J Taylor

Breaking the bias for International Women’s Day

Members of the Birmingham and wider Midlands community came together to celebrate West Midlands Women’s Voice’s first International Women’s Day event in over two years. Held at Millennium Point in Birmingham, the event was run in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, with support from our Association and Millennium Point. With a focus on breaking the bias within sports, arts and culture,…

Colour Sergeant Watchman V laid to rest

Born on the 8th March 2009 in Cannock, Watchman V, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier mascot of the Staffordshire Regimental Association, lived with his owners and handler, Mandy and Greg Hedges, in Staffordshire.  During his life Watchman took part in over 900 events including parades, national events, Remembrance services, charity events, school visits, funerals and weddings; and was well loved by his community and…

Cadet to skydive for charity

An Air Cadet from 2028 (Southam) Squadron Air Training Corps is raising funds for a close personal cause.  Cadet Flight Sergeant Will Scott will take part in a charity skydive to raise vital funds for Dementia UK, after his step-dad was diagnosed with Dementia. Talking about the challenge on his Just Giving page, Will wrote that he has “always believed in setting goals…

Cadets fly high in engineering competition

RAF Air Cadets from 29F (Rugby) Squadron reached the finals of the national RAF Engineering Competition.  The competition, which started in 2019 and was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had over 25 youth entries. The team’s creative design – Project Falcon – is an automated Bird Strike Prevention System designed to be used on airfields to improve safety and avoid birds colliding…

Staffordshire Army Cadets dig deep

Army Cadets from Staffordshire have been helping to create a lasting green legacy for future generations by taking part in a mass tree planting initiative for a new woodland. Luke Sedzikowski, the owner of Brockton Hall in Eccleshall, partnered with the Woodland Trust to develop a new area of woodland on his land.  With the support of the Trust he is aiming to…

Shropshire Yeomanry showcase event

West Midland RFCA’s Employer Engagement Team were pleased to be able to invite Armed Forces Covenant signatories from across Shropshire to a showcase event at D Squadron The Royal Yeomanry’s (RY) Army Reserve centre in Telford.  The event provided a platform for D Squadron RY to demonstrate the skills their Reservists gain from their military training, specific roles within the RY include Jackal…

Worcestershire Freemasons sign the Armed Forces Covenant

Worcestershire Freemasons have made a formal pledge to support former and current military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces and their families that they should be treated with fairness and respect. The Head of Freemasonry in Worcestershire, Robert Vaughan, in company with the Deputy Lieutenant of…

159 Regiment RLC on Op TOSCA deployment

In 2021 159 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (RLC), a West Midlands based Army Reserve unit, deployed members of the regiment to Cyprus on Operation TOSCA. The Operation is the UK’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ensuring peace and stability whilst the political peace process continues. During Winter 20/21, 32 members of the Regiment and five members of 158…

Armed Forces friendly employers take home Gold Award

Fifteen businesses from the West Midlands region have been presented with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony in Cardiff. The joint regional event held on 17th November at HMS CAMBRIA saw employers from Wales, West Midlands and Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets Associations’ (RFCA) recognised for the outstanding support they give to the Armed Forces community….