241 (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron ATC

Over the weekend of the 13 - 15 January cadets from the Squadron kicked the new year off in fine style with the first of the years external activities, taking part in flying, gliding and shooting.  On the Friday 12 cadets attended 6 Air Experience Flight at RAF Bensonon the fully aerobatic Grob Tutor. Even though cold the weather was excellent for flying and all cadets flew including several for the first time. On Saturday 11 Cadets attended the ranges at Pribright to live fire the L98 rifle on a 25m range, with Cdt Sambi achieving a Corps Marksman. On Sunday 3 cadets attended 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at Weathersfield Airifield to complete their Gliding Induction Course of 3 launches in the Viking Glider. All in all a busy and productive weekend with cadets putting their training into practise!

One the first Saturday of the new year 35 cadets underwent assessement for the Youth First Aider Award which they had been working towards under Sqn Instructors since October. A practical qualification which is valid for 3 years the cadets had to deal with three scenarios involving an unconscious casualty, a casualty who stopped breathing and a casualty who had sustained serious injuries. The skills learnt will enable the cadets to deal with first aid situations in real life and save lives (as has happened with previous cadets in everyday life). The award also counts towards the skills section of the Bronze Duke of Edinburghs Award. Meanwhile other cadets where undergoing training on the L98 cadet rifle in preperation for live firing later in the month. The Photos show Cdt Morgan Davis checking an unconscious casualty and Sgt Raj acting as the demonstration platform for stripping of the rifle.

As is my custom at this time of year I take this opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and look forward to year ahead. 2011 was a typically busy year for the Squadron and one whch was crammed full of activities and opportunities for our cadets. It was our 70th Anniversary Year, celebrated in style in February with a Dinner/Dance at Chigwell Police Club, and during the year Alex Dutch was chosen as the Best Female Cadet in the Air Training Corps, winning the Dacre Broach, the final one of the big three awards in the ATC (Lees Trophy and Dacre Sword being the others) that the Sqn has achieved over the years.

We maintained our presence in London Wing, winning the Innes Sword competition, the Cross Country (for the 18th year), the Aircraft Recognition, and a second in the Banner Drill competition, as well as partcipating in the Lord Mayors Show and the life of the local community with Armed Forces Day and the Remberance weekend. The Sqn mounted an ambitious diving expedtion to the Red Sea, superbly organised by Sgt Daniel Goldman. This was a highlight of the year for those cadets and staff who participated.

Cadets also achieved:

1 Flying Scholarships; Cdt Arron Mondhass

5 Gliding Scholarships : FS Shaw, FS Gachette, Sgt Mandalia, Cpl Benjafield and Cpl Cooney

Over 25 GIC Gliding Courses Over 100 flights in Tutor Aircraft

One Cdt 100 Shooting Award at ISCRM: Sgt Raj (and a Cdt 50 at CISSAM)

Region Trumpet Player: Cdt Robson

Young Life Saver First Aid Awards,  Radio Certificates (Full and Provisional), Gold, Silver and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards,  BTEC’s in Public Service, BTEC’s in Aviation Studies, and  Region Blues for Rugby and a Corps Blue for Rugby.

Cadet attended: Week Camps at RAF Waddington, Week Adventure Training Camps in the Lake District, Bisley Shooting Camp and several weekend camps at Crowborough.

We also worked with cadets and staff from other Squadrons, including 27F, 1838 and 2324, and the Middelsex Wing Shooting team. Cadets also raised money for charities including the Royal British Legion was also high on our priority list and we raised over £7800 for them.

I have missed much out in the cause of brevity. However it can be seen that this was another busy and successful year. Our aims for this year include defending the Innes Sword, and Cross Country, winning the Drill and the presentation of the Dacre Broach. We will decide where our next overseas expedition will be and we will also be buying a replacement vehicle for the stolen landrover, which will be a considerable fundraising push (A shame to see a piece of Sqn history go!). Finally we have new cadets to bring forward and perhaps the most difficult and ongoing task of all, to maintain our high standards and ethos!

I would like to close by stating the Sqn never stands still and is always looking for the next challenge whilst reinforcing on our successes. I would like to especially thank the Staff for their outstanding hard work and dedication without whom nothing happens! (and their wives and partners, who’s support is vital and much appreciated!). I would also like to thank the cadets for their hard work and enthusiasm, and to the Committee for their hard work in fund raising and providing excellent catering at our events. Happy New Year!

On a wet evening of the 08 December the Sqn held its annual presentation evening at Trinity School. An occasion to showcase the unit to local dignitaries and parents, as well as present the cadets with various awards achieved during 2010, this years guests included Sqn Ldr Phil Pidgeon, a London Wing Staff Officer.

The cadets gave presentations on the years activities, with FS Robin Shaw and Cpl Arina Purzikova giving a talk on the recent NCO Cadre, FS Dan Burgess, Cpl Kris Kretovs and Cdt Dylan Snow a presentation on the Sqns Dive Trip to the Red Sea, and Sgt Finlay Bliss and Cpl Gideon Goldsmith a description of the weeks camp in the summer at RAF Waddington.

After a break Sqn Ldr Pidgeon warded a number of Bronze DoE Badges and Certificates, Flying and Navigation Scholarships and Aviation BTECs worth 2 GCSE's. The Poppy Shield for the highest amount of money raised for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal to Cdt Leonti for raising £198.

The Best Sportsperson Trophy was then presented to Cpl Alfred Benjafield for his achievements in Rugby, the Best Exam Results was FS Yaz Gachette, Best Junior Shot, Cdt Max Lungu, and Best Senior Shot Sgt Chris Raj. The Best Recruit was Cdt Morgan Davies and the Best Cadet was Cdt Aditi Gupta and the Best Flight was won by 3 Flight (for the second year running), commanded by FS Yasmin Gachette.