CADETS from the Army and RAF had fun competing against each other recently for the first-ever challenge event organised by Okehampton Royal British Legion.

Six cadets from each unit, both based in Okehampton, took part in three challenge events - climbing, a low ropes course and archery - at the Adventure Okehampton centre.

With a tie on the low ropes and only one point between them on archery, it was the RAF air cadets who ‘reached for the sky’ and soared to victory in the climbing challenge.

Majors (Retired) Peter Williams and Ray Rattenbury from the RBL were on hand to ensure a ‘fair fight’ and present the cup donated by members of Okehampton RBL.

Major Williams said: ‘It was a great success and the youngsters thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It looks like it could be a successful annual event.

‘This affiliation between the cadets and the Royal British Legion is being encouraged primarily to get the younger generation to be involved with the older generation and vice versa. There were two teams of six cadets and they were put through their paces on the climbing wall, on the low rope obstacle race and the final part was archery. The weather wasn’t that good, but that didn’t seem to deter them at all, and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

‘What struck everybody there, particularly me, was the amount of team spirit there was, not just among the cadets on their particular teams but the way that the army cadets would help the air force cadets, which was nice to see and made for a very successful afternoon.’

The two cadet corps share premises beside each other in Okehampton although, said Major Williams, they didn’t often get together for events. ‘They thoroughly enjoyed it and it was great to see them getting on. It really was great fun,’ he added.

‘The event was all that I had hoped it would be,’ said Sqn Ldr Andy Oliver, the RAF 2443 (Okehampton) Cadet Squadron’s Commanding Officer. ‘It showed that apart from the uniform, both cadets are similar in so many ways and have some great young people in them, taking part in some great activities that challenge them in preparation for adult life.‘

Sgt Neil Shaw, from the Army cadets, said: ‘It was great to see the youngsters from both units getting along so well.’

John Elson from Adventure Okehampton kindly provided the venue for the challenge event.

Action photos by Mick Burke. Presentation photo submitted by Andy Oliver. See this week’s Times for more photos.