The NCOs	The family

12 - 15 March - Belgium

The 14th visit to Poperinge saw 32 cadets and 5 staff board the coach in the early hours of Friday morning. After a stop at the motorway services where some of the staff were pleased to see a full English breakfast on offer after the disappointment of last year. Arriving early at the Chunnel we boarded the train expecting a quick ride but not to be. There was a problem with the train and we sat for over an hour waiting for movement.
Driving into Belgium we came on snag number 2. Our guide had learned of road works in Kemmel and had an alternative route planned but that proved impassable as the roadworks extended out to Westoutre. Eventually arrived at De Lork and there was a flurry of unpacking, band practice and lunch before setting off on a couple of cemetery visits. Evening meal in Poperinge was as tasty as ever then snag number 3 - the police escort for the Sunset Ceremony outside Talbot House were 30 minutes late arriving and then only after a phone call.

Panic began to set in as we thought we would be late for the Menin Gate, but we arrived in time.

 

Marching off after Sunset at Talbot House	Playing in the Menin Gate

 

Saturday included visits to Arras, the grave of Albert Ball VC and Vimy Ridge. While the cadets had lunch in Arras the staff went to the zoo the check on the local girafes.

 

Cpl Parks at Flying Memorial to the Missing	Cdt Nichols at Albert Ball Grave

Saturday night saw snag 4 - the coach suffered a broken window, fortunately the drivers, with the help of the De Lork staff were able to effect temporary repairs which meant we could continue with the trip.The disco was voted 'the best ever' by the cadets but this saw snag number 5 - the CO was bowled over by an enthusiastic cadet and fell heavily against a table suffering sever bruising and suspected cracked rib - but being the stalwart she is she carried on.
Sunday saw snag number 6 - yet more roadworks this time between Langemark and Poelcappelle which lost us an hour so the Zonnebeke museum had to be left. The Last Post was played at Tynecot as usual. The carnival in the afternoon was as much fun as ever although the cadets did seem to be more serious than usual.

Monday went relatively quietly, loads of 'special offer chocolate, but not the speakers on the top shelf! It was then last visit to Lijssenthoek and the Chunnel home arriving back at 1930, tired but another successful trip.

 

The group at the De Lork

26 March - CO Wins Top Award
Flight Lieutenant Valerie Smith Commanding Officer of 1084 (Market Harborough) was presented with the award for 'Hard Work and Determination' at the 'Pride in Harborough Awards evening held at the Three Swans Hotel on March 25th. The awards are supported by the Harborough Mail newspaper and Flt Lt Smith believed she had been shortlisted in only one category - 'People who Help Young People to Fulfil their Potential' so to win this category was an even a greater surprise to her.

Flt Lt Smith receiving the Award from Jill Hope, Company Secretary of Regent St Wrought Iron Works who sponsored this award category.

In announcing the award Mr Brian Dodds, editor of the Harborough Mail praised 'her hard work and determination which had helped hundreds of young people to fulfil their potential. Her determination and dedication enabled all the cadets that join 1084 squadron to have access to the best opportunities the ATC can offer. Flt Lt Smith has always encouraged cadets to grasp the chances that present themselves and follow them through to the highest standard they can achieve'.
Flt Lt Smith commented 'the real reward for me is that the cadets nominated me for this award, to win is the icing on the cake. I would like to thank my family and all the staff at the squadron without whose support I could not have won this award. 
 
27 March - Corps Champion
Cadet Pippa Ball became Corps Junior Girls Cross Country Champion at RAF Cranwell. Running against strong teams from all the other ATC Regions as well as teams from Lincolnshire and Nene Valley athletics clubs Pippa captained the Central & East Region team Junior Girls Team to victory as well a winning the individual race.

10 April - RNA Coffee Morning
Cpl Becky Tomlinson, together with Cadets Jason Dagley, Peter Wisher and James Hardman helped the RNA raise a record amount of money at their coffee morning. The cadets ran the tombola stall and the RNA wrote 'the cadets upheld the highest tradition of your Corps with their politeness, efficiency and smart turn out'

17 April - Armed Forces Coffee Morning
Sgts Chloe Finlay and Kirsty Dagley together with Cadets Pippa Ball, Alex Ball, and Peter Wisher, manned the tombola stall at the coffee morning organised by the Market Harborough Armed Forces Committee. The event was held to raise funds for the committee to help organise the towns Armed Forces Day to be held on July 4^th.

