The Lieutenancy in the News

Long Service and Good Conduct Award Ceremony, 7th June, 2011

Lord Lieutenant Salutes the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in Maidstone, 1st September, 2011

On 1st September 2011, his first day as Lord Lieutenant, The Viscount De L’Isle MBE, took the salute when members of the locally-recruited 2nd Royal Tank Regiment exercised their Freedom of Maidstone by marching through the County Town.

Lord De L’Isle told them that, historically, the Lieutenancy was responsible for organising the defence of the County.

“That responsibility now lies elsewhere, but the close relationship with the Forces of the Crown remains, and over the past few years the Lieutenancy of Kent has led the campaign here to encourage greater public support for the Armed Forces and their families.

“It is a campaign that has won the enthusiastic support of all Kent’s local authorities – and the people themselves.

“Kent is part of your recruiting area and we are proud of our special link with your Regiment, the oldest Tank Regiment in the world and of the fact that in your short history you have won 73 battle honours and six soldiers from the Regiment have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

“Your tour of duty in Afghanistan was the tenth time in the last seven years that the Regiment has deployed men and women on operations. That is a remarkable record in the finest traditions of the Regiment, and on behalf of Her Majesty and of the people of Kent I salute you and thank you – and your families – for your courage and fortitude and for all that you do in our name.”

Lord De L’Isle, who is also Honorary Colonel of Kent Army Cadet Force, said he was proud that many of the cadets wore the Royal Tank Regiment’s famous cap badge.

Lord De L’Isle taking the salute, accompanied to the right by the Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Brian Mortimer; the High Sheriff of Kent, Mrs Georgie Warner; and the Chairman of Kent County Council, Mrs Paulina Stockwell.

Visit to Kent by HRH The Countess of Wessex, 8th September, 2011

HRH The Countess of Wessex made a visit to Kent on 8th September, where she spent time at Apollo House, Ramsgate, a Youth Offending Summer School Project. HRH, Patron, Royal National Institute for Deaf People, then visited the Royal School for the Deaf, Margate and broke the ground for a new Hydrotherapy Pool/Gym/Café building and toured classrooms meeting pupils and staff.

Finally HRH visited The Nuffield Health, Tunbridge Wells Hospital for a tour and to open the new Operating Theatres.

Pictured left to right: Mr David Mobbs, Group Chief Executive of Nuffield Health; Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Thomas, Mayor of Tunbridge Wells; HRH; and Paul Sabin, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Presentation of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to Health Action Charity Organisation, 14th October, 2011

Health Action Charity Organisation won The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2011 for performing a vital service throughout the year with its dedicated team of over 40 exceptional volunteers and only a small number of paid staff, including five paid carers for the Home Care Service set up to generate income for the charity. This was developed to offer paid work for Africans and non-Africans in the Medway area and has proved to be very successful giving vital support to service users in their own homes.

Health Action Charity Organisation was set up over 8 years ago to work with African communities within the Medway area, offering support, information and access to health care services, when required.

West Kent District Trafalgar Parade, 16th October, 2011

Over 150 Sea Cadets and Adult Volunteers from nine units across West Kent joined by units from the Army Cadet Force, came together to commemorate the most influential battle of its age which gave Britain mastery of the oceans for a further two centuries.

Guest of honour and taking the salute at the march past was Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Colonel (Retd) Peter Bishop OBE. Also in attendance were the Mayor of Swale Councillor Ben Stokes with the Mayoress Councillor Sylvia Bennett, Gordon Henderson MP, Colonel JD Wilson Commandant Kent Army Cadet Force, Ivor Riddell Area Chairman (South) The Sea Cadets and Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Peter Jones RNR District Officer West Kent Sea Cadets.

Her Majesty The Queen's visit to Margate – 11th November, 2011

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, visited Margate on Friday 11th November, they were greeted by large crowds wherever they went. The tour began in Margate Old Town, where they visited a number of businesses which had recently opened as part of the Thanet District Council's regeneration plan for Margate, and met a number of veteran servicemen.

The Royal Party went on to tour the Turner Contemporary Gallery followed by a reception and luncheon in the Foyle Gallery. Following lunch The Queen and Prince Philip went on to tour the Margate RNLI Lifeboat station and to meet members of the crew and their families.

