  |
 Four young men from Huntingdonshire recently proved their mettle when it comes to getting their message across.
Local army cadets Nick Fennelly (16) from St Neots, together with St Ives team mates Jay Van-Kerro (16), Ben Pascoe (15) and Josh Marsh (16) have just taken part in the second National Cadet Signaling Championships held at the Royal School of Signals at Blandford Camp in Dorset between 20th and 22nd February. Competing against 19 other top UK cadet teams, the four lads finished 8th overall in the competition which included ‘laying lines’, erecting and dismantling radio masts, transmitting messages and demonstrating a keen theoretical and practical knowledge of the workings of VHF and UHF radio - and there was also a need for top physical fitness to complete a route march ending in a test of shooting skills. “It was certainly tough”, said team captain Nick, “But it was a great weekend and we all thoroughly enjoyed it” The lads were coached for the challenge by Tony Hall, Director of Prima Electronics in St Ives, and a keen civilian instructor with Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force. Tony does all he can to promote signals training amongst the young by teaching, loaning equipment and giving up his spare time to get the through. “Seeing young people master skills like this is satisfaction in itself “, said Tony. “To finish eighth facing such stiff competition is an excellent achievement which demonstrates the commitment of each team member.” At the end of the competition prizes were presented by Major General Malcolm Wood CBE, Chairman of the Army Cadet Force Association, and afterwards the weekend of excitement ended on a social note with a chance for the team to enjoy some ten pin bowling before returning home.
|
