DATE 10-04-08    

NEWS

LORD LIEUTENANT APPOINTED AS HONORARY COLONEL

Hugh Duberly CBE, Honorary Colonel of Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force

Hugh Duberly Esq, CBE, Lord Lieutenant for the County of Cambridgeshire, also became the Honorary Colonel of Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force from 1^st April.

Mr Duberly, (66), a landowner and farmer from Great Staughton near St. Neots, has served as the Lord Lieutenant since July 2003 representing The Queen throughout the County. In that capacity he receives members of the Royal Family on their visits to Cambridgeshire, undertakes ceremonial duties connected with the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and presides at many civic and social events - often presenting medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty.

Already a keen supporter of cadet activities, Mr Duberly looks forward to his new additional role with great enthusiasm. “This is a key position with opportunity to influence the future development of local youth”, he said. “I intend to work closely with the officers, staff and young people of Cambridgeshire ACF to ensure that every opportunity is realised to promote their well being and future achievement”

As part of the national voluntary youth organisation sponsored by, but not part of, the British army, Cambridgeshire ACF has 600 members aged 12-18 and over 100 volunteer instructors working in its 27 detachments around the County. The cadets learn independence, responsibility and leadership through safe supervised activities such as sport, outward bound pursuits, music, first aid and learning military skills. In addition many take part in community based activities, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and BTec qualification courses aimed at improving their opportunities in life. Each year, the ACF takes over 20,000 young people to annual summer camps across the country and abroad.

On his appointment as Honorary Colonel Mr Duberly succeeds Brigadier Peter Williams, DL, who retires having served in the role since 2002. Brigadier Williams, formerly of the Welsh Guards, also served as Commandant of Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force between 1989 and 1994.

Mr Duberly’s previous achievements include appointment as a Commander of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (CBE) in 1996 for services to the rural community and also as a  Knight of The Order of St John in 2004. He has previously served as an independent councillor on Huntingdon District Council, Chaired the Papworth Trust and Chaired the Ely Diocesan Board of Finance. He was appointed a Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 1989 and served as the High Sheriff of the county in 1990. He is married to Sarah and has three grown up children.