Friday 4th December 2009
Tonight was the night of the 224 (Hexham) Squadron's Dining In Night to dine in the new cadets and dine out some of the older cadets as well as a celebration of the achievements of the squadron. There was an excellent turn out of 26 people including staff and cadets of the Squadron as well as two special guests; Squadron Leader Tickell, our sector commander and Adult Sergeant Foley.
To begin the night there was a drinks reception with non-alcoholic versions of Tequila Sunrises and Pina Coladas before being seated for out three course meal: Prawn Cocktail for starter, Chicken Paprika with rice and vegetables for the main and Chocolate Profiteroles for dessert. All of the food was cooked and served by members of the Civilian Committee. The food was followed by speeches from Flt Lt Elliott and Cpl Skentelbery before we moved onto the entertainment of Giant Jenga and a Quiz
We would like to thank the members of the Civilian Committee for organising the wonderful night.
Friday 23rd October 2009
Today, our cadets went on a trip to Go Ape high ropes course in Matfen. Go Ape is located in the grounds of Matfen Hall Golf and Leisure Hotel.
Ape consists of 5 stages. 1 being the training ground and 5 being the hardest, fastest and most adrenaline filled stage.
The cadets were doing a range of challanging stages containing things like; climbing 30ft up a rope ladder, tarzan swing into a giant rope net, crawling through tunnels, tackling high wire rope bridges then taking a zip wire through trees at speeds of up to 25 MPH.
All in all, the cadets had an amazing time and would like to thank the civillian committe for paying for most of it.
Saturday 10th October 2009
A group of cadets from 224 (Hexham) Squadron went to Elvington Air Museum in York. Elvington was
once a fully functioning RAF base with three runways. The museum has many different sections some of these are; a control tower Canadian Memorial Hangar (with a Halifax bomber among other aircraft), 609 Squadron display, uniform collection, airmens billet and more.
As well as having displays the museum also has a large collection of aircraft, some of the aircraft at the museum include: Gloster Meteor, Hawker Hunter, Canberra, Lightning, Gloster Javelin, Mosquito, Spitfire, Hurricane and more.
The cadets all really enjoyed their day out and thank Squadron Leader Henderson for taking us all in the minibus and talking us through some of the exhibits.
Sunday 4th October - Sunday 11th October 2009
On October 4th cadets from 224 (Hexham) Squadron headed to Warcop. Warcop, an air cadet green camp situated in Cumbria near the Lake District, is an annual air cadet camp. It is held over a one week period and normally has in the region of 130 cadets and 30 staff attending.
At Warcop you take part in many outdoor activities including:
- Climbing
- Abseiling
- Shooting (this is one of the main activities as Warcop has 4 ranges)
- Field craft
- Leadership exercises
- First aid
As soon as the cadets arrived they were immediately split into flights and met their Flight ICs (in command) and taken to their billets. They then got changed into their DPMs and sorted their kit. The next day they began participating in activities, with each day being split into two with one activity in the morning and one activity in the afternoon.
Since there are 4 ranges at Warcop including the 30 meter, IBSR ( Individual Battle Simulation Range) , Sat Range and the ETR (Electronic Targeting Range) shooting is a large part of Warcop. All these ranges use the L98-A1/A2 cadet general purpose rifle.
Fieldcraft is a whole day activity, in the morning the cadets did theory and cooking practice. In the afternoon the real fun, a practical exercise took place. The cadets had to capture the other flights flag and bring it back to their HQ. The cadets had to get covered in camo cream and crawl through fields - the highlight of the week for many of them!
Cadet AlexWordsworth who attended Warcop said his favourite part of the week was the field craft exercise "It was great fun crawling through fields and woods covered in camo cream and mud."
Sunday 20th September 2009
This warm and sunny Sunday 224 (Hexham) cadets paraded in the sele park to the Cenotaph in rememberance of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain. It was small parade with just the air cadets, members of the Royal Air Force Association and a few other members of the community, it is important for the cadets to attend to show their respect and keep the event going as fewer people attend each year.
