Air, Army and Sea Cadets from Warwickshire and Birmingham have marked the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement with a parade through the city and service at Birmingham Cathedral.

In the true spirit of this tri-service commemorative event, the Army Cadet Force Warwickshire Corps of Drums, the Band of 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron Air Training Corps and buglers from the Sea Cadets joined forces to form a composite massed band, which led the colourful parade of more than 200 cadets and staff as they marched from Victoria Square through the crowded city centre streets to the Birmingham Cathedral for a service to mark the 150 th anniversary of the cadet movement.

The service conducted by the Chaplain to the Warwickshire & West Midlands Army Cadet Force, Revd Roger Sheppard was also attended by; the Deputy Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, The West Midlands Lord Lieutenant Mr P Sadapathy CBE, Major General M.J Rutledge OBE, GOC 5th Division and other senior representatives of the Cadet and Armed Forces.

Squadron Leader Andrew Poppe, who is a serving officer in the Royal Air Force, currently based at Boscombe Down, delivered the Sermon. He highlighted the opportunities and benefits that young people gain from being members of the cadet forces. He also emphasised the fact that without the cadets themselves there would be no cadet force and that it was the cadets of today who must uphold the values and traditions built up over the years. As such, it is up to the cadets of today to pass that legacy on to the next generation of cadets.

Following the service the Army Cadet contingent, which comprised of representatives of ACF units from across the Warwickshire and West Midlands area commanded by Major Gale and the Air Cadet contingent from 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron led by Squadron Leader Foster representing the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing formed up behind the try service band for the march back through the City to Victoria Square where the salute was taken by Major General M.J Rutledge, The West Midlands Lord Lieutenant and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

At the Council House reception after the parade, Wing Commander Steve Mills RAFVR(T) said, “This has been an brilliant parade and I would like to extend special thanks to 121 ( Nuneaton ) Squadron who upheld the good name of Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing very well indeed. You would never have thought that the joint band had only come together for the first time today! The music was excellent and I was also most impressed by the Squadron's younger cadets who formed the marching contingent, they were all very smart and in step.

Colonel John Mytton, Commandant of Warwickshire and West Midlands South ACF also expressed his thanks to the Nuneaton Air Cadet contingent for helping to make the parade such a success.

2010 marks the Cadet Forces' 150 th birthday, known as Cadet150. The Cadet Forces, initially formed to help bolster the country's defence numbers after the Crimean War, are now voluntary youth organisations, which offer young people the opportunity to develop leadership, self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork skills.

The four Cadet forces (Army Cadets, Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force and Sea Cadet Corps) will be involved in many other exciting events during the year, parades, competitions and expeditions to celebrate the Cadets 150 year history. The events have been planned to reflect the spirit of fun, excitement, adventure and community service, which is at the heart of the cadet movement.