A new era for young people in Staffordshire has begun, as the West Midlands Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association (WMRFCA) officially opened the Stafford Joint Cadet Centre (JCC) on Saturday 14 February 2026.

Marking the culmination of a three-year project, the ribbon was cut on a state-of-the-art training hub designed to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders.

Located near Beacon Barracks, the new JCC is far more than bricks and mortar. It is a modern, eco-conscious training environment built as a shared resource for Staffordshire’s Army and Air Cadets. The centre features expanded classrooms, upgraded facilities and enhanced access to nearby military housing and barracks - enabling seamless integration with wider training opportunities.

Cadets were firmly front and centre throughout the celebrations, showcasing their skills and confidence with a dynamic performance from the Army Cadets’ Corps of Drums and an immersive flight simulator experience delivered by the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

The ceremony welcomed 90 distinguished guests from across civic and military life, including:

• Professor Elizabeth Barnes CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, representing His Majesty The King
• Mr Timothy Gillow, High Sheriff of Staffordshire
• Cllr Steve Watkins and Cllr Lynn Watkins, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the City of Stoke-on-Trent
• Senior military leaders, including Wing Commander Grant Kearns, Wing Commander Mark Brayford and Colonel Chris Edwards

The opening of the Stafford JCC represents a significant investment in the county’s young people - providing them with a purpose-built space to develop leadership skills, resilience and teamwork in a forward-thinking and sustainable environment.