The latest Pre uniform course took place at RAF Marham over the weekend of the 27 Feb - 1 Mar. Sqn Ldr Ward the course director commented that the 8 candidates from Squadrons across the Wing including number 2 Overseas Squadron in Gibraltar did exceptionally well and were one of the best group of candidates on this course which is now in its 4th year in this format.

All of the candidates did very well in the variety of activities designed to provide them with the mandatory BASIC (Basic Adult Staff Induction Course) required by HQAC at RAF Cranwell but also to help them with their SNCO / Commission interviews, their preparation for attending ATF at Cranwell and of course the wider aspects of being a uniformed member of the Corps / RAFVRT.

The weekend included; leadership tasks, communication sessions, presentations, drill, as well as tutorials on RAF, ATC, Dress regs, Finance and training and development.

Good luck to all 8 candidates who all demonstrated a pro active approach to learning with good humour and enthusiasm.
Pre Uniform Course

The latest Pre uniform course took place at RAF Marham over the weekend of the 27 Feb - 1 Mar. Sqn Ldr Ward the course director commented that the 8 candidates from Squadrons across the Wing including number 2 Overseas Squadron in Gibraltar did exceptionally well and were one of the best group of candidates on this course which is now in its 4th year in this format.

All of the candidates did very well in the variety of activities designed to provide them with the mandatory BASIC (Basic Adult Staff Induction Course) required by HQAC at RAF Cranwell but also to help them with their SNCO / Commission interviews, their preparation for attending ATF at Cranwell and of course the wider aspects of being a uniformed member of the Corps / RAFVRT.

The weekend included; leadership tasks, communication sessions, presentations, drill, as well as tutorials on RAF, ATC, Dress regs, Finance and training and development.

Good luck to all 8 candidates who all demonstrated a pro active approach to learning with good humour and enthusiasm.

Norfolk and Suffolk Wing recently held its annual Cross Country competition on the RAF Barnham training area in unusual conditions. The North Eastern Part of Norfolk had snow overnight and the snow moved over the border into Suffolk as the event was about to start.

Wing Sports Officer, Sqn Ldr Kevin Green, adds, "With snow and ice to contend with on the way to RAF Barnham it was really pleasing to see almost as many cadets at the start line for the Wing 's X Country this year. The thick snow carpet added to the fun during the run and I congratulate all the cadets for taking part and ensuring that the Wing has a good strong team to try and defend the Regional title at RAF Cranwell"


The winners were :-

Boys 864 (Watton) Sqn
Junior Girls 863 (Thurston) Sqn
Youths 863 (Thurston) Sqn
Senior Girls 2534 (Fakenham) Sqn
Junior Men 759 (Beccles) Sqn

Overall champions 863 (Thurston) Sqn

During the Annual Formal Inspection of 1895 (Cromer) Sqn , Wing Commander Tony Hipperson took time out to present Cadet Sgt Lucy Hyam with a Norfolk & Suffolk WIng tracksuit as a memento of her winning the Wing ' s Female sports cadet of the year award for 2008.

Sgt Hyam represented the Wing in the Regional competition, coming second. She has had a busy year playing various sports including hockey,tball and imming but her main love is athletics. Lucy won the wins 800m 7 1500 m titles and represented C & E region at the same distances again winning both. She then went on to represent the ATC against civilian clubs at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Sgt Hyam also guested for the RAF in their annual X Country event held at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. It is beleived that this is the first time a cadet has beed afforded this honour.

In her spare time Sgt Hyam successfully completed a paragliding course gaining her "wings" . She has also just been selected to take part in the transglobal sailing race early next year working as a crew member on a trans - atlantic racing boat !!

The picture shows Wg Cdr Hipperson and SGt Hyam with her Tracksuit which appropriately has been very kindly sponsored by PROSPORT UK of Cromer , Norfolk , a leading sports supplier in the UK .The managing director Ian Parkin said of Lucy 's achievements , " It is a pleasure to be associated with such a successful young adult. The ATC is a worthwhile concern and I only wish there were more young people like Lucy willing to try it out."

