This edition of the squadron newsletter is dedicated to outlining activities scheduled into Autumn. Doubtless more events will arise and these will be publicised on our main notice board. At the moment, we have no details of our flying and gliding allocations for the next 6 months.

One-off Events

Joint Services Cadet Weekend 26-28 March

A weekend organised by the Army Cadet Force as a mild competition between the Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Combined Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps. This is a quite strenuous event with the added highlights of armoured vehicle and helicopter rides. Cost £2.75. All places filled.

SPTA Easter Camp on Salisbury Plain 2-5 April

A long weekend giving intensive fieldcraft training. Run by us with invited cadets and staff from other squadrons across Wiltshire and Dorset. Cost £16.00. All places filled.

PHAB Quiz Night 8 April

We have been invited to enter a team of 4 cadets to compete in this event organised by the Devizes branch of the Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied club. We have a long history of helping and socialising with PHAB. Free

Underground Tour at Rudloe Manor 9 April

A rare opportunity to tour the old stone extraction tunnels some 200 feet below the surface. These were used for ammunition storage during World War 11 and there are mementoes of the Polish workforce of that time in the form of wall paintings. A not to be missed experience. It was difficult to arrange this visit which has 11 places available for age 14 upwards. Free.

Farewell Dinner 17 April
C Company, 2^nd Battalion Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire & Wiltshire Regiment, TA

We have committed to providing waiter services for this function for which the cadets receive a fee. The list is over-subscribed and the selection of cadets will be made soon.

Scouts St George's Day Parade 25 April

We have been asked provide the band for this parade as usual. Our band is very depleted and even with the help of Chippenham squadron we will need all of our bandspeople ~cadets & staff~ to take part.

Sarsen Trail & Neolithic Marathon 1-2 May

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have asked us to help yet again with this major event which covers the distance from the Sarsen Stones at Avebury to Stonehenge via Salisbury Plain. Our role is to supply and erect tentage at two locations and to assist with marshalling, car parking and wayside water for the walkers and runners. We intend to set up one location during the late Saturday afternoon then to camp overnight and set up at the other place on Sunday morning. In traditional fashion there will be an organised activity or Nitex during Saturday evening. We need about 12 cadets. Counts towards Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DEAS) Service section. Food will be provided from squadron resources and by the organisers. No cost.

Lions May Fayre 3 May

We support this event every year helping to man sideshows and generally assisting the organisers. We normally get a substantial donation from the Lions as a result. Hot dogs or burgers are provided free of charge on the day. Again, participation counts towards DEAS.

Wing Athletics 9 May

Field and track events open to all cadets.

Vintage Air Display May 15-16 May

The organisers of this event at Kemble Airfield are looking for cadet assistance on both the Saturday and Sunday. For anyone with an interest in aviation history this is a chance to inspect these rare aircraft up close. We would probably camp overnight. Food will be provided by the event organisers. No cost.

Annual Inspection 27 May

New format this year with more to see plus presentations as usual. Parents and friends welcome.

Central Band of the Royal Air Force 28 May

The Devizes branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) is mounting a concert at Dauntsey's School., West Lavington. They have asked for cadets to be ushers and generally assist plus getting free entry to the concert. This is potentially a recruiting opportunity for us and a must for budding musicians. No cost.

Pewsey Canoe Club - Training Weekend (date to be arranged)

As a thank you to us for helping with the National Canoe Exhibition last year, the club will be running a weekend canoe training course when the weather gets warmer. No cost.


RAF Annual Camp 3-10 July

The venue is RAF Honington in East Anglia. As this is the main base for the RAF Regiment, we can expect there to be a lot of fieldcraft and specialist shooting. We have only a small allocation of places. Cost in the region of £32 including day trips.

Worton Fete 10 July

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire has once again asked us to provide a marquee to assist this yearly village function.

PHAB Wheelchair Push 17 July

Helping with the organisation on the day and possibly providing and erecting a marquee. Counts towards DEAS.

Fieldcraft Training Camp 19-26 July (dates to be confirmed)

This is a new Wing venture to compensate for the shortage of RAF Camp places and will be held near Weymouth. Activities should include rock climbing, abseiling, Nitex, visits plus beach time. Provisional cost is £50.

Seend Fete 14 August

An approach from an organisation we have not helped before to assist with marshalling and car parking. Counts towards DEAS.

Wing Field Day - 21 August (to be confirmed)

Organised by us to provide outdoors competitive events for cadets from across the Wing. Cost £1.00 per team towards refreshments.

Carnival 4 September

Following from our winning First Prize for our group entry in last year's carnival parade, we are planning our float for this year. We do need lots of cadet participation in the building (last year's effort was almost exclusively staff-built) and in the parade itself.

Wing Training Day 3 October

Several hundred cadets doing competitive things - drill, soccer, public speaking, initiative exercises, displays of project work. No cost.

Recurring Opportunities

Shooting Full bore shooting is scheduled for most months

Roundway Covert Maintenance. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are mounting a training course for cadets on 27 April before we start the season's work

Overseas Day Flights Two Detached Flight cadets have flown (on separate flights) to Trieste, Italy during March

Gliding Scholarships One Detached Flight cadet starts a course leading to solo flight in April

Short Notice Gliding Experience

Unscheduled Air Experience Flying

***********************************************************************

Our Internet addresses have changed and are now:

Web Pages http://home.freeuk.net/gfrees

Email gfrees@freeuk.com