26 May 09 - Ripon Cadets receive their rewards
Ripon Cadets receive their rewards.
There was a good turn-out of cadets as the normal Friday night’s activities were replaced with the annual Award’s Night, this year held at the Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall.
The cadets were joined by the Squadron Staff and Civilian Committee along with parents and other family members. The guest list included Wg Cmdr S. Wiggins (O.C. C & EY Wing ATC), Councillor Parnaby (Mayor of Ripon), Sqn Ldr Mike Chambers (RAF(Rtd) representing the RAFA) and Sqn Ldr Grant Page (O.C. 76(R) Sqn RAF Linton on Ouse).
Sergeant Wayne Cobbett compered the evenings events with considerable aplomb and kept things moving at all times.
The opening address came from the Squadron’s own C.O. Flt Lt Crebbin described the full and varied year of the cadets along with the resulting collective and individual achievements. He then introduced the staff who support the squadron throughout the year.
This was followed by the enrolment of cadets Skidmore & Tennant
The next speaker was the Rev R. S. Freeman who as well as describing the work of the civilian committee went on to appeal for payments to be gift-aided whenever possible in order to maximise their value. She was followed by Corporal Coates who gave a good account of his time at RAF Cranwell.
Further cadet talks came from Corporals Ireland and Coates who, together with cadet Stelling, described the what, why and wherefore of the Gliding Scholarship. They were then followed by Flt Sgt Thornton, Corporal Mingay and Cadet Boyle who enlightened the non-ATC persons present as to all that goes on in setting up, supporting and then dismantling the RBL replica Spitfire on many of it’s displays.
Flt Lt Crebbin then stood in for Sgt Tait, the Squadron Training Officer and described the syllabus which the ATC covered for each level that the cadets can attain and explained the logic behind the subjects at each stage. This then led naturally into the presentation of the awards themselves.
Wing Commander Wiggins presented First Class, Leading & Senior Cadet certificates and then various trophies were awarded.
The Academic Achievement trophy went to Cadet Keira Chapman and Bearing & Deportment along with Flying Achievement to Cadet Jonathan Coates. The trophy for Sporting Achivement went to Cadet Fiona Mingay who also picked up the trophy for Best NCO and Best Attendance. The RAFA "Endeavour" trophy was awarded to Cadet Ben Widdowson who was also nominated the Most Promising New Cadet, whilst the award for Best Cadet went to Cadet Christopher Simpson