Cadets with local MP Edward Garnier

Carey Hallam
Sad to report that Carey Hallam died on 4 April aged 79. The funeral was held on 14 April at Smeeton Westerby and attended by representatives of the squadron.
Carey joined the squadron at the same time as myself in 1980 and will be well known to the older cadets as a civilian instructor teaching principles of flight. He continued as a CI until a few years ago when he transferred to the civilian committee.
Carey ran his own engineering business and specialised in the design of aircraft tow tugs. This work took him to many RAF Stations and as a private pilot he would often fly and take a cadet with him.
A man with a keen sense of humour, an infectious laugh and above all an indomitable spirit he will be sadly missed.

Gliding 

Top Gun Gliders Cdt Moore, Dagley, Tomlinson and Griffin

18 April AEF
10 cadets took to the skies at RAF Wyton for air experience flying, the highlight of every cadet's time with the ATC.

25 April Wing Band Contest
A day of mixed fortunes. The band won the fanfare and percussion sections, came equal first in the inspection but were runners up in arguably the main competition, the full band. Time to regroup and rebuild for next year.
During the day FS Sophie Weston was promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer.

The Band	Cpl Tomlinson collecting Percussion Certificate

Michael Standish Trophy for Fanfare	Now CWO Sophie Weston

27 April Fieldcraft Training
Fieldcraft training at the squadron. A night of general training including leadership tasks, a first aid scenario, orienteering and communications exercises.

Cdt Sarah Johnson negotiates the minefield	Sgt Dagley - not so injured then?

 9 May Wing Athletics.

22 May DofE Bronze Exped final practice.
11 cadets made up two teams for the final practice. A final chance to cement navigation and team work skills.

Team 1 forge on	Water stop for some of Team 2

28 May - 5 June Swynnerton Camp
Cadets attended the weeks 'green camp' at Swynnerton. Reports back said it was a very intensive week but great fun none the less.

 13 June DofE Exped
Two teams set off in glorious weather on the Bronze Exped. Loads varied from small to huge but everyone managed to complete the exped. No doubt kit will be carefully reviewed for the Silver Exped.

Team 1 lunch stop	Team 2 - it is this way

18-20 June Wing Activity Camp RAF Cottesmore.
10 cadets and three staff attended the weekend camp. A range of activities were made available but strong cross winds restricted gliding and the go karting was cancelled at the last minute. Despite this the cadets had a good time.

21 June Armed Forces Day Flag Raising
4 cadets represented the squadron at the District Councils flag raising ceremony to start the Armed Forces Week.

New Radios Arrived
The new radios purchased from a successful lottery grant arrived. They will prove a much needed boost to radio training on the squadron.

26 June Husbands Bosworth Armed Forces Day.
The band performed twice at the Husbands Bosworth event once again proving their prowess with two different sets of music.This was later covered in the County Royal British Legion Newsletter.

3 July Brixworth Carnival
The band led the parade at Brixworth for the first time. They later performed in the arena, accompanied by a Vulcan fly past - twice!!

Arena Display

 

4 July - Market Harborough Armed Forces Day
The band played 3 sets during the event, including a Sunset Ceremony to close the event. Crowds were not huge but the band certainly drew the people on the park to watch them play.

The Opening Ceremony	Sunset Ceremony

 16-18 July RIAT
This report was submitted to the ATC website by Cdt Callum Dilley 
The weekend was fantastic and one I won't forget in a hurry. From marching through the crowds playing my drum to seeing the latest planes soar amongst the clouds.
Day one was brilliant. I loved marching across the air show playing the tunes the band love to play and what the crowds love to hear. We spent many fun filled hours playing tune after tune seeing the sights and the RAF working at its best.
The day started off a bit cloudy and drizzled slightly but it didn't matter once we started playing. All the weather was forgotten, we were in 'band mode'.
At the end of the day we retired to our beds with the roar of the engines raging in our ears, eagerly awaiting day two, wondering if it could live up to the hype of the first day.
It did.
Day two arrived and the previous hours on the airfield were forgotten. It was an early morning but all sleepiness was shaken off our bodies as we marched. We travelled to the end of the base and played under the Vulcan.

