Each year the 211 Squadron ATC hold an open day and this is designed to give parents and friends the opportunity to look around the Centre and to attend the prize giving which happens at the beginning. The Mayoress and I arrived and were greeted by one of the Cadets. We then met Flight Lieutenant Simon Craggs who is the Officer Commanding and two officers from the US Airforce based at RAF Welford. The Earl of Carnavon was also there to present one of the cups and Reverend David Stone who is the Chaplain to the ATC.
The cadets were on parade and Simon Craggs read the citations and presented some of the cups. One of the US Airforce officers presented a cup as did the Earl of Carnavon. I presented the Mayor’s Cup to the best cadetand then the parade was dismissed and everyone was then given the opportunity to go inside the Centre to view the various displays which illustrated the variety of activities open to the cadets. We went into one room where there was a display of photographs showing cadets learning to fly gliders and small fixed wing aircraft. The cadet we spoke to was around 17 years old and already had his glider wings, which indicated that he was qualified to fly solo. Meanwhile outside there was a display of drill and marching to music and there was also a small indoor range for shooting practice. In another room there were photographs of cadets learning to build a hide in woods during a survival course in which they were taught how to snare, kill, skin and cook rabbits. They are also keen on physical activities and they have a football team which competes locally and within the ATC organisation.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and it was good to see how much the young cadets, both male and female, enjoy the ATC and what is offers in character building, self reliance and self discipline.
The cadets were on parade and Simon Craggs read the citations and presented some of the cups. One of the US Airforce officers presented a cup as did the Earl of Carnavon. I presented the Mayor’s Cup to the best cadetand then the parade was dismissed and everyone was then given the opportunity to go inside the Centre to view the various displays which illustrated the variety of activities open to the cadets. We went into one room where there was a display of photographs showing cadets learning to fly gliders and small fixed wing aircraft. The cadet we spoke to was around 17 years old and already had his glider wings, which indicated that he was qualified to fly solo. Meanwhile outside there was a display of drill and marching to music and there was also a small indoor range for shooting practice. In another room there were photographs of cadets learning to build a hide in woods during a survival course in which they were taught how to snare, kill, skin and cook rabbits. They are also keen on physical activities and they have a football team which competes locally and within the ATC organisation.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and it was good to see how much the young cadets, both male and female, enjoy the ATC and what is offers in character building, self reliance and self discipline.
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