A proud night for HCS at the Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet ceremony 2024
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Two exceptional Hereford Cathedral School students were recognised at this week’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet ceremony at the Town Hall.
Each year, the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Edward Harley OBE, selects a small group of impressive young people to be his Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets (LLCs). This year, two HCS Sixth Formers appeared on the stage: Sea Cadet Enola H spoke of her experience of being a LLC for 2023/24; while Mairead D was sworn in as one of this year’s four LLCs.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets are recommended for the coveted role by their senior officers. They are often on parade for royal visits while acting as ambassadors for their organisations.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s ceremony, Enola and the other four LLCs for 2023/24 recounted their experiences. They all spoke highly of their time in the position, and all said it was a role that brought them pride and the opportunity to meet new people and broaden their horizons.
Speaking after the ceremony, Enola said: “I truly cannot describe how amazing and fulfilling my tenure as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet has been. It was an honour to pass the role on to such hard-working and dedicated cadets, and I know they will do both the county, and more specifically in the case of Mairead, the School, proud.”
HCS CCF Contingent Commander Major Pippa Fowler heaped high praise on Mairead (pictured below) in her citation at the ceremony: "Mairead is a highly accomplished and driven individual who makes a very positive first impression thanks to her superb turnout, poised self-assurance and ability to engage articulately and cheerfully with all. Those who know Mairead quickly appreciate her commitment to doing everything as well as possible and to achieving and helping others to do so."
Mairead added: “I am incredibly honoured and grateful to have been given this prestigious opportunity, and I am extraordinarily proud to be able to represent the RAF section, the contingent and the school in this role. I am looking forward to learning more about the role of the Lord-Lieutenant within our community and also gain some new drill skills to add to my current knowledge. I am also looking forward to meeting many new people who I hope will help to broaden my horizons.”
It wasn’t just HCS students who received recognition at the ceremony: Flight Lieutenant Richard Featherstone, Head of the Royal Air Force section of Hereford Cathedral School’s Combined Cadet Force (pictured above), received the Lord-Lieutenant’s certificate in honour of his “outstanding service and devotion to duty”.
Speaking in her citation, Major Fowler said: “Richard embodies every value and standard of the British Military. Combined with his sense of humour, this has enabled cadets to develop a true and valuable understanding of military life. Richard always prioritises the needs of his cadets and demonstrates a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him.”
HCS Headmaster, Dr Michael Gray, was in attendance at the ceremony, and commented: “It was a joy and privilege to celebrate the tremendous contribution that the cadets make to our wonderful county of Herefordshire. Last year, I signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of Hereford Cathedral School and our Combined Cadet Force is the embodiment of our School’s values. Richard Featherstone’s thoroughly deserved award is testament to this and we are so delighted that his tireless efforts have been acknowledged in this way. Enola’s experiences as one of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets this past year have been exceptional and her recollections of these at the event were engaging, entertaining and heart-warming. I know that Mairead will mirror that success and serve as a tremendous ambassador for the School and as a servant to King and country.”
Congratulations to Enola, Mairead and Flight Lieutenant Featherstone on a very proud occasion for HCS.
