Page 34 - Cadet Review Spring 2021

SWY Wing ATC
MIRFIELD AIR CADETS END THE YEAR IN STYLE – PART 2
For the second part of their wind-down from this very strange year, 868 (Mirfield) Squadron Air Cadets held a Virtual Presentation Evening, with over 40 participants - cadets, staff committee and guests. Despite not parading in the ‘real world’ for nine months, many cadets successfully rose to the challenge of getting into uniform for this special, formal evening.
Their principal guest for the event was Group Captain Mark Leeming, Commandant North Region Air Cadets; the evening started with a flash-back to the Squadron Band's performance from the previous year's presentation evening, and otherwise included:
• A review of the year (when we did nothing?) • Enrolment of cadets who joined during the
lock-down
• Certificates awarded to cadets and staff - 167
of them!
• Award of Annual Trophies
The certificates being presented, some of which
dated from early in the year before the Coronavirus forced the cessation of face-to-face activities, covered a wide range of activities:
• Classification – the Air Cadets’ academic syllabus
• First Aid – many staff, and one cadet, qualified for First Aid at Work
• BTEC – Level 1 Certificate and Level 2 Diploma in Teamwork and Personal Skills/ Development
• Communications – Radio and Cyber, plus iDEA (Inspiring Digital Enterprise Awards)
For the
first time
the Gillian Lockwood Trophy, voted for by cadets, has gone to the same person as the Best Cadet Award, Aiden Booth - clearly he is held high regarded by both staff and cadets!
• Space Syllabus
• Road Marching
• Methods of Instruction – Presentation Skills
and Instructor Cadet
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Aviation
• Challenge – success in quizzes and
challenges (Cadets Get Wet, Try This at Home
etc)
• Others – Air Cadet Leadership, Sports
The Trophy Awards announced were:
• President's Cup (for overcoming adversity) - FS Jacob Stockwell
• Gillian Lockwood Trophy (Cadets' Cadet) - Aiden Booth
• Co-vid Commitment (for perseverance and participation during lock-down) - Thomas Powles
• Esprit de Corps - Ben Ayrton
• Best Recruit - shared between Alfie Barnes
(who joined the Squadron before lockdown) and Emily Richards (who joined during lockdown)
• Best Cadet - Aiden Booth
• Best NCO - Sgt Toby Mathews
In summing up, Flt Lt Doubell gave thanks to all,
but specially mentioned Mrs Sue Doubell, Warrant Officer Michelle Alford, CIs Ben Thompson and Rebecca Thornton and Cadet Flight Sergeants Becky and Matt Jagger, and Jacob Stockwell for their outstanding support during the year. He also commented that "for the first time the Gillian Lockwood Trophy, voted for by cadets, has gone to the same person as the Best Cadet Award, Aiden Booth - clearly he is held high regarded by both staff and cadets!"
Gp Capt Leeming commented: "Wow! .... I was sort of concerned about how much you might have done during lockdown, you know you've done amazing amounts, all of you, so really well done."
Online enrolment of new
Aiden Booth, winner of both
Best Cadet and Cadets' Cadet Awards
cadet Katie Ashford
34 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2021