05 May 09 - Giant Killers of Ripon raise their profile in Anniversary Year
A small party of cadets from 886 (City of Ripon) ATC Squadron enjoyed tremendous success in the Air Cadets Central & East Yorkshire Wing Inter-Squadron Athletics held recently at the Costello Stadium in Hull. The Ripon Team, already depleted owing to other commitments, was faced with substantial opposition from teams drawn from much larger cities such as York, Hull & Middlesborough.
Celebrating the Squadron’s 25th Anniversary Year seemed to inspire the team of just 10 cadets who went on to achieve very creditable placings in 4 out of the 5 age groups contested on the day by 19 of the wing's 22 squadrons. But it was in the Junior Women’s competition that the just three girls - Sergeant Laura McCarthy, Cadet Nicky Gears and Cadet Hannah Waddington gave Ripon their greatest success with a haul including 6 gold medals and 1 bronze out of ten on offer, thus ensuring that Ripon won the category outright.
Following the competition, six of the cadets have been selected to represent Central & East Yorkshire Wing in the forth coming North Region championships. When later asked for a quote concerning this extremely successful competition a team member remarked "we were awesome!" Clearly they were all justly proud of their achievements.
Ripon squadron is currently recruiting new cadets aged 13 years or older and volunteer adult staff aged over 20. They meet at the Cadet Centre on Clotherholme Road every Tuesday and Friday from 7pm - 9.30pm. Anybody interested should contact the squadron on (01765) 609622 or email the commanding officer at oc.886@aircadets.org. For further information, visit the squadron web site at www.886.org.uk
