Merit awards for local members of the Reserve Forces and Cadet movement

Presented with the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Outstanding Meritorious Service Above and Beyond The Call of Duty – an award which is second in importance only to one presented by Her Majesty The Queen – were Captain Heidi Blackwood who serves as Director of Music within the 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, based at Ballymena; Sergeant Major Instructor Lesa Garland from Ballymena and Territorials, Broughshane man, Warrant Officer Andrew Forsythe, and Sergeant Wesley Cummings from Ahoghill.

Captain Heidi Blackwood serves as Director of Music within the 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, based in Ballymena where, according to the Citation which accompanies her Award, she is ‘greatly loved’ by the many young people whose lives she touches.

Captain Blackwood, a teacher by profession, has had what the Citation refers to as “an illustrious career as an exceptionally – indeed, multi-talented – musician, composer and leader. However her achievement goes much beyond that as she is the face, the energy and the inspiration behind the extraordinary success of Northern Ireland’s Cadet Band.”

The Citation applauds the ever-popular Heidi for the development of her own and others’ musical talents, saying, “Her success as a Detachment Commander and her mentoring of scores of Cadets through their BTEC qualifications every year are major achievements in themselves but, having passed her Bandmaster course in 2009, it has been the raising, training and inspiring of a Band that now plays to great acclaim at major public events that is her lasting testimony.

“Indeed the Cadet Corps of Drums has been so successful under her leadership that they have been invited to perform at The Malta tattoo in 2013.

At the same ceremony Sergeant Major Instructor Lesa Garland from Ballymena was honoured for her outstanding contribution to the Cadet movement.

Having completed her own time as a Cadet, Lesa made the move to Adult Instructor some sixteen years ago since when she has been a stalwart of the Army Cadet Force, serving for the last eight years as the popular Detachment Commander of the Ballymena Detachment of the ACF.

During her tenure, local Cadets have achieved to the highest standards, twice bringing the coveted Champion Cadet award home to Ballymena and also scoring an impressive double with the Calcutta Cup Competition.

Lesa who was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal in 2009 has worked closely with Heidi, having been involved with the 1st battalion Corps of Drums since its inception. She has also brought her considerable talents and commitment to bear in the sporting fraternity where her support of the ACF sporting programme has been ‘legendary’.

The Citation concludes:“Cadets have consistently enjoyed her care, leadership, support and encouragement over the past sixteen years, to a degree far in excess of the steadfast and conscientious service expected. She has been an outstanding inspiration.”

Territorial soldier, Warrant Officer Andrew Forsythe, from Broughshane was honoured for his eighteen years’ of service with 152 (Ulster) Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers), during which time his Citation states, he ‘steadily accumulated qualifications and experience with enthusiasm and professional dedication.’

That dedication showed to full advantaged when he played a critical role while on deployment in Iraq in 2003 when he was responsible for the forward delivery of combat stores from Kuwait into Iraq. Later that same year he passed the Military Proficiency Course (Advanced) as Top Student and was promoted to Sergeant.

At that rank he spent three highly productive years as a driving instructor, conducting Class 3 Trade Courses and recruiting and training new soldiers, an aspect of his work which has expanded recently. Now Warrant Officer Class 2, Andrew continues to build recruitment to his unit.

The Citation concludes, “Throughout this service his dedication, ability and conscientiousness have earned him the respect of all who have worked with him. He continues to uphold the highest standards of the Territorial soldier and epitomises the volunteer ethos, setting a magnificent example to junior soldiers.”

Ahoghill man, Sergeant Wesley Cummings, was recognised at the Hillsborough Castle ceremony for a live of service and, in particular for his commitment to 253 (North Irish) Medical Regiment where, his Citation, states, he has had ‘a marked impact as a trainer and mentor’.

The Citation highlights an attitude which exemplifies the volunteer ethos and says of Sergeant Cummings, “It has been his seemingly boundless enthusiasm and dedication that have stood out, He has been an outstanding personal example of committed and proud professionalism whiles an exceptional mentor to the members of his Troop.”

In 2010 Sergeant Cummings was recognised with the award of a Commendation by Commander 102 Logistics Brigade. Sergeant Cummings does a great deal to raise awareness of the Royal British Legion and is well known in his local community for the exceptional voluntary work support which he gives to his church – Ballyloughan Presbyterian, Ballymena.