Hexham Army Cadets have been forced to leave the town base they used for more than 50 years after the Army Reserve Centre on Hencotes closed.
The Hexham Detachment of Northumbria Army Cadets now parades at the 1st Hexham Scout Group’s Hut on Maiden’s Walk. The temporary arrangement allows the cadets to continue meeting on Thursday nights, when the Scouts have availability.
Lessons and storage affected
Sean Ferguson, who leads Hexham Army Cadets, said the closure had affected both the detachment and the Air Training Corps, which had also lost its base.
“The centre closure has affected the detachment, as the Air Training Corps and we have lost our base, which has been in place well over half a century.”
He said the move had also curtailed the group’s ability to deliver lessons. Equipment previously owned by the cadets is now mainly held at Fenham Barracks because the detachment no longer has a local storage facility.
“It has also curtailed our ability to deliver lessons as all the kit we owned is now mainly based at Fenham Barracks as we have no localised storage facility.”
No timetable for permanent replacement
The cadets are hoping to secure a new detachment base in Hexham, but no timeframe has been given for that move.
“We are looking forward to a new detachment base, but as it stands we have no timeframe for this.”
The Army Cadet Force provides training, support and skills training for young people in Hexham and surrounding areas. Mr Ferguson said the detachment aimed to continue that work during the uncertain period.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said cadet activities in Hexham were continuing and that officials were working with partners to identify a suitable long-term home in the town. The spokesperson also said the safety and wellbeing of all cadets were treated extremely seriously.
The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association is responsible for maintaining reserve forces’ sites and cadet training facilities. The RFCA was contacted for comment.