Lord Lieutenant Praises Blitzed Village’s Community Spirit

A village devastated by a wartime bombing raid that killed 15 people and injured more than 30 others recovered thanks to its strong community spirit.
Taking part in the 70th anniversary commemorations of the tragedy at Sturry, near Canterbury, on 18 November, the Lord Lieutenant, The Viscount De L’Isle MBE, told villagers: “Your presence here today shows that strong sense of community is alive and well.”

Hundreds of children from the village school and nearby Milner Court (Junior Kings School) joined villagers commemorating the event, which was also attended by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Ian Thomas, and the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Trevor Wilmott.

The Lord Lieutenant, who was accompanied by Viscountess De L’Isle, was shown the site of the Sturry Blitz by historian Derek Butler, who has just published a book about the disaster.

During the commemoration service Lord De L’Isle said: “I believe, as I am sure all of you here today believe, that it is of the greatest importance to remember the great sacrifice made by the wartime generation.

“We must never forget that – especially in this Frontline County – the civilian population – men and women, boys and girls – on the Home Front were themselves often in the front line.

“This was tragically the case on 18 November 1941 when the savagery of war rained down on this village where people were going peacefully about their daily tasks.

“We have just heard of the horrors wreaked that day, when 15 people were killed and more than 30 injured, many very seriously.

“It is fair to say that in a relatively small population every single person suffered loss or was touched by this horrendous event. Yet did they cower and whine? No they did not. They immediately set about rescuing the trapped and injured and in the dark days that followed they helped one another. Trades-people helped bombed out competitors, others opened their homes to those made homeless, and in the words of the then Vicar, there were ‘countless unrecorded acts of kindness.’

“It was the strength of the community that carried the people of Sturry through those dark hours, and by your presence here today each and every one of you are demonstrating that this is still a strong community.

“On behalf of Her Majesty I commend you all for remembering those who made the supreme sacrifice here 70 years ago, those whose injuries threw their lives into disarray – and the many who mourned.

“As long as they – and the selfless actions of the community after the Blitz – are remembered, and this community is encouraged to continue to work together with that same wartime spirit, their sacrifice will not have been in vain.

“Finally, may I remind you that our Queen shared those same dangers during the war and has gone on to give sixty years of dedicated service to this Nation and the Commonwealth of Nations.

“The key time for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be the four-day weekend 2-5 June, when all our thoughts will be focussed on thanking Her Majesty for that wonderful record of service.

“In Kent we should focus ourselves on the events in which we can join Her Majesty in celebration. On Sunday 3 June it has been suggested that all of us across the land should join together in a 'big lunch' within our communities.

"This might take the form of a street party in urban areas or parties on the village green in other places, so I hope we will find groups of like-minded people putting their heads together and forming committees to deliver the biggest of Kent lunches across the County.

"The following evening, Monday 4th June, it is planned to have a chain of 2012 beacons across the United Kingdom the Commonwealth and Protected Territories. I have asked local authorities and rural business organisations to help co-ordinate the network within Kent.

“I very much hope that with the great spirit of community that existed here after the Blitz and is still so obviously alive and well today, will ensure that the people of Sturry join us in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.”

Remembering those who were killed, these girls chose to wear nurses’ uniforms.

The Lord Lieutenant and Milner Court Headmaster, Peter Wells, on their way to the service.

Children in wartime costume joined in the commemoration service.

The Lord Lieutenant lays a wreath on the church memorial to the fallen of Sturry.

Schoolchildren helped transform Sturry High Street back 70 years.

Re-enactment showing how to make the best of wartime rationing.

Lord Lieutenant Presents His Annual Awards to Volunteer Reservists and Cadets

Civic leaders, families and friends were at Ashford International Hotel on 22 November to see Cadets, adult instructors, Territorials and employers receive awards from the Lord Lieutenant, The Viscount De L’Isle MBE.

Lord De L’Isle thanked everyone there on behalf of Her Majesty and the County for their dedicated service in – or support for – the Volunteer Reserve Forces and Cadets.

He said: “The men and women and the splendid Cadets being recognised for their efforts are very special sons and daughters of our great Frontline County. And the Volunteer Reservists and Cadet leaders who serve Queen, the Nation and our County in uniform, as well as holding down often demanding civilian jobs are truly what their forebears were called by Field Marshal Viscount Slim – Twice a Citizen.

