The Moose is Loose Volume 2

WELCOME

The “Moose is Loose” is Back !!. We hope to use this new edition to give an idea of what’s been happening at the squadron over the last few months. If you have a story or want to record an ATC event, just let the editor know and we’ll do our best to get it in the next issue.

YOUR COMMITTEE

Air Training Corps regulations require that each squadron has an active committee to administer finances; to support the uniformed staff; to organise activities additional to the ATC syllabus and to provide welfare assistance. We are fortunate to have an active committee under the continuing chairmanship of Sheila Martin but if there are parents who would like to be involved please contact us. Meetings take place at approximately 6 week intervals.

Fund Raising can take many forms. Did you know that broken and obsolete items around the house may have some value through the right channels? Examples : watches, clocks, camera equipment, laser & inkjet cartridges…. Look out for publicity on this subject

Subscriptions are vital to meeting those costs not covered by central cadet funding. We offer a number of ways of paying the quite low subscription ~ annually, quarterly or monthly by cash or cheque made payable to 2397(Devizes) Sqn ATC. However, some cadets are substantially in arrears which is not fair on those who pay on time. Over the next few weeks each cadet’s subscription status will be reviewed and parents notified where there are arrears. In the New Year we will be inviting parents to sign a Gift Aid declaration which will allow us to reclaim income tax already paid by parents to the benefit of the squadron funds. As a reminder the subscription rate is £4.00 per calendar month

FROM CADET TO COMMANDING OFFICER

Flt Lt Gary Lewry has been appointed as Commanding Officer of the squadron. Flt Lt Geoff Ellen has decided to leave the ATC.

Flt Lt Lewry started as a cadet in this squadron and rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer. He was commissioned into adult service and posted to Chippenham squadron as a Pilot Officer to gain further experience. He became the Wing Physical Education Officer responsible for sporting activities throughout the Wing. He later rejoined the Devizes squadron as Training Officer and now has command.

Plt Off Becky Harrison has joined the squadron from Swindon and in addition to her training and administration duties provides the essential female cover needed for many of our activities.

SOME KEY ACTIVITIES DURING 2002

We hosted the ATC Sunday Parade for the Wiltshire end of the Wing in February ~ a major effort from our staff and committee.

We also hosted the annual Easter camp at New Zealand Farm on Salisbury Plain which attracted 64 cadet participants from a wide range of squadrons within the Wing.

We helped charitable organisations with car parking, assisting on stalls and marshalling at Seend Fete, Lions MayFayre, Sarsen Trail & a Gymkhana at Bromham. We participated in the Lions Walk and in the town Carnival with a lorry mounted tableau.

Summer Camp at RAF High Wycombe was attended by 5 cadets.

The committee organised a free trip to the Air Museum at Yeovilton.

Night Exercises have been run at monthly intervals.

A large contingent took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade in Devizes and were complimented on their turnout and bearing by the Regional Air Cadets Commandant.

POWERED FLYING & GLIDING

Cpl Sogot has gained the Basic Gliding Training certificate and “wings” having flown solo. FS Hayes is close to completing the same course.

ACCOMMODATION

The new building to accommodate ourselves, Devizes ACF platoon, ACF County HQ & Air Cadets SW Region HQ is now taking shape and is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2003. [I think this is first time we have been able to quote a year in this long running saga !] Moving from our present scruffy accommodation into new purpose built premises can’t come too soon.

One big worry is the shortage of storage space. We currently use a very large wooden shed plus a metal container (as seen on lorry trailers). The new premises have no provision for storage of large items.

WEBSITE.

The old website is at http://www.gfrees.freeuk.com/2397Sqn.htm but has had little updating during the last year.

A new site created by Cpl Herniman can be viewed at http://freespace.virgin.net/devizes.atc

Our aim is to merge the 2 sites so as to give the lively cadet view of our squadron plus the more formal detail.

More details soon.

The Moose is Loose Volume 5.1 December 2002