CCF Army Minden Dinner, 2025 

The Army section of our CCF held their annual Minden Dinner on Wednesday evening, enjoying a delicious three course meal ahead prepared by our wonderful catering team.  Traditional toasts were made to the King by one of our junior cadets, Year 9’s Bay, there were readings, extracts from notable figures such as Victoria Cross recipients, shared by our Head of Contingent Year 13’s Oscar, Year 11’s Sam C and Jack, and speeches were made by Capt Capjon as well as Year 13’s Oliver. 

You can read Oliver’ speech below: 

 Oscar and Oliver at the Minden Dinner

Ladies and gentlemen, officers, cadets, and guests, 
 
Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate Minden Day.  This is a special evening where we come together to remember the incredible history of the Royal Anglian Regiment, but also to celebrate what makes our CCF so unique—the people, the experiences, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. 
 
Being in charge of the Army section this year has been an honour. When I first joined, I never imagined I’d be standing here, giving this speech.  Over the years, I’ve been through it all—getting soaked on exercises, sleep-deprived on field days, and, of course forgetting my beret.  But through it all, the CCF has been an incredible journey. It’s about more than just training—it’s about building confidence, overcoming challenges, and making friends who, at some point, you will have to share a basha with.  
 
We’ve all had moments we’ll never forget— clearing buildings, and spending entire exercises wondering when we’d finally get to eat. But that’s what makes the CCF special: the shared experiences, the teamwork, and the fact that, no matter how bad the weather is we will always come out of it stronger. 
 
Minden Day is about remembering the bravery of those who fought in 1759, but it’s also about recognising the people who keep that spirit alive today. And who better to represent us than our very own Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Oscar?  It’s a huge achievement, and we’re all incredibly proud of him.  But let’s be honest—when he turned up in his Number 2s, I thought Dad’s Army had been brought back for a reunion special.  I was just waiting for him to start shouting, “Don’t panic!”.  
 
Now, speaking of people who keep us in check, I have to say a huge thank you to Mr. Stollery, Mr Capjon, and Mr. Garvie. They put in countless hours behind the scenes, making sure we actually get to do all the things we enjoy. Whether it’s planning exercises, organising events, or reminding us that, yes, our uniform does include a beret, they keep this section running behind the scenes . 
 
Mr. Garvie, of course, has his own approach to things.  Whether it’s his barefoot shoes or walking around school with no shoes at all, he’s very much in tune with nature. 
 
And tonight is particularly special because it’s Mr. Stollery’s birthday!  Now, I won’t say how old he is, but I’m fairly certain when he first joined the Army, they were still issuing swords and horses. 
 
But beyond the jokes, tonight is about more than just our own section.  The Royal Anglian Regiment has a long history of excellence, and as cadets, we are privileged to wear their cap badge.  Their ethos speaks of teamwork, trust, and striving for excellence—values that we, as cadets embody.  Whether we’re training for competitions, learning new skills, or just helping each other through a tough exercise, we are part of something much bigger. 
 
So, as we look to the future, I hope the younger cadets take everything in and realise that the best moments are still ahead! You’ll face challenges, you’ll make mistakes, and you’ll probably forget your beret at some point—but you’ll also have some of the best experiences of your life. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for a toast to the Royal Anglian Regiment… 
 
‘The Royal Anglian Regiment!’