Over the weekend cadets also collected on the street for the Battle of Britain Wings Appeal. The Wings Appeal raises money to provide support, friendship and help for both the veterans of World War 2 and serving RAF members.
International Air Cadets Exchange (IACE) 2009
The International Air Cadet Exchange Association (IACEA) organise annual exchanges between youth aviation societies each summer. The first exchange was between cadets from Canada and the UK in 1947. Since then the organisation has grown and now young people can visit and exchange with others from 21 different countries.
Saturday 22nd August - Saturday 29th August
Five cadets from 224 (Hexham) Squadron have just returned from a week away at summer camp at RAF Valley. Flight Sergeant Swinton, Cpl Skentelbery A, Cpl Skentelbery P, Cpl Crowther and Cadet Laidlow enjoyed their week at the home of the hawk in North Wales. The cadets participated in a range of activities including; shooting the L98, sports, first aid and swimming. All five gained their squadron marksmanship and Flight Sergeant Swinton gained her intermediate swimming proficiency.
Three cadets; Flight Sergeant Swinton, Corporal Skentelbery A and Corporal Crowther got the rare opportunity to fly a Seaking Simulator, a top of the range piece of equipment designed to train the pilots to search and rescue missions. Coproral Skentelbery P got the chance to fly in a Hawk Simulator which is so effective most student pilots don't require any other training before they first pilot a real Hawk.
Whilst at RAF Valley the cadets visited various sections around the base including 19 Fighter Squadron, 208 Training Squadron, the Engine Bay, Coastguard and Mountain Rescue. Despite the bad weather all cadets enjoyed their experience at RAF Valley and had their aircraft recognition skills tested on families day where aircraft such as the chinook, typhoon, VC10 and Kingair made an appearance. It was a successful week with Flight Sergeant Swinton winning the Best NCO award.
Sunday 9th August - Friday 14th August
Corporal Crowther had just spent a week in Malham, Yorkshire in a small converted bunkhouse at an Adventure Training camp. Activities included a day walk, kayaking, raft building, mountain biking, gyill scrabling, orienterring, rock climbing and a visit to Skipton. In the evenings they watched films ands played sport. The food was cooked by Adult Warrant Office Farrimond which was greatly appreciated by the cadets and staff. Corporal Crowther had a great time and said it was “a great experience and I would love to go again next year”.
Saturday 25th July - Saturday 1st August 2009
Corporal Crowther recently returned home from a week long Adventure Training Camp in Windemere. Housed in an air cadet centre near 1246 (Windemere) squadron, they spent the week sleeping in bunks and helping out with duties such as cooking, cleaning and preparing equipment. The week was fully packed with activities such as: swimming, kayacking, Go Ape, mountain biking, walking, raft building and indoor climbing. In the evening they relaxed and watched movies, played sports and spent time in Windemere. Coporal Crowther, who has attended 8 camps with air cadets said it was “one of the best camps I have ever been on” . As well as being enjoyable the cadets were offered the chance to gain their Basic, Intermediate or Advanced swimming profficiency and practice capsize drills in the kyack. Corporal Crowther gained his Silver Navigation Award with the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS).
Wednesday 10th June 2009
Tonight the squadron went swimming at the new Hexham swimming pool at Wentworth Leisure Centre. Everyone put in a huge amount of effort and 16 of us achieved at least our Basic Swimming Competency. After a short break 7 went on to attempt and achieve their intermediate certificates. Cpl Bell carried on to complete the Advanced Swimming Competency - a huge achievement that involved him swimming 300m fully clothed, rescuing a casualty among other tasks.
Saturday 6th June - Sunday 7th June 2009
Over this weekend the Hexham Horse Trials took place. 224 (Hexham) Squadron has helped out at this event for several years and it is always an enjoyable weekend. Cadets helped replace jumps when knocked over, helped horses cross the road and ensured that spectators were kept well back from the cross country course. Despite the weather being a bit wet spirits were not dampened as, very generously, the organisers supplied the cadets with a seemingly never ending pile of food and drink tickets. The weekend tested organisational skills and radio procedures as cadets were spread out over the fields. A good weekend was had by all and the cadets were complimented on how well they performed.
