On Monday 7 November, Airdrie’s Gartlea Community Centre played host to the Lanarkshire Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards ceremony, celebrating the work and achievements of five local Army Reservists and eight Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).
Kenny Duffy, Provost of North Lanarkshire Council, began the proceedings by welcoming the award recipients and their guests before handing over to His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey CBE.
Throughout her address to those in attendance, Lady Haughey was full of praise for the Reservists and CFAVs who work tirelessly to support their local communities and the wider British public, saying that each of them ‘has made a significant contribution that touches many lives.’
In total, five Army Reservists from Lanarkshire-based units received Certificates of Meritorious Service. The recipients are currently serving with 6th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (6 SCOTS) and 32 Signal Regiment.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence, Brigadier Ben Wrench, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade & Headquarters Scotland, expressed his gratitude to the Reservists who diligently supported their Regular counterparts through many challenges over the last two years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 and the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
Awards were also presented to eight volunteers from the Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion and Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders Battalion Army Cadet Forces, acknowledging and praising their commitment to providing an outstanding Cadet experience for young people across the Lowlands of Scotland.
‘I’ve been in the Cadets for quite a long time, you could say it’s in my blood at this point,’ said Sergeant Cheryl Stewart, a CFAV with Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion. ‘I started out in Larkhall as a Cadet and I’ve been tremendously proud to go back as an adult.
‘I’m so surprised to have been nominated for this certificate. We all do our best to help and support each other, Cadets and adult instructors alike, so we’re all like one big family to one another. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing someone that you’ve been supporting achieve their goals.’
As well as presenting certificates to the winning Reservists and CFAVs, the Lanarkshire ceremony also celebrated the appointment of two new Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets. Flight Sergeant Calum Stephens of 1271 (Bathgate Squadron) Air Training Corps, who has been in post since January of this year, and Cadet Sergeant Major Luke Canavan of Glasgow & Lanarkshire Army Cadet Force will both assist the Lord-Lieutenant in her official engagements, and will serve as ambassadors for the Cadet movement.
‘This is a really great honour,’ said Cadet Sergeant Major Canavan of his appointment, ‘I’m really looking forward to meeting a lot of new people through this role. There aren’t many people who get this kind of opportunity and I can’t wait to make the most of it.’
To close off the evening’s event, Brigadier Wrench invited Councillor Mark Horsham to accept an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Revalidation Award on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council. The Brigadier also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the employers throughout the Lowlands of Scotland who have pledged their support to the Defence community through the Armed Forces Covenant.
‘That time you give for the Reservists and the Cadet volunteers is so valuable. Without it, we would not have these incredible men and women here with us tonight.’
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