The Barton Blog: 2012

The Barton Blog is back! Watch this space for information on events, general info and things of intrigue and interest. We are grateful to Rhian White, former resident for setting up this great community resource and now it's over to you good people of Barton to take the lead. My name is Annabel McCourt and I'm a local artist/filmmaker/photographer and newly appointed Town Councillor. This blog will be an independent online publication and will not represent the views of Barton Town Council, but it will provide an opportunity to aid communication and platform our town.

Please do get in touch with your stories, events and photographs.

Yours faithfully,

Annabel McCourt

annabel.mccourt@mac.com

The Army Cadet Force – Barton-Upon-Humber Branch

The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is a British youth organisation that offers military-themed training whilst at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18.9 years. The Barton branch meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm, at the Cadet Hut on Clapsons Lane (opposite Tesco.) There are currently 35 young people who regularly attend, most of whom are from Barton, but others who travel from neighbouring towns and villages.

If your son or daughter is interested in joining the ACF, they must be a minimum of 12 years of age and in year 8 at school. The maximum age that a cadet can stay to is 18 years and 9 months. Initially, they can attend a parade night on Monday or Wednesday as a guest, to determine whether or not the ACF is for them. If they like it, they will be given a form to fill in and return with their £20 enrolment fee – this covers the cost of insurance and other administrational costs. The uniform is loaned free of charge, but must be returned when your child leaves the ACF. You will have to purchase a pair of boots as these are not provided – advice on where to get them from can be provided by the detachment staff.

If you would like to join the ACF as an adult instructor, no prior military experience is required. You must be able to commit to one or two evenings per week and four weekend camps per year, along with a longer annual camp in the summer. Initially you will be given the rank of ‘potential instructor’ whilst you receive your training - you will parade one night a week at Barton and one night at the Company headquarters in Scunthorpe. Once you have passed your initial training you will be given the rank of Sergeant. Please note all potential instructors will be subject to an enhanced CRB checked before being allowed to join the ACF. If you are interested please visit Barton detachment on a Monday or Wednesday evening and ask to speak to one of the adults.

Frequently asked Questions:

Q. What subjects will my child be taught?

A. The Army Proficiency Certificate Syllabus contains the following subjects: Military Knowledge, Drill and Turnout, Fieldcraft, Expedition Training, Physical Activity, Skill at Arms, Shooting, First Aid, Map and Compass and Cadet in the Community. We also enrol our cadets on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a BTEC qualification, advanced First Aid courses, adventurous training courses and many more, depending on what your child enjoys.

Q. Will my child be encouraged to join the Army?

A. No. The ACF is a youth organisation that gets some of it’s funding from the Army. Whilst it provides an excellent insight into military training for young people who are considering joining the forces, the ACF is not a recruitment tool for the Army.

Q. Do adult instructors get paid?

A. All the adult instructors are volunteers and do not get paid for parade nights. However, a daily rate applies to camps attended, and transportation costs can be reclaimed.

For more information please visit the county website - www.hsyacf.org.uk