also doubles as a ‘mini’ shield. The indepth display certainly held the cadets interest however the piece de resistance was a futuristic ‘Recon Robot’ with live camera feed. It was indeed a case of “boys and their toys” Officer Schofield opened the floor to invite questions from any

ARMED POLICE MEAN BUSINESSS WITH THONGSBRIDGE CADETS!

after 7 cadets within the detachment and Corporal Steadman is appointed Platoon 2

nd In Command,

he is tasked in organising the Section Commanders and the Sections at the detachment. Cadets are promoted at Thongsbridge Army Cadets when they show that they have got what it takes to lead a Section of 7 cadets or can take on the role of managing all 3 sections, these 2 cadets have definitly got what it takes and we are sure they will continue to strive for perfection!

of the cadets or adult instructors, at which he was asked about the specialised training and how long the training would take. “If your lucky enough to be selected to enter for the assessments for the team you do a number of suitability assessments such as ‘shooting’ and ‘conflict management’ before going on to a full training regime for 9 weeks” said Officer Schofield. The individuals within the team then carry out a weapons handling test every 10 weeks and an assessment on ‘shooting skills’ every 2 years.

“Tazers, pistols, flashbangs and a

combat clipboard!”

The cadets were also given the opportunity to have a close

inspection of the Armed Response Vehicle, which completed the full insight into the important work these officers carry out every day. Thongsbridge Army Cadet Force Detachment Commander Sergeant Ashley Brook said “It is really good of both officers to take time out of their busy schedule to show the cadets what goes on in the real life of West Yorkshire Police. Getting talks from people in the Emergency Services helps the cadets to achieve their ‘Cadet and the Community’ aspect of their progressive learning ACF syllabus but also brings to light the dangers of getting mixed up with the wrong crowd and hopefully avoid getting on the wrong side of the law. Lets face it you wouldn’t want to cross paths with these guys; they mean business!”

Above: Newly promoted L/Cpl Lewis

Above: Armed police show cadets the different rifles they use.

Above: C/Sgt Dan Heneghan just couldn’t resist!

Above: Newly promoted Cpl

Steadman

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Thongsbridge recruits have flown through their basic training in no time! 8 cadets that joined Thongsbridge detachment in December have been put through their paces, learning new skills which involve weapon handling training, map and navigation training amongst many others, each area had a test at the end of it and then at the end of their training they were put through a final shooting competition and a recruits test on the overall cadre. To celebrate their hard work, the cadets were put on a special passing out parade and parents were invited down to watch while the Detachment Commander, Sgt Ashley Brook presented them with their basic badge.

BASIC TRAINERS ON PARADE!

Thongsbridge detachment has always had a close relationship with the 3

rd

Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. To this end cadets have often left to join the 3

rd Battalion when

pursuing a career in the armed forces and with 3 Ex-Thongsbridge cadets either in or leaving for Afghan soon, Thongsbridge cadets took it upon themselves to get some treats and luxuries to send out to these guys and the rest of their platoon.

“Ex Thongsbridge Cadets in Afghan” Ex-Thongsbridge Cadet, Cpl Matty Lawton who is currently serving in Afghanistan said “I loved cadets when I was in and the fact that these guys are doing this for us is brilliant, it really gives us a morale boost when we get something simple like haribo sweets or the latest nuts mag”

Treats for Heroes in Afghan

Cpl Jess Nunns who has been the main trainer for the Basics said “I am very proud of all of them, they have worked hard at the detachment and they are really keen to move onto the next stage” C/Sgt Dan Heneghan who is involved with the training at the detachment said “Things have changed drastically in the past few months at the detachment, basic training is one of these things and it is working a treat! I can see a few Sergeant Majors in the making here, we look forward to seeing them develop in the future”

3 Yorks has strong ties in the local area and cadets have relatives serving so they did not have to think twice about getting things together to send over.

