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Air Training Corps Cadets from 2381 (Ilminster) Squadron took to the bright blue skies over the North Devon coast last Saturday.
Cadets William Newman (13), Ryan Jones (13), Jo Dymel (16) and Kirsten Manning (14), all students at Holyrood Community School each had a flight of approximately 45 minutes, qualifying them for their Gliding induction Course (GIC) stages 1 and 2 awards.
They flew in the 'Vigilant' self launched glider with 624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) based at the Royal Marine Barracks, Chivenor.
Comments on their return included 'wicked' and 'cool'! The Air Training Corps is the only youth organisation where you can legally learn how to fly solo in an aircraft, before you are allowed to learn to drive. Scholarships in both gliders and powered aircraft are available from age 16yrs
Teignmouth recently saw Air Cadets returning to the town with 1322 Detached Flight starting up in late 2006 and going from strength to strength offering young people aged 13 to 20 the chance to get involved in a whole host of opportunities.
Recently the Squadron enrolled its first group of cadets into the unit with them making history as the first Cadets to be part of 1322 Teignmouth Detached Flight.
To mark the occasion the unit held an open night for proud parents and family to give them an insight to what their young people get up to. Plus members of the local branch of The Royal Air Force Association who helped get the unit up and running, Also attending was the Towns Mayor Councillor Geoff Bladon a former serving member of The RAF Regiment he told the Cadets how please he was to see Air Cadets back in the town and wished them well in all they strive to achieve and hoped that more young people in the town will come and see what is on offer and that the unit will go from strength to strength.
You will no doubt remember, how sadly in 2005, Lloyd Fouracre was brutally murdered on his way home from a party, just a day before his 18th birthday.
The ‘Campaign for Lloyd’ to raise the awareness of violence on the streets of Taunton, and the need to increase the number of policemen patrolling the streets, was a great success.
In memory of Lloyd, we are going to cycle the famous end to end; John O Groats to Lands End on a tandem. We are doing this in the aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. We will not be able to make the streets safer, or provide more police for patrols and we will not be able to bring Lloyd back but hopefully we will raise lots of money for a worthy cause. Not only will this be a perfect way to remember the great friend we once had, it will all be in aid of a local charity - and who knows when they might need it!
You can donate on our webpage http://www.justgiving.com/end2end4lloyd or send either of us an email.
Please support us and help us try to make a difference!
Adam Cunningham and Charlotte Boobyer
CWO Gemma Portsmouth has received the NSRA Marksman Badge for Shooting.
We believe she is only one of six ATC cadets throughout the UK to receive this badge and as far as we know the only one in the South West Region.
Gemma has been with the Squadron for 3 ½ years and in the last couple has been very keen to improve her shooting.
She is part of the 1013 Sqn shooting Team although will have to finish in May this year retirement from old age.
Gemma was presented with her badge at the 1013 Sqn Dining In night in by Wing Commander B Wills-Pope M.B.E.
The year 2006 was a very busy year for 1322 (Newton Abbot) Sqn. As a Sqn, 1322 have taken part in many activities throughout the year ranging from annual camps and flying, to Ten Tors and the Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
To commemorate the achievements of 2006, the Squadron president, the Mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Daphne Watts, Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope MBE, Sqn Ldr Terry Ancell, Sqn trustees and members of the Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Association joined the members of 1322 and their families for the Sqn’s annual presentation evening.
The event was held on ATC Sunday, 4th February. After a busy year, the activities of each individual cadet were considered and specific awards which were presented to the winning cadets on the night. As well as the awards two cadets were promoted to Corporal and one Corporal was promoted to Sergeant.
The awards and presentations were followed by a draw and time to socialise in which everyone was able to reflect on the past years success and look forward to another successful year for 1322 Newton Abbot Sqn.
The Exeter Branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) has presented a plaque to 13 (City of Exeter) Squadron Air Training Corps in recognition of the units help over the last 14 years.
The presentation, by Exeter RAFA president Paul Bennett is in recognition of the Wyvern Barracks based Squadron’s assistance with the annual "Wings Appeal" every year since the Squadron reformed in 1992, both with door-to-door fundraising and more recently collecting in the City centre.
A large proportion of RAFA’s (which provides comradeship, welfare and care for current and former members of the RAF) income comes from the annual Battle of Britain Wings Appeal, which is held each September, with the focal point being Battle of Britain Sunday (16th September 2007). Nationally the Wings Appeal raised more than £2 million last year.
Deputy Squadron Commander Chris Power said "Much of RAFA’s fundraising directly benefits ex-RAF members from Second World War, the vast majority of which were former Air Cadets, It therefore seems particularly fitting that the current generation of Cadets are able to help towards the veterans welfare".
Held at the Bath & West Showground on the weekend of the 24/25th February 2007
The weekend was organised by A/Sgt Nick Tolson of 2277 (Castle Cary & Wincanton) Sqn, after discussions within the Sqn with Cdt Sgt Sam Tolson and CWO Alex Cairns. The two cadets spend many hours putting together the moves on a powerpoint presentation and trying them out on the rest of the squadron cadets in the weeks before the taster weekend. A/Sgt Nick Tolson took the idea to a meeting of the Northern Alliance, carried out risk assessments and got the green light to go ahead.
At 09.30 the cadets started to arrive, with a final number of 20 participating in the whole weekend. From the beginning the Cadets were thrown in at the deep end improving their basic drill moves with Drill Instructor A/Sgt G Thomas from 722 (Chivenor) Sqn who was there to ensure that the cadets were brought up to a good standard of drill before they began to learn the special continuity drill moves. The cadets were introduced to rifle drill by Flt Lt Hamlen of 2282 (Somer) Sqn and A/Sgt Tolson. As most of the cadets were young in service and had never trained in continuity or rifle drill it was to their credit that they quickly grasped the basics and were enthusiastic in learning the new techniques. With the assistance of A/Sgt A Tolson and A/Sgt M White both of 914 (Glastonbury) Sqn the cadets were finally ready to give a demonstration to parents, family and friends on the Sunday afternoon.
Wing Commander Wills-Pope inspected the cadets and watched the continuity and rifle drill demonstration on Sunday afternoon in the presence of some 50 parents and friends. The cadets were particularly smart having spent many hours preparing their kit and wearing white belts and gloves. The drill demonstration lasted 30 minutes and judging by the applause at the end it impressed and pleased the people watching.
More photos from the weekend can be found in out Photos Archives section, here.
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