You will recall that we had a successful Commandant's Weekend to Ypres in Belgium in October 2012. This was intended as a "Train The Trainer" exercise ahead of the 1914-2014 Commemorations, to enable Officers to investigate the opportunities for cadet battlefield tours in 2014. I am pleased to say that the bulk of our sub units have carried out recces of the Ypres area and plans made to take cadet parties this year. I will follow with interest the exercises that have been planned.
2014 will be the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France and my plan this year is to take the Officers to Normandy in October for a battlefield tour, with a focus on the events of 6th June and the days immediately following. Please treat this post as an outline Wng O! there will inevitably be some personal contribution towards accommodation, but the weekend will be fully remunerated and should be an enjoyable experience for all who participate.
The TSA is also planning a charity fundraising cycle ride (as he did from Kent to Okehampton in 2013), with a ride from Kent to Normandy. We are looking at the logistics of the event and co-ordinating it with the battlefield tour, so that he arrives at Arromanches when the County's Officers are present on the beach!. The TSA's efforts last year raised sufficient funding for 35 of our cadets to achieve a BTEC Level 1 award through CVQO and the TSA has indicated that the intent should be the same this year.
Looking forward to it
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