Briefing note of the public event held at the Felbridge Cricket ground on Friday 23rd July 2010

 

To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Army Cadet Force (ACF), many events have been and will be held over the next few weeks up and down the Country.

 

The Queen, Patron of the ACF, recently held a review of  cadets at Buckingham Palace.

 

As part of the celebrations  and to  collect money for two charities, the Surrey ACF are holding two functions.

 

The first will be a parade of some 400 cadets to be held at Goldalming  with the salute being taken by Lt Col Alan Moulder ACF.

 

The second is a cycle challenge,  whereby over the weekend of 23rd-26th July 2010, three ACF officers and a civilian will  cycle 150 miles through Surrey in a 48 hour period  raising monies for charity.

 

The persons taking part in this cycle ride are:-

 

Captain Adrian PAICE (organiser of the event) (07973 322538)

Captain James Davis

Major Terry Hayter

Kim Robson  who works for Eagle Radio who are one of the main Sponsors.

 

There will be a support team of some 6 people who will be accompanying the riders throughout the journey. Support vehicles have been provided free by Vines B.M.W and V.W Colbournes Cars.

 

The ride started at Goldalming High Street on Friday 23rd July where the riders were  seen off by the Mayor of Godalming. The route then took them through Guildford, Farnham,Hazlemere, Cranleigh, Horley and finishing at Felbridge.

 

Collection teams from two detachments of the ACF  accompanied the riders and received donations from well wishers along the route. The two charities to benefit from this  cycle ride are:-

Help for Heroes

ACF Association

 

It is hoped that the sponsored ride will  raise some £10,000  to be shared between the two charities.

 

Prior to arriving at Felbridge the  event has so far, has raised £5,200.

 

At Felbridge,  the riders were welcomed by the local Felbridge  ACF unit under the command of Matt Lowes their Deputy Commander (07853 232251). Helen Brooks The social Organiser of Felbridge and Sunnyside Cricket Club  (07983 549259) had arranged to open up their club house at Felbridge  to welcome the riders and had arranged a 20/20 cricket match between the  local ACF unit and the cricket club team.

 

 Also present to welcome the riders and support team were the East Grinstead Town Mayor, Steve Barnet and Deputy Mayor Bob Mainstone. As the ground lies within Tandridge District Council area, District Councillor Ken Harwood was also part of the welcoming group, as were members of the Felbridge Parish Council (Jeremy Clark(Chairman) Joan Harwood and Linda Hainge).

 

The  cricket match took place with much hilarity, excellent batting and fielding by both sides and well supported by many local people, ACF  and cricket club members. At the conclusion of the match, a barbeque was provided for all those in attendance and a raffle  was held to swell the funds. Amongst the prizes was a cricket bat signed by Freddie Flintoff, Shane Warne and Alecs Peterson.

 

At the end of the evening, the riders  went off for the night to the Felbridge Hotel (who had donated four rooms  free of charge), for a well earned shower and good nights sleep before setting off on Saturday morning on the next stage of the ride, which would see them  travelling through Reigate, Redhill, Banstead, Dorking,Leatherhed and Merrow, where other events had been  arranged.

 

Event organizer Captain  Paice said,”We hope to raise  a huge amount of money for both charities, and the welcome given to us by Felbridge Cricket Club has been fantastic”.

 

Helen Brooks from Felbridge and Sunnyside  Cricket Club said, ”It was a privilege to help this wonderful charity event. The club hopes that this evening will help to develop strong links with our local ACF Unit, and an annual cricket match between the club and the ACF is something we are investigating”.