A graduation parade in Harrogate today marked the completion of training for over 400 of the British Army’s newest soldiers.
A crowd of around 2,000 family members and friends witnessed the occasion at the Army Foundation College on Penny Pot Lane.
The college provides training tailored exclusively to junior soldiers, who are all under the age of 18 when they join up.
Junior soldiers stand on parade for graduation at AFC Harrogate. Pic MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Farebrother MC, commanding officer of the college, said:
“Those graduating today have proved equal to the test and represent the very best of our nation’s young people.
“They are now ready for their second phase of training which will hone the skills learnt here and develop those required for their chosen trade.”
Pic: MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
Read more:
- Parents call for Harrogate army college to be closed after abuse claims
- Harrogate army college ‘outstanding’ in new Ofsted report
The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Tickell, deputy chief of the general staff in the British Army.
The parade, which featured music from the British Army Band Catterick, marked the culmination of months of military training and education at the college.
Families look on at the graduation parade. MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
A statement by the Military of Defence said:
Traffic and Travel Alert: Delays expected due to Army Foundation College parade“Through leadership development, The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme accreditation, sporting prowess, adventurous training, and education — no other military invests the time, energy, and breadth of resources into its soldiers as the British Army does through the Army Foundation College.
“The college is also one of the most effective education establishments in the United Kingdom and, as an Ofsted outstanding institution, it represents the jewel in the crown of the British Army’s training engine.”
Motorists should expect delays around the Army Foundation College in Harrogate as it holds its annual passing out parade.
Delays are expected around the college today from 8.30am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm on Rough Road and Penny Pot Lane.
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Abuse allegations at Harrogate Army Foundation College raised in House of LordsAllegations of bullying and abuse at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College were raised in the House of Lords this week.
The college on Pennypot Lane recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year. It is the only British Army establishment that delivers military training to soldiers under the age of 18.
The issue of how the soldiers are treated by staff and instructors at the AFC has been back in the spotlight this month.
A female instructor at the college was demoted after being convicted of punching teenage soldiers and three parents also called for the college to be closed after claiming their children were abused.
A letter from the parents to Ofsted said that there had been 60 complaints from parents or trainees about the way 16 and 17-year-old soldiers were treated at the AFC between 2014 and 2020. These complaints included allegations of assault and battery.
Speaking in the Lords during a debate on the Armed Forces Bill, Lord Browne of Layton said that the scale of complaints from parents make him want to “reconsider many of the things said in support of AFC Harrogate and what it was actually doing with these young people.”
He added:
“My suspicion is that this issue will not go away—that, like many issues over the last 10 years that have become apparent about institutions, it will be a slow burner but eventually much more will come out.
“History tends to suggest that there is something there that needs to be investigated.”
Read more:
- Parents call for Harrogate army college to be closed after abuse claims
- Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor demoted for punching teenage soldiers
The college was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. It gave positive feedback on safeguarding at the college saying it investigated incidents thoroughly and made necessary improvements.
In response to Lord Layton, Baroness Goldie, who is a minister at the Ministry of Defence, defended the college and said it has been doing “a very good job”.
“I, on behalf of the MoD, think that this is a good system for young people aged between 16 and 18. It serves them well and is good for the Armed Forces.
“I totally understand the natural interests in issues of governance, well-being and welfare where this training is provided. I absolutely accept that and it is right and proper, but it would be quite wrong to cast this college in a negative light.
“The evidence is that it has been doing a very good job and a lot of young people have benefited as a result of their attendance at it.”
A British Army spokesman told the Stray Ferret:
Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor demoted for punching teenage soldiers“We have very strong duty of care and safeguarding mechanisms at AFC (Harrogate) to ensure Junior Soldiers have the right support structures. This includes multiple methods of accessing welfare support, including confidential support lines.
“We take every incident seriously and will refer an allegation to the RMP for investigation. We also have a Ministry of Defence Police Officer based at AFC (Harrogate) to assist in education and investigation.”
A British Army instructor who told junior recruits at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College “you’re mine now, bitches” has been demoted after being convicted of punching teenage soldiers.
Corporal Kimberley Hey worked as part of the directing staff at the college on Penny Pot Lane, where junior soldiers undergo training for six months, split into three terms of around six weeks.
