Cadets dressed up for annual Mess Dinner

The event celebrated the achievements of the Horsham-based School’s senior cadets, who recently successfully completed an intensive twelve-month programme IN military, leadership and adventure training.

The programme included opportunities for abseiling, coasteering, flying, parachuting, powerboating, sailing and shooting.

Notable successes for the cadets this year included the award of three Flying Scholarships to members of the RAF section and one cadet being selected to represent the UK on a five-week exchange with the Canadian Army to the Rocky Mountains.

The meal followed the traditional format of an officers’ mess, with a cocktail reception preceding a four-course meal prepared by the School’s chefs. This was followed by speeches by the Senior Cadet, Contingent Commander and Head Master.

The dinner concluded with the presentation of a number of awards for leadership. The Pooley Sword was awarded to Under Officer Oscar Edell, the Contingent Prize for Military Instruction was won by Petty Officer Mhairi Potts Wyatt and the Elstob Prize for Leadership was presented to Corporal Amy Shepherd.

Lieutenant Alistair Goddard, CCF Adjutant, commented: “The dinner was wonderful way to celebrate the success of each and every cadet, and reward them for their extraordinary efforts. It certainly provides a contrast to taking the controls of an aircraft for the first time or leading a section attack across a muddy field!”

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is available to students in Year 10 (UF) and above at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham. Nearly 200 cadets are members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force sections.

Report and picture contributed by Christ’s Hospital.