Page 24 - Cadet Review Summer 2023

SWY Wing ATC
AN EVENING OF LIGHT
(COMIC) RELIEF
On 17 March, following a tradition of many years, 868 (Mirfield) Squadron set aside their normal routine for an evening of fun for all in support of Comic Relief.
It was an evening of two halves; the first half featured a “rank swap”, where for a small fee cadets could enter a draw for a variety of other ranks and roles and take over running the squadron. Assisted by the lucky winners of cadet NCO ranks, the Squadron Warrant Officer for the night, Finlay Hope, had to organise the cadets and run a drill practice. Meanwhile, the newly “appointed” training officer Emily Richards set about planning activities for the cadets. The new Squadron Commander, Joshua Hinchliffe, found he had some visitors to entertain. First of all, an extremely enthusiastic “parent”
(Sgt) Dan Green, had brought his son, (FS) Aiden Booth, down as a prospective new cadet - they had to be watched carefully as they went everywhere without invitation and clearly wanted to be a part of everything.
Next up was a VIP, Warrant Officer Mark Andrews of Dewsbury Squadron, borrowed some squadron leader rank slides to pose as a visiting VIP to present a medal to one of the new “staff”. He was on a tight schedule, so other things had to be interrupted to get the Squadron on parade for the presentation, and in the rush another cadet “fell and sprained his wrist”, giving a “casualty” for the Civilian Instructor for the evening, Manny Khella, to practise his first aid.
Behind the scenes, the regular staff were co-or- dinating the activities and prompting incidents to happen. Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell said “I had forgotten how much fun these events can be, everybody has had a great time, even if they didn’t get the ranks and roles they might have wanted from the draw, watching others cope with running the squadron for just half an evening has been great fun!”
I had forgotten how much fun these events can be
His substitute for the evening, Joshua Hinchliffe, simply said “I feel very sorry for you, sir”.
Another highlight of the evening was a Sods Opera where each flight of cadets presented a humorous sketch, often at the expense of staff or fellow cadets. This too was the cause great hilarity, and featured some very well observed caricatures of Squadron members, especially WO Michelle Alford and Flt Lt Doubell.
The culmination of the evening was the ever-pop- ular “sponge the NCOs”. The “real” cadet NCOs dressed down to t-shirts and shorts for the privilege of having wet sponges thrown at them by the other cadets, who had happily parted with more money for the opportunity! Assembled outside, the NCOs got very wet, but were soon brought back inside to dry off, change and have a hot drink.
During the evening there were also other activities: a Comic Relief Quiz and a raffle for some “red-nose” goodies including a specially baked cake as star prize. All in all a wonderful fun night was enjoyed by all, and everyone‘s efforts raised £300 for this very worthy cause.
Joshua Hinchliffe taking on the role of Squadron Commander for the night
Assembled cadets with "winners" of the staff roles for the night seated in front
24 CADET REVIEW SUMMER 2023