Norfolk & Suffolk Wing's swimming team travelled to RAF Cranwell for the annual, inter - region swimming gala in the unusual position of reigning champions having won the title for the first time in 33 years last time round !
The day started with a gold medal for Cdt Moorey from 188 ( Ipswich ) Sqn in the junior girls' Butterfly. This calmed the team's nerves and a great day of swimming action unfolded with the junior girls capturing a further two gold and three silver medals. Not to be outdone the junior boys collected six golds and a silver as they stormed to victory in their group by eight points.

The senior groups had a fierce tussle with the senior girls claiming just one gold, by Sgt Durrant from 1331 (Stowmarket ) Sqn in the 100 m Breast stroke and two silvers to end up in 5th place.
The senior boys were in no mood to share their trophy again after last year and claimed four gold medals with CWO Bird of 1249 ( Dereham ) Sqn leading the way with a blistering 100m Freestyle closely followed by Cdt Yussuf of 2356 ( Caister ) Sqn in the butterfly. The boys were disqualified from the medley relay and thought that, with one race left, Trent wing would pip them to the title. But fate played one more hand and this time Trent were disqualified in the 200m Freestyle race and the boys won the race by a clear 10m to retain the trophy.

The overall trophy race was extremely close between the two rivals of Norfolk & Suffolk and Trent wings with N & S coming out on top by just 8 points to retain, for the first time, the Central & East Swimming title. Norfolk & Suffolk Wing now has 11 swimmers in the C & E region team for the inter - regional competition, also at RAF Cranwell, on 22nd November.

Officer Commanding N & S Wing, Wg Cdr Tony Hipperson, was present to watch the events unfold and congratulated the cadets afterwards saying, "The swimming was of a very very high calibre and the success was extremely well earnt. I wish those going forward to the regional competition good luck and have now got to find a hardware store to buy more shelves for all the cups you keep winning"

Sqn Ldr Kevin Green, the Wing sports officer, said, "With the news of CWO Daniel Cooper of 864 ( Watton ) Sqn being awarded the regional sports cadet of the year trophy, Norfolk & Suffolk Wing getting 8th place out of 36 in the National Gillan sports trophy results and now this amazing haul of silver ware I dare any young person to tell me that the ATC is boring and has nothing to offer !!"

The Wing annual athletics competiton was once again held at Bury St Edmunds Athletics stadium. 26 Sqns were represented with around 300 cadets turning out.

During the day seven Wing records were broken in various events and some very close finishes were witnessed on the track.
After a long and tiring day the eventual winners were announced as 863 (Thurston ) Squadron who recaptured the Bev Charlesworth Memorial bowl as overall champions from their old enemy 301 Sqn.

OC Norfolk and Suffolk Wing, Wg Cdr Tony Hipperson, presented the various cups and trophys on final parade. He then thanked all who attended and the staff for giving their time so freely to ensure the day went smoothly yet again.

The Wing Sports Officer, Sqn Ldr Kevin Green was extremely pleased to see the records tumble as this will give a good indication of the Wing's team to take part in the inter - wing fixture at Leicester. He commented, "The day went very well and there was an added bonus of having no rain to contend with this year ! I was also pleased to see the Wing's new President, Air Commodore Jon Ford, here and thank him for presenting some of the medals to the cadets"

CWO Cooper has received the male sports cadet of the year for the second time in three years. He has represented the wing at all of the male sports (football, rugby, hockey, swimming athletics, X Country) and region for rugby, swimming & X country. He has also found time to attend a Nordic skiing course in Bavaria and gain a Blue for this ..but representing Scotland & N Ireland region !! In his spare time CWO Cooper likes to play bowls......... for Norfolk.

