1999 – 2009 Celebrating 10 Years of Success

CELEBRATION PARADE BY 1181 SYSTON AIR CADETS

On a warm, sunny, autumn Sunday afternoon, Air Cadets from 1181 (Syston) Squadron joined over three hundred other Air Cadets from the Midlands and paraded through Rutland’s County Town of Oakham to the beat of the South and East Midlands Wing’s Massed Band.

The Cadets from across the East and South Midlands were celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the formation of the South and East Midlands Wing, Air Training Corps, an amalgamation of the old East Midlands and South Midlands Wings.

The celebration began with a Church Service held in Oakham’s All Saints Church in front of a glittering array of senior officers and Lord Lieutenants from across the Counties within the Wing. Banners from every Squadron paraded and were laid, for blessing, behind the altar. The Wing Banner was given pride of place being laid on a ‘drum head’ before the altar. The sermon was delivered by the Reverend Tom Tait, Corps Chaplain, with readings by Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson, Officer Commanding South and East Midlands Wing and Cadet Corporal  Davies of 2248 (County of Rutland) Squadron.

After the service the Cadets formed up behind the combined Wing Massed Band and marched proudly through the Oakham streets and passed the saluting Dias where the Salute was taken by Dr Laurence Howard OBE JP, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland.

Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson commented: ‘It was a tremendous success and I was proud to see the whole Wing represented. The turnout of the cadets and the staff was exceptional, it would be a shame to have to wait another ten years to show what the Wing can do.’

The Parade and Church Service are the closing acts of a wonderful year of celebration. An activities and gliding weekend earlier in the year saw a record number of glider launches in one day and an Anniversary Ball attracted Staff and senior Cadets on a glittering occasion. To crown the year, the Wing emphatically won the Central and East Region inter-Wing Field Day.

Next February, Syston Squadron will be hosting the annual ‘ATC Sunday’ Parade with over 300 cadets and staff from Leicestershire converging on Syston in order to commemorate the formation of the Air Training Corps. In addition to this the Squadron has invited the Commandant of the Air Cadets – Air Commodore Ian Stewart who shall be unveiling the squadron’s home built 737 Flight Simulator built by staff over a year!

Pilot Officer Andy Houghton, says ‘A lot of time and effort has been put into the creation of this simulator which is a fantastic training aid for the cadets who want to learn to fly. This event is the ideal opportunity to get the Air Commodore to come to Syston, meet the cadets and staff and to do the official unveiling. The fact that we also have all the other Leicestershire Squadrons with us on this day should make it a memorable occasion.’

If you are interested in coming and trying out our new flight simulator and want to be involved in this event or just want to learn more about becoming a cadet on the Squadron please contact 1181 (Syston) Squadron on 0116 260 3948 for more information. We parade at the rear of Wreake Valley School between 7.00pm and 9.30pm Monday & Thursday evenings. So if you are between 13 and 16 years old don’t miss out and call us to see what we can offer you.