More than five hundred Somerset Army Cadets and their instructors attended their annual camp last month, which this year was held at Fremington in North Devon. The Cadet Battalion relies on help from members of the UOTC each year, and 2008 was no exception. Among the ranks of were fourth-year Medical Student Officer Cadet Joanna Coppock, and Lieutenant Colonel Tim Chambers, Medical Officer for the Somerset Cadet Battalion and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Child Health at the University.

As well as military training, there were plenty of informal activities for the trainee cadets, while instructors had the opportunity to attend training courses to gain extra qualifications. Joanna Coppock an expert cymbalist, joined the cadet band for several of its displays, which included playing for the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass, and the Commander of 43 (Wessex) Brigade, Jolyon Jackson. She also joined the cadets at archery and surfing. ‘Camp has been really good fun,’ she said. ‘I was able to join in whichever activities I wanted to, as well as meeting and helping the Army cadets with their training. I shall definitely be back next year.’

For more information, please contact Major Peter Vile, email padvile@btopenworld.com.