A leading boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 12-18 in Perthshire, Scotland
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Glenalmond College CCF was delighted to welcome Colonel Jim Hutton RM as the Reviewing Officer on the occasion of its Biennial Review on May 12th. Colonel Hutton is currently the Director of Training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, located in Lympstone in Devon, and we were delighted to welcome him on his first visit to Glenalmond. |
The Biennial Review is conducted by 51 Brigade on behalf of the Army and by the controlling organisations of the RN and RAF CCF sections. The aim of the Biennial Review is to determine whether the training tasks of the CCF have been carried out to a satisfactory level, as determined by the inspection teams who visit in the weeks prior to the Review. This is important to us, since without a satisfactory report a CCF is not guaranteed continued funding.
The Biennial Review is thus a very important day for the CCF, a day when we hope to impress enough to get the all important green light for the next two years! Planning started some months ago as to the format the day should take. After some lively debate the Contingent Commander, Commander Roger Benson, decided to settle on a simple parade that would feature a guard of honour and elements of the Pipes and Drums. Following the parade, the Reviewing Officer would be taken on a tour of the College grounds where he would visit the three sections and observe the training.
Our plans were given an early setback when the SSI and the OC Army section were left stranded in Hong Kong at the start of term. Undaunted, the contingent pressed ahead with rehearsals, and we are grateful for the assistance of the 51 Brigade RQMS (North) W01 Bill Neal in our preparations for the day. As usual the cadets rose to the occasion, and by the end of week three the foot drill was starting to come together. Cadet CSM John Parkhill (P) was the designated parade commander, whilst Captain of Corps Under-Officer Claire Peacock (H) would act as 'ADC' to the Colonel for the day.
Despite forecasts for snow, the day of the Review dawned bright and sunny, and at precisely 10am Colonel Hutton arrived at the Front Arch. He was greeted by a guard of honour commanded by Claire Peacock, which included cadets from all three sections. Following a brief inspection of the guard of honour Colonel Hutton emerged into Front Quad where Cadet CSM John Parkhill drew the Contingent to attention with an impressive word of command. There followed a general salute and the inspection itself. The cadets had made a real effort to look smart on the day, and the contingent displayed good steadiness on parade.
Following the parade the contingent dispersed to various parts of the College to begin the day's training. The Army sections, with the two 5th form Flights of the RAF section attached conducted a series of field craft and leadership skills packages that were well received by the cadets. The Navy section embarked (no pun intended) upon a section competition that included shooting, kayaking and Leadership Tasks. A and B Flights of the RAF section conducted a rafting exercise on the River Almond, along with various leadership exercises. Claire Peacock, who has shot for Britain was challenged by Colonel Hutton to a "shoot-out". I have it on good authority that Claire out shot the Colonel. Should we be surprised?
At the conclusion of the day's training the Contingent gathered in Back Quad for an informal address by the Colonel. He gave a very interesting talk about the value of the CCF organisation, and the need for this country to continue to produce good young leaders. It turned out that this was not his first association with Glenalmond College cadets. He had led an expedition in 1987 that included members of our CCF. He made some extremely valid points, and at the conclusion of his address he was immediately surrounded by young (and not so young) cadets with a sudden new interest in a career in the Royal Marines!
We were also pleased to welcome as visitors Squadron Leader Brian McCran (Officer Commanding the Training and Evaluation Support Team for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England), Chief Petty Officer Derik Nordon, WO1 RQMS Bill Neal (RQMS North), members of 21 Cadet Training Team and a team of Royal Marines from the visibility Team. We are also grateful to the assistance of Jonathan Wheeler who ensured the safety of our cadets during the rafting exercise.
The day was a resounding success due to the hard work of the Contingent Commander, the SSI, Lt Abi Crockett, the three Section Commanders and not least by the cadet NCOs and the cadets, who did their best to show off one of the things that we do best here at Coll. We hope that you will enjoy looking at the photos of our special day on the College photo gallery when they appear shortly.
JAG
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