Jan - Feb
Results from last year were reported as
First Aid
14 Young Life saver Awards
Exams
13 passed Leading cadet
3 Passed senior
5 passed Staff Pt 1
2 Passed Staff pt 2
Shooting
6 Sqn marksmen
DofE
7 Bronze
6 Silver
Radio
23 Provisional radio certificates
Flying
46 AEF flights
1 Flying Scholarship
8 Gliding Induction
2 Gliding Scholarships
1 Parachute Course
Sports
2 Triple Blues
2 Wing Blues
The year started with the Top Gun evening enjoyed by all.
An inter flight quiz saw Red Flight triumph with an average score of 20 compared to Blue Flights 18.
ATC Sunday saw the squadron parade to Little Bowden Church in a strong breeze and a church with no heating.
Feb 29 - Mar 3
The band returned to
The Sunset Ceremony in Poperinge was carried out in strong winds and driving rain and conditions were little better for the Last Post ceremony in
The band led the Lutterworth RBL to the Gate and then entertained the large crowd prior to the Last Post being played by the Ypres Firemen.
FS Tomlinson laid the squadron wreath; other wreaths were laid by Flt Lt Standish, Flt Lt Munns and Cllr Callis.
The Last Post at Tynecot was followed by a wreath laying by Cllr Callis and Mr Franky Bryon 1st Alderman of Zonnebeke.
Fortunately the weather improved and although there were strong winds it stayed dry for the battlefield visits and the Carnival. Once again the carnival proved to be great fun although the disco on the Saturday night proved less enjoyable for a lot of the cadets.
Overall though the weekend was a great success and the accommodation has already been booked for next year.
29 Mar - 5 Apr RAF Lyneham Apr 11- 13 Johns Lee Wood Training for the NNAS Bronze Award was nearly completed and we look forward to the assessment in the next few months. Some photos below. The new Beatles Medley went down well and obviously the band enjoyed playing it. Apr 25 RAF Wittering 90th Anniversary Celebrations The band received a warm round of applause after their performance.
The band diplays before the members and guests of WO & Sgts Mess Apr 26/7 Potential NCO Course The course was run by Flt Lt Standish with the assistance of Instructor Cdt FS Tomlinson and FS (ATC) Smith and covered the role of a JNCO, drill theory and practical, functional leadership, how to get things done, communications, discipline and cadet welfare.
Syndicate discussion during the course All cadets said the course had met their expectations and that they had enjoyed it. Apr 30 Annual Inspection
Wg Cdr Dickinson arrives Talking to the cadets The Wing Commander talked to may of the cadets and expressed his surprise that so many of the band did not have any musical interest before joining the squadron and were ‘self taught’. He also was told by many cadets that they really enjoyed the band (well they would say that with the Boss listening in) and
Band plays General Salute Certificates were presented to newly appointed CIs, Messrs Prince, Woollam and Barwick. The results of the Auster Trophy saw the squadron again placed 6th in the Wing. The squadron continues its record of top ten placings in this competition. May 18 Wing Athletics Rob Edwards was promoted to Flight Sergeant and Cadets Kirstin Dagley, Chloe Finlay, Peter Taylor, Joe Parks and Bronya Griffin promoted to Corporal. The weather was generally good although on the Saturday the team watched as a heavy squall swept towards them down the June 21 Wing Field Day FS Sam Tomlinson was successful in his interview for the post of Cadet Warrant Officer and was presented with his new ranks slides at the final parade. July 15 Flt Lt Neil Liquorish Neil was CO of Birstall and latterly Wigston Squadron but was a great friend to the staff and many cadets through his association with the Squadron particularly on Neil had a terrific rapport with the cadets and looked upon the band as his own, in particular taking great interest in their performances at July 15 CO Goes to see the Queen Aug 6-9 Lathkill Dale Camping Everyone enjoyed the trip and the walks, which although not climbing to great heights, produced some stunning scenery and social history interest. Aug 13 Promotions Aug 21 The 'Old Man' has been granted a further 2 years extension of uniformed service.
A great week was had by all. Despite some hiccups eg no AEF flying, all cadets who could fly did so either in a Hercules or in a glider. Unfortunately one of the cadets was ill on the day and had to miss the Herc flight.Two cadets gained their GIC1 course on winch launched gliders.
Other activities included shooting, section visits, of which the police dogs was amongst the favourites, a really good night exercise, sports and a half day nav ex. A visit was included to the Naval Air Museum at Yeovilton and it was here that the 'Old Man' was seen in his original uniform (see the Cool Wall for photo).
Below are some photos from the camp.
Although the weather on Saturday wasn't too good and we had to do some of the activities inside 25 cadets (and staff) enjoyed the weekend. Climbing, abseiling and the caving experience proved popular as always and the DofE practice was very succesfull.
The band was asked to play for the WO & Sgts Mess 90th Anniversary Celebrations of the formation of the Royal Air Force.
The band played a Fanfare to announce the start of the evening celebrations and then performed a short musical and marching display before ending with a Sunset Ceremony and the National Anthem.
7 Cadets assembled at the Squadron HQ wondering what was in store for them during the weekend training to assist them in the role of Corporal should they be promoted. This course is a pre requisite for all cadets before they will be considered for promotion.
