858 Rough it on Tac-Ex - added 22nd September 2009
Rushden Air Cadets packed up and moved out in to the country side for a little fun recently! The squadron held an adventure training weekend at a location near to West Haddon, Northamptonshire.
Cadets of all ages went out to learn how to move tactically in a squad as if in enemy territory, how to silently use hand signals and how to conceal themselves to avoid detection by enemy forces.
All the cadets arrived on the Friday night and spent the night in the comfort of their own tents. The next day they were given lessons on survival techniques such as water purification, snare trapping and skinning and preparing rabbits.
After these lessons the Cadets were sent on their way to complete an over-night exercise. The exercise involved navigation of a mine field, setting up a harbour area to protect, infiltrating an enemy position to gain information from a double agent, attacking an enemy position and escape and evasion.
As you can imagine, this was a very busy weekend. The first night was spent in tents, the following night was spent roughing it under bushes getting about 3 hours sleep after patrolling the area for enemies.
This is just one of many exciting weekends the Air Cadets take part in! If you are interested in finding out more information use the contact page or come along and join us for an evening at the parade hall.
858 sqn are seeking adult volunteers, aged 20 and above, no previous cadet or military experience required, to assist in providing opportunities to cadets in Rushden. For details please contact Flying Officer Emelye Towell on 07762016667
AGM and Annual Awards Night - added 22/10/09
Our Air Cadets recently held their Annual General Meeting and Awards Evening, where parents attended to see how the squadron was growing and performing and what the future holds for the cadets.
After the AGM , the parents were able to stay for the awards ceremony and see their sons and daughters receive a wide range of awards from academic and sporting certificates to awards such as ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Cadet of the Year’ award.
The Mayor of Rushden, Gill Mercer was in attendance to personally hand out the awards for the evening. A large number of the Air Cadets received an award that evening as they had all worked tirelessly to achieve goals so that they can progress in their cadet career.
The Marksmanship Award went to Cadet Elston for gaining the Region Marksman award. The Best Sportsperson award went to Cadet Ball for representing the Wing at many sporting events. The Academic Award went to Cadet Burgoyne for achieving the highest mark in her exams within the squadron. The most improved Cadet award went to Cadet Macdonald for showing a massive change in not only his personality and attitude but also his cadet career as a whole. Over the past year Cadet Macdonald has set himself certain goals and he is now well on his way to achieving them. Lastly the Best Cadet of the year Award went to Cadet Ball who was awarded this after showing an outstanding level of commitment and determination. He attended a Squadron run course after which he took everything he had been taught and put it into practice almost instantly impressing the staff with plans for navigation exercises, taking charge of situations and using his initiative.
There was one more award that was given out for Outstanding Personal Achievement which went to Cadet Flight Sergeant Charlotte McKay who has been selected to represent the Air Cadets at a national competition playing the Bugle.
Flight Sergeant McKay to Represent 858 - added 26/10/09
Recently Cadet Flight Sergeant Charlotte McKay has been chosen to represent the Air Training Corps in the solo Bugle on the 29th November.
Flight Sergeant McKay was chosen after she attended the first competition at RAF Wittering competing against other cadets from the Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire areas.
After winning the first competition the Flight Sergeant went onto represent South and East Midlands Wing at Region level where she competed against representatives from 5 other Wings that cover the Central and East Region.
After succeeding at the Regional Competition she was offered the chance to represent Central and East Region at a National competition where she will compete against representatives from the other 5 Regions in the UK. This will be held RAF Halton where Flight Sergeant McKay will perform in front of professional musicians in the RAF. This is an incredible achievement for Charlotte and not many get the opportunity to represent at this high level.
Left to Right: Corporal Cherrie Titheridge (16) Best Flight Award, Cadet Aaran Macdonald (16) Most Improved Cadet Award, Cadet Chris Elston (14) Marksmanship Award, Cadet Christopher Ball (16) Best Cadet and Sportsperson Award, Cadet Rebecca Moore (14) Music Award. Centre Mayor Gill Mercer
Celebration Parade by Rushden Air Cadets - added 12/11/09
On a warm, sunny, autumn Sunday afternoon, Air Cadets from Rushden joined over three hundred other Air Cadets from the Midlands and paraded through Rutland’s County Town of Oakham to the beat of the South & East Midlands Wing’s Massed Band.
The Cadets from across the East and South Midlands were celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the formation of the South & East Midlands Wing, Air Training Corps, an amalgamation of the old East Midlands and South Midlands Wings.
