W Company

Around 80 cadets from north-Northumberland spent last weekend (23-25 Oct 09) on expedition and adventurous training up at Otterburn and Kielder.

The expedition group, boasting some 40 cadets, trekked from Ottercops and Alwinton to Grassleas on the very southern edge of Otterburn Training Area.

Despite the very arduous weather conditions en-route all the expedition cadets managed to reach their objective relatively unscathed. They settled down for a damp and blustery night under canvas, which was slightly offset by the comfort food in their ration packs.

The remaining junior cadets in camp spent Saturday at the Hawkhirst Activity Centre where they took part in bell boating. As well as getting to grips with their unfamiliar vessels the cadets had plenty of time for races and splashing about... as if they weren't wet enough anyway! A little bit of rain and fatigue wasn't enough to dampen anyone's spirits and the cadets left beaming after the day's adventure.

Our big thanks go to Major Kev Stout and SSI Angie Wilson for supervising the bell boats and Captain Michael Grey for organising the expedition.

The weekend was also an important milestone in the cadet careers of Cdt Sgt Michael Sargent of Alnwick Detachment and Cdt LCpl Greg Hogarth of Berwick Detachment. Michael was promoted to Cdt S/Sgt and Greg to Cdt Cpl. Our good wishes to them both.

Next W Company weekend is 5-6 December 09, probably at Alnwick. Standby for further updates.

-TJJ