On Saturday 14th February 2026, the West Midland RFCA celebrated the official opening of the joint cadets centre in Staffordshire. Located near Beacon Barracks, the new JCC is a modern, eco-conscious training environment built as a shared resource for Staffordshire’s Army and Air Cadets. With expanded classrooms, upgraded facilities and improved access to nearby military housing and barracks, the centre is designed to…
On Wednesday 11th February, students and staff at Phoenix Collegiate hosted an all-day fitness challenge, raising funds for Help for Heroes by cycling, running, and lifting weights. Participants committed to covering as many miles as possible while also taking on weightlifting challenges. Despite demanding conditions, students showed exceptional resilience, determination and teamwork, motivating one another to keep going and maximise their fundraising efforts….
On Wednesday 28th January, organisations from all over the West Midlands region gathered together at our Partnering with Defence conference to hear the latest on current developments within the defence employer engagement pace. The conference took place at Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre, famed for providing world-class sporting facilities for individuals, the local community and some of the country’s leading sportsmen and…
Ex Northern Frosted Sword 5 (Ex NFS5) took place in the French Alps in January. 8 Rifles delivered the Exercise which saw a total of 36 Riflemen and Officers travel to the Val Thorens ski resort and conduct alpine ski activities in the hugely popular 3 valleys area. Les Trois Vallee’s boasts to provide the worlds largest ski area with a vast network…
Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to work more closely with the Armed Forces to help solve a recruitment crisis in industry. The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce held a joint event with the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA) at the Army Reserve Centre in Canley to discuss how firms could work collaboratively with the…
A 99-year old veteran has been clocking up the miles by walking laps around his bungalow to raise funds for a charity close to his heart. Lance Corporal Harold Jones from Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham was inspired by the fundraising walks of Captain Sir Tom Moore, and began walking daily circuits (down one side of his bungalow, across the back and back again)…
Over 80 employers and dignitaries from Shropshire attended a black tie civic reception at Shrewsbury Castle at the end of July to celebrate D Squadron the Royal Yeomanry receiving the Freedom of the Town of Shrewsbury. Bringing together forces-friendly organisations and the military, the event was co-hosted by Shropshire Council and our Association, and sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler. It provided a chance for…
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…
Three cadets from Warwickshire have been appointed as the county’s new Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets. Drawn from across the uniformed Cadet Forces, they are selected for their individual merits and commitment to their respective units and local community. The appointment is often the highlight of the cadet’s career and the role involves accompanying the Lord-Lieutenant at Royal visits, high-profile civic and military occasions, and acting…
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