Following a court martial, Corporal Hey was found to have hit one 16-year-old in the stomach on his first day of training and delivered a similar blow to another recruit because he had ‘smirked’ at her.
Reducing the 34-year-old in rank to Lance Corporal, Judge Advocate Alistair McGrigor told her that although the punches were at a ‘low level’ she had ‘abused’ her relationship with the recruits and her acts had the potential to ‘erode public trust’ in the armed forces’ training.
Cpl Kimberley Hey. Photo: Solent News and Photo Agency
“You were a very experienced instructor in charge of junior soldiers.
“You had the interests of the junior soldiers at heart but this was an abuse of your relationship.
“It’s an extremely bad example to give young, impressionable soldiers at the start of their army life. Such behaviour had the potential to erode public confidence in training young soldiers.
“You have forfeited your rank by such behaviour.”
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- Harrogate army sergeant’s desperate bid to help Afghan family leave Kabul
Cpl Hey, who has served in the armed forces for 18 years, had denied the charges, insisting her actions only amounted to ‘mutual flicking’ that was part of ‘bonding’ with the soldiers.
But she was found guilty during a three-day trial at Bulford Military Court, Wilts, of two counts of battery relating to junior recruits Craftsman Joseph Wiggin and Craftsman Jonathan Bryan.
Jonathan Bryan. Photo: Solent News and Photo Agency
She was acquitted of six other charges of battery relating to three other soldiers including allegations that she had punched recruits for failing in tests.
‘You’re mine now, bitches’
One trainee told the court martial Cpl Hey, of 3rd Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, told new recruits, ‘You’re mine now, bitches’ shortly after they first arrived.
Signaller Hannah Harwood, who gave evidence via video link from the Falkland Islands, spoke of multiple incidents on ‘the company line’ — a line running down a corridor at the base along which recruits would line up. She said:
“Cpl Hey addressed the platoon at the beginning of the first term, when we first arrived.
“She said something along the lines of, ‘You’re mine now, bitches’.
“At the start of the second term Cpl Hey addressed the platoon again. She asked us, ‘Who thinks they’re hardest?’.
“Three people put their hands up and Cpl Hey punched them all in the stomach.”
Craftsman Wiggin told the court Cpl Hey had punched ‘everyone in the platoon’ on their first day in training, when he was just 16 years old.
Cfn Wiggin said:
“The platoon was called onto the line on the first day of training.
“Our section was on the line and we were all punched. There was no malice behind it – it was more of a sort of bonding thing.
“My arms were behind my back as we were all at ease. She didn’t say anything or give any reason, and I didn’t know she was going to punch me.
“I would have been 16 at the time.”
The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
‘Strict but fair’
Craftsman Bryan told the court:
“Cpl Hey gave me a jab in the stomach on one occasion.
“The whole platoon were on the line. I was smirking at the time and she jabbed me in the stomach.
“I slightly anticipated it because she would do it as a joke with a few from her section.
“Cpl Hey was a good DS; she was strict but fair. She treated us more like friends and joked around with us.”
Handing down the sentence, Judge Advocate McGrigor said:
Harrogate companies pay tribute to Captain Tom“You punched Private [Joseph] Wiggin on his first day as he stood in line with his whole platoon.
“Later you punched Private [Jonathan] Bryan because he smirked at you. The court rejected that this was ‘mutual flicking’ as you said.
“We do, however, accept that these punches were at the very low level.”
Two Harrogate district companies have paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore at a newly unveiled memorial.
Horticultural services provider Ray Skelton (Harrogate) and Johnsons of Whixley, a nursery, both sponsored the walkway, which was opened at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate this month.
Captain Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and children, visited the college on Pennypot Lane to cut a ribbon and unveil a plaque that includes details of his life.
Ray Skelton (Harrogate) commissioned Kris Elvidge, a local stone mason, to engrave the stones that can be found at the front and back of the college headquarters.
Meanwhile, Johnsons donated two Magnolia ‘Double Diamond’ 200-250 110L trees and 50 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ worth a total of £765 to the memorial.
Read more:
-
Trees planted to honour Captain Tom at Harrogate’s army college
- Captain Tom memorial walkway opens at Army Foundation College
Stuart Skelton, director of Ray Skelton (Harrogate), said:
“It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved in the Capt Sir Tom Moore Memorial. Hopefully, this will continue to inspire future generations of junior soldiers”
Eleanor Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing manager, said:
“We were delighted to be part of this fitting tribute to Capt Sir Tom Moore, who was a true inspiration.
