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CCF NEWS
Cambrian Patrol 2007
(21 – 23 September)
Congratulations to Christ College cadets who
finished as
overall
CCF Champions of Wales for the third year running, winning the Western
Mail Cup. The senior team achieved a Bronze medal and the junior team
achieved a Silver medal and this accounted for the overall win.
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Senior Team = Holly Rees (i/c), Jack Wallace (2i/c), Ben John,
Ryan Williams, Owen Silk, Sam Joseph, David Egelstaff and Luke
James
Junior Team = Ashley Cullen (i/c), Ryan Ward (2i/c), James
Spencer, Lewis Edmunds, Liam Bridge, Rory Cremin, Will Burton
and Joe James
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Friday night was spent at Nesscliffe Camp, with a very early start
being made for the main patrol on Saturday around the Clocaenog
Forest. This involved some tricky route finding to get round the
demanding courses to complete the various tests en route.
After
the main patrol, cadets were bussed to Sealand Ranges to test their
harbouring drills on the Dee Estuary. On Sunday morning
the
cadets were woken
by
the sound of gunfire at around six o’clock, giving them time to
prepare for the March and Shoot phase.
Both
teams did well on the main patrol, although an early navigational
error cost the seniors valuable time which they worked hard to make
up. The Juniors did particularly well on the harbouring test and
were the best unit at this overall. As usual, the fitness of our
cadets told on the march, with two impressive times, but they also
went on to uphold our reputation as less than accurate shots!
Combined Cadet Force Biennial Inspection 2007
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On
Thursday 3 May, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, Commander-in-Chief
Air Command, flew in from High Wycombe to inspect the CCF Contingent.
Arriving in a Merlin helicopter having piloted it to Brecon, he
was greeted by Major Ian Owen and Headmaster Phillip Jones. In
glorious weather a formal inspection
was made
of the Guard of Honour, the Colours and the three sections of
the Contingent. A short inspection of the CCF compound followed
where Sir Clive met WO2 Bill Dowling MBE, SSI at Christ
College. Sir Clive was then shown the fine array of silverware
the contingent holds through its many competition successes. |
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After lunch Sir Clive met cadets demonstrating the wide range of
activities that the CCF offer and support. This included the
Royal Navy Section sailing at Llangorse Lake and on display
at Christ College: 25m range shooting; climbing; a RAF Section
lesson and display; Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition and First
Aid. The cadets were also treated to a display by the SAS and
experienced flights in a Chinook helicopter, courtesy of the
RAF. |
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At the final parade, Sir Clive reported the day to be “a great
success” and commended the cadets for what he had seen.
As Sir Clive departed, Christ College welcomed Brigadier Rick
Libbey, Commander of 160 (Wales) Brigade and the Army’s senior
officer in Wales who attended the Mess Dinner.
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Cadet Climbing Competition 2007
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Back Row: Major Ian Owen, James Spencer, David Egelstaff,
Matthew Barnes, Matthew Smith, Staff Sargeant Chris Mitchell
(Event Organiser).
Front Row: Leah Thornber, Jacquetta Watts, Holly Rees, Martha
Price,
Gina Scandrett. |
Congratulations to the CCF Climbing team whose combined efforts
secured the overall team title for the second year running on
Saturday 10 March 07.
Christ College CCF team were competing at the Joint Services
Adventurous Training Centre at HMS Indefatigable on Anglesey.
The team consisted of Matthew Barnes, Matthew Smith, Holly Rees,
Martha Price, David Egelstaff, James Spencer, Leah Thornber and
Jacquetta Watts, all under the watchful eye of Major Ian Owen.
All the cadets made significant contributions to the team
performance, with Matthew Smith, James and Leah reaching the
semi-finals in their categories and David Egelstaff managed to
progress further to secure second Junior Boy.
Many congratulations to Holly Rees and Matthew Barnes for
winning the Senior Girl and Senior Boy categories with some
excellent performances. Major Ian Owen is also to be
congratulated as he won the staff climbing event.
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Remembrance Sunday
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On Sunday 12 November 36 cadets from Christ
college CCF paraded through Brecon, with contingents from the
regular Army based at Dering Lines. After the Parade in
the town centre they marched to the Cathedral where they
attended a Service of Remembrance.
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Cambrian Patrol 2006
Christ
College became the overall CCF Champions of Wales in the
annual Cadet Cambrian Patrol for the second year on 24 September 06.
Christ College entered a junior and senior team which consisted of ten
members in each. The senior competition consisted of two days of
arduous events which includes a 30 km route with full webbing and a
rifle (with 5 skills stands) and a speed march of 2.6 miles followed by
a live shoot. The junior team included a 22 km route (with 5
skill stands) and a speed march of 1.7 miles followed by a live shoot.
The senior team achieved a gold medal and the junior team achieved a
bronze medal and this accounted for an overall win.
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Once again the Cadets reaped their rewards as a result of their
commitment, physical effort, humour and no short measure of ability,
which was assisted by preparation and training received from our SSI,
WO2 Dowling, MBE.
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CADSAAM 2006
Top Row: Sam Joseph, Ryan Ward, Jess Jarman, John Faull, Adam
Bilbrough, Tatsuma Sugawara
Bottom Row:
Carl Brown, Sam Davies, Ben Maguire, James Davies, John Clarke, Matthew
Gallagher |
Christ
College teams
claimed first place in the overall CCF Competition
in the Annual Cadet Skill At Arms Meeting at Sennybridge Ranges on 21/22
May.
Cadets
from all over Wales endured some very wet and windy conditions during
the shoots and
Christ
College teams also won the Opportunity Shoot and the Machine Gun Match.
