Awards Night 2011

Monday 19th December was the Squadrons Annual Awards & Enrolment Evening and it was made much easier this year with the dramatic onset of snow and ice!

Over 200 people attended the event at the brand new Maltings Academy School in Witham for presentations from Cadets and Staff from the Squadron. The evening outlined the Squadron’s key achievements throughout 2011 with presentations from Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Mat Moakes, a piano performance from Corporal Alex Benham, a presentation about completing a gliding scholarship and the expedition to the Pyrenees. There was also a raffle which helped to raise over £200 for Squadron funds. Thank you to those who donated prizes and bought tickets.

The proceedings were then handed over to our recent intake of new recruits who began in September to present what they’ve done since joining the Corps. After a short presentation and drill display they were formally enrolled into the ATC by Squadron Chaplain, Revered Michael Child. The recruits of ‘C Flight’ have now only 4 weeks to go until they will achieve their ‘First Class’ classification enabling them to go flying and gliding. During their initial three months training they’ve covered everything from basic drill, RAF knowledge to fieldcraft and weapons training.

There were a number of awards presented to the intake on the evening and they were presented by Wing Warrant Officer Kevin Cottee and Warrant Officer David Shelton:

Best Cadet of the Intake: Cadet Matthew Childs

Best Drill of the Intake: Cadet Harry Boon

Most Improved Cadet: Cadet Mollie Rushen

The evening ended with awards and promotions for the main Squadron. Awards were made by representatives of Essex Wing ATC, RAFA Witham Branch, RBL Witham Branch and friends of the Squadron.

Sports Cadet of the Year ~ Presented by Squadron Leader Debbie Robinson, Deputy OC Essex Wing ATC

Corporal Alex Benham

Marksman of the Year ~ Presented by Mr Terry Ridley, Chairman, RAFA Branch 327

Cadet James Walkinton

Best New Recruits 2011 ~ Presented by Squadron Leader (Ret’d) Jeff Carpenter, Chairman Essex Wing CWC

Cadet Amelia Johnson
Cadet Francis Lewis

NCO of the Year ~ Presented by Mrs Peggy Joslin, widow of our Squadron President Mr Richard Joslin

Sergeant Rebecca Baker

Most Improved Cadet, the Harry Robinson Memorial Trophy ~ Presented by Flight Lieutenant (Ret’d) Bob Stratton

Cadet Toby Day

Cadet of the Year, The Sweetman Cup ~ Presented by Squadron Leader (Ret’d) Richard Sweetman

Cadet Frazer Simpson

A commendation from Officer Commanding Essex Wing ATC, Wing Commander Glenn Mayes was presented to Mr Terry Ridley and Mr Des Bright for their hard work and meritous service in support of the Squadron over a number of years. This was presented by Deputy OC Essex Wing, Squadron Leader Debbie Robinson.

Following an NCO selection cadre in November 2011 the Squadron also announced the following promotions:

From Cadet to Corporal:

Corporal Ellie Shipley
Corporal James Walkinton
Corporal Frazer Simpson
Corporal Abi Graves

From Corporal to Sergeant:

Sergeant Kris Baker
Sergeant Alex Benham

From Sergeant to Flight Sergeant:

Flight Sergeant Tom Wells

The following awards were also voted for by the Cadets:

Best Member of Staff voted by the Cadets: Flying Officer Sean Purcell

Best NCO voted by the Cadets: Sergeant Tom Wells

Best Cadet voted by the Cadets: Cadet Amelia Johnson

Parents, Guests and Cadets then joined Staff members a for light refreshments to celebrate the Squadron’s achievements.

See our video review of the year below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTFdTKBTSEU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5AIZnrB-Ow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJxqHnURLb4

Squadron Quiz Night raises £270.00 for funds

On Friday 18th November the Squadron held its second Quiz Night of the year to raise money for Squadron funds.

7 quiz teams took part in 6 rounds of nail-bitingly close competition. Congratulations to Noel Brown and Ben Graves for taking the trophy for the second time this year.

There was also a raffle.

Just over £270.00 was raised towards Squadron funds. Thanks very much to the RAFA Club for allowing us to host the event, CI Rory Simpson for being our Quiz Master and to Civilian Welfare Committee members Ann Baker and Tim Wakeman for their hard work in organising the evening.

The evening will be held at the Maltings Academy School, not far from Squadron Headquarters.

The evening will be a review of Squadrons achievements over the past year and will include awards, promotions and enrolments. A raffle and refreshments will follow the awards.

Please keep the date free and invite as many friends of the Squadron along.

The presentations will begin at 1915.

For further information please get in touch using our contact form.

16 Cadets spent the weekend based at Totley Camp in Sheffield and walking around the Edale area with trips onto Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. Training concentrated on developing navigation skills to help Cadets prepare for their Duke of Edinburgh Award, gain experience of hillwalking and help them pass their Leading Classification exam in Basic Navigation.

The weather was fantastic and a good time was had by all!

Some of her photo’s can be seen below:

Sgt Rebecca Baker and Cpl Kristian Baker fly solo in a Viking Glider and receive their 'Silver Wings'

Cadet Sergeant Rebecca Baker and Cadet Corporal Kristian Baker (both 16) have completed their Glider pilot training and been awarded their Silver Wings after a weeks intensive training at 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at MDP Wethersfield near Braintree.

Twins, Kris and Rebecca were awarded their scholarships after a selection process earlier this year and attended the intensive course over the summer holidays. Their training consisted of both theory and practical instruction on the Viking Glider aircraft operated from the local Gliding Squadron in Wethersfield.

The twins undertook over 40 launches throughout the week long and were both deemed suitable to pilot the aircraft ‘solo’ on the final afternoon. They completed their first flights in less than 5 minutes and both landed their aircraft successfully. They were awarded their ‘Silver’ Glider Pilot Wings on Sunday 14th August by Officer Commanding 614 Squadron, Squadron Leader George Capon.

Kristian said ‘It was great to fly the aircraft solo after a hard week’s training and we’ve both really enjoyed it’.

295 Squdron's new minibus - dedicated to Cadet Harry Robinson

Witham Air Cadets have recently taken delivery of their new minibus following a long fundraising campaign. The minibus is the first vehicle the Squadron has owned and will be used to transport Cadets from Witham to events such as Flying, Gliding, Adventure Training and Camps.

Fundraising for the bus began in December 2009 with 5 days of festive bag-packing at the Witham Tesco store which raised over £2500 towards the project; most noted for his effort at the time was 13 year old Cadet Harry Robinson who attended all 5 consecutive days.

On 7th January 2010 Harry tragically died and his loss was, and is still greatly felt by his family, friends and all at the Squadron.

Since the loss of Harry the Squadron has dedicated its fundraising campaign to Harry’s memory and the unit has since raised over £10,000 towards the ‘Harry Robinson Memorial Minibus Fund’; shortened to the ‘H Bus’ due to Harry’s nickname on the Squadron.

At the end of July 2011 the Squadron found a suitable vehicle to support its activities and purchased a 2007 minibus from the Colchester Van Monster garage at just over £10,000.

Our new minibus attended its first event – supporting a Summer Camp in early August and has been well received by the Cadets, Parents and Staff at Witham Air Cadets.

Flight Lieutenant Mat Moakes, Officer Commanding, Witham Air Cadets said; ‘It’s great for the Squadron to finally have its own vehicle and this will enable us to offer even more activities to our Cadets. It’s also a fitting tribute to Harry and the Squadron would like to thank all those who donated to the campaign.’

The range of activities on offer was very wide indeed! The photo’s and our video can be seen below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJxqHnURLb4