RADIO SUCCESS FOR 1066

BY CDT SGT SAMUEL JAMES
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Four cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Sqn have attended a weekend radio course run by Herts & Bucks Wing Radio Flight. Cdts Charlotte Hunt (14), Emiko Kemp (14) and Oliver Martin (15) attended the Basic Radio course along with another twenty five cadets and all passed with flying colours. Sgt Samuel James (17) attended the Under Training (U/T) Instructors Radio course with eight other cadets from the Wing and was learning to lecture the Basic course cadets on subjects such as RSVP, Networks, and Project Tango.

Basic course cadets received well-presented lectures from the U/T cadets covering a wide range of topics over the weekend.

Sgt James said, “The course was admittedly rather intensive, but we had the opportunity to put all the skills we had learnt in the classroom into practice in a night exercise on the Saturday evening. The fact that all Basic cadets on the course passed is an outstanding result and is also credit to the Wing Radio Communications Officer Flt Lt Mott, his team of staff and the U/T cadets”.

Flt Lt Mott took over the Wing Radio Flight in 2007 and plans are already in motion to raise the profile of the Wing Radio Flt by assisting in communications at events such as the Wing Exercise, athletics and Aviation Day.

RANK SWAP CHALLENGE FOR 1066 SQUADRON CADETS

BY CDT SGT SAMUEL JAMES
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For the cadets of 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron, Monday 11^th February was certainly an upside-down parade night. The squadron ran its first ever rank swap event. For the evening, nine lucky cadets had the opportunity to be cadet NCOs themselves. The actual cadet NCOs had the chance to relive their old cadet past and took off their own rank slides for the night.

The rank-swapping NCOs had the enormous task of taking on their squadron NCOs jobs and roles including getting the cadets on parade, doing First Parade, taking drill, teaching lectures and even coping with a practise fire drill. Cdt Henry Wisdom (15) who played the role of Cadet Sergeant said “the evening gave a chance for the cadets to step into the shoes of the NCOs. It showed me just how difficult it is to be an NCO and definitely made the cadets realise what fantastic NCOs they have and take for granted”.

Event organiser Sgt Samuel James (17) said “the cadets who were NCOs for the night performed extremely well considering some of them haven’t even been in the ATC for very long. Thanks also to Flt Sgt Stockwell (17) and Plt Off Fox for their help, without it, the evening would not have been such a success”. Cdt Charlotte Hunt (14) who played the part of Cadet Flt Sgt, remarked that the evening was “a well organised evening and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part”.

Cadets in the swap included (with their ranks for the evening):

Front row: FS Charlotte Hunt, CWO Daisy Buck
Centre row: Sgt Henry Wisdom, Sgt Conor Smith, Sgt Michael Barnes
Rear row: Cpl Holly Somerville, Cpl Katherine Swift, Cpl Oliver Martin, Cpl Abigail Edis

T5 PREVIEW FOR SAM

BY CDT SGT SAMUEL JAMES
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On Tuesday 12th February, one lucky cadet from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron got the chance to preview London Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 before it opens on March 27th 2008. BAA, the owner and operator of Heathrow, have been spending millions of pounds on these ‘T5 proving trials’ to ensure the terminal runs smoothly when it opens in March.

Sgt Samuel James (17) was among 150 other people from all over London and the South East attending the trials. Volunteers were asked to play the role of a British Airways passenger flying out of Terminal 5 that day. Unfortunately, no-one got to actually fly anywhere but were given a tasty packed lunch instead to compensate!

The day started off at the Renaissance Hotel, then after receiving a warm welcome and briefing, volunteers were than transported to the Terminal where the trials began. Sgt James said “I had the profile of a Mr L Newton flying to Lyon, France. I had one piece of ‘luggage’ to check-in, which is where the T5 luggage system gets tested. I then had the opportunity to proceed through security where they have a brand-new high tech x-ray screening machine and automatic tray belt. After passing security, the terminal opens out to a vast glass wall providing amazing views of the airfield. The design and perception of the building is absolute stunning and overwhelming. Everything has a cool, modern feel to it”.

Volunteers were then tested to see how they responded with the fire alarm and how BAA and British Airways staff handled it. Sgt James comments “It was a very busy day and indeed a very hectic commute, getting stuck in two traffic jams from accidents on the M25, but the trip was still worth it, being one of the first to see the UK’s biggest construction projects to date”.

BAA is still currently running the trials on weekdays and Saturdays so if anyone is interested be sure to check out the Terminal 5 website: www.heathrowairport.com/terminal5

Images courtesy of BAA Ltd.

TOP AWARD FOR TOP CADET

The 13th February proved to be a lucky and very special day for seventeen year old Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell of 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron.

Back in September last year his Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Erica Vey nominated him for the St John Spencer Young People of The Year award (YOPEY). YOPEY was set up in Hertfordshire three years ago to give young people a fairer image. It is hoped a more accurate picture of the younger generation will reassure adults and inspire other young people to give to the community. YOPEY reveals, recognises and rewards young people for being positive role models. Flt Sgt Stockwell was nominated for his work in managing the squadron’s marching band and for numerous fundraising efforts, despite his own poor health.

