Young people across Lincolnshire are set to benefit from more life-changing experiences and adventure training following the official opening of a new Army Cadets facility near Sleaford. Beckingham Cadet Training Centre (CTC), located between Sleaford and Newark, has been purpose-built to give Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force a dedicated training base, allowing the organisation to host more local training weekends for up to 150 cadets at a time. The multi-million-pound centre is expected to boost recruitment and retention locally, while supporting the Government’s ambition to grow Cadet Forces nationwide by 30% by 2030.
Official Opening Ceremony
British adventurer and Channel 4 ‘Hunted’ star Jordan Wylie MBE officially opened the site to unveil a commemorative plaque during a ceremony attended by guests including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis. Visitors toured the new accommodation blocks, teaching spaces, dining facilities and welfare areas, which are already being used by cadets across the county.
Jordan Wylie MBE said: “As the National Ambassador for the Army Cadets, I see how much benefit our amazing cadets receive from being part of this youth organisation, and this major new Cadet Training Centre reinforces how important Army Cadets are to both the Army and the country. Army Cadets gives young people an advantage in education and the workplace, and the opportunity provided can be genuinely life-changing.”
Strategic Importance
Stuart Williams OBE is the chief executive of East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA), which project-managed the build as part of the organisation’s remit, overseeing the Army Cadet estate in the region. He said: “Our Beckingham Cadet Training Centre will lift the Cadet experience and enable youngsters to develop more skills and enjoy more adventures as a result of regular local camps. On a regional level, this site will help Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force work towards the Government’s ambition of growing the Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030.”
Colonel Ian Sackree, commandant of Lincolnshire ACF, added: “This new CTC is a real game-changer for us. We will no longer be at risk of short-notice cancellations to Beckingham Camp in favour of other priority users, and can plan our weekends with certainty. The weekends already held here in 2026 have already made an immensely positive difference to the cadets, and will do so for many years ahead.”
Sustainable Design and Recognition
The project, led by architects Maber and contractors Triton Construction, has also received recognition for its environmentally-friendly design. The development was named ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ at the 2024 Graphisoft UK Awards and has also been nominated for a Ministry of Defence Sanctuary Award. Sustainable materials including timber frames, recycled tyres and a green roof were used throughout the build, while elevated walkways help preserve historic “ridge and furrow” ground patterns dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.
The new training centre was funded by the British Army and completed towards the end of 2025. Its opening follows the launch of new Cadet facilities in Bourne and Skegness, marking a major investment in the Cadet estate across Lincolnshire.