Lucy has also won the award for the second time but she has the honour of retaining it from last year. Lucy has also represented the Wing at all of the sports available to her and represented the Region at X country & athletics. She has done a paragliding course and unusually gained her wings at the first attempt (unusual due to the weather conditions and it usually entails the students returning or even failing to gain enough flight time to gain the wings).

Away from the Sqn Sgt Hyam is a member of the North Norfolk Beach runners' athletics club and has represented the East of England at X Country and Athletics - look out for her during London 2012.

The Norfolk & Suffolk Wing's annual 6 a side contest was recently held at Pinebanks Sports Centre in Norwich and produced a very dramatic day's football. The usual tussles in the group stages ended with many of the fancied Sqns being eliminated early on. Notable casualties including 222, 864 & 301 Sqns.

The quarter finals line up read :

2356 Caister 0 v 1986 Wymondham 0, Wymondham won 4-3 on penalties (knocking out the favourites & holders)

1132 Stalham 1 v 469 Lowestoft 0

759 Beccles 3 v 1109 Thetford 0

863 Thurston 3 v 1894 Swaffham 0

After a break for the staff match, in which Norfolk scored a superb 2 - 0 win over their rivals from Suffolk, the matches recommenced. The semi finals producing some good football from all Sqns and another shock with Thurston Sqn being beaten by Beccles Sqn on penalties 3-2 after a 0-0 draw. The other semi saw Stalham squeeze past Wymondham 2-0.

The final was an even affair with both Sqns looking to gain the advantage but it was Beccles who scored twice without reply to lift the trophy for the first time since 1997.

The day was a great success and the Wing Sport Officer, Sqn Ldr Kevin Green, commented, "It was a pleasure to see the unfancied Sqns gaining the upper hand and running out winners."

The Norfolk & Suffolk girls open Hockey squad returned from RAF Cranwell with silver medals as runners up in the annual competition.

A very tense first game was won on penalty flicks against S & E Midlands 1-0 (something N&S normally don't do very well !!) and the girls went in to the final with some trepidation as they had to play the favourites Herts & Bucks who had won their first game 8-0.

The final was end to end but unfortunately, despite fielding the Corps goalie, the girls were no match for the Herts & Bucks and went down 7-0. The score really did flatter the opponents as all watching agreed that the N & S girls battled all over the park and never let their heads drop at any time. They were commended on their spirit by the Regional Commandant, Gp Cpt Jon Ford, at the medal ceremony.

Norfolk & Suffolk Senior soccer squad returned from RAF Cranwell victorious having beaten S & E Midlands and Trent Wings to regain the C& E region soccer shield.

In two very tense and exciting matches the squad was pushed all the way by two very strong teams but held out to record two , 2-1 victories.

The first match against S&E MIdlands wing was played in the morning and both teams benefitted from playing on the more sheltered pitch as very strong wind was making playing any kind of football a lottery on the more exposed "airfield" pitch nearby. Norfolk and Suffolk opened the scoring midway through the first half through FS James Bird of 1249 ( Dereham ) Sqn when he latched on to a rebound from the S&E Mids goalkeeper and knocked the ball in to an unguarded net. He followed this up with a terrific turn and shot just before half time to give the "yellows" a deserved 2-0 lead. In the second half the midlanders came back at Norfolk & Suffolk and scored very quickly to make it 2-1 but despite laying seige to the N & S goal could not get the equaliser. Sgt Holland , 1986 Sqn , in goal pulled off two saves that the great Robert Green would have been proud of , to keep them out.The final whistle sounded and a very tired team retired to the changing rooms to recharge their batteries for the final later in the day.

The lads faced Trent wing in the final who were the pre - tournament favourites. They beat Herts & Bucks wing 3-0 in the semi final and were in a upbeat mood at kick off.

After 12 minutes of end to end play N & S broke the deadlock through Cpl Sondi Rodulfo , of 1109 ( Thetford ) Sqn , who volleyed home from a sharp angle after great approach work from FS Ian Crawford , of 863 Turston Sqn, m inutes later Rudolfo turned supplier with a sweetly rolled ball along the edge of the trent area and FS Crawford gave the keeper no chance with a thunderous shot along the ground. Again the score was 2-0 at half time.

