Air cadets from 1407 (Newton Aycliffe) Squadron have had a busy summer! Starting with athletics, our cadets came home with some impressive results from the recent inter-squadron event.
Four of Aycliffe’s cadets completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition after a two day walk through Teesdale. A further four cadets completed their three day Silver Expedition in North Yorkshire. They are all now well on their way to completing the rest of their awards.
Cadet Donkin has spent a week at the Air Cadet’s adventure training centre in Windermere. There he mountain walked, cycled, swam, kayaked, rock climbed and ghyll scrambled. He thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
While at this summer’s Devil’s Tower Camp in Gibraltar, Sergeants Lowe and McCormack experienced different units of all three services, visited two tips of Gibraltar’s rock and even walked through it! They also took trips to Spain and saw the dolphins in the bay. Sgt McCormack said “One of the best experiences a 17 year old can have, meeting amazing people and doing amazing things!”
At the recent Wing Competition Day our squadron competed against others in the area in 1st aid, aircraft modelling, aircraft recognition and drill. Our drill team came an impressive 3rd out of 35 squadrons and Sgt Lowe performed very well in the aircraft recognition competition; winning his age group and being selected to represent our Wing at the next level.
Sgt Lowe is currently working towards his BTec in Music and represented the Cadets at Beating the Retreat at Edinburgh Castle where he played his trombone.
The cadets have also been helping out in their local community. They formed the guard of honour for the Spitfire on the Green and performed duties at a Veterans’ Parade, both at Sedgefield.
With a camp to Arnhem, Netherlands, a swimming competition, the Battle of Britain Parade and the Adventure Training Challenge on the horizon, there’s lots to look forward to. All this on top of our parade night activities.
We are now actively recruiting. If you’re aged between 13 and 17 and like flying, gliding, shooting, sport, field craft, adventure training, gaining awards such as DofE Awards and BTecs, going on camps and making new friends then why not consider joining? Look out for our stall at the Great Aycliffe Show or come and see us on a parade night. See our website www.1407aircadets.org for details.
