CCF AGI Annual Showcase

On a sun-drenched Home Field, the Corps put on its annual showcase last Sunday before a very large crowd of parents, guests, Old Caterhamians and military visitors. An impeccable Guard of Honour, commanded for the last time by Capt Gordon Wilkinson, welcomed our Inspecting Officer, Col Ian Denison OBE, Colonel Cadets for HQ London District. This was followed by a tour of various stands, including climbing, archery, first aid and bushcraft, where the cadets showed off their training.

This year, for the first time, the AGI was accompanied by the Wind Band under the baton of Mr Brian Hill, who played magnificently to accompany marching and in performance pieces of their own. The Corps is immensely grateful to Mr Hill, his thirty-odd bandsmen, and in particular Cpl Sharpe and his Corps of Drums: what they added to the occasion cannot be overstated.

As tradition demands, the spectators were then treated to a slick and noisy section attack across the Home Field to root out another enemy incursion, with predictably glorious result. The day finished with the whole contingent on parade, where the Inspecting Officer commended the 130 cadets on their excellence, commitment and positivity, before awarding prizes: Best Recruit went to Recr Baker; Best JNCO to Cpl Parr; and Best Cadets in the two sections to CSgt Davies and FSgt Farris. The parade was commanded by our first female Head of Corps, CWO Knight, who was awarded the Stokes Pace Stick for her five years of stalwart service.

Col Denison, whose job involves weekly visits to units around the London area, later commented that Caterham’s was one of best units he had ever seen – but the cadets knew that already, of course.