The celebration began with a Church Service held in Oakham’s All Saints Church in front of a glittering array of senior officers and Lord Lieutenants from across the Counties within the Wing. Banners from every Squadron paraded and were laid, for blessing, behind the altar. The Wing Banner was given pride of place being laid on a “drum head” before the altar. The sermon was delivered by the Reverend Tom Tait, Corps Chaplain, with readings by Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson, Officer Commanding South and East Midlands Wing and Cadet Corporal Davies of 2248 (County of Rutland) Squadron.
After the service the Cadets formed up behind the combined Wing Massed Band and marched proudly through the Oakham streets and passed the saluting Dias where the Salute was taken by Dr Laurence Howard OBE JP, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland. The following were also present at the saluting Dias;
Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Kennedy
Group Captain Paul Higgins - Station Commander of RAF Wittering
Group Captain Gary Waterfall - Station Commander of RAF Cottesmore
Mr Anthony Worth - HM Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire
Sir John Greenaway - HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire
Mr Ian Linney - HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire
Wing Commander Phil Giles RAFVR(T) Ret’d
Wing Commander Martin Nash RAFVR(T) Ret’d
Mrs Jan Fillingham – Oakham Town Mayor
Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson commented: “it was a tremendous success and I was proud to see the whole Wing represented. The turnout of the cadets and the staff was exceptional, it would be a shame to have to wait another ten years to show what the Wing can do”.
After the parade, refreshments were served in the Headquarters of 2248 (County of Rutland) Squadron where a special anniversary cake was cut by the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland and Wing Commander Dickinson.
The Parade and Church Service are the closing acts of a wonderful year of celebration. An activities and gliding weekend earlier in the year saw a record number of glider launches in one day and an Anniversary Ball attracted Staff and senior Cadets on a glittering occasion. To crown the year, the Wing emphatically won the Central & East Region inter-Wing Field Day.
The South & East Midlands Wing Massed Band leads the tenth anniversary parade through Oakham Town Centre.
Local WWII Painting Unveiled by Cadets - added 19/11/09
At a recent art exhibition in Rushden, the cadets attended an unveiling of a new painting which depicted Rushden's efforts during World War 2. Attended by the Mayor of Rushden, United States Service personnel and World War 2 Veterans. The Mayor of Rushden said that “this is one of the few long running traditions in the town’s history which, has been taking place for the past 18 years” The squadron was represented by Corporal Macdonald, Corporal Macgowan, Corporal Burgoyne and Corporal Ball.
Cadets Get Their Wings - added 23 January 2010
Sergeant Chris Moore (16) and Corporal Chris Ball (16) were away at RAF Syerston completing their gliding scholarships over the Christmas break. They spent two weeks flying Viking Air Cadet gliders completing the necessary training to be able to fly solo. Not many people can boast that they have flown a glider solo before they are even allowed to take a driving lesson!
They both went through a rigorous training programme set out by the Air Training Corps. The syllabuses contained such exercises as the effects of lift and drag, speed control, circuit planning, launches and landing. After four hours of intense flight training, both Corporal Ball and Sergeant Moore flew solo.
Corporal Ball was awarded his Silver Wings for completing his solo circuit. Sergeant Moore was awarded his Gold Wings after completing further flight training including landing in cross wind conditions, advance turns (45 degree turns) and five solo circuits. This is a huge achievement for both Cadet Corporal Chris Ball and Cadet Sergeant Chris Moore as cadets from this area have a rare chance of flying in the Cadet Viking gliders which are the conventional gliders instead of the motor gliders. Sergeant Moore has made an even greater achievement by attaining his Gold Wings, not many cadets have achieved their Gold Wings so Chris Moore has joined an elite few. Corporal Ball said “flying solo is like being on the best roller coaster in the world and you have the only ticket. Nothing can match the sense of freedom of having the whole sky to yourself”.
Also, Cadet Corporal Aaran Macdonald recently completed his motor gliding scholarship and gained eight hours of experience as well as flying solo. Aaran, Chris Moore and Chris Ball are going to apply for their flying scholarship which will give them the opportunity to gain 12 hours of flying in powered aircraft which is worth £1500 if they were to pay for it privately.
Course Photo at RAF Syerston
Cpl. Ball (far left) and Sgt. Moore (2nd left)
Click on image for larger picture.
Left To Right: Cadet Corporal Chris Ball (16) Cadet Sergeant Chris Moore (16) Cadet Corporal Aaran Macdonald (16)
Cadets Help Out At the Sport Relief Event - added 24 March 2010
Last Sunday the Council organised the Sport Relief Event at Stanwick Lakes and the local Air Cadets were there to help out. Rushden Air Cadets attended the Sport Relief Event at Stanwick Lakes to help the organisers with a few tasks. Some of the jobs the cadets helped with were route marshalling making sure that the participants of the one mile, three mile and six mile runs followed the correct routes. They also helped with the cark parking. Cadets also manned the booking tables to help check runners into the event and issue the runners’ their individual numbers.
