Rochester Cadet150 Parade a Great Success!
DATE: 17, May 2010
Over 700 Sea, Army, Air, and CCF Cadets from across Kent paraded through Rochester on Saturday 8th May to mark the 150th anniversary of the Cadet Movement. The High Street was lined with well wishers showing their support for the young people and their adult leaders as the parade passed on its way to the Cathedral for a special service.
Drum Majors Able Cadet Evenden from Dover Sea Cadets and Flight Sgt. Kenny Kerr from 305 (Ashford) Sqd ATC were at the head of the combined bands of the Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps who led the parade past the War Memorial where the salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, CMG.
The Cadet banners, with Army Cadet Sgt. Taylor Dyke (from Greenacre Detachment) carrying the National Army Cadet Force banner, were piped into the Cathedral by the ATC Band piper, Cpl Karl Lynch 2513 (Romney Marsh) Sqd ATC and laid at the Drumhead Altar. The service was conducted by the Revd Paul Kerr, padre to the Kent Army Cadet Force and the Rt Revd Stephen Venner, Bishop to the Armed Forces.
The lessons were read by Lt. Commander AJ Robbins RNR (SCC) and Cadet Flight Sgt Alana Copeland from 358 (Welling) Sqd ATC.
During his Address the Lord Lieutenant mentioned this year’s Lieutenancy’s theme of celebrating the achievements of youth in Kent. He said: “It is important that older generations do not write off today’s young people as soft, uncaring and troublesome but instead hear about all the positive things they are achieving especially in uniformed youth organisations.”
He congratulated the cadets on their excellent turnout and said: “ Today’s parade is the highlight of the celebrations that are on-going across Kent this year, and what a superb parade it was, with you, our Cadets, marching proudly through Rochester.
“The United Kingdom’s Cadet movement is one of the oldest and most successful voluntary youth organisations in the world. Cadet 150 honours the role the Cadet Forces play in assisting young people towards responsible adulthood through learning new skills and developing self-confidence, and recognises the contribution young people themselves make to their local communities.
“The Cadet Forces offer great opportunities for thousands of young people and, in the words of the Cadet 150 slogan, we encourage more of them to come along and ‘Live the Adventure’.”
At the end of the Service 150 candles were carried by cadets to the West Door of the Cathedral to mark the 150years of the cadet movement.
During the afternoon the Massed Bands with ACF Corps of Drums performed in the Castle grounds and after the playing of Beating Retreat the final act of the day was the lone ATC piper playing from the battlements to close the event.
Parade Commander, RSM Steve McGowan, KACF, said, “It was fantastic to see so many members of the Cadet Forces join in with the 150th Anniversary Parade and we thank everyone who turned out on the day to show their support. On behalf of all the Cadet Services of Kent we would like to formally thank Medway Council for kindly supporting this event.”