Page 29 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

MIRFIELD AIR CADETS ON DISPLAY AT THE LOCAL SHOW
A major event in the local calendar, Mirfield Agricultural Show, and although 2023 found the Show in competition with the Ladies World Cup Final there was still an attendance of about 7,000 visitors.
868 (Mirfield) Squadron Air Cadets have been a regular feature of the show since the current format for the Mirfield Agricultural Show was established in 1995, and so at 07.30 on a warm and sunny Sunday near the end of August the advance party from the Squadron arrived at the showground to set up their stall for the day, with added attractions for younger people: dressing-up in a flying suit and helmet and face painting with a difference – in camouflage!
The Show is very much a local event, with primarily “home-grown” talent (in the case of the vegetable competitions quite literally), and comprises a wide variety of attractions including horse and dog shows, vegetable and baking competitions, birds of prey, and is primarily a showcase for local talent, such
as the Katie Philpott School of Dance and the local cadet forces. A day of competitions, local talent and fun for everyone!
Together with the 868 Squadron stall there were more than 60 trade stands and craft stalls around the showground, including the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Association. In addition to their static stall publicising the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, the Squadron also provide a display team in the main
Cadets relaxing in the giant deck chair adjacent to their stall
Cadets with Flt Lt Doubell in front of the Air Cadet Stall
Cadets take to the arena for their display routine
arena. Usually they make two performances, one immediately prior to the formal opening ceremony and the second as a lead-in to the closing speech bringing the formalities to a close. However, this year, to fill an unforeseen gap in the programme, they entered the arena for a third session in the mid-afternoon.
During their attendance at Mirfield Show at the weekend, cadets also helped the neighbouring
stall for the Mirfield branch of the Royal Air Force Association collecting for the Wings
Appeal. Cadet Matthew Cockcroft who managed to collect over £220 almost single-handedly was presented with a prize for his efforts: a typhoon display
team mug and flying suit patch. After the show, the cadets’ squadron commander, Flight
Lieutenant Peter Doubell, commented “As usual the cadets did us proud
and put on a good show in the Arena, no less than three
times! It is always an honour to be invited to perform,
and for such a large audience – and judging by their applause they
were really appreciative. Events like this really
help to bring the light blue uniform the
Cadet Matthew Cockcroft with his reward for collecting for the RAFA Wings Appeal
public attention.”
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