“Tonight, as I speak, young Servicemen and Women from Kent are on active service in Afghanistan and elsewhere. These are indeed extraordinary times for Kent’s Territorials and other Volunteer Reservists. In the past few years they have been employed on operational service on a scale unprecedented since World War II.

“Nationally, since 2003, more than 24,000 reservists have deployed on or in support of operations. Others, although not deployed on operations, have nevertheless played a valuable part at home and in recruiting and training the next generation of volunteers.

“And I am sure you will agree they all deserve the full support of the public. I am most grateful, too, to all of our local authority representatives for the commitment, they have shown and continue to give, in support of all the Forces of the Crown and their families. Such support is not about politics, nor whether people are for or against the military action. It is about fellow-feeling for those who risk their lives, and for their loved ones left behind in our care. They all deserve our support and our heartfelt thanks.

“On behalf of Her Majesty, I would also like to commend all the civilian employers, who have demonstrated their understanding and backing for their staff serving in the Volunteer Reserves. Thank you for the support you have shown and the backup I am sure you will continue to give.

“My request to our civic, business and educational guests is: if you take away nothing else from tonight I urge you to pass on these points to your various networks:

• Our Volunteer Reservists and Cadet movements are doing a spectacular job
• Their service does wonders for individuals’ personal development and employability, which should be taken into account when key members of your staff are deployed.
• They are a great asset to our County and Nation
• And they need – and deserve – the support of their employers, workmates – and the public.

Swanley Tree Planting Ceremony to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 26th November, 2011

Thanks to funding from the Big Tree Plant project, Swanley Town Council will be planting 100 parkland trees to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Swanley Park, 54 of which were planted in late autumn 2011 and the remaining 46 will be planted in autumn 2012,and these will form The Diamond Jubilee Avenue. The Town Council invited local residents, community groups and businesses to “Sponsor a tree for the Jubilee” and the response has been overwhelming with 96 of the 100 trees already being reserved. The new avenue already looks magnificent without a leaf on any of the trees and the Council is looking forward to the Spring to see them green up.

Lord Lieutenant Opens New Training Centre For Romney Marsh Cadets

Army and Air Cadets from Romney Marsh joined the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Viscount De L’Isle MBE at the official opening of their new Joint Cadet Centre at St Mary’s Bay on Saturday 3rd December.

The new Centre will be home to 60 Cadets and their eight Adult Instructors, and replaces both the previous Army Cadet Force accommodation on the site as well as the Air Training Corps Hut located at the Marsh Academy in New Romney.

The new building includes a drill hall, kitchen, toilets and store rooms as well as classrooms and offices for adult personnel.

Romney Marsh has long been associated with the Armed Forces and is steeped in military history: the previous buildings on the old St Mary’s Bay military Camp were constructed before WWII and were used to house troops and equipment connected with defence operations as a counter to the expected Nazi invasion of 1940, after Dunkirk.

This involved use of the adjacent Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway – better known locally as the ‘Little Railway’ – in moving troops and equipment around Romney Marsh.

In June 1944, the old Camp played its part again in the War effort towards D Day. From this area, together with the Light Railway, the Pipe Line Under The Sea (known as PLUTO) was brought together and then transported via the railway to the shore off Dungeness and then pushed/towed across the English Channel seabed, supplying much needed fuel to the Allied Invasion Forces.

Unveiling the plaque to open the new centre, Lord De L’Isle said: “I congratulate both South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (SERFCA) and Headquarters Air Cadets (HQAC) on securing the funding for this excellent facility. It is a most worthwhile investment in today’s – and future generations – of our Cadets, who represent the future of our County.

Commenting on the new building, Colonel Stephen Oxlade, Chief Executive of South East Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association said: “We are delighted to be able to provide these Cadets and their Adult Instructors with a much needed new base with modern facilities. The new also facility allows us to maintain our strong military connections in the area whilst allowing the local youth community to enjoy the opportunities, challenges, skills and qualifications the Cadet Movements offer.”

There are 40 Army Cadet Detachments located throughout Kent with more than 1,000 Cadets aged between 12 and 18, plus 200 Adult Instructors; and the County has 28 Air Training Corps Squadrons with more than 810 Cadets aged between 13 and 17, and 660 Adult Instructors.

