October saw members of HRFCA attend meetings in the Eastern, Southern and Northern committee areas of the Association.
On the 22nd the Eastern Area meeting took place at Yeomanry House Army Reserve Centre in Cupar, with Area Committee chairman Lt Col Gregor Lindsay presiding.
Members, including unit representatives and the new Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross Stephen Leckie, were briefed by HRFCA Chief Executive Brigadier Mark Dodson, on a variety of areas within the Association. These included: key staff changes, the creation of an Engagement and Outreach sub-committee, estate development of Dunfermline ARC, the Cadet Expansion programmes within schools and employer engagement activities.
Members of the Association try out night vision technology.
Commanding Officers or Units Representatives were invited to give an update on the past six months since the last Annual Association Meeting, before enjoying a capability demonstration by Reservists of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry (SNIY). The evening came to a close with a hot supper and a further chance for guests to discuss Eastern Area business.
7 SCOTS’ Army Reserve Centre in Stirling provided the venue for the Southern Area meeting on the 24th. The meeting was well attended by non-military members which generated a good discussion on how to encourage businesses to be Armed Forces-friendly.
The team from Exercise Amazon Serpent with the Lord-Lieutenant.
Following formal proceedings led by Area Chair Lt Col Gilly Moncur, a team of Reservists from 225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment were awarded The Ulysses Trust Prince of Wales’s Award 2019 in the Volunteer Reserve Category. Corporal David Toshack, who pitched the idea to kayak down the Amazon, was presented with the award by the Lord-Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk, Mr Alan Simpson.
Chief Executive Brigadier Mark Dodson tried his hand at being a medic.
Before heading home, 154 Med Sqn gave guests the opportunity to get ‘hands on’ and try out giant operation, CPR techniques and casualty bandaging.
Veteran Mark took great care of our guests.
Finally, on the 29th, the Northern Area Committee members gathered at the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George, near Inverness.
Having welcomed employers to a dinner the night before, Chairman Cdr Angus Ross encouraged members to look at how the Association can better support the Cadets in their transition from school to future education or employment.
The Air Cadets from 161 (First Highland) Sqn with the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromerty.
Following on from this, members were delighted to hear from three RAF Air Cadets who took part in work experience at Inverness Airport over the summer. Over the course of three days the Cadets got an insight into air traffic control, fire safety and security procedures. After a group discussion, members enjoyed a hot lunch provided by the museum.
Corporal Emma discusses youth and education with the Members.