On 13th February he and nine other young people aged between 10 and 25 years old, selected from a massive 1100 nominations, attended the final of the North Hertfordshire YOPEY. Flt Sgt Stockwell was announced as the overall winner from these ten finalists after his story was judged by other young people who act as ‘youth judges’ alongside various dignitaries.

The ceremony was held at the GlaxoSmithKline research centre in Stevenage and supporting Lewis at the final were his family and friends as well as squadron staff and cadets. Following a light buffet, the ten finalist stories were presented followed by the announcement of the runners up and winner.

Flt Sgt Stockwell has been an active member of the unit for the past four years, helping others, particularly with the squadron’s re-formed marching band, of which he became manager just 15 months ago. He took over the baton with advice from his predecessor despite having no experience of marching bands and having missed practices through gastrointestinal problems which necessitated several operations.

Flt Lt Vey says that Lewis has worked tirelessly to improve and develop the band, which has grown from 20 to 30 members. Under his command and excellent leadership it has been named as the best ATC band in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The band then represented these two counties in a regional competition last autumn and came fourth, with Lewis being awarded the title of best drum major. Flt Lt Vey said “This success is tribute to his hard work on a weekly basis at the squadron where he has taught cadets, composed songs and developed new routines for the band. He works tirelessly to help others join the band and he always displays great commitment and dedication.”

An example of this is when he wanted to raise funds to replace battered instruments which were at least 20-years-old and buy some new drums. He came up with the idea of organizing a concert and secured funding from Hitchin Town Council to hire the Town Hall for the event in September. He organized the concert, helped with publicity and ticket sales, performed and even spoke on the night. The event raised around £1,000.

Away from the band Lewis’s friend Joe Males was given just two weeks to live after it was found that his leukaemia had returned. Lewis composed and recorded a song called Joey’s Bar. This was part of an album of music for Joe produced in just one day by the boys’ Priory School. It raised £1806 which was sent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where Joe was treated.

Flt Lt Vey said: “Lewis is a mature, responsible, reliable and outstanding individual. He is thoughtful and caring and always puts other people before himself. Despite his schoolwork, losing Joe and being very ill himself over the last two years he always gives 110 per cent in everything he does for the squadron and the cadets.”

Just six months after his last operation, Lewis cycled the 26-mile London Bikeathon with his Commanding Officer and other staff raising a total of around £200. At The Priory School he had his legs waxed as part of an event for Breast Cancer Awareness which raised £1,000. “I think I screamed just a little bit,” he joked.

“I think it’s important to help charities and give other people a chance for a better life,” he said. He has been a poppy seller for the Royal British Legion and he hopes to join the organisation which is dedicated to caring for ex-Service personnel. “It’s important to help those who have done something a lot more commendable than myself, for example put their lives at risk, often for people they don’t know,” he said.

Flt Sgt Stockwell was awarded £1000 after being announced as the winner. £500 goes to him and £500 to his squadron. He now goes forward to the YOPEY final for Hertfordshire, bring held on 8th May in Hertford.

Joe’s mum Sue said: “Lewis is a good lad with a willingness to help others and raise money for charity.” Flt Sgt Stockwell said ‘It is the most amazing feeling to have won such a big award, being able to say I am the North Herts Young Person of the Year is just brilliant, the smile has not left my face! When I was first put forward for the award I did not think I would get very far, even when I was told I had been selected for final! It just shows that people recognize the efforts of others. It is just so amazing!’

AWARD SUCCESS CONTINUES AT HITCHIN

Hard work by cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron is paying off with many recently completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. In the last few months nine cadets have achieved their bronze awards, six cadets have completed silver and one has achieved gold.

Service sections have included uniformed youth service and fundraising. Skills studied have included music, marching band, driving, singing and marksmanship. Cadets have enjoyed improving their standards in sports such as dance, karate and physical achievement. Cadets doing silver and gold awards have worked really hard to complete expeditions in North Wales and the Breacon Beacons, where as those completing bronze have been a little closer to home, undertaking expeditions in East and West Hertfordshire.

Cadets who have achieved bronze awards are Cpl Matthew Woodward and Cdts Gary Pestell, Meredith Orman-Brown, Katherine Swift, Oliver Martin, Peter Bradford, Holly Somerville, Adam Philpot, Michael Barnes. Silver awards have been awarded to Sgts Benjamen Reed and Michael Page, Cpls Mariko Kemp, Douglas Johnson, Simon Moore and Cdt Dumal Welikala. The gold award has been achieved by CWO Christopher Moore who will visit one of the Palaces’ later in the year to collect his certificate.

Cpl Douglas Johnson (15) said ‘completing my silver award was a most rewarding and challenging experience and I am pleased to have been able to achieve it. It has definitely been great fun.’

After being awarded his bronze award Cdt Oliver Martin (15) said ‘I have realised that completing my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a great achievement and I was very pleased when presented with my award.’

All the cadets who have completed their bronze and silver awards have already started work towards their next award. They will travel to Wales in May to complete their silver and gold practice expeditions.