Army Cadets from Launceston, Bude, Saltash and Bodmin were amongst 175 cadets from all parts of Cornwall who have just returned from Browndown Army Camp, Gosport, where they spent two weeks fulfilling a wide and varying programme of activities.

This included an adventure training programme, and with courses on kayaks and sailing at the Royal Artillery Regiment Yacht Club on Thorney Island.

All Cadets undertook a night exercise where they faced problems and challenges. Many cadets travelled to the Isle of Wight for a three day expedition, which included walking the 'Tennyson Way' finishing at 'The Needles'.

During the two weeks, 32 passed the British Canoe Union One and Two Star Awards. Fourteen Army Cadets passed the Royal Yacht Association Youth Sailing Awards Scheme (Stages one and two). They will use all of these achievements towards the various stages of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Other achievements included 20 cadets passing the Radio User and Signals Course and all the cadets attending completed elements of the two and three Star Levels of the Army Cadet Proficiency Certificate.

The following Army Cadets were presented with their Bronze and Silver Badge of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, silver awards to Ross Pethick and gold award to Chris Pelan Saltash. In total 44 cadets completed the Bronze Award, 15 the Silver Award and 3 the Gold Award.

On the final Parade, Serjeant Major Instructor Sarah Crane the Platoon Commander of Launceston Platoon was presented with The Cook Cup which was jointly won by Launceston and Bodmin Platoons for the platoon which during the year showed the most progression in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Also Ross Pethick received his BTEC Diploma obtaining a Distinction Starred and was promoted to the Battalion Cadet Regimental Sgt Major.

The principal guest was Lady Mary Holborow Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, who travelled to Browndown Camp to visit the Army Cadets, undertaking training in the 'field'.

Lady Mary was most impressed by the enthusiasm of the cadets undertaking their training and of their various achievements, including many awards of BTEC First Diploma in Public Services undertaken under the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisa­tion.

Next year it is planned to return to Browndown Camp, Gosport in August, when all will progress in various subjects to the next levels.