A couple of fine individual performances also saw the school take the
Best Individual Shot (James Davies) and Best LSW Gunner (Sam Davies)
with Carl Brown as Runner Up in the Individual Shot at his first
attempt. Second places were gained in the Section Match and Bullseye
Match.
The teams
were:
A-Team: Carl Brown, James Davies, John Clarke, Adam Bilbrough,
Tatsuma Sugawara, Ben Maguire.
B-Team: John Faull, Jess Jarman, Sam Davies, Sam Joseph, Matthew
Gallagher, Ryan Ward. |
Cadet Climbing Competition 2006
Photo: Ewan Brown, David Egelstaff, Matthew Smith, Tatsuma Sugawara,
Faye Thorpe, Lauren James, Holly Rees, Rachel Williams. |
Earlier
in the year cadets from Christ College Brecon improved on last years
performance by winning the All Wales Cadet Climbing Championships held
at the Joint Services Adventurous Training Centre on Anglesey.
All
cadets competed in the initial rounds, climbing two routes which were
scored according to height gained and the time taken. The routes became
more demanding in the semi finals, but CCB managed to secure finalists
in each category.
In the
finals, the climbers went one at a time in front of an expectant and
supportive audience. The climbs tested the cadets’ physical and mental
stamina on some severely overhanging walls. The cadets from Christ
College performed superbly, winning three out of the four categories,
and also gaining two second places. |
Results:
First
Senior Boy: Matthew Smith
Second Senior Boy: Tatsuma Sugawara
First Junior Boy: Ewan Brown
Second Junior Boy: David Egelstaff
First Senior Girl: Holly Rees
CCF Camp to Mallaig: April 2006
Click here
Two Cadets from Christ College join Expedition to Patagonia
Click here
Visit to Warminster for Army Fire Power Demonstration
Click
on pictures below for larger images.
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On
11th October 2006 a group of Cadets visited the Army Training Area
at Warminster to view the Annual Army Firepower Demo, where they were
treated to displays of the array of weaponry at the disposal of a modern
battle group of infantry and armoured units. It was accompanied by an
informative commentary which also gave a good idea of the communications
used on the battlefield. There was also some air support given by
Jaguar fighters, and after an introductory talk on the Apache
helicopter, the anticipation built up in the audience was blown
when it was finally announced that they couldn’t be on display!
However, it did not detract from a very professional
presentation that showed how the various systems combine in
operations. |
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There was also the opportunity to
talk to the personnel about their roles within the Army and cadets
were also able to climb aboard some of the machinery on display – most
impressively the Challenger II tanks, which were an awesome sight (and
sound) when on display. |
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Champion Cadets (at Cambrian Patrol)
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Christ
College emerged as the Combined Cadet Force Champions of Wales in the
annual Cadet Cambrian Patrol which took place on 24-25 September 05.
This year's competition format mirrored that of the senior event,
where benchmark standards have to be met in order to achieve Bronze,
Silver or Gold. The Christ College junior and senior teams gained
bronze and silver awards respectively. |
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Based at Sennybridge Camp, the
main phase took place in the Radnor Forest on Saturday in some of the
best weather conditions in recent years. Both the junior and
senior teams were set testing courses, carrying full webbing, daypacks
and rifles, that required steady navigation to get between checkpoints
where the cadets were tested on aspects of field craft. The march
and shoot phase took place on Sunday on the Eppynt Ranges.
Both courses involved a mixture of road and cross country running, with
senior teams having to negotiate an obstacle course at the start
(although they did not have to carry any kit, unlike their junior
counterparts).
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The Cadets reaped their rewards due to good preparation and hard work
(excellent training received from our SSI, WO2 Dowling, MBE was also a
factor!). The level of skill, determination and physical effort
displayed by the Cadets was quite remarkable for which the CCF and the
school is justifiably proud. |
CADSAAM 2005
 An
early start and lashings of freezing cold rain failed to dampen the two
Christ College Cadet Teams who competed in the recent CADSAAM. The
Christ College Cadets acquitted themselves very well indeed, exceeding
early expectations and only narrowly losing out on the overall
championship on count back of individual points scored.
The A team brought back
trophies for First Places in the following:
Section Match (the most
physically demanding, which includes 100m runs between shoots in limited
time)
Opportunity Target shoot
(where targets pop up randomly at distances of up to 300m with a short
time in which to shoot) Bullseye Match (hits on
a 30 cm disc at 100m)
But for the ‘technical
problems’ Christ College may have won the LSW (Machine Gun) Match and
the overall title.
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Two individual
performances from WO2 Andrew Davies (Sixth Former) was the top LSW Gunner and Best Individual Shot went to CDT James Davies (another
Sixth Former at Christ College). James won by a good margin
against the other 100 or so cadets taking part, who were all selected on
ability, so this marks James as the Best Shot in Wales.
For most of the B Team
this was their first taste of the competition and they all did very well
in contributing to what was a very good overall performance.
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CCF Visit to
Middle Wallop on 12 May 2005
 CCF cadets
attended a presentation given by Captain Laura Jones
about becoming an army pilot with the help of Black
Adder! The group then went on a guided tour to
see some helicopters: the Gazelle, the Lynx, the
Squirrel and the very impressive Apache . The Cadets were given a turn to sit in the
pilot's seat (albeit on the ground)!
Captain Jones gave a detailed explanation about the
role each helicopter plays in the army, the weapons
carried and the costs involved! The Cadets were also
shown helicopters and planes that are used for air
shows which are now old and out of service.
After lunch each cadet was given a flight in the
Gazelle helicopter with pilot Captain Laura
Jones. Captain Jones ensured the flights were very
exciting - almost like being on a rollercoaster!
PICTURES OF THE DAY
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Gazelle Helicopter in flight |
View from the Gazelle |
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Pupils waiting for a flight |
The Apache helicopter |
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