Don’t knock our youth – give them a chance
Mayor of Oldham and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.
The Combined Forces Cadet Organisations use the simple idea of training cadets military skills to bring unparalleled opportunities for young people from all walks of life to learn, grow and excel.
Funded by the MOD, the four Cadet organisations are possibly the oldest voluntary youth organisations in the country.
The Army Cadets, the Sea Cadets, the Air Cadets, and Combined Cadet Forces provide military themed activities and training for young people aged 12 to 18, and a unique opportunity for fun, friendship, action and adventure as well as new skills and qualifications.
When we arrived in our electric car, we were confronted by a soldier at the barrier with the legendary challenge ‘who goes there?’
Richard, the Mayor’s attendant shouted back ‘The Mayor of Rochdale’ the reply was ‘Advance the Mayor of Rochdale’ - I was impressed.
On reaching the barracks the cadets had formed a guard of honour, which I inspected.
I’ve watched the Queen do it so I knew what I was doing, smiling at them and asking their names, I think I really impressed them! But not too sure. During the next two hours we had all been on the rifle range, watched the cadets cook a meal in the field, saw them stripping down and cleaning weapons we also got ourselves involved in a military band practice.
I did accept the challenge on the 25 yard rifle range of a shootout, however varifocal glasses don’t help a lot.
I did hit a bull’s eye but it was sadly not in my target but in the Mayor of Tameside’s.
What most impressed me about our visit was the attitude of the cadets both boys and girls.
They showed confidence, politeness, respect and, most important, discipline was accepted by everyone.
It was so refreshing and a major complement to all the staff at Holcombe Moor.
Being a lifelong enthusiast of amateur dramatics and musical, the Mayoress and I were pleased to receive invitations to see two youth productions being performed in two separate townships.
First in Heywood. ‘Bugsy Malone’ presented by Heykids with over 50 in the cast.
The second was ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ produced by the Holy
Trinity Youth Theatre Workshop In Littleborough.
Both productions were enjoyable and highly commendable.
The work that both producers, Joanne Marshall and Frank Kershaw, put into these shows was amazing, it takes a lot of dedication effort and heartache to achieve such high standards.
However the stars where the youthful casts.
It would be wrong to single out individuals because both were full blown team efforts and our congratulations go out to both companies.
Three different groups of teenagers showing that given the chance and opportunities and by stimulating their interests with challenges they will deliver, so it’s time to stop knocking our youth, they certainly are not all bad, in fact I for one firmly believe in them.