Parades - Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing

20 November, 2017

Gloucestershire Royal British Legion’s County Youth Standard Bearer’s Penultimate Duty

On Sunday 20 November 2017 Cadet Sergeant Jamie Molony’s (2328 (Bishop’s Cleeve) Squadron) penultimate duty as the Gloucestershire British Legion’s County Youth Standard Bearer was to carry the Youth Standard at the Annual Patchway Remembrance Parade. He joined other RAF Air Cadets and staff from 2152 (North Bristol) Squadron, 2152 (Downend) Detached Flight and 37 (Frampton Cotterell) Squadron on the Parade.

Jamie’s final engagement will be on Sunday 26 November 2017 at Gloucester Cathedral for a special Choral Evensong and Commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the withdrawal of British Forces from Aden. In January 2018 the winner of this year’s Gloucestershire British Legion competition, another RAF Air Cadet from 614 (Lydney) Squadron takes over as Youth Standard Bearer.

15 November, 2017

Royal Air Force Air Cadets well represented at Cheltenham Festival of Remembrance

Royal Air Force Air Cadets were well represented at Gloucestershire Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at Cheltenham Town Hall. The event was attended by HM Lord Lieutenant and other senior officials and the music was provided by the Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Band and Choir. All the cadet forces were present including, for the first time, the Fire Service Cadets. Cadets from 125 (Cheltenham) Squadron, 2322 (Dowty) Squadron and 2328 (Bishops Cleeve) Squadron attended with a number carrying Banners and Standards. One cadet said, “That was special and I really enjoyed the music. It was a real privilege to be asked to attend this event.”

That morning forty cadets from 2328 (Bishop’s Cleeve) Squadron paraded in Bishop’s Cleeve and in the afternoon fifteen paraded in Southam. Gerard Pendergast, Secretary of Woodmancote and District Royal British Legion (and a former 2328 Squadron Commanding Officer) praised the Squadron’s turnout and said it provided the biggest Remembrance Parade in Bishop’s Cleeve for years.

10 May, 2017

2002 (Kingswood) Sqn Parent’s & Prizegiving Evening 2017

On the evening of April 6th 2017, 2002 (Kingswood) Squadron paraded in front of their proud parents.

It was a fantastic evening where the parents were treated to an excellent continuity drill display, followed by cadet presentations and a demonstration of their award-winning First Aid.

Also in attendance was Guest of Honour, Major J Flexman of the United States Air Force.

The event was successfully capped off with an award ceremony, followed by cheese and wine (for the parents!).

Poppy Appeal Highest Amount Raised

Sports Award

Cadet’s Cadet of the Year

Drill

Cadet Dof E Presentations

First Aid Demo

22 September, 20161 March, 2017

RAF Air Cadets Mark 75th Anniversary in Style

Cadets from 2467 (Nailsea) Squadron helped the RAF Air Cadets celebrate their 75^th anniversary in style at their national parade and musical extravaganza this week.

Cadets Clasper, Whitcombe, and Cadet Flight Sergeant Penfold joined the fun for the historic event at RAFC Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

There were close to 5,000 people attending, along with with VIP guests including the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier and Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman. to watch flypasts from the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Falcons.

The historic event was to mark 75 years since the formation of the Air Training Corps and several units of the Combined Cadet Force (RAF), collectively known as the RAF Air Cadets.

FS Penfold said: “I was thrilled to be part of the flagship anniversary event. The Air Cadets began in 1941 and we have nearly 960 Squadrons across the UK and 210 detachments of the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) in schools. It was a really big parade and party.”

Opening with a precision parade in front of College Hall, 350 cadets performed a spectacular hour-long drill ceremony, before musical youngsters and adult volunteers took to the stage for the musical extravaganza with compere Peter Dickinson, the voice of the X-Factor. The day closed with a finale of fireworks.

Nailsea cadets said: “It was a really great day celebrating the best of the RAF Air Cadets. Our highlight was watching the Red Arrows fly over, as some of their pilots used to be cadets and so they are a huge inspiration for me.”

“The parade was amazing to watch, it has definitely given our Squadron ideas to practise at home for our Remembrance Day parades in our local town.”

