Local MP Tessa paid a visit to Normandy Company of the Somerset Cadet Battalion at the Yoxter camp on the top of the Mendips last weekend to see what they do and have a brief taste of cadet life.
The Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles), Army Cadet Force (ACF) has about 1,000 cadets aged between twelve and eighteen throughout the county. The ACF is one of the country’s largest voluntary youth organisations, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2010.
Following a briefing on the work of the Cadet Association and the Wessex Reserve Forces, Tessa visited the cadets on camp and chatted with them about what they get up to and what they get out of joining. She tried her hand at archery, watched target shooting and the cadets taking apart and cleaning their rifles. She also went into the kitchen to meet the chef who had prepared her delicious lunch.
Tessa said, ‘I had a fantastic day with the Cadets and I am amazed by the range of activities they get to try. It is a fantastic learning experience and I would urge more youngsters to sign up.”
Tessa Munt
22nd October 2012