New Year's Day Bimble 1 January
A gentle walk across Salisbury Plain to the training
village of Imber. Why a "Bimble ?" It has been suggested
that troops march but officers bimble i.e. walk in a relaxed manner
!!
Lions Sponsored Walk 28 February
Sixteen cards were presented on the day and sponsorship
money collected so far amounts to £495. All of this will
be given back to the squadron at the Lions Presentation evening
on 8 June.
Joint Services Cadet Weekend 26-28 March
An excellent weekend blessed with good weather. All
cadets flew in Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopter.
SPTA Easter Camp on Salisbury Plain 2-5 April
Attended by 64 cadets from 9 units, featured fieldcraft
training. Thanks go to all the adult staff who made this a memorable
weekend with particular mention of the excellent catering by Sue
Rees and Lesley Tarrant.
Underground Tour at Rudloe Manor 9 April
A two hour tour of these old Bath Stone workings
which were used as an ammunition store and aero engine factory
during World War 2.
TA Farewell Dinner 17 April
Undertaken with great credit to the squadron.
Scouts St George's Day Parade 25 April
Our band supplemented with adult staff and an ex-cadet
led a very large contingent of Scouts and affiliated groups to
and from their church service.
Sarsen Trail (Avebury to Stonehenge) 1-2 May
With help from Calne & Marlboriugh squadrons,
we had 25 personnel on this activity to assist the Wiltshire Wildlife
Trust organisers. We included a nitex for all those staying overnight.
Especial thanks to Mrs Rees for bringing a hot breakfast to us
on the Sunday morning.
Lions May Fair 3 May
A low turnout of cadets - perhaps many were still
feeling the exertions of the Sarsen Trail work. Those who attended
gained high praise from the Devizes Lions.
Wing Athletics, Salisbury 9 May
Vintage Air Display, Kemble 15-16 May
Air Experience Flying, Boscombe Down 22 May
NEW
Annual Inspection 27 May
The format will be:
Initial Parade Form Up & Awards
Visitor Refreshments
Demonstrations of "Parts of Rifle",
Round the Pole Flying by Detached Flight cadets, Rifle Drill Display,
Combat Patrol techniques, Drill Squad.
Parents and friends are invited to come to the
inspection evening - please arrive by 7:15 pm.
Central Band of the Royal Air Force Concert, Dauntseys
School 28 May
Pewsey Canoe Club - Training Weekend (date to
be arranged)
Gliding Induction Course, Upavon 19 June
NEW
Wansdyke Primary School Fete 26 June NEW
We will put on a blindfold "confidence course"
to entertain the youngsters.
RAF Honington Annual Camp 3-10 July
There will be no girl places on this "green
camp" due to lack of facilities.
Worton Fete 10 July
PHAB Wheelchair Push 17 July
Seend Fete 14 August
RAF St Mawgan Annual Camp 14-21 August (provisional) NEW
Priority to girls to compensate for Honington exclusion
Wing Field Training Day 22 August
NEW
Carnival Procession 4 September
Wing Training Day 3 October
Our sporting achievements will be featured in the
next edition of the newsletter. Suffice it to say that squadron
cadets have gained wing blues in team sports.
Two senior cadets from the Detached Flight have on
separate dates flown to Trieste in Italy from Brize Norton
Cadets have had the opportunity of small bore shooting
at Trowbridge. There are two Wing organised full bore shooting
sessions during May (15th & 22nd)
Congratulations to Cadet Warrant Officer Rob Swanson
on passing a selection board. He will become an Adult Warrant
Officer on his 22nd Birthday.
Mr Barney Wiles (Civilian Instructor) has passed
the Wing commissioning board and now awaits the Regional interview.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust gave a whole evening course
to cadets and staff in preparation for this year's work at Roundway
Covert. We will make a first visit to the site on 11 May but will
not start in earnest until after annual inspection.
The next round of NCO assessments will start in June
and will include potential corporals plus those seeking promotion
to sergeant. This is a formal process involving marking of demonstrated
skills and commitment in 14 categories.
It seems likely that the new cadet centre to be shared with the Devizes Platoon of the Army Cadet Force will be funded in this financial year. The proposal is that it will be built on a retained parcel of land at the barracks.
As an interim step, our squadron will
move from the top floor of the main building to the ground floor
in mid-year. The thought of not having to climb the 42
steps to the squadron rooms is very
much welcomed by the CO !