DATE 02-04-08    

NEWS

Drum Roll For Cambridge Mayor

Mayor Jenny Bailey presents Ben Pascoe with his award

It was definitely ‘eyes front’ for Cambridge City Mayor Jenny Bailey when she visited army cadets at the Cherry Hinton TA Centre, Cambridge on Tuesday 1^st April.

Twenty two local cadets watched on as the Mayor and the Mayoress, Jennifer Liddle were hosted to an evening of stirring music provided by members of the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums.

The Corps is formed from young people aged 12 to 18 from all around Cambridgeshire. They meet each week at Peterborough and Bottisham and anyone is able to join. The youngsters learn to play instruments such as the bass drum, side drum, flute and bugle from scratch – and all for free. Once they are confident they put on their red ceremonial uniforms and display their skills at public events around the county.

On hand as official escort for the evening was Cadet Corporal Arthur Savory (16) – the City Mayor’s personal cadet for the past 10 months. Arthur, a science and maths student at Long Road College, attends many civic and official functions with the Mayor to represent the ACF.

“This is what it’s all about”, said Cherry Hinton detachment commander Staff Sergeant Pete

Clark.  “The kids need encouragement to show the skills they have learned, and the support of such high profile people certainly provides that”

Highlight of the evening was when the Mayor was invited by the Director of Music John Shaw to conduct the band herself ! After several rousing drum rolls she relinquished the baton to present Cadet Corporal Ben Pascoe (14) from St Ives with the coveted ‘drum’ badge for his first public performance.

“We are delighted that the Mayor and Mayoress could find the time to visit us and show such a deep interest in the development of young people” said Cadet Commandant Colonel Roger Herriot. “The opportunities available to young people through the ACF are many and we constantly strive to increase the number of activities on offer.”

Mayor Jenny Bailey beats the drum watched by Mayoress Jennifer Liddle, Colonel Roger Herriot and Ben Pascoe

Mayor and Mayoress with the cadets and instructors