Remembrance Day 2009

Posted by admin on Sunday 8 November 2009 under 2009 | Be the First to Comment

Remembrance Sunday also known as “Poppy day” is an annual day to remember those who sacrificed their lives (both military and civilian) for their country during 1914-18, 1939-1945 and subsequent conflicts. This year in Ipswich those who had lost their lives in Afghanistan were also remembered.

On the 8th of November our squadron turned up in strong numbers to show our support. Starting from Black Horse lane our squadron paraded with the Sea cadets, Army cadets, Scouts, Guides, St. John’s ambulance, veterans, members of the public and the military through the town centre up to Christchurch Park where the service was to be held.

Once the parade was assembled in the park; a small procession of people consisting of the police and fire services and the MP for Ipswich and other dignitaries made their way to the front of the cenotaph which included me carrying a wreath for the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk Lord Tollemache K.St.J., J.P.
The service was conducted by The Reverend Paul Hamlet, during the service Cpl Carroll laid a wreath on behalf of the Army Catering Corp, Sgt Tipping laid a wreath of behalf of our squadron and I handed my wreath to the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk for him to lay on behalf of Her Majesty Queen. In the photograph above I am saluting the Lord Lieutenant after presenting the wreath to him. The service included prayers, hymns, the silence and the national anthem. The squadron stood for the whole service.

Afterwards the small procession (including me) slowly made its way back up to the grass in front of the mansion and clapped as the rest of the parade went past heading into the town centre. I was then invited inside the mansion for the tea and biscuits.

Scotland Adventure Training Week

Posted by admin on Sunday 1 November 2009 under 2009 | Be the First to Comment

The October half term saw the Squadron join forces with 356 (Felixstowe) & 432 (Woodbridge) Squadrons for the second time in two years to endure the 12 hour journey to Aviemore in Scotland.  This years event was organised by 356 (Felixstowe) Squadron and our accomaodation was once again the impressive Norweigen Lodge facility, which would be our home for the nine days.

The nine days were divided in to various activities including high and low hill walking, mountain biking, white water rafting on two different sets of rapids and visits to local tourist attractions.  On most days the 39 cadets and staff were split in to two or three groups depending on the activity for the day.  On the White Water Rafting and Mountain Biking days they were split in to two groups and then later in the week swapped over activities.  For some i think the Mountain Biking was more then they expected and back here in Suffolk you would be hard pushed to find what you could call a decent hill where as in the surroundings of Aviemore its hard to get away from them and speaking from personal experience going out with one of the groups it was definitely a challenge and tested everyones fitness and mental ability.

The White Water Rafting at the beginning of the week was run by the same people as the Mountain Biking, G2 Outdoors.  G2 used a part of the river, which was further down stream then the company we used later on in the week and the rapids on this part of the river were some what calmer then the ones further up stream.  Having said that all the cadets and staff that took part in both thoroughly enjoyed it even if we did managed to capsize one of the rafts.

     

The week was once again a great success and i’m sure that the three squadrons involved will once again get together to provide a similar opportunity for their  cadets again in the furture.

You can see more photo’s from this years Scotland trip in the 2009 Gallery.