OLD and new came together in Overton as the village cadet group marked their affiliation with Whitchurch’s Royal British Legion.

The two groups, who have strong ties with the armed services, celebrated their new partnership with a ceremony at the cadets’ hall in London Road on Tuesday.

Several members of the Royal British Legion, including Whitchurch’s branch president and war veteran, Roy Dykes, attended.

Mr Dykes, who served Britain during the Second World War, hopes members of the legion can pass their experiences on to the cadets.

He said: “I think it will give the cadets an additional interest because they are being affiliated to people who have served in the armed services.

“I hope it will increase their interest in the Royal British Legion as well, so they can find out about us and our history.”

The platoon’s training officer, Steve Slack, was the brains behind the idea, drawing on his role in the cadets and his membership of the legion.

He said: “Whitchurch doesn’t have a cadet group and Overton doesn’t have a British Legion, so it’s great in that respect. The kids will be able to parade the British Legion standard on Remembrance Day which will show a bit of togetherness between young and old.”