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PENHALE
CCF CENTRAL CAMP 2008
On Saturday 12th July 18 cadets from St Margaret’s CCF departed for Penhale in Cornwall where the Regular Army accommodate us, amongst 400 other cadets from around the South West.
The St Margaret’s cadets arrived slightly anxious, yet excited for another year at Penhale. For the majority it was to be their first year and many did not know what to expect.
Day 1 - Arrival
The first day was spent settling into the barrack dormitory and getting used to the surroundings. We had missed the timings for supper, or ‘scoff’, at the camp, so we had to go further afield to treat the girls.
Day 2 – Military Skills and Exercise
Military Skills
It really was a baptism of fire for many as the first day on the stands was probably the hardest. The military skills provided a steep learning curve, where many cadets had the opportunity to fire blank rounds for the first time and practise manoeuvring in pairs. It was hard work, but I think the girls enjoyed it. They also were taken through a water-based assault course which was physically extremely tough.
Exercise Phase
We were amalgamated with Exeter School to make up numbers for a Platoon and entered the Exercise with enthusiasm and the willingness to learn. Sgt Harrisson took the lead for St Margaret’s and made sure that the harbour area was up to scratch. The Section Commanders also worked very hard (Cpls Patterson, Lewis and Fowler).
Both of the recce parties successfully got ‘eyes on’ the enemy and were able to feed good intelligence back to the Platoon Commander. The really fun part came at first light when we moved into position for the Assault. The cadets were very cool with their weapon drills and we effectively took 2 enemy positions and triumphed on the day.
Day 3 - Post Exercise and Orienteering Competition
Post Exercise
After all the hard work, the first job was to de-gunge our weapons and then to de-gunge ourselves.
Orienteering Competition
After all the post Exercise administration was taken care of, the cadets got into their PE kit for the orienteering. Pte Suzie Adams was awarded the prize for the fastest in her age group –well done!
Day 4 – Cadet Skills and March and Shoot
Cadet Skills
The cadets were set a number of riddles and exercises involving teamwork and problem solving. The girls worked well together on these and we even found some hot shots on the air gun range!
March and Shoot
The St Margaret’s team were extremely quick over the march and were in good spirits. However, our shooting wasn’t quite up to scratch with one cadet forgetting to use her iron-sight and the other cross-lane firing (no names mentioned!).
Day 5 – Lake
The weather was perfect for the day on the lake – kayaking, Topper sailing and raft building was on offer and the cadets go to try all three.
Because we had a free evening, the cadets were treated to a cinema outing to watch ‘Kung Foo Panda’.
Day 6 – Ranges and Assault Course
Ranges
Considering the fact that many cadets had never used the ranges, I think that we might have found some potential marksman. The girls learnt a great deal and enjoyed the day.
Assault Course
We had practised hard for this event and thought that we had the winning combination. The cadets worked superbly as a team and really did us proud. In fact, the girls were so involved, that they were willing to go over the course a second time to enable a cadet from one of the other CCF’s to have a chance.
Day 6 – Departure
It had been a fantastic week and everyone was ready for a hot bath and some TLC from their parents. I would like to congratulate all cadets who attended for their ethos of giving everything 100% and for making sure that the reputation of the St Margaret’s cadets goes forth for another year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lt Matthews, Lt Lyon and Mr Gray, for without their loyal support, camp would not have been such a success this year.
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