Students learn it from the Marines!

STUDENTS in Warrington learned about life in the Royal Marines – straight from the Marines themselves.
Members of the Marines Visibility Team visited Priestley College to put public services students through their paces.
The team included soldiers who have served in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Priestley has close links with all the armed forces and public services.
And the Marines were keen to show the students a glimpse of what they could expect if they joined one of the world’s most famous fighting forces.
After three days on campus working with the students on a range of activities, the group hit the Loushers Lane playing fields to take part in some hands-on training.
Students looked at equipment and rationing, self defence skills, team work and a session where they were actively involved in physical training.
Having taken part in a similar session last year as well as a residential with the Marines, former student Darren Cash, has just completed his entry tests at the Marine Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon and will begin a 32-week training programme in November.
Course co-ordinator at Priestley, Colin Whittaker, said, “There can be no better experience for our students than to come face to face with servicemen from the Royal Marines.
“There are a fair few of our new students who have shown the aptitude and ambition to join up in the future and for them it was a look at what they may expect.
“We have seen a real upsurge in interest this year in the popularity of public service courses at Priestley and are currently planning a range of other events and activities with our partners including the police, fire and paramedic services and The Royal Navy.”
Pictures show (top) student Mike Littler being kitted out by Lance Corporal Steve Riley and (lower picture) students taking part in exercises to test their mental strength and balance.