Month: October 2021

The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO launches YOU West Midlands

On Thursday 16th September 2021 The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO officially launched Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands (YOU West Midlands) at a special event during his visit to Birmingham YOU West Midlands is a collaboration of the 11 Youth Organisations in Uniform across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, who currently comprise some 20,000 young people The 11 Youth…

Reservist awarded at Dudley’s Kindness Awards

Members of the Dudley community have been recognised for stepping up to make a difference to the lives of others in their local area. Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (Dudley CVS) recently hosted its AGM and Kindness Awards 2021 at the Brierley Hill Civic.  This year’s awards theme celebrated the abundance of kindness in Dudley’s communities, highlighting the achievements of individuals and volunteer…

Army Cadets welcome the return of annual camps

Following on from the Government’s Covid-19 guidance and the National Youth Organisation’s roadmap for the Cadet Forces to return to face-to-face training, summer 2021 welcomed the long-awaited return of the annual camps. As a highlight in the cadet calendar, the annual camps provide the opportunity for the cadets in their respective areas to spend a week away from home with their peers and…

4 MERCIAN complete adventure training

Over the summer more than 20 members of 4 MERCIAN HQ Company took part in adventure training at the Pioneer Centre near Wolverhampton. This opportunity was partially funded by West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association and provided a great opportunity for team building, especially for the new recruits. Private James Cooling tells us more about the day: “The day started with the…

Community events round-up

One of the key outputs of our Association is our work to advocate and promote support for the Reserves, cadets and wider military family.  This involves working with employers, local authorities, youth and the wider communities on different projects and events to raise awareness and develop new relationships between the military and civilian communities. Over the past 18-months face-to-face activities have been largely…

Running Fusiliers raise funds for mental health causes

Six Army Reservists from A Company Fifth Regiment of Royal Fusiliers (5RRF) in Birmingham have completed an intense 300-mile run from Wiltshire to Newcastle-upon-Tyne – in just 72 hours. Tackling the challenge head on with sheer determination, each pair of runners covered approximately 33 miles per day, for three days. Setting off at 4am from the First Fusiliers Regimental Headquarters in Tidworth, the…

RAF Reservists’ Tour de Charity

Personnel from No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron have raised over £1,000 for a military charity by taking part in the RAF Reserves Cycling Challenge. Aiming to complete 3,025 miles (which was based on a total of 605 miles per trade) five teams of chefs, supply specialists, drivers, police and HQ staff attempted to cycle their respective 605 miles. The idea started following…

Tennis club supports those who serve

A tennis club in Wolverhampton has bounced back from the pandemic to open its courts to the Armed Forces including the Royal Air Force (RAF) to host military racket sports tournaments and training events.  Established in 1885, Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (WLTSC) caters for all levels of tennis and squash players, welcoming members from all backgrounds within their community. For the…

Herefordshire walking football sessions for the forces community

The Herefordshire Football Association has recently confirmed details of free weekly walking football sessions, with food and drinks afterwards. Two walking football sessions have been launched on the 3G pitch off of Widemarsh Common in Hereford, for those connected to the Armed Forces community and those connected to the men’s mental health community. These sessions are being run in partnership with the Defence…

Football event aims to break down inequality barriers

Finding new female football talent and addressing inequality were the key themes of a unique event which brought together women from across the sporting community. ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers’ was the first event of its kind to be hosted at St George’s Park – the Football Association’s (FA) national football centre – in partnership with Farenet and the FA. Organised by Saltley Stallions…