A TEAM of Army cadets from Alton returned home victorious last weekend after winning the prestigious Ed Hare competition.

Held at Longmoor training camp, near Bordon, this annual competition saw the youngsters from 3 Platoon Alton Army Cadet Force pit their wits against seven other detachments from A Company Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACT.

According to Detachment Commander Mark Cray, the Ed Hare competition is designed to test the cadets in the core skills they learn whiletraining with the ACF.

Competing in drill and turnout, field craft, navigation, first aid, skill at arms, general knowledge and a ‘March and shoot’ stand, the cadets have to work hard individually and as a team to gain results on the individual stands that make up the competition,” according to Sergeant Instructor Cray.

“The 10 Alton cadets, which included boys and girls, plus two reserves, had trained hard in the weeks leading up to the weekend and it paid off, with them wining five of the seven stands and the overall competition itself,” he said.

They team came home with trophies in five out of the seven disciplines, for drill and turnout, first aid, skill at arms, march and shoot, and general knowledge.

3 Platoon Alton is part of A Company, 1st Battalion Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF. They parade on Wednesday evenings from 7pm-9.30pm at their detachment, based in the cadet headquarters building at Anstey Park, off Anstey Lane, in Alton.

Open to boys and girls aged 12 to 18, anyone interested in becoming a cadet should simply go along at the start of parade night for a chat.

“Being over 18 does not stop you being involved as you can be an adult instructor, even if you have no previous military experience, as full training is given,” added Sergeant Instructor Cray.

For more details, e-mail [email protected] or call the cadet administrative assistant on 01252 819528.