Whilst making a film for an English project recently, my set considered using the archive footage of Canford's CCF in the 1930s as part of a satire on the public school Dulce et Decorum est attitude at the beginning of the First World War. In the end we didn't, but perhaps the fact that we considered it illustrates the view of the CCF that lurks in various corners of Canford; that it exists as a slightly backwards throwback to the glory days of British public schools, but that its marching and ordering don't have much use in modern education.
I don't think many people actually feel this strongly, but I must admit, my spell in the CCF, whilst being by no means traumatic, failed to fill me with the enthusiasm and affection the officers obviously felt for it. However, now older and wiser, and on the 50th anniversary of the Canford CCF, I visited the man most likely to convince me, Major Dan Culley, to try and understand his obvious love of all things military.
And so that was what I first asked: why are you so passionate about the CCF? Mr Culley told me that he himself had benefited-enormously from his background and education in the army, and continues to enjoy it when cadets take what the CCF has to offer and benefit themselves. For example, the students who go to Penhale sometimes start out less than keen as they see others go off to start their holidays, but when they get there enjoy the environment, challenges and competitions and leave having not only had fun, but having learnt a great deal of life skills.
This is what Mr Culley sees as being the purpose of the CCF; something which 'gives pupils increased self-confidence, and teaches them leadership skills and team-building, in an environment that is both challenging and stimulating. They learn to organise, delegate, work as a team, and compete against each other.'
Unfortunately, phrases like 'team-building' and 'leadership skills' have become so over-used as buzz words that they don't sound very impressive, but I agree with Mr Culley; the CCF can be an environment that does create these qualities. He realises that this isn't achieved with draconian rules and monotonous drills though: ‘In the past CCFs have been run on narrow, unimaginative lines, but now hopefully it is as constructive as possible’.
He also understands that for some people, the physical activities which can generate these qualities may prove an insurmountable hurdle. 'Some pupils enjoy the nature of the activities and put in lots of enthusiasm, benefiting enormously. Whilst this is a majority, there are a number who don't fit in and aren't stimulated, and for them adopting an enthusiastic line must be quite hard.' I asked him if he'd ever encountered any pupils or parents who were strongly against the idea of the CCF, and he said no, and that the people who really hated being in the CCF were usually opposed to the physical exertions.
He could obviously at least sympathize with people who didn't get on with the CCF, so I asked how optional he thought it should be. 'In an ideal world it'd be entirely optional, but given human nature those who'd prefer to laze around doing little would achieve nothing at all, so the current system gives them at least some benefits.' Obviously, as there are other options to the CCF at Canford, he seems to be referring to people who have signed up to it, and I think he's right- I don't think anyone who is strongly anti military-type activities at school should be forced into it, but if they're not it does everyone a bit of good to be physically challenged in a way which might also achieve some of the confidence-building and bonding Mr Culley has talked about.
It was only a few years ago that girls joined the CCF in force, so I asked if he thought they'd brought any difficulties or benefits with them. 'I like to think that the enthusiasm of the girls stimulates and challenges the boys into higher achievement. With the acceptance of the first female marine this term, it will be interesting to see how attitudes change. Overall, I feel that the arrival of female cadets has been beneficial.'
So unfortunately for anyone who's ever wandered passed a rain-soaked Parade practice and wondered what the point is, it seems that the no.1 at the CCF isn't a power-crazed dictator.
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