CCF

WO2 Brown Major Derrigan

Squadron Leader (retd) House

Army

At first glance, compared with other years, the CCF had what would seem quite a sparse 12 months. However, having enjoyed a thorough read-through of the past year’s Lucton News articles, I am amazed that we managed to achieve such a packed syllabus. As with most subjects, the impact of COVID restrictions forced the CCF staff to develop innovative approaches in order to deliver a predominantly ‘outdoors’ programme indoors; at one point utilizing Microsoft Teams and implementing a series of homework exercises.

In a year interspersed with the lockdowns, social distancing and bubbles, we managed to achieve a mix of both in-house and external activities across the full age range of cadets within the school, including the Year 8 Oaker Wood trip and writing and delivering our own annual camp here at Lucton. One thing we would like to say is that throughout all of the disruption and havoc, the cadets continued to work extremely hard, displaying tenacity and patience in adversity.

Those who proved themselves by leaving their comfort zones and choosing to put themselves in leadership roles have been justly promoted; those who attended courses have gained qualifications or certificates in First Aid and Leadership. Most importantly, those who have participated have grown in character and developed practical life skills.

In comparison to the military side of training, the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award scheme has been able to run, albeit in a slightly modified format. Using rules set by the Government to our advantage, we were able to exploit the ‘rule of seven’, enabling us to take out expeditions in the local area, and returning to school to camp; remaining in their groups and bubbles at all times. This meant that we didn’t lose any impetus in the delivery of the DofE, achieving passes at all levels - Bronze through to Gold. This was once again down to the tenacity and adaptability of the students, thinking outside the box and working hard to gain their awards.

“Those who have participated have grown in character and developed practical life skills. ”

The highlight of the training year is always the annual camp. Despite all of the restrictions in place, the CCF staff were able to devise and implement our own in-house annual camp - a first for Lucton School CCF. Hopefully 2021/22 will be a little lighter on restrictions as we are currently writing the programme, booking locations and planning events. We would like to thank all volunteers who have assisted throughout, ensuring both staff and cadets have a fun packed year.

Major Derrigan, Contingent Commander & WO2 Brown, School Staff Instructor

Year 8’s Introduction to CCF

The Year 8 Cadets began their CCF journey with a full programme of activities; adventure training at Oaker Wood, the annual camp, and learning about CQB (close quarter battle). The year began with a visit from the Army Engagement Team, learning values and standards, whilst using STEM equipment to emphasise their points.

The new Cadets were then instructed on First Aid, including CPR and how to use an AED (defibrillator), and what to say when calling the emergency services. When the second lockdown set in, the Cadets were taught via Teams and set the task of making a robotic arm, some of which were innovative and could pick up such items as cans and pencils. The highlight for many though was the Oaker Wood trip, where they were introduced to a greater spectrum of military and adventurous training. Those that enjoyed this then went on to volunteer for the annual camp in July.

CCF Leadership Cadre

Our third Leadership Cadre was held just before the Christmas Break, where 16 cadets were put through their paces with a series of classroom lessons and both physical and mental challenges. The course is run for newly promoted Cadets and those which have shown potential during training periods. Differing types of leadership are explored before the participants complete tasks where they can explore leadership approaches and techniques. The Cadets took part in a number of events in support of Red Nose Day, namely a 1km stretcher race to simulate a casualty evacuation and a 50m weighted shuttle run to simulate an ammunition resupply. Two teams raced at each event, the stretcher weighing 40kg and the simulated ammunition consisting of two bergans weighing 20kg each and three 81mm mortar containers weighing 10kg each (per team). The stretcher race was run for best time, the carry a continuous run for 15 minutes.

First place in the stretcher race went to Sgt Perry’s team from Somme Platoon and Sgt Marron’s team from Normandy platoon, both completing it in 7 minutes exactly. A special mention must go out to LCpl Palfreman, who ran the race twice in succession as their second platoon team were a person down; a sterling effort. Collectively, participants in the stretcher race covered a total of 55km.

