Taylorian 2020

124 nationwide lockdown soon ended our usual fare of activities and Inspection Day, our senior cadets (NCOs) initiated remote CCF sessions. Inspired by cadet Under Officer James Tillotson, working together with the senior cadet leadership team (WO Chloe Rabin (RN), WO1 Max Arlen (Army), WO Athena Odysseos-Suther (RAF), and WO1 Sian Evans-Evans), they laid on a weekly programme of online challenges and training. Cadets, siblings, and parents all got involved in boot polishing activities, camouflage and concealment competitions, and garden obstacle course challenges. The cadets have been true to the CCF’s aim that ‘training should be interesting, imaginative and purposeful’ and delivered, ideally, by the senior NCOs. This year, they have done so with aplomb. The Contingent is in a strong position to cope with future challenges such as this nation faces in light of COVID-19. And it is the cadet leaders who, having faced the constraints of the pandemic and found creative ways to deliver the CCF experience, will one day also be our country’s leaders and captains of industry. We will be in good hands. As we look ahead to a September return, it is a bonus that we have maintained the same staff Command Team for the past two years andwill do so again in the coming year. This has allowed for continuity in delivering the syllabus and for each Section Commander to cement their strategic vision. I would like to extend enormous thanks to the SSI, our section commanders, cadet force adult volunteers, and non-uniformed volunteers, who contribute so much time and energy to the CCF. I appreciate the continued parental support in all that we do. Finally, to all our cadets, thank you for electing to join the CCF, for your enthusiasm and engagement, and for the part you play in making our Contingent great. Lt Cdr J E Firestone Cadets Combined Cadet Force L ast year, as the Taylorian was being dropped into the hands of its readers, the CCF was embarking on a summer of formative experiences. The RN were having a fantastic time at sea on their weekend motor launch cruise to the Isle of Wight and visiting the ship damage repair unit simulator, as well as participating in ceremonial duties on Armed Forces Day at HMS WILDFIRE, our neighbourhood establishment at Northwood HQ. The tri- service summer camp took place near Bala in Wales. Climbing, abseiling, caving, white water rafting, and canyoning were not for the faint-hearted. For the bravest, some say maddest, souls, there was also the static-line parachute jump. Throwing themselves out of an aeroplane at 3,500 feet is probably the bravest activity our cadets undertake. These activities are character-defining moments for our cadets and staff and offer bonding opportunities for the whole contingent. This year we were planning a similar summer, but our March Field Day was the last time we were able to conduct joint training and parade. We were lucky that, as every military establishment around the country closed its doors to newcomers on the Friday morning, most groups had arrived the previous night or first thing in the morning. The section reports detail what our cadets got up to on those last days of our curtailed training year. As the Contingent Commander’s Report