Army Cadet Force Parade in Winchester - 5 April 2008
To mark the 150th anniversary of the Army Cadet Force, a parade will take place through the streets of Winchester on Saturday 5 April.
The Army Cadet Force of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will parade through the centre of Winchester and form up in the Broadway, to receive a new County banner from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagin - Honorary Colonel of the Army Cadet Force, and a Bond of Friendship Scroll from the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Chris Pines.
The Parade will involve up to 400 cadets. They will set off from Peninsula Barracks at 2.30pm, marching through the pedestrianised town centre and forming up in the Broadway at 2.45pm for presentations and speeches. The parade will then move off around King Alfred’s Statue, come back past the Guildhall and then retrace the route back to the Barracks.
There has been an Army Cadet Force in Winchester for over 112 years. The Hampshire & Isle of White Force is now the third largest in the country with around 1400 cadets, divided into six Companies, as well as a band and corps of drums. There are also 276 officers and instructors.
The Cadets represent a wide cross-section of the community, with some of the recruits coming from challenging backgrounds. Around 25% of Cadets choose to enter the Armed Services as a career.
The Army Cadet Force enjoys strong local links with The Rifles and The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment.
This parade will be the first in a series of high profile events to celebrate 150 years of the Army Cadet Force.
Following-on from the parade, a private reception for 150 guests will be held at the Guildhall.