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News from time gone by...
The Squadron's Annual Dining In Night was
held on Friday 2nd Novemeber 2007, and was attended by over 60
cadets, parents and friends, ex cadets, Squadron and Wing
Staff. 2007 is 2200 (Oldham) Squadron's 58th year of
opoeration starting off by receiving the Royal Warrent in February
1949 just four years after the Second World War and as with most
Squadron's it has a proud tradition of holding a Dining In Night
once a year. The night started with all cadets and guests
standing behind their chairs and welcoming the dignataries to the
table by clapping them in. The dignitaries take their seat at
the top table and the meal is served. After the meal the speaches take place, this
year made by Flying Officer Mike Holroyd, Officer In Charge of the
Squadron and also Wing Commander Catterall. The cadets were
congratulated on a years hard work and the Squadron Staff were
introduced to all guests. Once the speaches had finished, the
Queen toasted and the Port passed, one of the most important parts
of the Night came (for the cadets anyway), it was time to find out
who had won what trophy... There were a number of different trophies
handed out including: Best Sports Person of the Year Best New Cadet Marksman of the Year The Wing Commander was kind enough to present these on behalf of the Staff and Officer In Charge of the Squadron on the night. Once the cadets had all received their
awards, they all rushed into
the bathrooms to get changed into civilian clothing whilst 'DJ
Duffy' set up his equipment and then helped the cadets and staff
dance (and sing) the night away. It is very likey that in 2008 the Squadron
will not be holding an Annual Dining In Night and breaking the long
tradition; reason being, the Squadron is holding a 60th Anniversary
Dinner in February 2009 to which all ex and current cadets and staff
are welcome to as well as all current and ex Wing staff and anyone
else that has had links with the Squadron over the past 58 years
(and counting). As an alternative, you could alway join the
Squadron FaceBook Group and catch up with cadets and staff present
and past and be kept up to date with all Squadron Events and
Activities. The link is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6418907497
On Monday 26th November 2200 Oldham Squadron received Wing Commander Catterall and Squadron Leader Archibald, who were to complete the Squadrons Annual Inspection. An Annual Inspection looks at a number of things from the paperwork that the officers complete in the back ground to the activities the cadets have taken part in, how good their uniform is and how clean and tidy the squadron is. For the past 3 months cadets have been preparing for the evening as well as things such as exams and parades, by having regular uniform inspections, studying for exams attending Wing and Regional sports events, helping the staff clean and prepare the squadron on days that aren't normal cadet days and many other things. The cadets have all worked very hard and have done themselves proud. At the start of the evening cadets arrived at the squadron and made sure there were no last minute things that needed doing and then formed up on First 'Initial' Parade. Whilst on Parade the Corporals and Sergeant Scott helped all the newer cadets who have never had an Annual Inspection make sure their uniform and shoes were up to standard. Sergeant Scott handed over to Warrent Officer Duffy who then did an inspection to make sure the Cadet NCO's hadn't missed anything. Once he had finished the cadets then went into one of the classrooms for Padre's hour, in which they had a look at the core values of the RAF and reflected on the meaning of each giving normal everyday examples and showing how they can strive for success in their daily lives by going the extra mile for themselves and others. After break the 3 Corporals took a group of Cadets for Aeromodelling as the Squadron Commanding Officer had purchased 10 kits for the cadets to try their hand at making, while the remaining cadets had a basic First Aid lesson which I took and Sergeant Scott sat in on to have a look and make some points ready for his Staff Part 2 which takes place on Wednesday 28 Novemeber 2007. After break the cadets and NCO's formed up on Parade ready for the CO's and Wing Commanders Inspection. The Wing Commander stopped to talk to every cadet on the squadron and also the staff. This was over in a matter of minutes and once that was the case the Squadron Leader took the parade and addressed the squadron, informing them of results, a STAGGERING 243 out of 265 available marks! Once the Squadron Leader had handed back to the Wing Commander there were a number of announcements amongst other things that the Wing Commander very kindly helped make. The first of which was the enrolment of cadets Miller, McRea and Povey-Hillan which the Squadron Padre very kindly led and followed the ATC promise with a prayer for the cadets and squadron. The second announcement was five cadets receiving their HEARTSTART award which they had completed only a few weeks before adding to the number of qualified first aiders on the Squadron. The last announcement was by no means least, there was a promotion to be made and Sergeant Scott is now a Flight Sergeant! All in all a very good night in which cadets and NCO's showed how they can acheive the Core values that the Squadron Padre was talking about earlier in the night. |
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