MACHYNLLETH Army Cadets has come back from the brink of closure and is now going from “strength to strength” after a nine-fold increase in membership.

It was revealed before Christmas that the branch was in danger of being forced to close because there was only one active cadet.

After an impasse between Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and the branch over the school’s refusal to allow a recruitment drive by cadets at the school, the group was allowed two dates on which they could talk to pupils about the organisation.

Speaking at a meeting of Machynlleth Town Council last week, town clerk Rab Jones told councillors he had been informed the branch had recruited another eight cadets, including three girls and one boy, following the successful recruitment drive at the school.

Councillors welcomed the news and thanked the school for allowing the recruitment to take place.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Machynlleth Army Cadets leader Colour Sergeant Geraint Rowlands said he was very optimistic about the future of the branch and that it was now going “from strength to strength”.

“I visited Ysgol Bro Hyddgen twice and that has been the turning point,” said Mr Rowlands."

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