Frimley & Camberley Cadet Corps held an open day for the local community in St. Paul's, and local councillors for Camberley East stopped by to see how the Corps engages with the local community and young people.
The Corps blend military training with life skill lessons for young people, from the ages of six and a half upwards, and councillors for Camberley East, Cllr. Trefor Hogg, Cllr. Lewis Mears, Cllr. Josh Thorne and Cllr. Jonny Cope, visited the Corps on the open day to see how this training helps young people gain life skills in teamwork, leadership, communication and integrity.
The Corps has a history extending over more than 100 years, having been set-up in 1908 when Miss Grace Reynolds suggested that a Cadet Corps should be formed in the area.
The Corps moved to its current location near St. Paul’s Church on Crawley Hill in 1919, thanks to a generous land donation by Mrs Wright of Frimley Hill. When Mrs Wright passed away, the new owner of Frimley Hall, again generously loaned the land to the Corps at a rent of just one shilling a year (the equivalent of £1.50 in today's money!) for 99 years.
The current hall where the Corps still meet, was opened in 1929 and is named Caird Hall, after Mr Caird's donation.
The Corps wear the cap badge of the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment, which was created in 1959. Whilst the Queen's was amalgamated with several other regiments from across South East England to form the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (PWRR) in 1992, the Corps still maintains close links with it's current forerunner.
Commenting, Jonny said:
"I popped into the Frimley & Camberley Cadet Corps Open Day on Crawley Hill this lunchtime. It was really impressive to see what they are able to offer while run entirely by volunteers.
"As well as seeing what the current cadets get up to, it was fascinating to learn the history of a building that has been used by the cadets for over 100 years and holds much local history!"
Trefor Hogg speaking of the visit said:
"I was at the Frimley & Camberley Cadet Corps open day today, partly with the aim of introducing Lewis, Jonny and Josh to the Cadet Corps team, and partly so I could continue the conversation of how we can help the Corps. Then we found Josh's picture on their wall as a former cadet... he had kept that a secret! He later demonstrated he still knows how to work a military drum.
"I was most impressed by the young lance corporal I talked to who had introduced a Czech general and the Czech ambassador to the Corps and regularly corresponds with Ukranian soldiers. He was a splendid example of how learning interpersonal skills, teamwork, persistence and leadership are at the centre of the skills young people will learn with the Corps."
If you are interested in volunteering with the Corps, joining it, or having your child join, please see here for further information: fccc.uk
Pictured, Cllr. Jonny Cope and Cllr. Josh Thorne at The Caird Hall, Camberley
