Cadets go over Drill manoeuvre

ARMY cadets want Oldham’s Drill Hall to be used as a multifunctional venue — which they can hire out.

The doors closed on 104 years of history in 2002 when the huge building in Rifle Street said farewell to the Army.

The red-brick centre was surplus to requirements after the Government’s 1998 defence review, despite being the home of the local volunteer forces since 1897.

Cadets, based close to the vacant site, say they would like to hire the main hall for their meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Chronicle reported how it was rumoured that the site may house a military-style school with zero-tolerance to bad behaviour.

SI Bernie Cummins, who runs the cadets, said: “We need somewhere bigger — our building is very claustrophobic. I wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”