Cadets inspired by camp fun

5:00pm Thursday 28th August 2008

HUNDREDS of youngsters from Oxfordshire got fired up for life in the army at a military training camp.

Some 300 Army Cadets tried paintballing, clay pigeon shooting and target practice during a two-week programme at Beckingham Army Training Camp, in Lincolnshire.

The cadets, aged from 12 to 18, also tackled overnight expeditions, patrol training, map reading, compass training, first aid, target practice on the firing ranges, and an army assault course.

Some of the senior cadets were also in training for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Oxfordshire's retiring Lord Lieutenant, Sir Hugo Brunner, joined the cadets and more than 90 adult instructors when he toured the camp - trying clay pigeon shooting and paintballing for himself.

Wallingford mayor Alec Hayton was taken back to his own army days when a group of Wallingford cadets daubed him with camouflage paint.

Amber Wells, 13, Liz Fowley, 13, and his own Mayor's Cadet, award-winning RSM Katie Clifton, 18, did the honours when he visited the camp.

Mr Hayton, a former military policeman, said; "I was so impressed to see so many young people so enthusiastic and obviously having a wonderful time."

Katie Clifton, who accompanies him on official duties, has been Wallingford Royal British Legion's Cadet of the Year and last year was the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. She comes from Long Wittenham and is at Wallingford School.

Abingdon mayor Patrick Lonergan also dropped in to spend some time with cadets from his own town.

The camp commandant, Colonel Paul Wenlock, said: "Here in Oxfordshire we hope to inspire young people to achieve success in life, with service to the Queen, the country and their local community, while developing in themselves the qualities required of a good citizen.

"And for the younger cadets, some who have been away from home for the first time, the two weeks have been a great experience for them.

"They will certainly have something to tell their friends when they get back to school and maybe tell a few war stories."

Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force has 27 cadet detachments around the county, including those at Abingdon, Berinsfield, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.