You are browsing the archive for 2011 September.

Inter-Squadron Swimming Competition

September 15, 2011 in Wing Events

On Sunday 4th September, 4 cadets from 966 (Wallingford) Squadron woke up nice and early to meet 150 cadets from around Thames Valley Wing, where they would take part in the annual Wing swimming event.

We were all nervous as we changed and assembled ourselves on the seating by the pool. After several briefings, we all jumped into the freezing cold pool for a warm up. Four lengths later, we were ordered out of the pool to claim our seats on the stand again. Then the races began.

We had Cdt Godwin-Suttie doing junior backstroke and freestyle, Cdt West doing junior butterfly and freestyle, me, Cpl Harrington, doing senior breast stroke and freestyle and Flt Sgt Whiteside doing senior backstroke. The races went extremely well, with two medals being won – Gold by Cdt West in freestyle and Bronze by me, Cpl Harrington also in freestyle. The cadets all supported each other well and we made a great team.

After her success in junior freestyle, Cdt West has been asked to represent Thames Valley Wing in the regional swimming competition.

After a very successful day, we were all exhausted but stood proud on final parade, before returning home for an early night!

Cpl Harrington

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Andrew/Wilding Memorial Service

September 12, 2011 in Squadron Events

On Sunday the 11th September cadets from 966 (Wallingford) Sqn attend the Andrew/Wilding Service, to pay respect to the memory of Flying Officer John Wilding RCAF and Flight Sergeant John Andrew RAF.   Both were members of the 426 “Thunderbird” Squadron RCAF.   They died on the 9th September 1944 when their severely damaged bomb laden Halifax aircraft crashed on the Crowmarsh side of the river.  Their deliberate action of staying with their stricken aircraft and guiding it to an uninhabited area saved the Town of Wallingford.  Cadets attending were the Banner Party (Sgt Payne, Cpl Evans, Cdt Woollard and Cdt Cox) plus Cpl Harrington and Cdt West.All girls except for Sgt Payne! On arrival we put up the banner in the car park and then marched to the monument where we formed up opposite.

Lots of people turned up to pay respect. Poppy wreaths were laid by representatives from the RAF, the Canadian Air Force, the RBL and the Town Council.

The service was led by the Rev David Rice. We had a minute’s silence to think about the ultimate sacrifice of Flying Officer John Wilding and Flight Sergeant John Andrew, we were also mindful of the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks in America 10 years ago on that day.The service finished with the Lord’s Prayer after which we marched back to the car park to disband – just as it started to rain heavily.All together, a thought-provoking afternoon.

by Cdt West

 

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Benson Families’ Day

September 4, 2011 in Squadron Events

On Thursday 25th August, we attended the RAF Benson Families’ Day. When we arrived, we went almost straight to the Merlin hangar for our flight, for which they took us out towards Didcot and Abingdon and flew some fun manoeuvres, including a low-gravity manoeuvre where one of the crew hung from his harness! The rest of the day consisted of meeting cadets that were staying in RAF Benson on their summer camp, helping to park vintage cars, selling programmes, collecting for the RAF Association and the RAF Benevolent Fund, and also having our marquee blown away! After a hard, but enjoyable, day’s work, we all took a ride on one of the fair-ground rides that were there; some of us then regretted the doughnuts we’d just eaten – the flight was bumpier than the Merlin flight we’d had in the morning… However I think I preferred the Merlin! Unfortunately some cadets missed the flight as they were collecting exam results, congratulations to those who were. Throughout the afternoon, we watched the air display, which included the Chinook display team, the Blades, Tornado GR4, King Air, Captain Neville’s Flying Circus, a Sea King, and of course, Merlin and Puma Forces. All in all, it was a brilliant day, and I cannot wait until next year!

Cdt Woollard

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