MSP's praise for cadet champions

ARMY cadets from Forres helped their unit be crowned Champion Company for the third year in a row.

Eighteen cadets from 1st Battalion the Highlanders' Forres Detachment received the award at a two-week battalion's annual camp, based this year at Warcop in Cumbria, along with almost 280 cadets from across the north.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament congratulating them.

He said: "It takes real teamwork to achieve this level of distinction and all due credit must go both to the cadets and those who have encouraged and guided them. There will be many proud parents, friends and relatives sharing the pride and pleasure."

A total of 62 cadets from Moray Company, which has detachments in Elgin, Forres, Nairn, Ardersier and Culloden, spent the fortnight training, progressing onto the next level of the syllabus, placed in training cadres alongside cadets from across the battalion's six units. During the evenings there were competitions between the companies and battery. Some required skills taught from the syllabus, such as drill and turnout, shooting and fieldcraft, while others encouraged friendly rivalry such as football and swimming.

The final day of camp ended with the prize giving, when Moray Company picked up several of the major competition trophies. In the inter-company swimming, Forres cadet corporal Galesha Paterson (16) came first in the senior girls' butterfly event, while in the shooting, cadet sergeant Jennifer Calder (16) was named top shot of Cadre 3A.

In the football competitions, three members of the detachment were selected between the the two teams. The champion company trophy Hector was presented to cadet colour sergeant Rachael Oglivie (17), Senior Cadet of Forres.