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Learning respect for life



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With reports of youth violence almost a daily occurrence, some good news might be timely. In addition to my civilian parish of Berwick, I am also privileged to serve as chaplain to the Army Cadet Force, possibly the largest youth movement in Britain, with more than 130,000 members led by 24,000 volunteer instructors.
We are presently on annual camp at Altcar, near Liverpool, with 300 cadets from Edinburgh and the Borders down to Berwick.

Our work is to challenge boys and girls aged 13 to 19 to develop in body, mind and spirit. In a safe environment, where knives are banned, we give them respect, teach self-reliance and encourage teamwork. They make their own shelters, cook their own food and learn first aid, radio communications, shooting skills and how to dress and march smartly. Sport is also a big feature of cadet life, with archery, mountain biking, football, athletics and sailing.

We are not a recruiting ground for the military, although some do later serve; our aim lies in our motto "inspire to achieve". We seek to send youngsters back into their home communities more confident in their own gift of life and with respect for the lives of others.

(CANON) ALAN HUGHES
Parade
Berwick-upon-Tweed





The full article contains 214 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 04 July 2008 8:46 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Martinh,

05/07/2008 08:47:42
These are all very laudable aims, but part of the development of self repect and respect for others is respect for the environment. Similar numbers of environmental volunteers give freely of their time improving their local area for wildlife and people, doing jobs as diverse as path construction and maintenance, woodland management, and litter picking.

I doubt if Liverpool is different from any other big city, as well as much of the countryside, strewn with discarded litter, broken glass, and illegal dumping. Armies of volunteers are required to undo the damage left by others who have no respect for anyone or anything, and it would be nice to see the Army Cadet Force get involved. Appreciation of our still wonderful and diverse natural environment is another route to self respect and the context in which we pass our ephemeral lives.

2

Upbeat,

05/07/2008 14:29:32
A positive letter , setting out a constructive approach which brings a cross section of young people into association with others of their own age, outside their local area.

Typically for thse boards this has been followed up by a somewhat niggardly post at #1 which attempts to devalue the spirit of good in the original letter.

One question for #1: Were you ever involved with the CCF ?
Another question : If you were not, how have you come by the assumptions that you make about the lessons and values which are a part of structured training, sponsored by the state and provided free for the Cadets.

Finally ...you make a large and rash assumption when you say ..." and it would be nice to see the Army Cadet Force get involved...... "

Are you so very sure that the cadets are not taught all about life in the open and are expressly never educated in a practical sense to care for the environment.?

It would not be the CCF if such considerations were not part of it, still , just as they were at the core of the training for the decade in which I had an active role.

 

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