“The donation is particularly fitting as the magnolia is native to Asia, where he served during World War Two.”
Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last year.
He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.
He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.
Captain Tom memorial walkway opens at Army Foundation CollegeA memorial walkway dedicated to Captain Sir Tom Moore was opened yesterday at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College by members of his family.
Captain Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and children, visited the college on Pennypot Lane to cut a ribbon and unveil a plaque that includes details of his life.
Junior soldiers marched under the walkway on their way to the graduation parade. The college said the dedication was a “fantastic way” to mark the Captain’s legacy.
The Captain Tom plaque.
The college posted on its Facebook page:
“We think it is a fantastic way to mark the legacy of Capt Sir Tom and the future of our junior soldiers”.
Read more:
Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last spring.
He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.
He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.
Trees planted to honour Captain Tom at Harrogate’s army collegeJunior soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate have planted six magnolia trees in tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who was the honorary colonel of the college on Pennypot Lane.
The planting is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative to plant trees to mark next year’s platinum jubilee.
The project was launched yesterday by the queen and Prince Charles, who planted a tree at Windsor Castle.
The choice of a magnolia tree, which is native to Asia, is designed to be poignant as during Captain Tom’s service during World War Two he served in India and Burma.
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Having been raised in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last spring. He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.
He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.
Junior soldier Michael Oates said:
Stray Views: Harrogate’s army college brings discipline and opportunities“I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a new experience for me and it’s ace. Captain Tom was born in the same place, and went to the same school as my mum, who has passed away. So, it’s good to see someone from a place close to me.
“Planting trees and helping the environment is really good. It makes me proud to know that I am a part of this.”
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.
Harrogate’s Army Foundation College saves young people
Network Rail has questions to answer about tree felling
Your journalist reports that ‘some trees have been felled’ at Hornbeam Park. As a Harrogate resident living on Tewit Well Road, I want to report that all the trees have been felled. Tell it as it is, please.
We now have a situation where residents are having to prevent some of the young people of Harrogate putting themselves at risk and using this newly cleared area for their own purposes. When the line had mature trees, we may have the occasional leaf on the line, but we certainly didn’t have youngsters jumping over to sunbath, party etc.
I’m afraid Network Rail has a lot to answer for here. A poor ecological management decision has left local residents policing an area that was once a mature habitat for local wildlife.
Who was the ecologist who advised Network Rail? Are they not accountable for the habitat decimation that we have been left with? How can they say anything other than recovery will take years? Is Network Rail pleased with the result?’
Not impressed.
Charlie McCarthy
Local resident
Questions that need answering about Beech Grove
As a resident and local business owner of 11 years, I and many others strongly believe the Low Traffic Neighbourhood experiment on Beech Grove creates more congestion, longer car journey times and increased carbon emissions on surrounding roads.
Otley Road currently has major road works and the planned 20-week cycle lane construction will cause further disruption and congestion.
There are many unanswered questions for North Yorkshire County Council:
- What is the overall aim of this Low Traffic Neighbourhood?
- In the latest council meeting we were told that the cycling groups are being consulted to make these decisions. Why are the cycling groups being consulted and the residents and businesses, who pay taxes and rates, not consulted?
- How do you measure success or failure?
- What data are you collecting and where from?
- Which company are you using to analyse this?
- Did you count how many cyclists and motorists use the roads, before you closed them?
- Is information collected during the same months of the year, so you can directly compare activity in all seasons and weather?
- Is it the best time to do this during a lockdown?
- Why did NYCC approve all the housing developments, each with 2-3 cars, when 84% of people expressed that Harrogate was congested in the 2019 survey?
- What’s the projection of people who will swap their cars for bikes and what is this based on?
- Far more people walk than cycle and yet the pavements are shocking, they are left for months after the Autumn leaves fall without being cleared and go untreated in ice and snow. How does this encourage people to walk?
- Where is the evidence that there is an appetite for more cycling?
I have spoken to many residents and businesses and cars are critical for the school run, appointments, visiting relatives, holidays, tourism but, most importantly, to access businesses.
