Clwyd West MS Darren Millar discovered first-hand what Royal Navy recruits have to go through when he took part in a gruelling training exercises during a visit to the  Royal Navy Outdoor Training and Leadership School in Talybont last Thursday.

Darren who visited in his capacity as Chair of the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces and Cadets, was given a tour of the facility, but also took part in a training exercise, which involved a group going into a abandoned train tunnel and having to use teamwork to get around in the dark. To get a further insight into what the leadership facility does, he also abseiled and spoke to service personnel about their time at the facility and their general experience in the Navy, and to staff who do the training too.

Darren said:

“Every Royal Navy recruit will at some point come to this facility in Talybont to undergo a form of leadership training. It is the hidden gem of Wales’ armed forces footprint and we should be singing its praises as somewhere which is so vital to the Royal Navy’s training capacity.

“Whilst some of the training activities I took part in during my visit to the centre were quite gruelling, they gave me a real insight into what our Royal Navy recruits have to go through.

“It really is an excellent centre and I learnt a great deal from my visit, particularly from speaking to the recruits themselves.

“I thank the Royal Navy for inviting me and Robert Govier, Royal Navy Warrant Officer Class 1. Regional Engagement Wales and West Midlands, for leading the visit.”