On 10 March, the Combined Cadet Force travelled to Woollams for the Annual General Inspection (AGI), with the intention to spend the day participating in tasks and activities organised by the Sixth Form and teachers, after a display of drill and the appointments to new positions. The Reviewing Officer was
Lt Col. Anthony Gilham (OA 2000).
Unfortunately, the plan had to be altered due to the circumstances presented. Upon arrival at Woollams, the cadets were met with heavy rain, followed by wind gusts and snowfall. The preparations for the inspection and display of drill went out the window, and all had to be changed in a matter of minutes. The Honour Guard and new appointments, with the help of the Regimental Sergeant Major, quickly put together an adapted drill sequence to be performed inside, using elements from the original plan to help. After the modified inspection had been carried out, and all new positions appointed, the activities began.
Again, weather struck, meaning only four of the arranged activities could be performed and airsoft and drone flying would have to wait. The remainder of activities included a command task based on moving a payload with rules applied to spur divergent thinking, a gun run involving heavy and unwieldly items, a session consolidating the cadet’s ability in drill and a session on first aid, enlisting the help of two Upper Sixth Form ‘casualties’ so that the teachings could be put into practice. After lunch, the cadets travelled back to School to finish the day.
For the Sixth Form, however, a black-tie dinner was to come. At 19:00, cadets started arriving for drinks before taking their seats. High profile guests included the Regimental Sergeant Major, Major Forbes-Whitehead, the Headmaster, the Rev Dr Pines, the Second Master and the Bursar to the Governors.
Leo, Lower Sixth Form, Junior Under Officer of the CCF