Cars are the lifeblood of many businesses and thousands of jobs depend on them. Banning them cannot be the only solution.
Lucy Gardiner, Harrogate Residents Association
Why is government spending so much on roads?
Got an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
A bid to raise the British armed force’s minimum age of recruitment to 18, which would have had major repercussions for Harrogate’s Army Foundation College, has failed.
Carol Monaghan, the Scottish National Party’s spokesperson for the armed forces, attempted to introduce a clause in the Armed Forces Bill preventing 16 and 17-year-olds enlisting in the army. Anyone under the age of 18 in the UK is legally classified as a child.
The Harrogate college, which recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year, is the only British army establishment that delivers military training to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17.
The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Monaghan said raising the recruitment age to 18 would bring Britain in line with most of its NATO allies.
She added the United Nations convention on the rights of the child has urged the UK to increase its minimum recruitment age to 18.
Speaking at a public bill committee, which is a cross-bench committee examining the bill, she said:
“If we are to safeguard the wellbeing, development, educational opportunities and physical safety of our young people, it is crucial that we change the minimum age for armed forces recruitment to 18.”
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Monaghan added a third of 16 and 17-year-old recruits dropped out and “re-enter the civilian world without immediate access to further employment, training and education”. Many, she added, were from economically deprived areas.
While 16 and 17-year-olds cannot serve on the frontline, recruitment at the ages of 16 and 17 is detrimental to international efforts to end the use of children in military settings.”
Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, said people campaigning for a ban on under-18s were wrong to “draw an analogy between what the army does and the situation of child soldiers around the world”.
He added concerns about welfare needed to be balanced against the opportunities presented to 16 to 17-year-olds recruits, adding:
“I suggest that anyone who wants to see the positive way individuals can and do improve their lives visits the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
“On my visits there, what appalled me was the fact that the education system had failed individuals, but the army had given them a second chance with raising basic numeracy and literacy skills.
“Individuals who would possibly not have had an opportunity to have a fulfilled career were able to do so through the work undertaken at the Army Foundation College.”
Defence minister Johnny Mercer told the debate the government took its duty of care to entrants aged under 18 “extremely seriously”. He added:
“Close attention has been given to this subject in recent years, especially after the tragic deaths at Deepcut.
“We have robust, effective and independently verified safeguards in place to ensure that under-18s are cared for properly.”
The committee voted against the clause by nine votes to two.
Eight Conservatives and one Labour MP voted against; two SNP MPS voted in favour.
Do you have a family member at the College and have a view on this story? Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
Union’s covid concerns about army recruits returning to HarrogateA trade union has said it still has concerns about young soldiers from around the country spreading covid when they return to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Unison North Yorkshire last week called for a halt to any new recruits joining the college until covid safety is guaranteed.
Shadow Armed Forces minister Stephen Morgan sought similar assurances after hearing there had been more than 100 infections.
The Ministry of Defence said fewer than 40 of the 2,000 personnel working and training at the college on Penny Pot Lane had tested positive for covid and none required medical treatment.
It added trainee soldiers would remain at the college over half-term.
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Union leaders welcomed the MOD’s statement but still have fears about the ongoing impact of the movement of recruits in January.
A spokesperson for Unison North Yorkshire said:
“The MOD has still not provided answers as to why they thought it was appropriate to move hundreds of young recruits to Harrogate from across the country during a lockdown.
“Thankfully the MOD have confirmed that none of the young soldiers are seriously ill with covid, but that is a point that we have never raised.
“We know that young, healthy recruits would not be expected to get ill. We also know that a third of people with covid do not have symptoms.
“Our concern is that our members come into contact with young people from across the country who may have covid, then our members are the ones who take it home to their families and communities.”
Junior soldiers returning to training last month were tested twice with lateral flow tests, which are used to test people who may be asymptomatic.
The MOD said those who tested positive isolated at a purpose built 96-bed accommodation unit for the mandated period of time.
A MOD spokesperson said:
“Fewer than 40 personnel at the Army Foundation College are isolating after testing positive for covid. None of these individuals currently require medical treatment and it is incorrect to suggest we are not coping with the situation.
“The British army takes the health and wellbeing of our personnel very seriously and have been providing lateral flow testing, robust social distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect personnel and prevent further infections.”