18 September, 20161 March, 2017

Seventy six cadets take part in Cheltenham Parade to mark the 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Seventy six cadets from six North Gloucestershire units plus the band of 1329 (Stroud) Squadron put on an impressive display at the Cheltenham Battle of Britain Commemorative Service and Parade.
The immaculate conduct of the banner bearers and wreath laying detail were singled out for particular praise by Air Vice Marshal Tony Mason.

Cadets also provided a Guard of Honour at the unveiling of the restored War Memorial in The Promenade. The Mayor of Cheltenham, who conducted the ceremony, watched by hundreds of people including cadet parents, said six new names of armed forces’ personnel killed in action, including the first female name, had been added.
After the March Past, the Mayor personally thanked the cadets and volunteer staff for their turn out. Air Vice Marshal Mason told the cadets today was not just about remembering the past but also thinking of current RAF crews on active service in the Middle East.

30 August, 20161 March, 2017

The National 75th Anniversary Torch Relay

It was the turn of Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing on the 25^th August 2016 to receive the National Air Cadet Torch that represents 75 year of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. It had been travelling from John O’ Groats since 12^th July 2016 through the other wings and was delivered at Hullavington, the home of 621 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron), by Dorset & Wiltshire Wing. After a short photo call it was handed over to Alumni Mr Tony Eve, a retired Flt Lt and OC, and Cdt Dimond from 1446 (Clevedon) Sqn. It was due to be flown to Colerne and 3 AEF (Air Experience Flying) and then to Gloucester Airport but the weather was not favourable, so plan “B” took it by minibus.

The journey around the Wing took the Torch to all 29 units over a tight schedule of 24 hours, and it was met with enthusiasm and in many different ways including a cake and street party. Alumni also turned out to meet the Torch and cement the importance of the celebration.

The journey from 621 VGS, through 3 AEF and the Jet Age Museum took just over 18 hours. Five members of the Wing including the Wing Commander were involved in delivering the Torch so spending that amount of time together was not without its events - look out for the paperback; not sure what to call it yet, perhaps “5 Men in a Minibus”, “5 Go Insane” or “The Infamous 5”. Fortunately it didn’t turn out to be a “Murder Mystery”.

The 24 hour event took months of planning and all came to fruition on 25^th August. The mood on arrival at the units was fantastic as the rest of the Wing actively supported the quest. Units turned out at all hours in order to be part of this memorable occasion that the cadets, staff, alumni, committee and parents will remember. From 621 VGS (Hullavington), 3 AEF (Colerne), to all the squadrons/detached flights the attitude was jovial and positive.

The SS Great Britain was particularly helpful by offering their time and staff the mark the occasion. Photos on the ship were taken with Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Chris Davies, Deputy Lieutenant for Bristol Richard Pendlebury and even an “Isambard Kingdom Brunel” attended. The Torch was strapped to a cadet in a special holster and climbed to the top of the rigging.

Canoes were moored alongside the SS Great Britain in order to start the next part of the journey, Fg Off Alec Small of 2146 (South Bristol) Squadron was the carrier of the Torch in the canoe, (he had also met the Torch at 2146 Squadron at 04:00 that morning). Escorted by cadet canoeists and the party leader Flt Lt Martin Neate of 2124 (Bristol Airport) Squadron they made their way through the docks to the Sea Cadet HQ at TS Adventure. Here the Torch was given to the Nijmegen Road Marching Team to move to the foot of the Avon Gorge where it was climbed by the cadets and staff supervised by the Wing Adventure Training Officer Sqn Ldr David Morgan.

At the top of the Gorge the Bristol & Gloucestershire Drill & Ceremonial team march the Torch to the Clifton Suspension Bridge where a large crowd had gathered to take part in and watch the event. The television, press, and radio were jockeying for position in order to get the best coverage. 30 banners from Bristol & Gloucestershire & Devon & Somerset lined the bridge at intervals to receive the Torch. Guests included the Ambassador to the Air Cadets Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman RAFVR(T), The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Jeff Lovell and Lady Mayoress of Bristol Mrs Bridget Lovell, as well as Sqn Ldr (Ret) “Johnny” Johnson. The party were led across the bridge by the Drill & Ceremonial Flight who carried the Torch. On the South side of the bridge it was handed to an alumni, Flt Lt (Ret) Doug Crew and Cdt Daniel Moss of 2152 (North Bristol) Squadron who in turn handed it to our ambassador. After a few words it was passed on to the receiving cadet of Devon & Somerset Wing.