 It was an amazing experience and I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life. But then it nearly got knocked off the top spot when we arrived at the arena to play for Britain's Got Talent's dance troop Flawless. It was great and at the end we got to meet them.

 Later in the day we found out that the new Commandant Air Commodore Cooper had watched some of our arena display and commented that she was impressed by the performance.
The day just seemed to get better and better. The music even sounded more professional because of it. When we got the opportunity to blast a drum solo we went for it, turning many heads in our direction. Cameras flashed and eyes gazed. It was a fantastic moment and I can't believe the weekend was as good as it was.
But it wasn't all playing music. We got the chance to explore the base and collect as many freebees as we could carry. We flashed our cameras and gazed to the skies collecting all the mementoes we could find to capture on film.
RIAT 2009: fantastic. RIAT 2010: absolutely magnificent.
More photos can be found in this Gallery 

4-7 August Lathkill Dale
The cadets had mixed times on this exped. Weather was quite wet at times and navigations skills needed a bit of refining but everyone enjoyed this different type of environment ranging from river valleys and gorges to relatively high ground.

The team take a rest	Water en route
Dark clouds loom - route check	Distant views

 More photos can be found in this Gallery

14-21 Aug Cosford Camp
For a change the CO wasn't camp commandant.11 cadets attended and had a fun packed week. Leadership exercise, visit to aerospace museum, Cadbury's World, ice skating, bowling, sports, including hockey where a new ace goalkeeper was discovered! Visits on base included Radio School, Engineering training school, and the range for shooting.

The Squadron before departure	Not the sleeping accomodation
Cdt Pippa Ball - Leap of Faith	Cdt Gibbs (on right) tops Jacob's Ladder

  More photos can be found in this Gallery

28-31 August Silver Exped
Mixed weather for the 3 day exped, strong winds on arrival at end of day 1 saw some difficulty in pitching tents and heavy overnight rain saw a wet and cold start to Day2. The weather cleared early afternoon in time for some terrific views over the valleys. Some 20 minutes after arriving back at camp a message was passed to the team from the assessor, the team couldn't understand how they could be seen until he was pointed out on the horizon waving from next to Nelsons Monument. The night was clear and opportunity was taken to lay back and watch the night sky with little light pollution. Stars, planets and shooting stars were all seen and will be remembered for a long time. Last day was warm and sunny and the weary group checked in on time at the end of a good exped.

4 September Coffee Morning & Church Fete
Cadets helped the Civilian Committee staff a stall at the Church Fete while others helped out at the Royal Naval Association coffee morning. 

Church Fete	RNA Coffee Morning

 5 September Region Field Day
Although the full band didn't qualify the squadron still had an interest with Fanfare and Percussion sections representing the Wing. The Percussion Section was runner up and the Fanfare Section was placed first. This means they will be returning to National Finals for the second consecutive year. 

Fanfare Section with Regional Commandant

 10 September Charity Ball
Some 68 guests attended the Annual Charity Ball held at MH Rugby Club on 10 September. The Ball is organised to raise money for cancer charities primarily to remember Cdt Cathy O'Neill and CI Michael 'Stan' Standish who died of cancer aged 17 and 23 respectively, but also, other friends and relatives who are no longer with us.
This year the Ball raised £1200 from ticket sales, raffle and auction. This brings the total raised by the Ball to over £7000 in the 4 years it has been held.
Flt Lt Standish commented 'although numbers were significantly lower than previous years the final amount raised was very pleasing and I would like to thank everyone for their support.
We are looking at some changes for next year to improve attendance and would welcome ideas as to how this can be achieved.
Next years Ball will be held on Saturday July 9th - please reserve the date now.

 

11 Sep Royal Logistic Medal Parade
 The band played for 160 Rgt RLC (TA) medal presentation parade.This was a first for the band and there is no doubt that everyone was very nervous. The nerves increased as the practices didn't all go quite as planned and then the parade was put back an hour. However 'cometh the hour cometh the band' and when the parade started the beat was strong and everyone in step, a fine sight indeed. The band played a selection of tunes during the inspection perhaps the highlight was the trumpets rendition of Amazing Grace, particularly the solo trumpet played by CWO Weston.

The Parade marches off	The band follows behind

 

19 September Battle of Britain Parade
As always the squadron supported the local RAFA in remembering the Battle of Britain. The band once again led the parade and cadets took part in readings during the service.

