The Results are in! Units win top money prizes
The RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Yorkshire Cadet Trust Photography Competition and awarded prize money:
1st Place: 298 (Hornsea) Squadron RAFAC – ‘’Hanging Around’’ – £250
2nd Place: C Coy, Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF – ‘Listen Up’ – £150
3rd Place: C Coy, Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF – ‘Golden Hour’ – £100
Overwhelming response with outstanding entries
The winning entries were selected for capturing the theme “Cadets is great fun”, illustrating the real spirit of cadet life. Submissions demonstrated a wide range of activity from drill practice and classroom lessons, to community activities and adventurous training. This year’s competition saw an enthusiastic number of entrants and entries consistent with the previous year’s competition. Prize money must go towards funding units’ and squadrons’ resources for cadet activity.
First Prize
First place winner, 298 (Hornsea) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets – ‘’Hanging Around”, photo by Cadet Instructor Chloe Forrest:
| The photo captures abseiling in the North Yorkshire Moors. Cadet Sergeant Milner was allowed by instructors to go upside down which he thoroughly enjoyed. All the cadets were so happy and were clapping as he was a bit apprehensive about going upside down while abseiling. The prize money will be spent on new tents for the cadets classification training and expeditions as well as new first aid supplies for the cadets’ first aid lessons. |
Second Prize
Second place winner, C Company, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force – ‘Listen Up’, photo by Media Officer Sergeant Amy Dowling:
This photo illustrates cadets ready to head out on exercise and Corporal Kitching sharing a smile with friends before heading out on exercise.
Third Prize
Second place, ‘Golden hour’ from C Coy, HSY ACFThird place winner, C Company, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force – ‘Golden Hour’, photo by Media Officer Sergeant Amy Dowling:
This photo illustrates pride in music, ‘Golden Hour’ on final parade and filled with pride as the first music cohort perform for the rest of the county.
Second and third place winner, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force says:
“The prize money would be used to purchase equipment and resources that can be used by cadets during their training and activities. This could include items to support fieldcraft, adventurous training, STEM and practical skills, giving cadets more opportunities to learn by doing. The equipment would be shared across the unit and used by cadets throughout the year, helping us provide engaging activities that develop confidence, teamwork, problem solving and practical skills.”
From the Judging Panel
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Wayne Pledger MBE, Secretary and Treasurer to The Yorkshire Cadet Trust said,
“I am delighted by the excellent response to the 2026 Yorkshire Cadet Trust Photography Competition. The standard of entries was outstanding, and it is a real pleasure to recognise the winners whose photographs so brilliantly captured the spirit of ‘Cadets is great fun. Their images perfectly showcase the energy, camaraderie and sheer enjoyment that define life in the Cadet Forces across Yorkshire and the Humber.”
Judging process
Three rounds of voting were carried out by the judges in order to reach agreement. The first round as an image only selection, a second round with chosen photographs from the first round, and a third round including the back story to each photograph.