Page 53 - Cadet Review Spring 2024

2023 PRESENTATION EVENING
Shortly before Christmas, cadets, parents and friends, staff and committee and invited guests gathered in great numbers at Christ the King Church on Stocks Bank Road in Battyeford, to celebrate the successes and achievements of the year, and there was a lot to celebrate!
The event was supported by some prominent people: the principal guest for the evening was Sofia Buncy, HM Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and also present was the Squadron President, Major Stan Hardy, also a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.
The evening’s activities were started with the Squadron band, giving an excellent performance to the launch the proceedings, after which the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, welcomed everybody to the event and made a short opening address focusing on how very successful the Squadron had been throughout the year, and highlighting wide-ranging variety of activities and achievements the cadets had enjoyed during the year, all of which were illustrated in a slide-show running on screens in front of the congregation.
Following this introduction, the Squadron Chaplain, Rev’d Christine Shedd conducted the formal enrolment of 9 new cadets, with each of them receiving an Enrolment Certificate.
The Deputy Lieutenant then took the stage to present certificates, and in all there were around 184 certificates to be presented to cadets plus adult staff, including:
• 48certificatesrepresentingacademicprogress
through the Corps’ classification programme
• 20certificatesforSpaceStudies,accreditedbythe
Open University Open Learn scheme
• 17certificatesforLeadershipatvariouslevels Presentation of the annual trophies went to:
• NeoGraham-GillianLockwoodTrophyforCadets'
Cadet (as voted for by cadets),
• JoshuaClark–ContributiontoFirstAid
• TyphoonFlight–Inter-flightCompetition
There were additional presentations of special note: two BTEC Level 2 Diplomas in Teamwork and Public Services for Joshua Clark and Eliot Ryan and, for the first time, certificates to mark the successful completion of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets Extended Project Qualification (equivalent to half an A-Level) for Aiden Booth and Daniel Green (now in
the band performed better than I have ever heard them
the RAF and returning for the presentation). For staff, the opportunity was taken to re-visit
presentations made recently at RAF Leeming, where Group Captain Mark Leeming awarded CIs Sue Doubell and Lionel Green with certificates to recognise outstanding dedication and meritorious service to
the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Major Hardy read out the citations for the two awards, which were met with rapturous applause from the local audience. There was also a special presentation for the Squadron Chaplain, Christine Shedd who will be retiring from the post after 16 years of service to the Squadron!
The formal proceedings concluded with five promotions: Sergeant Emily Richards and Corporals Neo Graham, Muhammad Saad, Ben Walker, and Ethan Wood.
After the formalities there was a light buffet for all, and the two Deputy Lieutenants made a point of talking socially with cadets and staff.
The Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell said “this has been another successful year for the Squadron and this evening has been a very fitting end to the year with recognition of so many achievements for the cadets, and some staff. This all also reflects the commitment and hard
work by the staff team and cadet NCOs involved in delivering our programme of activities. Well done and congratulations to everyone – especially to the band who performed tonight better than I have ever heard them previously!”
Assembled cadets with Sofia Buncy DL, Flt Lt Doubell and Major Hardy DL
CI Lionel Green presenting the Contribution to First Aid Trophy to Sgt Joshua Clark
Squadron Band starting proceedings
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