Camp 2009

Castlemartin Training Camp, at Merrion in Pembrokeshire covers an area of some 2400 hectares and is on the south-west peninsular of South Wales, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The coastline is limestone with grassland edges and sand dunes. The nearest town is Pembroke.

Pictured right is Stacks Rock which is along the main coastal path out on the area of camp and is the area where the Mountain Biking will be taking place. A regular visitor to this part of the country is Bill Oddie, a "Bird Twitcher" who likes to watch the guillemots, razor bills and puffins that frequent the area.

Day one, the weather was set fair and the camp was ready and waiting for the cadets to arrive. The first coaches appeared mid afternnon and by early evening 446 cadets and the accompanying adults were safely delivered in 10 buses and 2 minibuses.

After evening meal a fire drill was called, followed by aa address by the Commandant, Colonel Steve Davies. After welcoming everyone to camp he introduced his key members of staff beforing dismsiisng the parade. The rest of the time til lghts out was spent settling into the accommodation and completing both company and county administration.

Each year on the first night of camp the Sgts Mess hold their "Tankard Night" a tradition dating back to the 1970s. Members of the Sgts Mess attending their ninth camp are presented with an inscribed tankard and those already holding their tankards all receive a free drink. (unless of course, they fail to get their tankards behind the bar, in which case they have to buy all the tankard holders a drink instead!)

This year the Commandant presented Tankards to SMI Kirsty Cross of B Squadron, SSI Tony Coyston, SSI Debbie Smith and SSI Garth Freakley pf C Company and SI Michelle Whitby from F Squadron.

Photographs by SSI Tracy Freakley