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RJAH Friends sign Covenant to support Armed Forces

The League of Friends to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) have pledged their support for staff and volunteers who serve in military roles by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant, which has also been signed by the Oswestry based hospital’s Senior Leadership Team, represents a pledge of support by the Friends charity to people who are…

Service to Army Cadets recognised

An Admin Officer for Warwickshire and West Midlands (South Sector) Army Cadet Force (ACF) has been recognised with a Commander’s Coin for his dedication. Michael Hutchinson was presented with the coin by the Cadet Executive Officer for Warwickshire ACF, Major John Walker, on behalf of Colonel Paul ‘Shove’ Gilby OBE, Commander at the Army’s Headquarters West Midlands. The Commander’s Coin is awarded to…

Combined Cadet Force celebrates biennial milestone

Cadets from St Paul’s School for Girls Combined Cadet Force (SPG CCF) proudly demonstrated their skills at their first Biennial Inspection. Held at the school’s premises in Birmingham – with future cadets and parents invited to watch – the cadets were inspected by Group Captain Roger Simon, Regional Commandant Air Cadets (Wales & West). First aid, STEM, drill, archery, radio communications, flight simulators…

Armed Forces friendly employers win Gold

Five businesses from the West Midlands RFCA region have been presented with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony in Staffordshire. The joint regional event held on 2nd November at The National Memorial Arboretum saw twenty-three employers from East and West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Associations’ regions recognised for the outstanding support they give to the…

Head of RAF supports Jon Egging Trust in signing of Armed Forces Covenant

Head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sir Mike Wigston, supported youth charity the Jon Egging Trust (JET) in its signing of the Armed Forces Covenant at a ceremony at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. ACM Wigston was hosted during the visit by JET CEO, Dr Emma Egging, who said that the occasion was of huge significance to the charity, who delivered…

Adventure training in Croatia

Over the summer students from the University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS) travelled to Croatia for a week of Adventurous Training on board yachts. UBAS is based at RAF Cosford in Shropshire and has approximately 75 students from West Midlands universities, with around 30 students recruited each academic year. Students are RAF Reservists, with the rank of Officer Cadet. The University Air Squadrons…

Summer on the waves with Coventry Sea Cadets

Coventry Sea Cadets’ rowing teams enjoyed Gold success in the District competition with other Sea Cadet units from the West Midlands and Mercia.  They then represented the district at the Area (regional) Regatta in Bristol,  where the sliding seat team came away as silver medalists while the boat handling crew took bronze.  In the sliding seat competition, Leanna L-T and Reece C rowed…

Midlands employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Twenty three employers from the West Midlands region received their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards alongside eight organisations who had theirs revalidated from 2017. The West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA) awards took place on Wednesday 21st September at the National Memorial Arboretum. The ERS awards were launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for…

Worcester soldiers fire King’s Gun Salute in Cardiff

Seven soldiers from a Worcester-based Army Reserve unit fired a Gun Salute to welcome King Charles III to Cardiff on Friday (16 September). The Reservists from 214 (Worcestershire) Battery fired a Royal Gun Salute of 21 rounds from Cardiff Castle to mark King Charles III’s arrival at Llandaff Cathedral. King Charles III visited Wales for the first time as the new reigning monarch….