Army cadets have put a local MP through his paces after accepting a fitness challenge to see if experience or youth would win.
David Davies threw down the gauntlet to Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force (ACF) in a battle of five physical training exercises against the clock.
Cadets from the Abergavenny and Monmouth detachments took on Mr Davies during a special event held at Monmouth Castle on Friday evening (13 October).
Times from each exercise were converted into points, with the top cadet scoring 20 and the Monmouth MP finishing a close second on 17.
ACF instructor Andy Fenner organised the Cadets v MP Challenge alongside Regimental Sergeant Major Neil Edmunds.
“Having a local MP willing to take time to get involved with cadets is amazing for us,” said PI Fenner.
“All the cadets were determined not to let David win. They had been practicing for weeks and getting excited about showing him what they could do.
“Cadets challenges young people to do more, to go further and to be better. Knowing David’s background with the army reserve, I thought he would be up for the challenge of taking them on.”
Prior to entering politics, Mr Davies joined the Territorial Army. He served for 18 months as a Gunner with 104 Air Defence Regiment at Raglan Barracks in Newport.
“It was an absolute pleasure to meet with the cadets and their instructors,” he said.
“The cadets were a real credit to the uniform and told me afterwards about some of the activities which they get to take part in. One had just got back from training in Canada and others have been heavily involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“No doubt many will go on to have careers in the armed forces but they will benefit from having gone through the training which the ACF provides.
“At the risk of boasting, I achieved the best time on the basic fitness test when I did basic TA training. That was nearly 30 years ago but I am glad to say my times were still fairly good!”