Posted by admin on Friday 22 July 2005 under 2005 | 
The Squadron shipped over to the Brecon Beacons over the weekend 22 -24 July for advanced navigation training. Staying at the RAF Adventure Centre at Cwmfforest, near Talgarth, Wales the 17 cadets taking part in weekend were quickly sorted and after enjoying a DVD cartoon were off to bed for a good night’s sleep before the strenuous activity of the next day. Saturday started at 0700hrs with bacon butties, scrambled eggs and tea or coffee being served at 0730hrs ahead of a kit check for the day’s walk. Armed with maps, compasses and the ubiquitous RAF packed lunch, it was into the minibuses for the drop off – we’d be walking about 12 miles over the Black Mountains back to the centre.
The weather was thankfully unremarkable in the morning – previous visits had everyone looking like drowned rats – and after a few navigation legs the cadets were finding their mountain legs as well as their ability to bring together previous navigation experience.
The staff, equipped with radios and the Squadron’s new GPS were on hand with each team to offer pointers and make sure everything stayed on track, no pun intended.
After a successful and enjoyable walk through some great scenery, a very long valley and fields of sheep the cadets and staff were thankful for a good shower and a slap up feed of spaghetti bolognese followed by jam roly poly (or spotted Dock) and custard. Hooray for tradition. The evening had the cadets writing the route card for the following day – a climb to the top of Pen-y-Fan.
With heavy rain (sleet at one point) and with a few muscular injuries and tiredness it was decided to abort the climb at the Obelisk and it was time for the bright orange bothies to come out whilst the alternative route back to the car park was deliberated over by the NCOs. All good training and demonstrates that pushing on regardless is not the order of the day when hillwalking in such conditions.
After a quick towel down and kit pack, it was back on the minibuses one last time back to Suffolk. Well done to Flight Sergeants Moss and Treece, Sergeant Goodchild, Corporals Pugh and Woodgate and cadets Barham, Conn, Tipping, Parsley (m), Button, Steward, Lewis (f), Burrows, Lewis (m) and both the Squirrells.
Posted by admin on Sunday 17 July 2005 under 2005 |
Squadron cadets were at Jimmy’s Farm again on 17th July, helping put the finishing touches to the nature trail. With the high temperatures we were all thankful for the fact that we was working in the shade of the woods. The farm laid on a barbecue and drinks for lunch and a tour around the farm to see the rare breed pigs. Big thanks to cadets Lewis, Wright, Mills, Steward, Tipping and Reynolds. We also pitched in on the Wednesday evenings either side of that day – we can’t wait for the official opening at the next farmer’s market on the 6th August.
Posted by admin on under 2005 |
Sunday 17th of July saw the Squadron represented at the Suffolk Police Family Day at the forces headquarters in Martlesham. The purpose of the day was to set up and man a recruitment stand to collect names for our next intake later in the year. The weather couldn’t have been better and the four cadets and one staff member enjoyed the sun, as well as the displays whilst passing out information to people enquiring at the stand and as they wandered through the crowds handing out stickers to the children.
The day went off very well and the crowds enjoyed the many events and attractions laid on for them, many off them captured on film within the Squadrons photo gallery. The stand drew in the crowds not only from possible new recruits for the Squadron, but also from past members happy to see that their old Squadron was still going strong.
Many thanks to Flying Officer Robinson RAFVR(T), Flight Sergeant Treece, Corporal Cook and Cadets Parsley (f) and Ellis for the time and efforts in manning the stand.
Posted by admin on Sunday 3 July 2005 under 2005 |
On the 3rd of July we took 7 Cadets to the Suffolk Sports Trials for Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball (both Senior and Junior). This was held at RAF Honington.
The purpose of this day was to pick the team for each sport to play against the Norfolk Squadrons on the 11 September. From there the cadets are picked to play for the Wing.
All of our cadets did very well with the majority making the Suffolk Teams.
We also had 2 cadets that were unable to attend due to Holiday and Work, but have been included within the Suffolk teams from their previous performances.
Posted by admin on Saturday 2 July 2005 under 2005 |
Saturday 2nd July saw Ipswich air cadets helping again with car parking duties at Jimmy’s Farm as part of a monthly farmer’s market. Situated at Wherstead, just outside Ipswich you may have heard of this farm from the documentary shown on BBC 2 last year as Jimmy Doherty, friend of famous chef Jamie Oliver, attempts to establish a pig farm and to produce the highest quality pork, sausages and bacon from his herd of rare breed British pigs.
Thanks to cadets Conn, Harker, Ellis and Tipping.
