Visitors and Presentation Day,
City of London & North East Sector Army Cadets at Ilford on Saturday 1st August 2026
The Army Cadet Force is a national voluntary youth organisation. Sponsored by the Army, it provides challenging military, adventurous and community activities. It aims to inspire young people to achieve success in life with a spirit of service to the King, their country and their local community, and to develop in them the qualities of being a good citizen.
This is achieved by:
- Providing progressive cadet training to foster confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty and a sense of service to other people
- Encouraging the development of personal powers of practical leadership and the ability to work successfully as a member of a team
There are 22 detachments, divided into Number 2,3 and 4 Companies and a Music Detachment. 2 Company has 6 detachments covering the City, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets, 3 Company has 7 detachments covering Redbridge and Waltham Forest to Ilford, 4 Company has 8 detachments in Dagenham, Romford, Barking, East and West Ham, South Hornchurch and Upminster.
Cadets are encouraged to undertake Duke of Edinburgh Awards; many achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold standards alongside high-calibre First Aid training, taking some Cadets up to First Aid trainer level.
The Corps of Drums 30/40 Detachment attends music events. They take part in 2 music camps each year, and recently attended rehearsals for the King’s Birthday Parade, Order of St George events and Belgian Cenotaph Remembrance Day.
They would not be able to achieve these wonderful results without the support of the Livery Companies, 16 in total so far, including the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers.
On Saturday 1st August, the Mistress, Oliver Charles (Cadet Liaison), Lucy Charles and I had the privilege of attending the Visitors’ and Presentation Day at the Army Reserve Centre in Ilford and meeting and talking to some of the Cadets. We watched them work as teams, displaying leadership, support and camaraderie skills.
They were ‘On Parade’, uniforms worn with pride for the inspection; personal appearances were exemplary and drills executed with commendable precision. The fruit of many hours of preparation and dedication from all the Cadets and volunteers was proudly displayed and appreciated by the guests who included contingents from supporting Liveries, Councils and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant.
The afternoon’s highlight was the Tug of War Competition where the winning teams demonstrated considerable skill, teamwork and tactics.
The work the Commandant, Colonel Wendy Adams (herself a Freeman Glass Seller) and her team of 125 Volunteers do to help these young people (currently around 700 aged from 12 to 17 – they “age-out” on reaching 18) become rounded adults is invaluable to the Cadets themselves and beyond, into the community and as proud members of the Army Cadet Force.
When we see our Cadets on the stair guard at the Mansion House Banquet, we should all be mindful of the daily difficulties these young people face at home, school and in their communities. They are all trying hard personally to elevate themselves and make a difference to their own lives, and in their communities.
Presentations at the end of the Day include the Ironmongers’ Trophy, which is presented to the Company with the most accumulated points from all the competitions held throughout the year. The trophy was first presented in 1986, and Col Adams was a winner in that year. Congratulations this year to 4 Company on their success.
We all left inspired by the work of Col Wendy and her team, and the result of that effort is visible in the Companies of well-rounded, enthusiastic, successful cadets who will go far in life.
The Master
August 2026