A fitting end to this part of the Torch’s journey as it represents not just the serving members of our organisation but those who had been there before us and built the organisation that we have inherited. We are so fortunate that our forefathers entered the Air Training Corps with such passion, it is our duty to honour them with our enthusiasm and dedication for the future of the Air Cadets so that in 25 years we would have continued in the same tradition.

17 July, 201628 March, 2017

Success for 1860 (East Bristol) Squadron at Wing Activities Day

A day of competitive activities was held at Buckley Barracks at the weekend in involving drill, modelling, sports, first aid, and aircraft recognition amongst other things. Although it was hard fought there could only be one winner, 1860 (East Bristol) Squadron led by Officer in Charge Flying Officer Meg Wild rose to the challenge letting out a big cheer on hearing the results read out by Officer Commanding Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing, Wing Commander David Cox. Flying Officer Wild said “I am really proud of them, the agreement was if they win it was a trip to Nando’s on the way home”.

Cadet Warrant Officer Grey receiving the trophy from Wing Commander Cox

12 July, 201628 March, 2017

75th Anniversary Parade at RIAT

750 Royal Air Force Air Cadets and their staff assembled at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford for the 75^th Anniversary Parade on Friday 8^thJuly.
Arriving from near & far the cadets and staff, accompanied by the Air Cadets National Band, marched along Patrons Way where, taking the salute, were Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, and the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter DBE.
Thousands of onlookers were entertained with music as the cadets and staff proudly took part in one of the biggest events of the year to celebrate the organisation’s anniversary.
Joining the Chief of Staff was Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty and Honorary Ambassador, Group Captain Carol Vorderman.

4 July, 201630 January, 2018

Wing celebrates 75th anniversary at Gloucester cathedral

The sun shone on the Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing parade on Sunday 3^rd July as Cadets and staff marched to the Gloucester Cathedral for a service to celebrate the forming of the Air Training Corps 75 years ago on 5^th February 1941 and to acknowledge the 100 years since the start of The Battle of the Somme. About 300 cadets and staff took part in a march past, the salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter DBE and Air Marshall Julian Young CB OBE RAF. The cadets played a large part in the service by recounting the major Air Cadet points through the decades; musical items were played by 2442 (Westbury on Trym Squadron) and “We’ll meet again” was sung by cadets of 1860 (Speedwell) Squadron, the address was given by Officer Commanding Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing, Wing Commander David Cox FCA MCGI RAFVR(T). The event was attended by many dignitaries and alumni including Mr Jim Bartlett, 89, an ex-member of 614 (Lydney) Squadron who left as a Flight Seargent in 1945. The day concluded with the cutting of a cake by Air Marshall Julian Young.

16 July, 201530 January, 2018

Air Cadets Don’t Let Rain Spoil Their Parade

Less than ideal weather did not get in the way of hundreds of RAF cadets parading through the City of Bath during the spectacular annual parade of Bristol and Gloucestershire Wing Air Training Corps.

The parade led by the band of 93 (City of Bath) Squadron marched past the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, the Mayor of Bath and other VIPs including Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson the last RAF survivor of the Dambuster’s Raid who braved the damp conditions to review the excellent cadet turn out.

The event included a service at Bath Abbey commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A packed congregation listened to music performed by a girl cadet choir from 1860 (East Bristol) Squadron and an ensemble band from 2442 (Westbury on Trym) Squadron. Cadets also played leading roles during the prayers and readings. The service concluded with the spectacular dipping of over twenty banners during the National Anthem.

Squadron Leader David Morgan said “We are very proud of our cadets and volunteer staff. Immediately after the event we received a number of positive comments from spectators, offers of help and interest in joining the ATC.”