Surprise commemoration in honour of fallen and Major

Seven teenagers from the Northumberland Church of England Academy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) decided to honour Major Eyton Parker for his support and guidance and tie it in with the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
From left, WO2 Nick Tuckey, cadets Aimee Povey, Regan Povey, Mackenzie Hudspeth, Nicky Morton-Chisholm, Katie Bradley, Charlotte Lord and Jack Kadansky and Major Eyton Parker. Behind is the academy's Principal Director Secondary, Steve Gibson.From left, WO2 Nick Tuckey, cadets Aimee Povey, Regan Povey, Mackenzie Hudspeth, Nicky Morton-Chisholm, Katie Bradley, Charlotte Lord and Jack Kadansky and Major Eyton Parker. Behind is the academy's Principal Director Secondary, Steve Gibson.
From left, WO2 Nick Tuckey, cadets Aimee Povey, Regan Povey, Mackenzie Hudspeth, Nicky Morton-Chisholm, Katie Bradley, Charlotte Lord and Jack Kadansky and Major Eyton Parker. Behind is the academy's Principal Director Secondary, Steve Gibson.

They picked up rocks just outside Duke’s Secondary School in Ashington, where the CCF is based, and painted some of them red and some of them black so they could be organised into a poppy shape.

They also fixed up a cross that was already there and dressed up a mannequin, donated by the House of Fraser store at the Metrocentre, like a soldier using a spare uniform.

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They kept the commemoration a secret from Major Parker, who leads the pipes and drums section for this CCF, so he only knew about it when he was taken to the location for it and saw the cadets.

One of those involved, Cadet Corporal Regan Povey, said: “We each stuck a note on the back of the cross that we had written saying how being in the CCF has benefited us and how Major Parker has supported us.

“Personally, what I have learned and my experiences as a cadet will help me pursue the job I would like to do, which is to join the army.”

Members of the Northumberland Church of England Academy CCF took part in 12 Remembrance events between Thursday and Sunday evening and all 57 were doing something on Sunday.