01 20220202 PR981776 HEADER

Midsomer Norton Platoon reopens. 02 February 2022.

£130,000+ refurbishment complete as cadets get back to their platoon after a year away

Midsomer Norton Platoon reopens. 02 February 2022.

4 February 2022

  • Somerset ACF

Words & pictures by WO2 (SMI) Peter Russell/County PR Officer

On Wednesday evening cadets and staff from Midsomer Norton Platoon were finally able to experience their newly refurbished building after a lengthy and at times dramatic building programme, with over £130,000 being spent by Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (WRFCA).

Gone were the crumbling, leaky and ant-infested offices. Gone were the dingy stores. Gone were the leaky roofs and uneven floors. Gone were the draughty training rooms with limited resources.

In their place were training rooms with WiFi and ethernet networking, large TV screens, superb heating and lighting, level floors, a newly equipped kitchen and well equipped administrative offices - somewhere to be proud of and somewhere where training suddenly became more fun - somewhere to invite your friends!

Platoon Commander SSI Jamie Dix was supported by SI George Davies-Coward and Lt Kym Booker; an escapee from the City & County of Bristol ACF whom we welcome to our fold. Many cadets turned up for the first evening having lost none of their skills or enthusiasm since their last parade. New recruits also joined them and they hope that the new, welcoming, environment will lead to a rapid increase in numbers to bring them back to the 40+ cadets that used to regularly parade there.