Trent WIng came at N& S wing with a vengence in the second half but again Sgt Holland was there to stop everything hurled at him. The referee awarded a penalty to Trent midway through the second half but again Holland was equal to it and , diving to his left , palmed the ball round the post for a corner. Trent eventually scored with a great flicked header from a corner but then tired legs kicked in and several players suffered from cramp but N & S held out for the final few minute to record a great win against thier old rivals.

After the final the trophy was presented to FS Ian Crawford by the Regional Commandant Gp Cpt Jon Ford who was on his last official cadet duty as Regional Commandant.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Wing Training Team has recently delivered the first successful Pre-Uniform course of 2008 to eight candidates at RAF Honington. The course is mandatory for all staff wishing to take up a uniformed staff appointment and is designed to prepare candidates for both their Wing and Region Boards (where appropriate) and also attendance at the Adult Training Flight at the RAF College, Cranwell. Candidates for the course are recommended for attendance by Squadron Commanders together with a recommendation from the relevant Wing Staff Officer.

The Training Team delivers three Pre Uniform courses per year and these are always well received by the candidates. The Training Team comprised Sqn Ldr David Miller, Flt Lt Gail Jupe and Flt Lt Ian Ward, assisted by Sqn Ldr Tim Hill and Sergeant Andy Lister for specific parts of the course. The next course is due to be delivered over the weekend of 7/8 June 2008 also at RAF Honington.

RAF College Cranwell recently hosted the C & E regional X country championships. A heavy down pour an hour before the start led to a revised course being run missing out "cardiac hill" as it was deemed far to dangerous for the runners to tackle.

At 1115 the first race was sent on its way by C & E Regional Commandant, Gp Cpt Jon Ford. At regular intervals the air horn was sounded to start each following race and as the morning went on it became clear to the accompanying staff from N & S that their cadets had done extremely well but not wanting to raise their hopes they kept it to themselves.

After all the races were the cadets and staff retired to the Sports pavillion for the results. Before the result were read out there was a suprise presentation to the Regional Commandant Gp Cpt Ford to mark his forthcoming retirement (which he assured us will be in March 08 !) followed by three rousing cheers from all.

The results

Boys
1 st S&E Midlands
2nd Trent
3rd N & S

Youths
1ST N & S
2nd S & E Mids
3rd Trent

Junior Men
1st Trent
2nd N & S
3rd Beds & Cams

Junior Girls
1st B & C
2nd N & S
3rd S & E Mids

Senior girls
1st Trent
2nd S & E Mids
3rd N & S

The overall winners results were waited with baited breathe as the whole event was very closely fought.
Sqn Ldr Wendy Truman regional sports officer read the results out in reverse order...

6th Warwick & Birmingham Wing D N Q
5th Herts & Bucks Wing D N Q
4th Beds & Cams Wing 138Pts
3rd Trent Wing 134 pts
2nd S & E Mids Wing 117 pts

Winners N & S WING 109 pts

The cadets went crazy with delight when they realised they had won the X Country trophy for the first time in over 10 years.

The following cadets are selected for the regional team competition .
Cdt Smithson 759 Sqn
Sgt Clark-Davis 863 Sqn
Sgt Turner 432 Sqn
Sgt Malin 1895 Sqn
FS Cooper 864 Sqn
Cdt Owen 2534 Sqn
Cpl Vanhinsburgh 2534 Sqn

OC Wing , Wg Cdr Tony Hipperson , congratulated the team on their efforts and said , " This show what can be done with team work. The Cadets who ran for N & S were committed to each other and to the Wing. Well done to them all and a great result as well. I now have to go and arrange for a bigger insurance premium to cover all the silverware the cadets keep bringing back to Norfolk & Suffolk Wing !"

The biggest reward of the day as far as the cadets were concerned was the Burger & chips celebration meal on the way home !!