Going Back in Time
- By Sqn Ldr Thompson
- 6 July, 2016
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Annual camps with over 200 cadets, delaying a Wing Commander so cadets could eat their chips in peace, being interviewed in a pub for promotion by a Regional Commandant are some of the vivid memories of retired Wing Commander John Mandeville, who lives in Stroud. John joined the RAF in 1948 and completed basic training at RAF Padgate. During a lesson on ranks and badges he recalls being told that it was unlikely that he would ever see anyone above the rank of Wing Commander, unless on a big parade. That proved far from the case, as being posted to … Continue Reading →
Wing celebrates 75th anniversary at Gloucester cathedral
- By Wing IT Officer
- 4 July, 2016
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The sun shone on the Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing parade on Sunday 3rd 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 5th 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 … Continue Reading →
Promoting the ATC live on BBC
- By Wing IT Officer
- 2 July, 2016
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A 181 Sqn cadet gave a brilliant performance live on BBC Radio Gloucestershire promoting the ATC on the eve of the 75th Anniversary Parade in Gloucester.
Bristol & Glos. Wing Staff and Cadets pass BEL Assessment
- By Wing IT Officer
- 26 June, 2016
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Congratulations to Bristol and Glos. Wing’s 9 staff and 2 cadets who passed their BEL assessments today in the Cotswolds. Thanks go to all the tutors who gave their time to make it possible and whose approach was praised by the Sports Leader UK External Validator. The new Basic Expedition Leaders will achieve a Level 3 qualification that will increase the Wing’s capacity to deliver adventure training and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.
Operation Fortitude 2016
- By Deputy B&G Wing Media Communications Officer
- 14 June, 2016
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The expedition, code named Operation Fortitude, saw the cadets walking in four groups, code named Gold, Juno, Utah and Sword! Named after the D-Day landing beaches assaulted by the allies on 6th June 1944. The cadets carried all their equipment, slept under canvas at different sites and covered a distance of over 60 kilometres. During their time in Normandy, the groups visited a variety of D-Day sites and paid their respects to the fallen by laying wreaths at military cemeteries. After completing the expedition, the cadets visited Pegasus Bridge, where they met Madam Arlette Gondrée, the proprietor of the world famous … Continue Reading →
2328’s mountain bikers take on Cleeve Hill
- By Wing IT Officer
- 4 June, 2016
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Under the supervision of qualified leaders, cadets from 2328 (Bishops Cleeve) Squadron completed a two hour mountain bike route around Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham. It included two tough climbs and some good downhill sections that the cadets successfully negotiated before returning to the start point.
High Flyer Elin
- By Sqn Ldr Thompson
- 24 May, 2016
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186 (Newent) Squadron has been honoured by having one of the highest achieving Air Cadets. 18 year old Cadet Warrant Officer Elin Caine beat off all opposition in the Southwest Region in order to be nominee for best female Air Training Corps Cadet and travel to RAF Cranwell for the annual Honours and Awards Ceremony, and to compete for the coveted Dacre Sword trophy. The award recipients began the day with a top table lunch at York House Officers’ Mess with Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore McCafferty and Group Captain J. Phillip Dacre, the cadets were then treated to a … Continue Reading →
Top Award for Jennie
- By Sqn Ldr Thompson
- 24 May, 2016
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Sgt Jennie Simmons has beaten 202 other candidates from across the UK to win the Quinton Memorial Trophy, for the student judged the best non-commissioned officer to attend a week-long initial training course. The candidates are measured on topics including uniform standards, attitude, instructional techniques theoretical knowledge and drill performance. Sgt Simmons from 1446 (Clevedon) Sqn, was presented with the coveted trophy at a prestigious awards ceremony at RAF College Cranwell, by Air Cdre Dawn McCafferty, Commandant Air Cadets.
Activity First Aid
- By Wing IT Officer
- 11 May, 2016
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Seven staff and 11 cadets successfully completed a two day Activity First Aid course. Thanks go to FL Dave Shaddick (SWR) for travelling up and making it possible to run the course. Dave will be running another Activity First Aid Assessor course in the near future. There was a lot of interest from the course staff and senior cadets in becoming assessors. This would be a major benefit to the Wing because we could run more courses and spread out geographically. The next Wing course is a Heartstart Instructor Course on 19 June 2016 at 2152 SHQ.