Thongsbridge detachment is proud to be affiliated to the Yorkshire Regiment and to have a history with 3Yorks (DWR).

From Right to Left: Cadet

Dronsfield, Wormald, Green, Bushell, Stewart and Waller

Cadets visit police operations support unit

Holme Valley Parish Council share the wealth!

Holme Valley Parish Council granted Thongsbridge detachment £200 in April for them to purchase a new laptop for the detachment! The £200 has gone towards a brand new laptop which will help instructors and cadets achieve more in the likes of BTEC and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award but also it will help volunteers provide better lessons with the use of Powerpoint presentations.

C/Sgt Dan Heneghan who organized the grant application said “The addition of the laptop is a step in the right direction for Thongsbridge, look out for some top results coming soon from its use”

Thongsbridge cadets visited West Yorkshire Police’s Operational support unit in Carr Gate in May. Cadets were shown round the centre, having full access to all areas. The day started with a presentation then they went on to each different sector, meeting the Armed police, dog sections,

Mounted section and the air support unit and Firearms unit. L/Cpl Holmes said “It has been a really good day and it was good to get an incite into all different areas of police work”

Above: Cadets from Thongsbridge box up their treats for Heroes

Above: L/Cpl Holmes with laptop

Above: Thongsbridge cadets with the Valley Police Team

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Thongsbridge Detachment were graced with the appearance of the Honorary Colonel for Yorkshire (N&W) Army Cadet Force in May. Hon Col James Selka is a local resident to Holme Valley and was keen to see a detachment on an average parade night.

It might be a damp April but

the weather is not something

that phases Thongsbridge

cadets, especially as they

readied themselves for

various events at the County

Athletics and Hockey

completion!.

A full day of Olympic style

competitions saw

Thongsbridge competing for

Gold and with fantastic

results.

7 Cadets attended from

Thongsbridge helping D Coy

come 2nd

overall,

Athletics & Hockey

Surprise Visit from the Honorary Colonel!

Calendar of Events

June - October

1-4 June County Expedition 8-10 Jun - D Company Weekend Strensall/Galtres 17

th June - Regional Hockey

16 June - D Coy Shooting Day 23 June - Thongsbridge Bag pack 22-24 June - Target Rifle competiton 29 June – 1

st July D Coy

Expedition 1 July – Honley School Gala 7 July - National Hockey competition 8 July - YACF Swimming competition 21 July – 3 Aug - Annual Camp 31 Aug – 1 Sep - Colts Canter 1 7-9 Sept - County SAAM – Shooting comp 14 – 16 Sept - Colts Canter 2 15 Sept - Regional Swimming 28-30 Sept - Colts Canter 3 5-7 Oct – Colts Canter Comp 13 Oct – D Coy Shooting Day 12-14 Oct – National Swimming 19-21 Oct – D Coy Weekend

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.yorkshirearmycadets.co.uk

or email us for more info

thongsbridgeacf@hotmail.co.uk

with Cadet Waller and Cadet Bushell being selected for the

next set of athletics competitions and Cdt Cornes to represent

D Coy at Regional level

Well done to all those taking part, we wish Cdt Waller, Bushell

and Cornes the best of luck!

The Hon Col. got stuck in with some SAA during his visit, learning how a rifle could be stripped down Thongsbridge cadets and instructors had chance to speak to the Hon Col, Detachment Commander Ashley Brook said “I am

very pleased that the Honoury Colonel picked our detachment to visit, I am very proud of our achievements, and to give him an insight into training at detachment level is a privilege , It was good to see someone at the top end take a keen interest into the workings at detachment level”.

County Expedition Thongsbridge Cadets and Detachment

Commander Ashley Brook donned their hiking

gear and set out for the hills in May. A full

weekend of expedition training and testing saw

cadets face navigational challenges.

Faced with a map and compass cadets had to

follow a route in the region on North Yorkshire,

all contributing to their Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award!