All day on Saturday 22.11.08, Councillor Les Miller and fellow Councillor George Westwater(Weetslade) attended Otterburn Army Camp, Northumberland, as invited guests of the Nothumbria Army Cadet Force 'Outreach Project'.

Other invited guests included Hexham Conservative MP, Peter Atkinson, Northumbria Police and the Fire Service.

With the freezing weather, it was a delight to see the enthusiam of the young cadets who visit the camp on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

We had the opportunity to see the cadets in action and speak to cadets from North Shields, Killingworth and Monkseaton, on why they had decided to become cadets and what they enjoyed the most.

It was a delight to see the cadets in action taking part in team building exercises, communication skills, obstacle courses, first aid classes and learning the importance of community spirit and citizenship. We have both been asked back at any time and to have the opportunity to visit any of the Cadet detachments within the Borough.

We also had quite a indepth discussion with Colonel David Smith (Commandant of Northumbria ACF), Major Tony Laker (Officer Commanding Z Company and President of the Cassino Band) and Capitain Nikki Laker (Company Training Officer).