• For further information about joining either Kent Army Cadet Force, contact (01622) 750328 or Kent Air Training Corps on (01622) 754188. Enquiries are particularly welcome from adult members of the public, aged from 18-50, who may be interested in the challenge of becoming uniformed Adult Instructors.
  

Swearing in Ceremony of newly appointed Justices of the Peace

Presentation of the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate to Sheppey Cadet Petty Officer Keiron Hughes

Family and friends gathered at the Training Ship Kent, home of the Isle of Sheppey Sea Cadets on Thursday, 15 December to see Cadet Petty Officer Keiron Hughes recognised for outstanding achievements.

He had been appointed as the County's Sea Cadet Corps Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for 2010/11 but is now at Merchant Navy College and was unable to receive his certificate and badge earlier.

The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant (SCC) Brian Moore RNR, welcomed guests, including Lieutenant Colonel Barry Duffield, a Deputy Lieutenant, and himself a former Sea Cadet.

Making the presentation to PO Cadet Hughes, Colonel Duffield recalled attending his own Petty Officer's course in the battleship HMS Vanguard in 1958. He went on to serve in the Royal Air Force, and completed his hat-trick of Services as an officer in Kent Army Cadet Force.

Lord Lieutenant presents the Elizabeth Cross to RAF Sergeant’s Family

The family of Sergeant James Hunter, who was killed on active service with the Royal Air Force Regiment during the Cyprus Emergency in 1956 has been presented with the Elizabeth Cross.

It was received by his daughter, Mrs Diana Wilkins, of Coxheath, Maidstone, at a private ceremony at Penshurst Place, home of The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Viscount De L'Isle MBE, on 14 December 2011.

The award was created in 2009 to provide national recognition for the families of Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism since World War II.

Presenting the cross, Lord De L'Isle, Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in the County, said the people of Kent and the Nation saluted her and the memory of her father.

He said the Cross that bears Her Majesty’s name will become a cherished heirloom – a permanent reminder of those who laid down their lives and a tribute to the families who have borne their loss with such dignity and fortitude.

The Lieutenancy of Kent has long campaigned for greater public support for our Armed Forces personnel and their families, and this has received widespread backing in Kent, the Frontline County.

Brighter Futures for Older People, Maidstone, presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2011

Brighter Futures for Older People, Maidstone, has been presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2011 for performing a vital service throughout the year with its dedicated team of over 70 exceptional volunteers and only two paid members of staff.

Deputy Lieutenant Suresh Khanna CBE DL read the citation which recalled that in 2006, Maidstone Volunteer Bureau (now Voluntary Action Maidstone) won a competitive tender for Government funds to set up Brighter Futures for Older People in response to a genuine need for such a service.  

“Having been open for just over five years, they have provided vital support for an ever increasing elderly population in Maidstone and the surrounding areas.   Last year, more than 500 elderly people benefitted from the service they offer including regular escorted shopping trips, organised day trips to places of interest, participation in weekly exercise classes and also a very important befriending service.

“This is an outstanding group of volunteers.  They perform a vital service by reaching out to those in the community who may be living on their own or need looking after.  They have improved the quality of life for many people and make them feel that they belong and are valued members of their communities.”

Presenting the certificate and inscribed crystal trophy to the group’s Manager Peter Way, the Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle MBE, said: “Ours is a big county with 1.6 million people, and Brighter Futures for Older People is one of only three out of Kent’s many hundreds of community groups to win The Queen’s Award this year.

“Her Majesty rates the importance of recognising the wonderful work organisations like yours do in the community very highly indeed – and on her behalf I bring heartfelt congratulations and thanks.

“This group is truly exceptional and as Lord Lieutenant I am hugely grateful for the outstanding contribution you make to the well-being and happiness of the older members of the community.”

"This prestigious national award recognises the dedication and effort of public-spirited volunteers like you who make time and contribute so much to help others. You are the backbone of our communities.

"Thank you to all those volunteers who unstintingly give their time and talents to make this wonderful volunteer service such a success – and I am sure obtain a great deal of satisfaction doing it!

"I have the greatest admiration for the excellent work you are doing and I know you will continue to do. And on behalf of Her Majesty I have great pleasure in presenting you with your.

"Very well done to you all, and long may Brighter Futures for Older People continue to flourish."