Two teenagers from Powys have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2023 at an awards ceremony.

Cadet Sergeant Elliott Paul Tranter of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force and Flight Sergeant Amira Vieyra of No 2 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets were presented with the badge of their appointment, which will last for one year.

They were appointed by the Deputy Lieutenant of Powys, Mr Tony Evans on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Tia Jones at the ceremony at the Elephant and Castle Hotel in Newtown on Thursday, January 12 – where nearly 100 people attended.

Mr Tranter, 16, from Trefeglwys, who attends Llanidloes High School, joined Llanidloes Detachment just over four years ago following in a long line of family members.

He was praised for being “one of the first cadets to re-engage after the pandemic”, transferring to Newtown to assist for a few months before returning to Llanidloes, where he played a major part in its rebuilding.

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Ms Vieyra, 17, from Llandrindod Wells, who attends Hereford Sixth Form, got the flying bug on her first flight and has seized every opportunity through 579 Llandrindod Wells Squadron to gain more flying hours and has said she “is keen to pursue scholarships for gliding and powered flight”.

County Times: 2. 2023 L-Lt cadets: Flight Sergeant Amira Vieyra and Cadet Sergeant Elliott Paul Tranter (L-R)2. 2023 L-Lt cadets: Flight Sergeant Amira Vieyra and Cadet Sergeant Elliott Paul Tranter (L-R)

The two were selected for the prestigious role after being put forward for nomination by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

The role of Lord-Lieutenant cadet includes attendance with the Lord-Lieutenant of Powys, Mrs Tia Jones, who acts as the Queen’s representative, at a number of official engagements – including Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.

Four adult volunteers were also recognised for their outstanding service and were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Dudley of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets was awarded for his work as the main instructor at 415 (Brecon) Detached Flight where his leadership has been described as ‘inspiring.’

Acting Pilot Officer Mark Lumb, from Llandrindod Wells, was recognised for improving the squadron’s senior and master cadet delivery capabilities – leading to the first two Silver Gliding Scholarships in the last decade being awarded to two current senior cadets.

David Holt also from Llandrindod Wells, joined the civilian committee of 579 Llandrindod Wells Squadron, after his son Chris joined the RAF Air Cadets, taking on the role of treasurer – moving the squadron to online banking to simplify finance matters.

Captain Rachael Jones-Morris of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force, runs the successful Newtown Detachment which has more than 30 cadets. During her time in the ACF, Ms Jones Morris, a nurse, has attended many annual camps and is one of the escorting officers for the Welsh cadets visit to South Africa this year.