Page 40 - Cadet Review Spring 2022

SWY Wing ATC
A ‘REAL-LIFE’ PRESENTATION EVENING FOR MIRFIELD AIR CADETS
After having presentations made in the virtual
world of Microsoft Teams for 2020, cadets at 868 (Mirfield) Squadron were at last able to enjoy a ‘real- life’ presentation event to mark the achievements
of 2021. Albeit with the necessity to comply with ongoing Coronavirus precautions, such as open doors and windows to facilitate good ventilation and wearing face coverings indoors (removed very briefly at the end of proceedings for a posed group picture).
Cadets, parents and friends, staff and committee, together with invited guests gathered at Christ the King Church on Stocks Bank Road in Battyeford, to celebrate the successes and achievements of the year, and despite the impact of Covid-19 on their meetings and activities, there was a lot to celebrate!
The principal guest for the evening was Ed Anderson, HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, a fitting guest as he was able to be accompanied by his Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet, Flight Sergeant Toby Mathews, at his home Squadron.
The Squadron band, newly reformed after the covid lockdowns put a stop to their practices, provided a stirring introduction
to the proceedings, and then
the Squadron Chaplain, Rev’d Christine Shedd, conducted the formal enrolment of 14 new cadets.
The Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, welcomed everybody to the proceedings and made a short opening address focusing on how very successful the Squadron had been throughout the year despite the ongoing constraints of the coronavirus precautions. The year had started with continued Virtual Meetings with guest speakers covering topics such as:
• National Police Air Service • Machu Picchu - Trekking in
the Andes
It has been
a delight to welcome
the Lord- Lieutenant back to the squadron,
to see the enthusiasm and achievements of cadets
• Air Traffic Control
• Yorkshire Air Ambulance
• RAF Waddington – ISTAR Operations
• Royal Marines
• Life and Work as a Private Detective
• UK Search and Rescue
He went on to explain that as the year progressed
the Squadron had been able to return to some measure of normality, with cadets able to participate in:
• Gliding
• Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet Presentation – FS
Mathews
• North Region Camp at DTE Warcop
• Remembrance Day Parade
The Lord-Lieutenant then took the stage to present
certificates, and in all there were over 120 certificates to be presented to cadets plus adult staff, including:
• Recognition of 6 completed D of E Awards at Blue, Bronze and Silver levels, plus Certificates of Achievement for another 6 cadets at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels
• 18 certificates representing academic progress through the Corps’ classification programme, up to and including BTEC in Aviation Studies
• 7 Aviation certificates, at Blue and Bronze levels • 14 Certificates for Space Studies, accredited by
the Open University Open Learn scheme
• 14 Entry level Awards in Health and Safety
Of special individual note, Warrant Officer Simon
Kelly was awarded the first clasp to his Cadet Forces Medal, and Cadet Warrant Officer Jacob Stockwell was presented with a certificate recognising his achievement as a finalist in the CVQO (Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation) Westminster Award and an accompanying Level 3 Award from the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Presentation of the annual trophies went to:
• Sachen Pathak - Gillian Lockwood Trophy for
Cadets' Cadet (as voted for by cadets),
• Gabriella Green – Best Recruit
• Shaun Mitchell – Best Cadet
• FS Toby Mathews – Best NCO
• Katie Ashford – Esprit de Corps
• Matthew Devine - President's Cup for efforts to
overcome personal challenges
The formal proceedings concluded with four
promotions: Sergeants Aiden Booth and Emelia Drake and Corporals Joshua Clark, and Matthew Devine.
Following the event, Flight Lieutenant Doubell said “the past year has certainly been a very challenging one and cadets, staff and committee have all had to work very hard to maintain the momentum. But all that effort has resulted in some great success for the cadets, which we have recognised tonight. It has been a delight to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant back to the squadron, to see the enthusiasm and achieve- ments of cadets.”
Shaun Mitchell – Best Cadet,
shown with the Lord-Lieutenant
40 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2022