After a short spell with the QM, I found myself travelling to Scotland to join my Bearer for my first mission.
No sooner had I arrived than mwl, my Bearer, set to work in ensuring that I was fully equipped for the task in hand. A bit of knitting, a lot of sewing and some improvisation and I was resplendent in my kilt and woolly pully, as befits a Colour Sergeant in The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. This done, it was off out for the customary tin rattling and raffle prize sourcing!
{ED - on behalf of all the Sgt Slingsby Team, our profound thanks go to mwl, and our lovely Quartermistress, and Elaine at Postal Bears, and tigerstacker ... Burra now has 3 outfits [Temperate and Desert combats, and 'Posh", and is undoubtedly our best-dressed Bear!]
First stop was my Bearer's hairdresser, where the ladies made a great fuss of me, scalp massage and all, and very kindly donated a hairdo for the raffle. From there we went to Tullibardine distillery - Oh wow, Braille - Laura was everything you told me and more, but, unlike you, I also got to meet the lovely Andrea as well! Thank you, ladies, for giving me my personal tour of the Distillery and a bottle of 15yo for the raffle. A visit to Tiso followed, with yet another posing opportunity and a raffle prize donated. Mr mwl also took me to work with him for the day, where he showed me the new Edinburgh Tram network and allowed me to play with his photocopier! Had to be done!
My next outing was to the ACF Outreach project prize giving. It was there that I met John Swinnie MSP, Chf Supt Suttie, Peter Wishart MP - and of course my "Boss", Colonel Passmore.
Then came the main purpose of my visit - the Black Watch Bn ACF's summer camp at Ripon in Yorkshire. We made a little detour en route to meet some fellow ARRSERs for a BBQ, (thanks to the host, theoriginalphantom) then it was onwards to Deverall Barracks for the week.
Summer Camp is very different to the Spring Camp that Sgt Braille attended. Instead of working towards star level qualifications, the cadets compete against each other for Champion Company. I was to work with Alma Company, of which my bearer is 2IC. A very full programme followed, beginning with mandatory weapon handling tests for all cadets and adults.
Sunday saw us preparing for our 24hr exercise and the opportunity for me to get to know and bond with "my" Cadets. I also discovered two BW ACF Bears with a remarkable resemblance to Sgt Braille - I was pleased to discover I outranked them! On Monday, we spent the full day on the range, the first opportunity for the cadets to fire our new service rifle - the standard of shooting was excellent, although I think I was shooting a little low. Our 24hr exercise began on Tuesday through until Wednesday. This was fun and showed the level of expertise and commitment that the cadets have attained as they carried out harbour routine, section attacks, patrolling and ambushes. The next day was the Commandant's exercise "Command and Control" - one of the most popular activities on camp. We participated in command tasks, orienteering and a quiz, all designed to have the cadets working as a team.
The final day of camp comprised the inter-company drill competition (won by Alma) and an afternoon of sports, including boys and girls football, volleyball and tug of war. Alma Company shared top points with Korea Company.
Once the sports were over, it was time to change into my smartest kit for the final parade and prize giving. I watched with pride as "my" cadets marched onto the square, led by the Pipes and Drums of the BWACF. The prizes were presented by His Worship the Mayor of Ripon. The competition for champion company was very close with Alma Company coming second to Korea Company by just half a point!!
The final part of camp was a social evening in the mess and the all important drawing of our fundraising raffle. Thanks must go to all donors of prizes - to Colonel Passmore for the most exquisite limited edition, hand-made kaleidoscope, to Capt Gill for a flight with himself in a light aircraft, to UO Halley for race tickets and microlite flight and to Lt Tough for several bottles of wine.
All too soon, it was time to head home, tired, but satisfied that the mission had done much to strengthen the bond between the Black Watch ACF and Sgt Slingsby, to raise youth awareness and to put some much needed funds into the kitty!
[ED ... The story would not, of course, be complete without recognising the efforts of all the Adult volunteers who make the Army Cadet Force actually function!! Sincere thanks to you all for the time and effort you expend in helping young people - C/Sgt Burra was proud to be a temporary member of your amazing Team.]
Comments (1)
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You're a credit to K13EOD and Wendy, and we're all very proud of you here at the stores too.
Good luck and God Speed in your next assignment.
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Holidays 4 Heroes is an informal group of people that assists wounded service personnel and their families get a precious break from the routine of rehab, hospital appointments and visits to welfare offices by facilitating holidays away from it all in accommodation donated by our sponsors in the UK and abroad. 
Deals with the cases that either lie outside the normal remit of the main Service Charities, or require a faster response than they can usually provide. Sometimes the cases require financial assistance, a little bit of nudging in the right direction for long-term help, or the application of a bit of expertise.