The Squadron was inspected by Wing Commander Dickinson. Fortunately the rain stopped and a full parade was possible with 37 cadets taking part.
Flt Lt Standish received his 2nd Clasp for the Cadet Force Medal to recognise his 24 years uniformed service.
The Squadron recorded one of its best results in many years coming 4th overall. Cpl Tomlinson, Cdts Edgar, Hickey and Smith are selected for the Wing team.
June 11Changes to NCO Team
CWO Lauren Bickley ‘aged out’ and has now become a Civilian Instructor.
June 13-15 Edale
13 cadets and 4 staff went on a camping/walking weekend in Edale. Arriving at Coopers Farm on Friday evening the group walked the hills above Ladybower Reservoir on Saturday and on Sunday walked the edge of Kinder from Ringing Roger to Grindsbrook Knoll.
The Squadron confirmed its position as one of the top 10 squadrons in the South & East Midlands Wing at the recent Wing Field Day held at RAF Wittering.
With top ten places in five of the eight events, (drill - ninth, aircraft recognition - seventh, station familiarisation exercise – second, model diorama – second and media communications – fourth) the squadron achieved seven place overall.
This allied to its sixth place in the Auster Trophy (for the most effective squadron in the Wing) confirmed its place as one of the best squadrons in the 28 squadron Wing.
Flight Lieutenant Valerie Smith, commented “naturally I am very pleased with these results and proud of what the cadets have achieved. To obtain these results the cadets have worked very hard over the last year and they deserve their success".
"I would also like to praise the squadron staff who willingly give up their free time to train the cadets. Without their support none of these results would have been possible”
Disappointing results were recorded in Shooting - 20th place. 1st Aid - 18th place and Leadership -17th place.
I am sorry to have to record the passing of Flt Lt Neil Liquorish RAFVR(T) Rtd.
Neil died on Tuesday 15 July after a long battle against cancer.
His sense of humour was legendary and every cadet (and member of staff) will have their own stories to tell in this respect.
One of the early
The 'court martial' over Claire's k******s is best not detailed here, but it was taken in good part. One thing Neil never got to grips was gargling a song, as those who went to Edale can testify.
He was highly organised, there was place for everything and everything had to be in its place. He could often be seen tightening up loose screws in doors and oiling squeaky hinges so everything worked perfectly.
He had a lot of patience with the cadets, perhaps typified by his response to a question from a cadet who stood alongside him at his Grandfathers WW1 grave in
But Neil had more than a good sense of humour. You ignored his advice at your peril, not that he would be critical if you did, but simply that his advice was invariably correct.
He knew more walking routes than most and rarely needed a map, if he carried one in his little 'diddy bag' it always seemed to be of
He also enjoyed messing about in boats and took many cadet parties on the Norfolk Broads, indeed only a week or so before he died he took a group for what proved to be his last trip.
His memory and legacy will live on for many years in the hearts and minds of the people who knew and loved him; he set standards that most of us can only dream of aspiring to.
Neil's Photo Album
On 15 July Flt Lt Valerie Smith attended a Garden Party at
Once inside it was a stroll round the gardens, taking in the relative silence considering it was the middle of
Time then for the 'cucumber sandwiches' (they do cut the crusts off and make them into triangles) before joining the lanes down which the Royal parties walk. The CO found herself in the lane for the Duke of Edinburgh but he obviously didn't see the Boss as he didn't pause to speak.
Afterwards more food and ice cream, listening to the two bands, chatting to other guests before forming a lane for the Royal party to leave the grounds. A close up view of the Queen and virtually all the Royal Family before everyone left for home.
The CO described the day "a brilliant experience. Walking across the courtyard both on entering and leaving the Palace makes you feel a million dollars. The whole day was an experience I shall never forget marred only by the sad news we received as we drove home that Flt Lt Liquorish had died"
8 cadets, the Boss and Flt Lt Standish enjoyed a four day camping/walking trip to the Derbyshire Dales. Arriving about 4pm on Wednesday 6 Aug tents were soon pitched and dinner eaten and routes for tomorrows walk sorted out.
The first days walk included most of Lathkill Dale and Bradford Dale while Friday saw them tackle Cressbrook Dale, Monsal Dale, Millers Dale and Tideswell Dale. The weather for both these days was warm and sunny but conditions changed for Saturday's final walk which was to cover the top end of Lathkill Dale and Ricklow Dale. Soon after setting out it started to rain and it rained heavily for the whole walk. Arriving back at the camp site it was still raining and the wind was gusting quite strongly. Time to get the tents down, probably the first time most had done this in these conditions, good practice though!
As well as walking the cadets enjoyed impromptu sports and fending off the
Cpls Joe Tomlinson, Conor Monk and Sophie Weston promoted to Sergeant.
Sgt Prince returns from her SNCO Course at RAF Cranwell having passed it with flying colours.
Aug 23-5
The Silver D of E team completed their 3 day exped over the Bank Holiday. They did well during the exped, not getting 'misplaced' too often and mainly sticking to the times. They have to submit their reports and wait to see if they achieved a high enough standard to pass.