New Extension
After several months of delay the squadron were finally allowed into the new extension. This is the previously open space between the 2 buildings which has been roofed and provided with roller shutter doors. This will provide much needed additional space which will be much used for band practices amongst other things.

9 Oct RNA Coffee Morning
The cadets once again helped the RNA at their coffee morning

27 October Halloween
The traditional Halloween festivities took place with some slight twist to the games.

 

29 - 31 October JLW
Some 30 cadets and staff once more descended on John's Lee Wood for the T Flight and Cadet Development Camp. Unfortunately no climbing was available this year but the cadets enjoyed archery, a caving experience, leadership exercises, sports and map reading. The disco on the Saturday night was a huge success and on the Sunday the cadets were able to put into practice the map reading and leadership skills they learnt the previous day.

 

The Cadets	Lead Ex - build a rocket launcher
Budding Maid Marions?	Never be skylined! Sunday Walk

 

30 October Poppy Appeal Launch
After several months The squadron helped the local branch of the RBL launch ther Poppy Appeal. Together with the ACF the cadets delivered collecting tins to local shops in a specially designed shopping trolley designed by CI Neil Barwick (pictures of the shopping trolley below). The trolley caught the eye of the public and drew many favourable comments

 

 

November 6 De Montfort Hall Festival of Remembrance
The cadets once again helped at the Festival of Remembrance at the De Montfort Hall. They sold poppies and flags and distributed programmes and escorted the VIPs to their seats. Their smartness and enthusiasm drew many favourable comments during the evening, and they joined in the singing and flag waving with great enthusiasm!

12 November Dining In Night
The guest of honour was Cllr Rosita Page, Chairman of Harborough District Council. She presented the awards and commented how proud she had been of the cadets at the Festival of Remembrance held the previous week.
Award winners were - Cdt Jason Dagley (Cadet of the year), Cdt Callum Dilley (Runner up cadet of the year), CWO Sophie Weston (CO's special award), Cpl Tom Barwick (aircraft recognition) Cdt Tyler Moore (Best attendance and Bob Eastwood Endeavour Shield) Cdt Theo Mast (best exam results) Cpl Becky Tomlinson (Bandsperson of the year)FS Joe Tomlinson (Bands person in Belgium), Cdts Pippa Ball (Sportsperson) Cdt Alex Boiardi (Best new Cadet), Cdt Daisy Dear and James Hardman (Best shots). Best Flight - Red flight, Interflight drill - Blue Flight.

The Award winners with Cllr Page

 

14 November Remembrance Parades
The band had a busy Remembrance Day, firstly leading the parade in Market Harborough and then dashing across to Oakham to lead their parade in the afternoon. 

Oakham Parade

 

December 5 Corps Band Championships
The Fanfare section was to take part in this contest but it was postponed due to the snow. Hopefully it will be re-arranged early next year but unfortunately the section will be missing one of the better players who will have 'aged out' by then.

December 10 -12 -Dalehead (or more accurately Castleton!)
After much 'can we can't we' we got the nod for us to do our annual Christmas Walk at the discretion of the Team Leader. As is happened the snow had all but disappeared when we arrived at our base in Castleton, we couldn't use Dalehead this year as it was still undergoing some refurbishment. The new centre was very good, especially the Boss's en suite room and the kitchen! but lacked the cosy warmth of Dalehead.
The walks were undertaken in reasonable weather with only the odd patch of snow left on the ground although the strong winds on Day 1 proved tricky at times. As we had not used these routes before some map reading was required by all concerned.
The party games on Saturday proved a success once again with several hilarious moments, and the Christmas dinner was voted the best yet, Thanks Boss and Mrs Osborne.

Mam Tor from near Hope	One of the few snow patches
Checking the Route - not normally needed!	A babbling brook - but no paddling

 

December 10 Late Night Shopping
Some cadets who were not able to make Edale helped the Civilian Committee at the Harborough Late Night Shopping, not only helping to raise £100 for the squadron but also the profile of the squadron.

Dec 10 - 12 Christmas Tree
The local Church organised for the first time a Christmas Tree decoration event to enable local charities to show their decoration skills and raise some funds. This took place over the Late Night Shopping event. The Squadron entered its tree designed by CI Neil Barwick and were awarded first prize.

 

The Tree, note the hand built model aircraft,