Inspired 2015 | Page 21

FIRST AID As part of their service, every adult volunteer and cadet is taught first aid, earning useful qualifications such as Heartstart and First Aid at Work. Every year the County holds a competition to test First Aid skills with the results going towards the “Champion Company” trophy. This year’s competition was held in Heaton Army Reserve Centre with each Company able to enter two cadet teams and a young adult team. The competition was scenario based, with the participants having to respond either individually, or as a team, with the sorts of accidents which could occur in the Reserve Centre. These included a road traffic accident (multiple casualties), a gun shot injury on the indoor range, an electrical shock in the workshops, scald in the kitchen and two people who had fallen down multiple flights of stairs. The competition was supported by the Royal Engineers first aid trainers who made the injuries look very authentic (too authentic for some people) and for fairness were responsible for the marking. The cadet and adult teams approached the competition with great enthusiasm and professionalism really impressing the Royal Engineers staff. A very high standard was achieved by all teams, but the final results revealed that the winning cadet and adult teams were from Z Company. Who won the competition overall with Cadet Brown from Y Company achieving the highest overall individual score. The Commandant said that he was delighted with the standard of the competition and the skill of the participants. He went on to say that the event was more than just a competition, as it taught real life skills, which cadets from the County are called to put into practice every year as they go about their personal lives. TOP TIPS from Mrs Hogg MBE At annual camp cadets compete for the Barrack Room Inspection Trophy, judged and presented by Mrs Elizabeth Hogg MBE. 39 years service with NACF brings with it an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, and here she shares her tips on how cadets (and adults!) can keep their billets clean and tidy. She says the foundations should begin at Otterburn CTC with the Company recruits cadres. Skills that should stay with cadets throughout their career and beyond, becoming second nature.        Beds all level, and in line Blankets (or sleeping bags/duvets) all folded the same way Pillows plumped (no head indentations) Curtains drawn, neat and tidy Sweep the floor (sweepings in the bin) All rubbish in the bin Empty the rubbish bin (the absolutely last thing to do!) Mrs Hogg’s Tomato Relish 6 ¾ lbs tomatoes (skinned & chopped) 2 ¼ lbs onions (finely chopped) 6 tablespoons plain flour 2 tablespoons curry powder 2 ozs salt Vinegar Method Place tomatoes, onions & salt in a bowl. Mix & cover & leave for 24 hours. Strain & put in a pan. Barely cover with vinegar & bring to the boil, simmer for 30 mins. Mix flour & curry powder in a bowl, with enough vinegar to make a paste. After 30 mins mix into the tomatoes & cook for a further 10 mins. Take off heat & cool for 5 mins. Fill clean jam jars to top, screw on metal lids. Leave for two to three months before use. HAVE A GO AT MAKING THIS RELISH. THANK YOU MRS HOGG FOR SHARING YOUR RECIPE! 21