515 for 2 - Detached Flight ‘Bag’ a Cricket Score

On Saturday 17 September 2011, Saddleworth Detached Flight raised over £515 in two consecutive Saturdays at the Greenfield Tesco store, Saddleworth, Oldham.

After doing four hours bag-packing on the 10^th September the cadets were asked if they wanted to come back on the next weekend as another organisation had dropped out.The answer was, of course, “Yes”, so the Detached Flight was back on the 17^th to help the local shoppers.

The total raised by the Diggle based 2200DF, part of East Lancashire Wing, was £515.31p, which will go towards Aero-modelling and Sports equipment.

In the picture with cadets Nick Jeffrey, Nathan Barnes, Adam Simkins, Daniel Oldham and Frazer McDonald is Tesco Manager Craig Slater.

Cadets Clean Up City

Air Cadets from Royton Squadron took part in a city wide clean-up operation, organised by Greater Manchester Police & Youth United, on Wednesday 17^th August 2011 following the rioting which took place on the 10^th & 11^th August. A group of Royton Cadets joined the event after being contact by Youth United (A coalition of uniformed youth groups) to show that the vast majority of children and young people within our communities, right across Greater Manchester, act as good citizens and are positive role models for future generations.

The Cadets helped to try and return Manchester and Salford towards normality, by assisting small businesses and vulnerable people from within the community. T-Shirts were provided by ASDA, lunch by Waitrose and cleaning materials and flowers by B&Q, with the event supported by the ‘I Love Manchester’ campaign (organised by Manchester City Council) and the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith.

The Lord Lieutenant started the day by welcoming and thanking the Cadets for their time. He said that they were the most important people in the room – and a fine example of the organisations that they represent. He praised them for giving up their time in the school holidays to help their local community and to help fix those images that have been portrayed of children and young people by the news in a negative light.

The eager work party was then sent to Holm Court, a high-rise block of flats in Salford, accompanied by Inspector Simon Miskell from Greater Manchester Police. The elderly residents that live in this building directly overlook Salford precinct, which was one of the main areas that rioting took place. Insp Miskell said; “These elderly residents were scared whilst the rioting took place right on their doorstep”.

Rosie O’Leary (16) was one of the Cadets that spent the afternoon clearing flowerbeds of rubbish, turning soil and planting flowers to brighten up the compound. Rosie said; “I’ve really enjoyed myself this afternoon. It’s good to know that the old people that live here will feel a bit better knowing that there are people my age who do care about our city and are willing to help others”.

Flying Officer Benjamin Atkins, an Officer at the Park Lane squadron, said: “The Cadets that have volunteered here today have proven to the people of this community that not all young people should be tied with the same brush. There has been some fantastic work here by these young people and they have certainly made a difference to people who were affected by the trouble. The residents have been out in force to thank the Cadets for their work and they are extremely grateful for what they have done.”

Fg Off Atkins went on to say; “Our Squadron has been in Royton for 70 years this year and although we are a charity ourselves, the amount of time the young people from our area have volunteered to help others and the amount of money raised always exceeds our expectations”.

Royton Air Cadets was recently named as the runner-up for the title of ‘Best Squadron in the UK’, which placed them second out of over 1000 squadrons. For further details, or if you are interested in joining the Squadron in the September intake, please telephone 0161 624 4227 or visit RoytonAirCadets.org.uk.

Shooting Success & Cadet Blues

SUCCESS at Royton Air Cadets has seen 8 Cadets shoot their way to a marksmanship award after several weeks training and practice shooting at targets to become hot shots.

To qualify for their Marksman Badges, cadets have to demonstrate the ability to hit a target accurately and consistently, by performing varied shooting practices.

Cadets at 1855 (Royton) Squadron have achieved more than 60 Marksmanship Awards at all levels in the last year, with just less than three quarters of all members on the unit now at an accomplished level.

One of the lucky recipients of an award, Cadet Flight Sergeant Rhianne Ward-Hilton is delighted that the squadron has been successful in the discipline of Marksmanship. She said: “The Grouping and Deliberate exercises are a test of our ability to fire and get the rounds on the target as close together as possible, while also achieving a top score. You get plenty of time to complete the practice and it’s all about accuracy and consistency.”

Weapons Instructor, Flying Officer Benjamin Atkins, said; “Royton Squadron is lucky to have its own Air Rifle and a 25 yards Rifle Range. The cadets get the opportunity to practice regularly & many of the cadets have achieved their Squadron & Wing Marksmanship Awards.”

“Shooting is one of the most enjoyable activities we offer and we’ve certainly got some top shots on the unit now. It is down to the hard work of the staff team that we have achieved so many this year as we now have 4 Range Officers on our Squadron.”

Cadets at all levels of the Air Cadet Organisation have the opportunity to participate in the sport of rifle shooting. Safety is paramount with all Cadet activities and shooting is no exception.

