Kate gives Irish cadets Royal seal of approval

Kate gives Irish cadets Royal seal of approval

25 March 2015

CADETS from Ballygowan have taken part in the Irish Guards St Patrick’s Day parade in London.

Members of the Ballygowan detachment of the 2nd Northern Ireland Battalion of the Army Cadet Force joined colleagues from Donaghadee for the event which took place last week.

The cadets enjoyed a wide range of visits and activities all planned and organised by their instructors.  From a speed boat tour of the river Thames to a spin on the London Eye the cadets really did get to see London from all angles.

On Saturday the group had the rare privilege of being able to make a visit to 10 Downing Street where they posed for a group photo outside the famous door.  Sunday saw the group enjoying a day out to Thorpe Park before daring themselves to go on a nighttime ghost bus tour of London.  

Monday morning saw the group travelling to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire where they enjoyed a tour of the RAFs largest base and the Hercules aircraft based there as well as seeing first hand some of the many jobs and roles that the RAF has to offer.

Tuesday was an early start for the cadets as they made their way to Aldershot to take part in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade with their sponsor regiment the Irish Guards.  The Mini Micks, as Irish Guard cadets are affectionately known, had the honour of marching on parade with the Micks and receiving their Shamrock in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  

After the parade four cadets from the group had the privilege of a very special meeting with both the Duke and Duchess who were very interested in hearing what the ACF is all about and everything the cadets had been getting up to on their trip.