The RAF team won the resupplying challenge, carrying 1640kg and shuttling 10.4km - a fantastic effort. The total for all teams on the resupply challenge was a staggering 10,570kg (in excess of 10 tonnes), covering 52km in shuttle runs over the 50m course. Making the total distance covered during the CCF period 107km. An excellent effort from all Cadets.

To complete the day a number of promotions to LCpl were made, Maj. Derrigan awarding the following Cadets; Archie, Fremah, Lola, Tristan, Evie, Connie, Tara, and Annalise - congratulations again from the CCF Staff.

Youth First Aid Course – Year 10

The St. John’s Youth First Aid Course annually and despite being set back due to various lockdowns, we managed to fit it in amongst all of the other activities and DofE Expeditions. Year 10 Cadets and those who attended first aid as an activity were eligible to attend. The course was a huge success, with all who attended passing and achieving their badge and certificate through a blend of classroom lessons, practical assessments and tests in a number of scenarios.

Annual Camp

For the second year in a row the MOD led Summer Camps were not fully available, therefore, for the first time, we decided to host our own! A total of 52 cadets enjoyed a week of challenging activities beginning with a night navigation exercise before spending a wet night under their bashas.

As the week progressed, the junior and senior Cadets were able to take part in a competition shoot and to progress through their respective syllabuses (Army and RAF). A military skills day saw the Cadets taking part in a variety of activities including First Aid, close quarter battle, basic patrolling, personnel and vehicle search and building clearance; all skills that would be required for the final exercise.

For many, the highlight was the adventure training package. Split over two days, day one was spent at Symonds Yat, where the Cadets put their climbing and abseiling skills to the test, and day two was spent in gorge walking and canyoning in the Brecon Beacons; a first for many.

The final exercise saw the Cadets assault the main school building in their sections; retrieving casualties and rescuing hostages before putting their first aid skills to the test. A parade, where a number of awards were presented including best shooting and a special award for the best section from the Contingent over the duration of Camp, rounded off the week.

A massive thank you to all the Contingent Staff, along with two instructors from Shropshire ACF, Paul the Chef and the parents who supported us throughout; and above all our cadets whose enthusiasm and commitment never ceases to amaze.

Lucton School CCF Filming

During the spring, a crew arrived to film a new marketing video for Lucton School. Like many a good film there is a requirement for guns and smoke. Fortunately for Lucton School we have the means to provide such ‘props’ and were more than happy to oblige although due to Health & Safety, fire balls and loud bangs were not allowed!

With this in mind, the director opted to focus on an act of remembrance at the school gates, some map reading training, briefing around a camp fire and finally… guns and smoke!

In its second year, the RAF Section started in September 2020 with 18 Cadets. With the school still split into bubbles it was decided that Year 9 would continue to combine training and split into Rifles and RAF at a later date; this was a great opportunity to focus on the seniors and ensure that we had a strong cadre to instruct. Cpl Taylor-Woodward, LCpl’s Darwood, Millhouse, Watts, Bryant and Cdt Worthing undertook the training, prepared lessons, tried their hand at instruction and by January were formally qualified as Cadet Instructors and entitled to wear a golden lanyard with their blues.

With January came lockdown and we were forced to switch our RAF Section lessons online. One of our first sessions was a virtual air traffic control simulator. The Cadets discovered just how tricky it is to route an aircraft and they quickly found themselves overrun with more and more aircraft needing deconfliction to prevent an airborne disaster!

One of the main roles of the RAF is disaster relief and so, with that in mind, an afternoon was spent planning a response to a Volcanic Eruption and discovering which assets would be the best to deliver aid and help rescue survivors from the lava flow!