Training is an integral part of the system and each cadet is fully trained before they are permitted to conduct range practices. Supervising staff are similarly trained to deal with any eventualities and to ensure that the range is run safely and efficiently.

Other Cadets at the Park Lane Squadron have had Cadet ‘Blues’ this week. Success in athletics, music and aviation based exams has seen several members of the 70 strong unit receive the prestigious award known as a ‘Blue’.

Officer Commanding Royton Air Cadets, Flight Lieutenant Mark Hamilton, said; “Our young men and women put the maximum amount of effort in to everything that they do. This Squadron is one of the best in the country and that is mainly through the hard work and determination that is demonstrated by our Cadets in everything that they attempt. To be awarded a Squadron or Wing Blue you have to stand out from the rest and really go that extra mile.”

Royton Air Cadets is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year after with a 70 years anniversary dinner at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in December. For further details, or if you are interested in joining the Squadron in the September intake, please telephone 0161 624 4227 or visit RoytonAirCadets.org.uk.

Awards Success for Air Cadets

AIR Cadets Liam Blackmore, Rosie O’Leary, Victoria Coltas and Emma Crooks from 1855 (Royton) Squadron were recently awarded their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards after several months of hard work.

As part of the scheme the cadets undertook a variety of skills, service, physical activities and an expedition over a six month period to qualify for the award. This included becoming proficient in first aid, improving their fitness, learning to read a map and to plan and undertake an expedition for 2 days and 1 night.

The greatest challenge was the expedition section, when the group headed off to the Peak District. The aim was to safely navigate 15 miles of the great outdoors over two days.

The groups were supervised from a distance, meeting adult staff at selected checkpoints along the route. Steve Schofield, a Civilian Instructor at Royton Squadron said; “They thoroughly enjoyed the freedom and responsibility, and the success of the expedition was down to their preliminary training.”

Liam said: "The expedition was really hard, but the best bit of the D of E scheme. I am really looking forward to the challenge of my Silver award."

Ex ATC Royton Cadet “Drops In”

Ex Air Cadet, now Aircrew Sergeant Steve Jones flew in to Royton Squadron ATC on Monday evening, 08 August 11.

Steve, with the crew of 27 Squadron RAF Chinook HC2, Zulu Alpha 708, was on duty in the Manchester area and plans were made to visit Steve’s old Squadron at Royton near Oldham.


After circling Royton to check the landing area, the helicopter touched down at 1915 hrs. Steve had previously said “I always wanted to land on the back field”..............’Job Done’ there!

Steve presented a signed scroll from the Chinook crew to Cadet Warrant Officer Kate Hamilton who received it on behalf of the 1855 Squadron cadets and staff.


Also at the squadron reception were Steve’s sister Clare and his stepdad Les.

Sgt Jones, who was a Cadet Warrant Officer at Royton Squadron, joined the RAF in 2003 and is now based at RAF Odiham near Basingstoke. He still manages to get back to Royton for special occasions such as presentation evenings, to keep his links with the cadets.

The landing probably took the residents the Royton area by surprise but the squadron ‘back field’, used for cadet sport and adventure training preparation, is one of few clear areas where an aircraft the size of a Chinook could land.

Keeping engines running, the Chinook took off about 15 minutes after touchdown and was a memorable event for the squadron’s cadets and the many parents who had turned out.

1855 (Royton) Squadron Air cadets are the ‘High Achievers’ of East Lancashire Wing ATC. They have won the national marching band Championship and have recently won the Morris Trophy awarded – also in 2008 - to the ATC's premier squadrons following review by the Commandant Air Cadets.

Many in Oldham and Royton nickname the squadron “RAF Royton”............it was on Monday!!

Cadet Daniel Whittam “cuts it fine” to pull ‘3G’ with The Blades

Thirteen year old Cadet Daniel Whittam knows his RAF abbreviations and because of that won himself a fantastic opportunity to fly with The Blades, the unique four-aircraft aerobatics team, during the Press Day for the RAF Waddington International Airshow.

Daniel, a member of 1005 (Radcliffe) Squadron, East Lancs Wing, saw the competition on the ACO’s website where entrants had to say what the abbreviation ISTAR stood for.

He completed his answer and “ran to the Post Office on the last possible date to enter”. Daniel broke the winning news on Facebook after other competitors started asking who won!

Daniel has only been a member of 1005 Squadron for about 10 months but has already been gliding and completed a first aid course. He has a fascination with display teams having visited the Red Arrows and completed a school project on ‘The Reds’ too.

After his 15 minute flight with “Blade 4”, Mark Cutmore (all Blades pilots are former members of the Red Arrows), Daniel said it was “really good to see the other aircraft so close when we were in formation and up close with them” and although slightly disappointed that some of the more extreme manoeuvres were off-limits as he had a cold (they still pulled 3g!), it was still a “great day”.

