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65 (Bridgwater and District) Squadron have brought out a brand new Squadron web site
- www.65sqnatc.co.uk -
Have a look, they update it monthly and hope to add photos, a comments page and on top of that, they are adding their Squadron movie later in the year.
A member of the Squadron described it as " All exciting and an insight for squadrons who don't have a website but are thinking about it."
As part of an on going project Cadets from 2469 Exeter St Thomas Squadron Air Training Corps visited the war graves at Alphington Parish Church this remembrance Sunday. The Cadets regularly tend the War Graves in the Church five from the First World War and two from The Second World War, keeping them clean and cutting the grass around them.
The Cadets placed wooden poppy crosses on each of the graves on remembrance Sunday before joining veterans from Alphington Royal British Legion to march through the village to the Church to observe the two minutes silence and attend the Remembrance Day service.
The Cadets originally took on the project as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award but have carried on looking after the graves, it’s a great reminder to a younger generation of the sacrifices made by today’s older generation who at the time where not much older than many of the Cadets themselves today.
There seems to be a re-occuring trend with activities organised by 2469 (Exeter St Thomas) Sqn, of Rain, Thunder and lightning. This trend was continued when cadets from Devon and Somerset and Bristol and Gloucester wing took part in a multi activity weekend on Dartmoor recently. Unfortunately the forecast for the weekend wasn’t good but the weather wasn’t going to stop play! The Saturday was however dry but with strong winds and cadets took part in both mountain biking on Dartmoor and Rock Climbing at Sheep’s Tor. That night however it didn’t just rain, it poured and there were strong winds, thunder and lightning as well just to top it off. Not the best weather for camping and needless to say not much sleep was had that night by anyone. However, as morning came the weather brightened and after a bacon sandwich to start the day the cadets undertook a day of walking and Kayaking.
A good weekend was had by all and will be repeated next year! With thanks to all the staff involved without whom the weekend could not have happened.
Cadets and staff from 41F (Taunton) Squadron have just returned from their annual Adventure Training Camp held at Fremington Camp, near Barnstaple North Devon. During the week the cadets get the opportunity to take part in climbing, ’22 and L98 shooting, Orienteering, a Night Exercise on Braunton Burrows and a formal Dining-In Night.
The cadets had a fantastic week and fortunately the weather held off to be quite fine and dry. Several cadets on the camp achieved their squadron marksmanship badge. The week is a continual competition where the cadets are judged on all of the activities they take part in, including on the final night a fancy dress party.
During the week the cadets dress in their formal attire to attend the camp dining-in Night, which was held in the officers mess on the camp. Any free time that the staff had was spent ‘setting up’ the officers mess before Wednesday and training the cadets on mess etiquette. It was an excellent night, attended by the squadron civilian committee and several parents who have assisted the squadron. The cadets really enjoyed themselves particularly with the post dinner disco, where drill came into practice with the whole squadron dancing to Macarena!
At the start of the week the cadets spend the day learning 2 ‘trades’ in depth, this could be anything from Navigation or leadership to marksman or Field Skills. This allows cadets to broaden their knowledge of different activities and the NICO’s to develop their own leadership skills. The week as a whole develops team work, both within the smaller teams and the whole squadron. It is an excellent opportunity for the variety of young people from the squadron to develop as young adults and leaders of the future.
Although it was a very tiring week a great time was had by all. I would have said that sleep was on the menu for all for the weekend, however 15 cadets still managed to find some energy to take part in the Inter-Squadron Cross Country championships at Tiverton on Sunday the 29th, 9 of those cadets are through to represent Devon and Somerset Wing.
Staff and cadets from 1079 (Tiverton) Squadron ATC formed the guard of honour for a memorial service to remember the lives of two airmen who died in a No 3 Sqn Canberra which crashed 45 years ago.
The pilot, Flt Lt Roger Moore (29) and navigator Fg Off Martin Archard (23) were on a routine training exercise over Devon, flying from Germany on the 21 Nov 1961, when the aircraft reported a engine fire at altitude over Tiverton. Exact details are not known but it is believed that rather than safely eject, the two airmen directed the aircraft away from the residential area of Tiverton saving many lives and crashing into the canal close to Manley Bridge, sadly losing their lives. The remains of the wreckage was discovered during a dredging operation to clear the canal in 2003.
The service of rememberance and the unveiling of a memorial stone was attended by the widows and families of the two heroic men. Mrs Jacqueline Moore attended with her 3 children, Elaine, Gisele and Neil (who was only 5 weeks old at the time) and the widow of Fg Off Archard, Mrs Lise Peat and her daughter Kirsten, with whom she was heavily pregnant when the tragedy occurred. Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Steer, Group Captain Penny, who worked with both men and was Duty Officer on the night of the crash and the researcher who investigated the wreckage, Mr Gary Lewis from the South West Aviation Historical Society also attended.
As a mark of respect two Typhoons from No 3 Sqn provided a fly over, this was the first time the Typhoon has been seen in Devon and was a fitting tribute to the two heroic aircrew.
No 1955 (City of Wells) Squadron Air Training Corps has recently held its annual presentation evening. The guest of honour was the Mayor of the City, Mr Simon Davies. Various awards and presentations were given to the Cadets of the Squadron by the Mayor and Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, Officer Commanding Devon and Somerset Wing of the Air Cadets.
Following a speech by the Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant John Heath, the assembled guests and visitors were able to hear from the Cadets about the activities they had participated in during the year. These included the Squadron winning the Somerset Inter-Cadet Services competition held at Norton Manor Camp near Taunton; sailing and annual camp.
The Air Training Corps’ motto is "Venture Adventure". Wells Air Cadets fly and glide regularly and have recently hosted a group of Canadian Cadets who stayed in the city.
The Mayor was able to talk with the Cadets and praised the professionalism of the Squadron who perform many community duties in Wells throughout the year.
Wing Commander Wills-Pope said "Wells Squadron is a real team effort, the hard work of the staff and Civilian Committee, coupled with the enthusiasm of the Cadets is a winning formula".
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