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Cadets and staff from 1955 (City of Wells) Squadron Air Training Corps have spent the first week of June on set filming for the new upcoming big screen comedy "Hot Fuzz" starring "Shaun of the Dead" star Simon Pegg.
Six cadets and two staff were offered a rare chance to become extras on set and spend three days mingling with actors and film crew, and were cast as members of 1955 (Sandford) Sqn Air Cadets.
For six weeks the city of Wells was transformed into the village of Sandford as part of the plot which sees the lead character catapulted from London to a sleepy village police station in Gloucester.
The squadron cadets and staff were tasked with running a local fete stall as part of scenes in the fictitious village of Sandford. They saw first hand how much work goes into producing a few minutes of finished film.
Best of all they rubbed shoulders with celebrity actors including Nick Frost, (a former air cadet) Timothy Dalton, Jim Broadbent, Edward Woodward and Kenneth Cranham. The film is due for release in summer 2007.
On the film set: cadets rubbing shoulders with cast and crew: (left to right) Cadet Corporal’s Ed Exell, Jake Stone, Rob Carter,(Simon Pegg) Cadet Sergeant Holly Blackburn and Cadet Pete Tolley.
No. 2277 (Castle Cary) Squadron Air Training Corps has recently said goodbye to its long serving Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Dave Rogers.
The Squadron held a parade in honour of his service to the unit and the new Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Ros Wilkins presented a Squadron Shield to the outgoing CO on behalf of the Cadets and Civilian Committee.
Dave joined the Royal Air Force in 1964. During the conflict with Indonesia, Dave was part of a team providing low-level radar cover for RAF Butterworth in Malaysia, working with the Royal Australian Air Force from a forward unit at Chang Kat. Dave recalls that the Australians were using F86 a Super Sabres as fighter cover.
The Indonesian conflict ended in 1966, on his return to the UK he was posted to RAF Bawdsey, undertaking the training of fighter controllers and preparing air defence exercises.
On leaving the RAF, Dave continued in an aviation environment working for Westlands in Yeovil. On completion of his reserve commitment, he joined the Royal Observer Corps obtaining the rank of Crew Officer at HQ 9 Group in Yeovil.
The ROC was stood down from duty in 1991 and Dave joined the Air Training Corps as a Civilian Instructor at No. 1031 (Yeovil) Squadron. Commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve he served as Squadron Adjutant until 1998 when he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and took command of No. 2277 (Castle Cary) Squadron.
“I have been privileged to be able to work with so many enthusiastic youngsters at the Squadron” said Flight Lieutenant Rogers who was Camp Commandant for some ninety Air Cadets at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in 2005.
Although retiring from uniformed service with the Air Training Corps, Dave has taken over the chairmanship of Yeovil Squadron’s Civilian Committee. Dave was able to share many happy memories with colleagues at a Wing Dinner held at Bentley Priory the former HQ of RAF Fighter Command.
Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, Commanding Officer of Devon and Somerset Wing said “We all wish Dave the best of luck in his new role at Yeovil Squadron, he has given forty-two years of sterling service in RAF uniform and we are very proud of him”.
Squadron Leader John Parsons, Staff Officer for Devon and Somerset Wing recently visited No. 1182 (Shepton Mallet) Squadron of the Air Training Corps at its Head Quarters in Drill Hall Lane.
Whilst at the Squadron presentations of certificates were made to some of the Cadets in respect of passing exams and also Gliding Training. Shepton Mallet’s Air Cadets glide and fly regularly following a structured syllabus that can eventually lead to a solo flight before they are old enough to hold a driving licence! Air Cadets also receive training in navigation, radio procedure and first aid to name but some of the subjects on offer.
“Flying is always the favourite activity of our Cadets,” said Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Dave Rolfe. “We also have a strong emphasis on leadership, citizenship and teamwork. Cadets also enjoy night exercises, shooting and adventure training.” Shepton’s Air Cadets parade on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 1930 to 2130 hours. At present, the Squadron is recruiting and has vacancies for ten more Cadets.
The Devon and Somerset Wing of the Air Training Corps was recently represented at the Army Cadet Forces South West area First Aid Competition held at the Tilshead Cadet Training Centre in Wiltshire.
The team comprised of Cadet Sergeant Sam Tolson and Cadet Holly Newall of No. 2277 (Castle Cary) Squadron; and Cadet Corporal Anna Carpenter and Cadet John Parry of No. 2282 (Midsomer Norton) Squadron.
Eight ACF and three CCF teams were also competing. The Devon and Somerset team received full marks for efficiency and teamwork.
The ATC came first in their group and Cadet Corporal Anna Carpenter received an individual gold medal. ACF staff commented on how smart the ATC team were when they marched out to receive their medals.
The Devon and Somerset Wing team, trained by Adult Sergeants Nick and Alison Tolson will be attending Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in October for the national finals of the ACF First Aid Competition.
Staff from all over Devon & Somerset Wing recently attended the annual Wing Dinner at Bentley Priory.
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