THE future is shining bright for the next generation of Holsworthy residents and the achievements of the town’s Army Cadets over the autumn period have shone a spotlight on the valuable contribution that the group have made to life in the town.

With events in the town coming thick and fast, not least with the focus being on remembering the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our freedom in previous wars, it has been a busy couple of months for Holsworthy’s Army Cadets.

In addition to playing their part in the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Poppy Appeal, the cadets have been cleaning the exterior of the Holsworthy Memorial Hall and helping to assemble part of the town’s new Christmas lights display.

It was also very much an award-winning month for the cadets, who received recognition for their achievements as part of their cadet membership.

Furthermore, in very much the case of ‘more the merrier’, the month of September saw eleven new recruits enrolled in the town’s Army Cadets, bringing the detachment strength to thirty six cadets.

At the same time ten cadets who joined in April completed their Basic Training, with the efforts of the youngsters being praised by the mayor of Holsworthy in addition to a proud detachment commander.

A spokesperson for Holsworthy Army Cadets said: “Senior Cadets have excelled at detachment and County level with Cpl Aaron Squirrell being named best cadet on the weeklong 3 Star assessment week held at Okehampton Camp in October.

“Cpl Squirrell is pictured receiving his trophy from Deputy Commandant for Devon ACF Lt Col Ian Gilbert who added “Cpl Squirrell’s hard work and determination meant he successfully completed the course with flying colours.”

“Recently promoted LCpl Alesha Ingram was recognized at a recent county Junior Cadet Instructors course held at County HQ in Exeter. The course trains senior cadets in teaching and instructional methods and completion means they are qualified to teach junior level cadets. LCpl Ingram was nominated as best cadet on the course.

“LCpls Jazmine Willson and Alesha Ingram also attended a weeklong assessment course which included a full-bore range day and two-night three-day exercise.

“LCpl Willson completed her two Star Training badge on the course, and both NCOs received marksmanship badges on the 25m range firing the cadet version of the army SA80 rifle. She has also been awarded her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“The detachment has also been actively engaged in the local community supporting the RBL Poppy Appeal, cleaning the exterior of Holsworthy Memorial Hall and assembling part of the new town Christmas lights display.”

Councillor Jon Hutchings, mayor of Holsworthy, was delighted with the contribution from the town’s Army Cadets and thanked the youngsters for their “hard work and community spirit” during a visit to the detachment.

Detachment commander Lt Jim Harvey said of the achievements: “I am extremely proud to be in a leadership role to such motivated committed and hard-working young people.”