News

December 19th 2013

In attendance at the Squadron’s presentation evening will be members of South and East Midlands wing staff team, VIP Guests including the Mayor of South Derbyshire and the MP, parents, extended family and close friends of the cadets.

During the evening, there will be demonstrations from the Squadrons Drum Corps led by Swadlincotes own, Pilot Officer Matthew Leedham, a demonstration by the Banner Drill team and presentations by each of the four Squadron flights which are going to be led by the Squadrons own four flight commanders: Flight Sergeant Jamie Hurrell, aged 17 , Flight Sergeant Bradley Tallett, aged 18, Flight Sergeant Louis Mansfield, aged 18, and Flight Sergeant Stuart Bagley aged 17.

There will also be a demonstration from The Squadron’s newly formed Choir, who are due to sing some popular Christmas songs in front of more than 150 guests.

Trophies for best sports cadet, best shooting cadet, best flight, most improved cadet of 2013 will also be presented during the evening.

There have been many achievements for the Squadron over the last 12 months these include:

– Members of staff and cadets of A Flight climbing Mt Snowdon
– A Squadron Overseas Camp to Europe
– Cadet Warrant Officer Joy Wakeling, aged 18, and FS Bradley Tallett, aged 18, were awarded places on the International Air Cadet Exchange where they both spent two weeks in Canada and Singapore with other cadet counterparts from around the world
– Cadet Warrant Officer Charlie Hughes, aged 19, was named the best female air cadet for South and East Midlands area alongside attending a once in a life time Sailing trip through Ocean Youth Trust Scotland
– Cadet Warrant Officer Joy Wakeling, aged 18, won the title of the Best Female Sports Cadet of the Year 2012/2013
– Corporal Hannah Parker, aged 16, was named a National Swimming Star where she swam to victory, winning two gold medals in Individual Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay securing 2 gold medals
– In August 2013, Swadlincote Air Cadets also secured a radio interview with BBC Radio Derby to promote their annual Open Day held at their Squadron Headquarters on Eureka Park
– Swadlincote Air Cadets worked towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, where up to 20 cadets from the unit achieved their Bronze awards during this year alone
– Pilot Officer Matt Leedham and Mrs Marion Leedham, Squadron Support team also travelled too Bornem, Belgium to take part in the annual Death March, (Dodentocht in German). This event is a long distance march covering 100 Kilometers (or 62 miles) in 24 hours to raise funds for the Squadron.
– 2013 saw a record number of cadets from Swadlincote achieve BTEC qualifications in Public Services, Aviation Studies and Music.

The Squadron look forward to welcoming all their guests, including the Squadron Support Team, members of staff from around the Wing and VIPs to their presentation evening to help celebrate what has been a successful year for the unit and would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron opens its doors four times a year to prospective new cadets, male and female aged between 13 – 17 years.

For more information on joining the air cadet organisation in your area, please contact the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Alyn Thompson at oc.1211@aircadets.org or by phone on (01283) 212629