The Rushden Air Cadets were presented a cheque from the local council for helping at the event (see picture below).
858 Squadron are always willing to help local organisations with events all year round and for any information on the Rushden Squadron feel free to contact them directly on (01933) 411 383 asking for Flying Officer Emelye Towell.
(ATC) Sergeant Chisholm Excels at RAF Cranwell - added 24 March 2010
Recently Sergeant (ATC) Dominic Chisholm went off to RAF Cranwell to learn under some of the top tutors the RAF has to offer.
Sergeant (ATC) Dominic Chisholm attended a course at the Adult Training Facility to sharpen his skills as a Senior NCO within the Air Training Corps. After being a cadet when he was younger Dominic went on to become an adult instructor and went back into uniform as a Sergeant.
The course was directed by RAF Regiment Squadron Leader Pelcot, RAF Regiment Warrant Officer Mitchell and Flight Lieutenant (VRT) McGavagan. The directing staff were there for the sole purpose of teaching the course of 18 Senior NCOs from all over the country with two coming all the way from Ghana how to be better Senior NCOs.
The course consisted of many lessons some theory and practical. The first lesson was how to behave on a RAF station and how to behave in the Mess (Bar and dining area). There are many rules that have to be followed in the Mess and there are hefty bar fines to be paid if they are broken!
The course ran over a week at RAF Cranwell. Throughout the duration of the course the participants were monitored and assessed. Areas that Sergeant (ATC) Chisholm was assessed on were team work, instructional technique, self confidence, appearance and bearing, practical drill, oral communication and a final written exam.
After an intense week of learning and assessments Sergeant (ATC) Chisholm came second overall on the course with high marks in all areas excelling in teamwork, practical drill and the written examination. Not only did Dominic come second on the course he also was recommended to apply for the Drill Instructors Course which is only offered to the best students from the course.
Sergeant Dominic Chisholm (ATC) said; ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the course, although it was intense I made some good friends and we all worked together and had a lot of fun at the same time. I feel that I came away from the course with a lot of knowledge about my role within the Air Cadets not only that but being taught by some of the best the RAF have to offer was amazing.’
Picture (ATF) Course 3/10
Dominic Chisholm pictured middle row second from the right
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition - added 05 May 2010
Over the first May bank holiday weekend 7 cadets from the squadron went out in to the wilderness to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award bronze expedition. The weekend started nice and early at 8.30am on the B645 Kimbolton Road where all the cadets were dropped off by their parents ready and raring to go for their walk. Cadets Jess Trinder, Rebecca Moore, Matt Valentine, and Corporals Chris Ball, Arran Macdonald, Cherry Titheridge and Bronnie Burgoyne all set off at 9am on Saturday to start their bronze expedition with the route taking them cross county on the Three Shires Way with the aim of finishing on the Sunday at Grafham Water.
All the walkers were in high spirits throughout even during the somewhat adverse weather that was experienced that weekend. After a long hard walk on Saturday they all arrived at their campsite slightly later than scheduled due to having to stop to do some patch work on some of their feet to cover up a few blisters.
Once they all arrived at the campsite they were incredibly happy to be able to sit down and relax for a few minutes before having to put up their tents for the over night stay. Once they had all settled in they got their dinner on the go with their gas stoves and mess tins. Even though they were camping some of the cadets ate like royalty! With them tucking in to a lovely home made Bolognese sauce with pasta and for desert chocolate pudding.
Through the night the weather started to turn for the worse with a few flashes of lightning witnessed and a couple worrying rumbles of thunder filling the skies however, the bronze team were very lucky as the campsite only got a light watering from the rain.
On the Sunday the team woke up to less than savoury conditions. With the rain falling while they tried to cook their breakfast spirits still remained high as the finishing line was within reach for them.
With a bit of a late start due to the rain the team set off for the finish. After 6 hours of walking they finally came to the finish point with the biggest smiles.
The Assessor for the group had this to say; ‘The team worked fantastically well together, throughout the weekend I tested them to make sure they were aware of their surroundings and that they had a firm grasp on navigating techniques.’
With only a presentation left to go for the team they will have completed all the compulsory elements for their bronze award.
The Squadron offer the Duke of Edinburgh scheme to all cadets 14 and over where they can go on to complete their Gold award and take a trip to London to either St. James’ Palace or Buckingham Palace to meet the Duke of Edinburgh to receive their awards.
The team setting off at the start of the weekend
Journey’s end at Grafham Water