CCF

2020-21 was the year that CCF continued to be impacted by the worldwide pandemic - Covid 19, as most of society and the world was.

Strict return to work protocols and C19 insets were compulsory from the MOD to even allow for onsite training for CCF’s to take place. Officers and NCOs were to wear masks and to keep a strict 2m distance when teaching. Whenever possible, lessons should be outside, and all equipment needed to be wiped down after use. Hand washing was the norm and CCF’s had to adapt to provide some form of activities for the cadets.

Parade was a separate affair to stop ‘bubbles’ mixing. The 4th Form & 5th Form were separate entities, and a real feel of collectiveness was lost, but at least training was on in some form. The RN were not sailing, however, at Cheddar Reservoir due to C19 regulations virus.

Sadly, the term saw the cancellation of many exciting off-site activities including the Advanced Infantry Live Range Day at Yoxter Ranges. The CCF Formal Dinner in November was another casualty due to C19, and the November lockdown saw the cancellation of two Field Days on site as external providers were not allowed to visit.

The January/February lockdown saw the cancellation of Ten Tors for a second year, a real shame for the group who had been training on site throughout the Christmas term. The Biennial Inspection was another casualty, alongside the planned Isle of Wight Easter Camp, and with remote teaching there was no CCF again. Finally, in the Summer term 2021, there was hope on the horizon and the RN were able to sail again at Cheddar Reservoir and then finally in June 2021, for the first time since March 2020, a CCF group ventured off-site for a Field Day/Night in Cornwall. The 4th Form group ventured south to Newquay for an afternoon of fire making, axe throwing and night vision with instruction provided by Footsteps of Discovery. An overnight camp in tents in a wood was such a highlight after 16 months of reduced activity. The next morning we ventured into the sea for a morning of exciting coasteering with Newquay Activity Centre. The excitement on the faces of the cadets in the sea on that morning was a joy to behold and showed what we had been missing and to never take such trips for granted.

Sadly, we have to say a fond farewell to Lt Brearley who leaves for a career in the RM Military Band. We wish her well in her new career and cannot thank her enough for her contribution to CCF and her energetic leadership of the RN section, but also as Ten Tors Manager and her commitment to DoE. She has thrown herself, literally when doing coasteering and Hi/low ropes, into everything that CCF, Ten Tors and DoE can offer, and her presence will be sorely missed. We look forward to welcoming her back for the Formal Dinner in November in her new uniform.