A major building revamp offers shared training space for Air and Army Cadets in Bedfordshire following its official opening.
Last Saturday, 17 January, cadets and guests went along to Cranfield Joint Cadet Centre (JCC) for the opening ceremony. The newly refurbished and extended building is now home to the Cranfield Detachment of Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) and 207 Squadron, Air Training Corps.
The fully refurbished JCC will allow both units to train and socialise in a safe and modern environment, with extra space including a covered outdoor classroom.
Ignoring the steady rain, proud cadets took to the parade square to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lousada. Detachment Commander SSgt Scotchmer, 207 Sqn Officer Commanding (OC) Flt Lt Liney and Beds & Herts ACF Commandant Col Andre Clark greeted the Lord-Lieutenant, who inspected the parading cadets and heard a performance of both cadet units’ joint band.
Also in attendance were the officers commanding the Beds & Cambs and Hertfordshire Wings of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), Wg Cdr Robert Bradshaw and Wg Cdr Haydyn Tanner, Beds & Herts Wing’s Chief of Staff Sqn Ldr Tom Fell and former RAFAC OC Sqn Ldr Howard Wolfe.
Even a former cadet returned to base for such an auspicious event. Former 207 Sqn cadet Alex Powlson, who recently completing phase 1 of his training as a regular with the Army Training Regiment, Winchester, came to see his former comrades and celebrate their new home.
Two elected members of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllrs Sue Clark and Saverio Bongo, also represented the Cranfield community at the event, with our own chief executive, Colonel Leona Barr-Jones DL VR attending for East Anglia RFCA.
Our organisation led on the £500,000 improvement works at the JCC, funded by the Ministry of Defence Reserve Estate Optimisation programme.
The RFCA estates team supervised the extension work to ensure the funding would provide cadets with a facility whose revamp offers shared training space where they could parade for years to come.
Due to the weather, the rest of the day’s programme took place inside the building. The Lord-Lieutenant gave a short speech before unveiling a special plaque to mark the extended building’s formal opening.
Mrs Lousada also took the opportunity to present Col Clark with his third clasp for the Cadet Force Medal, indicating he has served with the Army Cadets for more than 30 years. Congratulations from all at East Anglia RFCA to Col Andre on the milestone!
Visitors then took a guided tour of the centre, as cadets staffed stands showcasing some of the many activities they train in, from signals, fieldcraft and expeditions to flight simulators and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) topics.
Cadets, officer and guests also took the opportunity during the event to enjoy refreshments and one another’s company, comfortably out of the rain in the fully refurbished building.
