My 1st Camp - no it wasn't that one ;-)

My 1st Camp, with the Cadets, was the area below Maiden Castle at Bickerton.

It was in good old fashioned canvas tents, with rope up doors.

I think it was around 1980 - a few names I can remember from back then, and probably on the camp, were - Derick Moran, Eddie Hamel, Kev Wilcox, Kev Stubbs, John Sturmey, Ashley Mills, Anthony Buckley, Steven Garratt - I do remember Graeme Malam was there. apologies for any Spellings :-)

When we got there, we found that a large contingent of Army Cadets were already there - we soon got invited to join in thier Night Exercises.

It was the only time that I went there, from then on it was the Easter Camp at Wimbolsley Wood near Winsford.

View from Maiden Castle

Remembrance...

Another great turnout...
Huge crowd at the square, maybe due to it being the mildest November I can remember.
and many at the Unit, afterwards (including a few that we haven't seen for a great many years) - Toasting absent friends, cheering on the young cadets and of course "Band Practice"

But let's not forget what the day is about...

Our own moment of remembrance for Paul Reece, Killed in Ulster in 1979 - aged only 19. To some an actual friend, but for most of us a poignant reminder of the true meaning of the day.

Death Slide

On Wednesday, I am taking my Daughter to GoApe. Should bring back many memories of our antics many years ago, in particular the Assault Course at "Easter Camp".
The highlight was the Death Slide (Nowaday's known as Zip Wire), I've already seen the zip wire at Delamere and although 4 or 5 times longer and considerably higher, what amazes me was that we "nearly" got away with no accidents and we had no such thing as a harness...

There's me in 1981 - look no harness (wouldn't be allowed now)

I say "Nearly" no accidents - there was of course Phil Doody's broken leg, but most often remembered was Eric Edge's son biting has tongue off, when he fell from it.

T.S.Ambuscade 70 years old... well nearly

TS Ambuscade becomes 70 years old in 2012 , even though we have an unofficial reunion on every Remembrance Day we think an official reunion for the unit's 70th birthday is a good idea !! 

We have yet to suggest it to the relevant people but if anyone has any ideas to have an event we would love to hear .

We plan to have a formal evening with the present cadets staff and commitee on a Friday eve, then on the Saturday to have the reunion with the ex cadets with a disco and buffet ! If anyone has any more suggestion let us know .

Also HMS Ambuscade Association are holding a major Reunion in Crewe to coincide with the 30 year anniversary of the Falklands Campaign. Do you want to suggest or arrange anything with them ?

So 2012 could be a big year for all of us !

Obviously dates and venues need to be confirmed

T.S.Royalist

On Holiday, in Weymouth, I watched a Tall Ship sail into harbour - T.S.Royalist.
I never sailed on her, but saw her a few times and know a few cadets that did go to sea.

Does anyone remember ...

Before this... ?

Part of the Railway Works used to be there - at one time 40 thousand people, or so, were employed there.
When it came down, a local group of railway enthusiasts collected memorabilia (Some is probably in the heritage centre now).
One prize was a narrow gauge turntable, part of the factory production line track. It must have been a couple of tons and there was no access for heavy lifting equipment.
What's this got to do with the cadets?....

We were asked what we could do. A group of us took some Wooden Spars, Rope and Purchases (Tackles) and rigged a set of Gyns and lifted the Turntable out of the ground. (good old fashioned Naval Seamanship put to task)
What is a set of Gyns?