Tuesday 17th May 2011

It was a case of 'all change' this week as this year's Mayoral Cadets were sworn in at the Town Hall by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield.

Firstly however there was the matter of thanking the 3 cadets (one from each cadet force) who have been on hand at Mayoral events this year.

Thanking Dan Almond (Army), Arran Turner (Sea) and Michael Bown (Air)  the Mayor of Chesterfield Cllr Keith Morgan paid tribute to, not only the youngsters, but their parents and Commanding Officers, without whose support "the youngsters would not have been able to do what they've done."

His Worship went on to praise the contribution made this year by the three Cadets, who had he said, "been extremely helpful. We've had loads of things to do, some specific to their own service, some more general, notably Armed Forces Day. I'd like to offer on behalf of the Mayoress and myself, our grateful thanks for everything they've done and it's a pleasure to see how they've moved on, gaining stripes in some cases. Well done to all."

After the three outgoing cadets had been presented with a card and certificate, the three newest Cadets were sworn in for the year and welcomed by the Outgoing Deputy Mayor Mick Bagshaw and his Deputy Mayoress Ruth Perry.

The three new Cadets, again one from each of the Services, were Michelle Field (Sea), Kaine Donaldson ( Army) and David Warman (Air)



All expressed their pride in the role with Michelle (above) saying, "I'm honoured! I really wanted to be it last year but didn't get chosen, so I was really happy to learn I'd been picked this year. I got chosen for good behaviour, attendance and general overall behaviour."

Adding that she has been a Cadet for 4 years, the Public Services student is looking forward to a career in the Forces and has her Naval Test next year. She says that she positive about the year ahead and is "looking forward to meeting people at all the events."

Michelle's parents were at the ceremony with her and mum declared that it was a "very proud mum moment."



Kaine Donaldson (above) is a Lance Corporal in the Army Cadets and has served for just over a year. He's not sure about whether a career in the Forces is ahead of him but is very much looking forward to the year ahead. "I'm very proud, over the moon. I've no idea why I was chosen but I can't wait. Dan who did it last year has been full of good advice."

His mum was with him at the Parlour and she was also a proud mum but also full of praise for the Cadet service too, "It's brilliant! It keeps him off the streets and he looks forward to Mondays and Thursdays, I wish it could be every day - they do some good things."



Flight Sergeant David Warman (above) is from the Air Cadets. He was nominated for the award by his Commanding Officer after being a cadet for 5 years. "I'm a veteran now" he joked.

He too is looking forward to a career in the Forces in a few years, after University and is looking at becoming a military musician. He says that he's very proud of what he's achieved in his time there and is looking forward to the challenges of the coming year. "Meeting new people will be good and meeting the community. Being a cadet is brill, it's given me confidence and an ambition in life - once I joined I became more focused and I know now that I want to be a military musician."

Being a typical teenage boy, David talked about some of the stuff he is proud of, but not all, and it was left to a very proud mum and dad to tell The Chesterfield Post of his achievements (I should stop reading now David if I were you!!).

They confessed that they were "very proud, he deserves it. He's so dedicated to his music. He is in the Trumpet Fanfare Team which has cadets from all over the UK, he's in the Nations Concert Band and the Trent Wing Band. He has just returned from France where he goes around the cemeteries playing the Last Post and The Reveille. We are very proud of him."

The family has no link to the Forces, though his Great Grandad served on HMS Marlborough and was on the ship when it travelled to Russia to try and rescue the Royal Family.

They also told us that David has also just missed out on a prestigious award, "He was nominated for the Duke Of Westminster Award; he got into the final 21 and was awarded a certificate and a paperweight. Sadly he missed out on the final 9 but we are pleased as punch, hugely proud. He's always wanted to be a bandsman, and only has Plan A but we're behind him all the way, he has his head screwed on."

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