Norfolk & Suffolk Wing :: Squadron Tastes Success

The service, conducted by the Squadron Chaplain, Peter Utting, by kind permission of the Revd Katherine Valentine, was once again combined with the formal enrolment of the squadrons’ newest cadets. Family and friends were welcomed along to celebrate Christmas, receive the new recruits into the squadron, and to witness the promotions of Cadet Corporals Snowden and Mothersole to the rank of Cadet Sergeant.

The service brought with it the true meaning of christmas, and was followed by warming refreshments on the cold, wintry night. The congregation left with high hopes for the year to come, and the ten newly enrolled cadets, Cadets Danielle Bonnelykke, Jack Collier, Christopher Gwatkin, Robert Hall, Megan Hood, Georgia MacDonald, Anastasia Oakey, Harvey Pearson, Kieran Smith, and Ellesha Swain, as part of a high flying youth organisation.

LOCAL ATC SQUADRON AWARDED BT COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS GRANT

Local group, 432 (Woodbridge) Squadron Air Training Corps, has been awarded £420 by the BT Community Champions award scheme thanks to the voluntary work of Rob Spindley, a BT employee. Run by the BT Volunteering team, BT Community Champions awards BT people with funding on behalf of local community groups, charities and organisations where they work on a voluntary basis.

Following the second review in 2011, funding has been allocated to a variety of groups who demonstrated how the award would make a difference to their group and benefit their local community. Woodbridge Sqn is one of hundreds that applied for an award during this review of the scheme and impressed judges with how they would use their grant.

The group plans to use its £420 award to purchase Archery and Adventure Training equipment, Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Simon Turner said: “We are very pleased with our BT Community Champions award which will help us introduce Archery as a new activity for the cadets and purchase additional equipment for our adventure training activities”.

Rob Spindley, a Network Designer with BT Innovate and Design who applied for the award on behalf of the group, added: “Myself and 2 colleagues in BTID have been volunteering at Woodbridge for between 6 months and 3 years helping with the many activities the Squadron offers to young people.”

“The BT Community Champions award scheme provides a great opportunity for community groups like ours – every contribution makes a difference. The new equipment will have a significant impact on the activities run by the squadron. It is very positive that BT recognises the voluntary work of its people and supports the organisations they help with in this way”

A Glittering Affair

This year 42F (King's Lynn) Squadron combined it's usually separate Dining-In Night and Presentation of Awards Ceremonies which are now by tradition always held in the town's historic Town Hall.

On Monday 21st November one hundred and twenty people, Squadron members and guests, who included parents, the Borough Mayor, 'Founder' members of the Squadron, representatives of RAF Marham and the Royal Estate at Sandringham, were greeted in the 15th century Stone Hall with drinks. Having had a chance to mingle, meeting old friends and making new, everyone made their way into the Assembly Room where under glittering chandeliers, their light reflecting from gilt framed mirrors onto portraits of past monarchs and sons of Norfolk, they sat down to an excellent meal supplied by the West Norfolk Flying Chef.

At the end of the meal all present stood for the 'Loyal Toast' to Her Majesty, after which, following a comfort break, there were short speeches by the Squadron's Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch and Wing Commander Andrew Challon from RAF Marham. The Wing Commander said how impressed he was with the Squadron and that having been a cadet himself he was eager to "maintain the close links with Marham and assist however and whenever possible".
The cadets were then presented with awards for exceptional work and commitment in numerous and varied activities. The evening was rounded off with a chance to dance the night away or just relax with an after dinner coffee.

Photographs (from left to right): (1) The prepared Assembly Room, (2)Cadets Dine-In, (3)Wartime cadets Peter Leach & Tony Williamson, (4)Cadet No1 Geoff Bullen presents award to Cdt Cpl James Duncalf.

2534 (Fakenham) Squadron Air Training Corps

It was a warm weekend without any weather surprises that allowed 10 Air Cadets from No 2534 (Fakenham) Squadron to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award Bronze Expedition. At Deeping Caravan site the cadets enjoyed a cooked meal which they prepared themselves and then they slept in tents they pitched themselves – as required by the rules governing the award. Cadet Brendan Fairbrother (15) ably led one group, comprising himself, Cadet Sergeant Lewis Johnston (16), Cadets George Buck (14), Bryn Jones (14), Cadet Corporal Eliosa Nash (14 , whilst the other group was led by newly promoted Corporal Bradley Nobbs (14) with team members, Cadet Sergeant Tom Clifton (16), Cadets Paige Williamson (16), Becky Frost (16), and Cadet Corporal Geldard (14). Neither of the groups found the demands of the expedition beyond their skill levels commenting it was a challenge and physically demanding but an incredibly enjoyable adventure and experience.

Sergeant Lewis Johnston said of the expedition ‘It was great fun. I think all young people should do it as it’s an amazing thing. I did walking as my physical challenge and won a medal recently whilst doing the 12 hours of walking I needed to do. I also have been studying aircraft in the Royal Air Force to complete my Skills level in aircraft recognition. I just have a few more hours to do to complete my Service commitment; I am also involved fund raising for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund’.

Photo: Laden down with kit. Cadets from No 2534 (Fakenham) Squadron get ready commence their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Expedition. From left to right, Corporal Jack Geldard (14), Corporal Bradley Nobbs (14) (who was the group leader), Cadet Becky Frost (16), Cadet Paige Williamson (16) and Sergeant Tom Clifton (16). All the cadets successfully completed their expedition.