Thumbs up for new cadet training centre

A STATE-of-the-art training centre for Army Cadets was officially opened at Bassingbourn Barracks on Saturday.

The centre cost £2.8 million and has been the number one priority for a number of years.

Major Peter Barlow said: "We are extremely proud of our new training centre and I think we are very fortunate to have it.

"It's something that we have been trying to set up for a number of years, so to have finally achieved our aim gives us much satisfaction. In fact, it's been a culmination of eight years hard work.

"The facilities that the new centre offers are a vast contrast to what we had previously. Since the opening in April it has been well received by everyone involved, particularly the cadets.

"It's certainly a centre to be proud of - it's a beautiful building."

The purpose-built training centre will make a huge difference to the cadets with sleeping accommodation for 120 places, canteen facilities, classrooms and ablutions.

Previously, Hertfordshire Army cadets had to make do with an old Territorial Army centre in Letchworth, which had no real estate for training.

Cadets will be able to make use of all other outdoor training facilities at the barracks - the base of the Army Training Regiment - which includes ranges and adventure training facilities.

The centre will be shared by both the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Army cadets throughout the year.

The official unveiling of a plaque to mark the opening was carried out by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, along with honorary colonel, Teddy Faure Walker.

They were joined by more than 95 Army Cadets and Air Cadets from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to commemorate the official opening.

Major Barlow said: "It was a very memorable day."

Three time capsules were buried in the foundations of the new building in order to preserve a piece of cadet history.