Outgoing Mayor of St Ives Councillor Ian Dobson honoured St Ives army cadets for their contribution to the community by awarding them the town’s ‘Millenium Shield’ on his final day in office.

 

Former Mayor Ian Dobson addresses Chambers

At a special ceremony which took place on Wednesday 13^th May at the Free Church in St Ives town centre Mayor Dobson presented the shield to Cadet Corporal Jay Van Kerro from Somersham during a meeting of St Ives Town Council and before an audience of 150 people.

 

Jay (17), a student at Cambridge Regional College, was selected to accept the shield as he is the longest serving army cadet in St Ives with five years service. There to witness the event were his proud mum Kay, Lt. Colonel John Kaye, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, and local area cadet commander Major Steve Martin.

 

Corporal Jay van Kerro receives the Millenium Shield

The award is made each year to a local youth group which the Mayor considers has made a significant contribution to local society and to support Jay eight St Ives cadets aged 13 to 17 were on parade. In his presentation speech Mayor Dobson congratulated local army cadets for their devotion to the town and their valued involvement with civic events.

 

 “We were surprised and pleased to receive this special recognition”, said Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Chris Dodson. “We are proud to be part of the St Ives community and this is the icing on the cake for the hard work which the cadets have put in during the past year”.

 

After the Mayor’s award other presentations followed at the cadet building next to St Ivo School. Sergeant Ben Pascoe (15) was awarded a ‘4 star’ badge – the second highest training achievement in the ACF. He was also one of three local cadets who attended the Royal School of Signals at Blandford in Dorset during April and achieved the highest qualifications possible in cadet force signalling. With him then were Corporal Jay Van Kerro and Corporal Josh Marsh (16).