Activities

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II » Golden Jubilee Celebrations 

Queens Jubilee Visit to the Armed Forces 23 – 28 June 2002

In all 12 Cadets from Bournemouth School CCF were selected to attend this far from regular camp. It was to be their chance to be part of something that would never happen again.  The cadets selected to take part were:

Our accommodation for the five days was to be Browndown Camp in Portsmouth . This in its self excited some of the traveling party, as it was where the T.V series ‘Lads Army’ had been recorded just days before. On our arrival we were all surprised to see that the Bournemouth contingent had been split up. It soon became apparent that we were going to have to make new friends if we liked it or not. Indeed I myself was uncertain at the prospect of spending 5 days with the ‘Meopham Crew’ and their small selection of ‘Jungle Choons’. However as it turned out I needn’t have worried.

That night we had the welcome briefing and an outline of what we were actually there for. This was held in the now infamous building 51 which would, later in the week, host the BSCCF cross dressing championships, a closely fought battle between our new RSM, Gareth Lodwick and the young pretender Cdt Ben Sheppard. We were told our job was simply route liners, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We knew we were in for a long ride.

Monday saw the first inspection of our ‘best dress’ as it was to become known. Scott Castell’s legendary polishing skills were just that, whilst Rob Arrowsmith and I perfected the use of ‘Kwik Shine’ to such an extent that we actually started to believe that it was doing something to the front of our shoes. As ever BSCCF passed the inspection with flying colours but as would later become apparent this was not enough for our RSM. In the afternoon we were introduced to the three Navy NCO’s who would be co-ordinating our small part in the Queens Visit. One of these was CPO Reid, a Bournemouth boy through and through. We knew then that we were going to be well looked after, coming from ‘Gods Country’ and all. For the parade itself we were going to be split into half companies of twenty cadets. This was done in height order, number 1 half company being the tallest and number 8 half company being the shortest. Needless to say the RSM new which end of that scale he would be at, but just in case I made sure. The day finished after a couple of practises on Browndown’s Parade Square .

Tuesday was the second day of practises. This was carried out at the Visit site, HMS Excellence on Whale Island in Portsmouth . After the RSM had established what working dress was, we set off, on three hired coaches. The morning was spent practising at the first site at which we were to route line. This would see the Queen be driven from her Helicopter to meet the rest of the Armed Forces. After lunch we were shown the second location were we were to do our job. This would be from the Queens Luncheon Hall to the end of the road, which runs around the base. CPO Reid was his normal self, and his comedy partner PO Johnson was also on top form. We were told that we would no have free time, when back at the base. We were told that within our half companies we were to plan a ‘Sod’s Opera’. This was something totally new to the boys from BSCCF. We were quickly assured that it was something that we would get more out of than the directing staff would. So the evening was spent planning and plotting.

Wednesday was the day set aside as a day off. We were taken to a selection of museums. Still we were kept in out half company groups which in a way was good as we got to know the people who we were going to have to work as a team with on the day itself. The museums on offer were the Royal Armouries, Royal Marines Museum , Action Stations, HMS Victory and the Submarine Museum . Generally a good day was had by all, and someone had to get the short straw of the Submarine Museum and of course it would be my group. That night was the Sods Opera. It proved to me what can be achieved without alcohol, I was impressed. Our group did BSCCF proud. As mentioned we had our Gareth and Ben in drag, as well as other notable performances. The Directing Staff were not so buoyant as they left as when they had arrived an hour before at building 51. They had been publicly humiliated as any small imperfections they had were ruthlessly set upon during the Michael take that is, the Sod’s Opera.

Thursday was the day itself. It was what we had put up with Browndown camp for. We assembled on the Parade Square ready for transportation. Surprise surprise Gaz had found away to look different to the rest of us (as if the large crest on his arm wasn’t enough) by borrowing ‘The Red Sash’ much to Riley’s and my own disapproval. In the end the day passed off without a problem. The weather was sunny and very hot which caused concern at first but as it turned out it didn’t spoil the day. To round the day off we watched the finally, an air show which brought together the armed forces, the police and the coastguards.

Thursday night was probably the best. Whilst some were very sceptical and would rather have been at the Opera House back home (myself included), others relished the prospect to let their hair down (whilst they still had it, Simon Dewsbury and Gareth in particular). A disco and BBQ was organised. Lets just say the Bournemouth Boys blew all competition away on the dance floor. Indeed we didn’t even need our secret weapon, big boy Alex Riley, who was content to sleep the days events off in his billet.  A good night was had by all (especially Shep and Dewsbury who began the phone number gathering early).

Friday was departure day, or telephone number getting day for our resident man about town Ben Sheppard. We said our goodbyes and were told on more than one occasion how pleased the Directing Staff had been with us as a contingent (and by the girls on how good the Bournemouth Boys were on the dance floor).

Overall it was an excellent trip, which was well worth the effort, made better by the group of cadets we were able to assemble. I'm sure as a last word Simon Dewsbury would like to join me in saying ‘Big up to the Meopham Crew and the Gravesend Massive’, I guess its one of those times that you had to be there.

Visit report by S/Sgt Dave Collier