As well as the flight Daniel also got a full set of pilot autographs and a goodie bag from the RAF Waddington Airshow organisers. After his flight, Daniels and his family were able to stay in the Press enclosure and watch practice displays including a rare UK display by the US Air Force's Thunderbirds display team.

Oh yes, and ISTAR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance." And you will find the “Blades” at www.theblades.biz

Award-Winning Pendle Cadets on a real high

Pendle’s award winning Air Cadets have been presented with their prizes at Walter Street Working Men’s Club in Brierfield on 15^th May.

The 1104 (Pendle) Air Training Corps Squadron, East Lancashire Wing, based in Nelson, had 85 guests and parents at the event, including the retiring Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Councillor Tony Beckett and his wife Margaret as well as Wing Commander Steven Molloy, Officer Commanding East Lancashire Wing.

The cadets took part in 37 different activities during 2010 and were presented with their certificates and trophies to celebrate their achievements.

In addition, a special St John Ambulance certificate was awarded to former 1104 Squadron cadet Thomas Garnett.

The major award winners were:

Best Academic Cadet: Sgt Adaam Mehmood, Most Adventurous Cadet: Cadet Ben Wilcox, Best Cadet at Sports: Cadet Jefferson Piaun-Sanchez, Most Promising Cadet: Cadet Christopher Tansey, Cadet’s Best Cadet Nomination: Cadet Jefferson Piaun-Sanchez, Royal British Legion Award: Cadet Christopher Tansey, NCO of the Year: Sgt Adaam Mehmood, Cadet of the Year: Cadet Jefferson Piaun-Sanchez.

East Lancashire Wing Musicians are on top note

Cadets from East Lancashire Wing got the chance to show off their musical skills at the 16th Annual concert band display, in Whittle Hall at RAF Cranwell.

The concert is the culmination of a week-long intensive training and practise session, in which cadets from around the country join forces and rehearse different musical pieces with guidance from of one of the Royal Air Force bands. This year the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment provided the expert support.

Despite almost half of the band never meeting before, they quickly settled down under the expert tutelage of the Corps Music Director, Wing Commander Gil Singleton, who took them through their paces with a range of traditional and some newer musical scores.

The Friday night concert was performed to a packed Whitle Hall audience of some 400+. In the audience where quite a few VIPs, including the AOC Air Cadets, Air Commodore Barbara Cooper and the Duke of Rutland, David Manners. Most importantly though, were the parents and friends of the cadets who were performing.

The band played a variety of pieces, ranging from the RAF College and Battle of Britain March Past to Dr Who, Superman and the Great Escape. Cdt Laura Iddles (17) from 1036 Sqn performed a superb vocal addition, singing Bring him Home from Les Miserable’s.

The four cadets representing East Lancashire Wing were; Flight Sergeant Newington (468 Sqn) on Trumpet, Cpl Claydon (2200DF) on Cornet, Cdt Iddles (1036 Sqn) on Percussion and Vocals, and Cdt Ward (1036 Sqn) on the Tuba.

Cadets wanting to join the concert band have to meet stringent criteria. One of which is that all musicians have to be qualified to Grade 5 practical or equivalent. In addition, the cadets have to be recommended by their Commanding Officer and a music teacher or Squadron bandmaster.

Staff from East Lancs Wing were also present, carrying out the thankless task of running the camp and organising the events. Sqn Ldr Eddie Kay and Flt Lt Sara Kay, who also provide support for cadets undertaking the BTEC awards, were part of the admin team making sure everything ran smoothly whilst the music staff concentrated on the training and rehearsing.

The band camp and concert are only the start of the music calendar for the National Concert Band. In 2010 the team attended the Royal International Air Tattoo in July to play at the Gala Dinner on the Friday night, and to the Public on the Saturday and Sunday in front of thousands of spectators. If that wasn’t enough, they teamed up again for a Help for Hero’s concert in Hampshire in October.

This year, the 2011 band are due to return to RIAT for another outstanding performance as well as a lunch time concert at St Clement Danes, Central Church of the RAF in London. Work is also in progress for the formation of an Air Cadet Salon Orchestra. A successful initial workshop was held at RAF Northolt in late 2010 under the guidance of the RAF Salon Orchestra, with a follow-up workshop planned for the 10th April, at RAF Northolt. This group will be an integral part of the Air Cadet National Concert Band, with the flexibility to provide a wider range of musical support for Headquarters Air Cadets.

Watch out for more information on how to join to concert band or their performances. The Air Cadets also runs a National Marching Band which also hold training camps and take part in public displays. If you would like more information on any of these, please contact your Commanding Officer who will be able to obtain more information for you.

You can see some of the performance which has been uploaded to YouTube by one of the parents in the audience, http://www.youtube.com/user/BabsS59
Note: East Lancs Wing ATC are not responsible for content outside of this site.