Fired up for Army action

6:00am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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

Some 300 army cadets sampled paintballing, clay pigeon shooting and target practice during the two-week programme at Beckingham Army Training Camp, in Lincolnshire.

The cadets, all aged between 12 and 18, tackled overnight expeditions, patrol training, map reading, compass skill 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 his hand at clay pigeon shooting and paintballing.

Gosford Hill School pupil Ryan Martin, 16, from Kidlington, was one of those taking part in the paintballing.

He said: "This is such good fun, it is fantastic. I like cadets because everyone looks after each other."

Oxford School pupils Catherine Rae, 15, of Greater Leys, and Elisha Baker, 15, of Rose Hill, and Stephanie Davis, 16, of Court Farm Road, Rose Hill, also took part in the paintball course.

Stephanie, a student at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, said: "This is the first time I have done something like this and it is really hard work, but great. My favourite was probably the go-karting.

"You form a really good bond with the other cadets and it is like a family."

Heather Woodley, 16, of Marston, Oxford, added: "It has been awesome. I have been a cadet for nearly two years. There is so much to do and you keep busy and have fun. It is one of the best things I have ever done."

Cheney School pupil Dale Townsend, 15, of Girdlestone Road, Headington, said: "I hope to be in the Army when I am older. It gives you an insight."

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 throughout the county, including Banbury, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Thame, Wheatley, Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, Wantage, Headington, Berinsfield, Blackbird Leys, Kidlington, Slade Park, Botley, Burford, Carterton, Witney, Eynsham and Woodstock.

It is a national voluntary youth movement sponsored by the army, which provides activities for more than 43,000 young people.

To find out more, call 01865 402292.