Monday 25th May 2009
Today was the day of the Northumberland County Show, held in Corbridge. It was the 28th year of the events and thousands came to enjoy the sights on the gloriously warm bank holiday. As the event is so big it required a team of 224 (Hexham) Squadron air cadets to help out to ensure the event ran smoothly and safely. Cadets helped fire marshal, patrol tents and ensured only members got into the members area. Morale was kept high by the good weather, good company and free food.
The cadets got plenty of breaks to enjoy the range of activities going on from Alpacas to motorbike stunts. Three air cadets helped break a world record by being three of the 1019 pairs of legs that were run through by a dog, each received a certificate at the end to commemorate the achievement.
Sunday 10th May 2009
The Wing Athletics held every year is one of the biggest sporting events in the squadron calendar. Hundreds of cadets from around Durham and Northumberland Wing compete in three of the following events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m relay, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Putt, Discus and Javelin. Eight cadets from 224 (Hexham) Squadron attended the event at Monkton Stadium. Sergeant Molina was the most successful coming away with both a silver medal for 100m and a gold medal in the long jump. The other cadets gave it their all and most did well in their heats but were up against some tough competition and didn't quite manage to win a medal. The weather managed to hold out for the majority of the day and a good time was had by all.
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th March 2009
This weekend three cadets from 224 (Hexham) Squadron went on a Sector 5 camp at the Regional Activity Centre based in RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Leaving on the Friday night with another 14 cadets from the Squadrons in Sector 5 they returned early on Sunday evening.
Gliding with 642 Volunteer Gliding School was planned but due to a Tucano Crash this was not possible. Staff had to think on their feet to come up with other activities. Activities on Saturday included - the flight simulator (with Cdt's Millett and Wordsworth in a Hawk whilst Cdt Skentelbery took it a bit slower in a GROB Tutor), using the IT Suite, initiative exercises, drill and a visit to the cinema.
On Sunday there was a visit to Eden Camp an original Prisoner of War camp built in 1942. There were over 30 huts each showcasing a different subject from The Blitz to the Black Market. Having returned to RAF Linton-on-Ouse it was time to hoover, polish and clean down Thunderbird Block were the cadets were housed before leaving mid-afternoon. All three cadets had a great time and would recommend it to others to put their name down for it.
Wednesday 11th March 2009
Three cadets received their Gliding Induction Course (GIC) Certificates tonight. Cdt Laidlow received her GIC 2 whilst two of our newer cadets; Cdt Thompson and Cdt Easby both got their GIC 1. They flew with 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe in GROB Vigilant Motor Glider.
Saturday 31st January 2009
The Ark Royal is a 20,000 Tonne aircraft carrier that has berthed at Northumbria Quay for five days. Cadets assembled at the Drill Hall at 0830 and by 0930 the cadets were being given a guided tour of the Ark Royal by Lieutenant D Ellis. Not only did the cadets have a guided tour unlike the public they were also on the vessel before the public. Cadets were shown round the Hangar, Flight Deck which had a Seaking onboard, as well as access to the Bridge, Mess areas and Squadron briefing rooms.
All cadets had a great time and we would like to thank Lieutenant Ellis for taking time to give us a tour. Cadets also took footage on the Squadron video camera that will be edited by the cadets at a later date. Photos will be compiled and posted online soon. Click on the image for a larger view.
Tuesday 23rd December 2008
Today cadets spent nearly 8 hours packing shopping bags in the local Waitrose. Just two days before Christmas Waitrose was full of shoppers desperately filling their trolleys full of Christmas dinner supplies before they ran out. Cadets packed dozens of Brussel sprouts, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and turkeys before the day was out. The cadets worked hard all day and put in a huge effort.
The total amount raised was £960! A brilliant sum of money that will go towards radio equipment for the squadron. We would like to thank Waitrose for allowing us to bag pack and the shoppers who gave generously.
The squadron is standing down for the Christmas period and will parade again on the 7th January.
Merry Christmas!