Another popular activity was the opportunity to learn about Space. In the build up to the advent of UK Space Command on 1st April 2021, RAF Cadets introduced a new Space training programme. We trained towards, and tested the Cadets on, their knowledge of technology in daily use that has been discovered through space exploration; the uses of satellite systems from tracking marine pollution to monitoring political boarders; and the names of some of the most important scientific satellites sent into space. 14 Cadets qualified for their Blue Space: Applications of Space Technology. By the end of the Summer Term, the RAF Section had enrolled Year 9 Cadets who, in turn, had completed their First-Class Cadet training, utilising the skills of the newly qualified Instructor Cadets. The first day of Summer Camp also saw a welcome return to flying. LCpl Cooper-Wright, and Cadets Wenczek, Lewis and Stevens travelled to RAF Little Rissington to try their hand at gliding. The weather was quite unpredictable throughout the day, with many quick dashes out of the rain but all four Cadets gained two winch launches each, being catapulted into the air to a height of 1000ft, practising turns and returning to the ground safely with huge smiles. They were each awarded their Blue Gliding Wings.

“Cadets gained two winch launches each, being catapulted into the air to a height of 1000ft, practising turns and returning to the ground safely with huge smiles. ”

Annual Camp also enabled the cadets to train on the Scorpion Air Rifle, with some gaining their Trained Shot badges. We were also able to watch the Puma helicopter overfly Shobdon Airfield to commemorate their 50 years of Operational Service, flying a formation of 10 aircraft before celebrating with ice-creams and a walk around of a Cessna aircraft courtesy of Herefordshire Aero Club.

Squadron Leader (retd) House

Battle of Britain

On Sunday 20th September, the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain was commemorated at Hereford Cathedral. We had originally planned to parade the RAF cadets at the service. However, due to Covid restrictions, only one representative from 151 Sqn, Lucton School, and 1002 Sqn was allowed to attend. They did a highly commendable job as ensign bearer and escort. As the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Cdt FS Stevens represented Lucton School, and was also asked to read the final Collect; a particularly poignant moment of the service.

Back to the Air

The first Air Experience Flying for over a year took place on the first day of Annual Camp, 4th July 2021. LCpl Cooper-Wright, Cdt Lewis, Cdt Wenczek and Cdt Stevens took their first flights in a Viking Glider of 632 VGS at RAF Little Rissington and achieved their Blue Glider Wings.

Space Training

To reflect the Formation of UK Space Command on 1st April 2021, a Space training syllabus for the cadets has been created. All cadets who took part in the online CCF(RAF) sessions during lockdown, worked towards and gained their Blue Space: Applications of Space Technology certificate. We look forward to starting the Cyberspace syllabus next year.

Methods of Instruction Course

Cpl Taylor-Woodward, LCpl Millhouse, Cpl Watts, and LCpl Worthing, learnt the theory of instruction, prepared and gave lessons to qualify for their Gold Instructors Lanyards. Due to the cancellation of the residential RAF and Army Camps, we held a joint camp at School incorporating: Training and a mini exercise to qualify for their Blue Comms badge; Gliding; Marksman training; and a trip to Shobdon to watch the formation flypast of RAF Benson Puma Helicopters, in celebration of 50 years of the helicopter’s operational service. Afterwards, the Herefordshire Aero Club gave the cadets a look over and sit in one of their training aircraft.

Duke of Edinburgh

Bronze DofE Expedition

Postponed due to Hurricane Season, the event went ahead with a massive 60 DofE students in attendance. Due to restrictions, we stayed closer to home and ensured that the groups were in bubbles and no larger than 6. Nevertheless, the groups were in high spirits.

A good 48 hours of walking, camping, cooking, chatting and music, resulted in all 60 passing their expedition phase. An excellent effort by all, most of whom have now completed their Bronze Award and have moved onto Silver.

Silver & Gold DofE Expedition

Sticking with the theme of staying local, we decided to deliver the Silver and Gold practice expeditions at Lucton, staying at the School for two nights and a local farm for the final evening. Moving on from the harsh autumn winds, they ensured some heavy downpours of rain and blistering sunshine, resulting in some very soggy walkers and then, at the flick of a switch, very dry! Despite this, they all appeared to be in high spirits and continued regardless of the changeable climate.

Although not mountainous terrain, the routes chosen were challenging and left more than a few of the students extremely tired, with aching feet and legs; a testament to how much effort they put in over the four-day period. Well done to all.