CADETS NAVIGATE WAY TO SUCCESS

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
-------------------------
After many months of hard work, ten cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron have finally completed their bronze National Navigation Award Scheme. Last year Flt Lt Erica Vey and other squadron staff registered themselves to run the award at the unit.

The scheme was launched from the Royal Institute of Navigation in London in 1994 as an incentive for personal performance in navigation. Since then 10,000 awards have been gained country-wide.

All cadets at Hitchin squadron will have the opportunity to complete their bronze and silver awards. The ten cadets who have completed the first set of bronze awards have been trained by CI Dewbery. The cadets have completed ten hours of practical training and passed a practical exam over a 3.5km distance.

The bronze award syllabus covers many areas of assessment including understanding how to use map symbols and scales on a variety of maps, using linear features as handrails in navigation exercises, planning a safe suitable walk, demonstrating knowledge of the Country Code and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

The ten cadets who have achieved the bronze award are Sgt Michael Page (17), Sgt Benjamen Reed (16), Cpl Emilie Pearson (17), Cpl Matthew Woodward (15), Cdt Henry Wisdom (15), Cdt Holly Somerville (14), Cdt Daisy Buck (14), Cdt Oliver Martin (15), Cdt Charlotte Hunt (14) and Cdt Hope Wagstaffe (14).

Cdt Henry Wisdom said: "Before taking part in the National Navigation Award Scheme my navigation skills were very basic but after completing the enjoyable and very informative course I feel competent in all aspects of navigation. It will help me when leading teams at navigation events and competitions plus with my Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions. I hope to start the silver award at the soonest opportunity."

Sweet Silver Success

BY CDT DUMAL WELIKALA
-------------------------------

On Monday 13th August, five cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron travelled to North Wales to complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Award silver qualifying expedition.

Cdt Welikala explains: On the first day of the expedition we managed to get lost twice during the day and the heavy rain didn't help either! Once back on track, we continued and eventually got to our first campsite.

The second day was slightly better and we set off eagerly to get to the next campsite. This was the hardest part of the journey as Cdt Cpl Michael Page had estimated it to be around 20km, over hills and rivers. With this mammoth task in mind we continued the walk and got to the second campsite in an impressive time. The third and final day of the expedition started well as we had covered over 5km in less than three and a half hours! With only one more hill to climb until the end we paced up the hill to the finishing line. Finally we had all completed this challenging expedition and our silver awards. Once back at base camp we were welcomed by CI David Dewbery who had planned the expedition and was one of the assessors. Later that evening we were treated to dinner in Barmouth.

Cpl Benjamin Reed explains "This has been probably the toughest challenge during this year for me, but I have enjoyed every minute of it". Our thanks also go to CI Al Cox who assisted with the expedition. We are all now ready to tackle our gold awards.

Multi-Activity Weekend for 1066

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
-------------------------
Sixteen cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Sqn have recently enjoyed a multi-activity weekend organised by the Squadron’s Commanding Officer Flt Lt Vey. The base for the weekend was Phasels Wood Scout Camp and Activity Centre in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

The weekend was an inter-flight competition with activities including archery, climbing. abseiling, various leadership tasks, a navigation exercise and kayaking. The cadets also had the opportunity to master the use of ration packs and improve their campcraft skills. CI Iain Charnley taught the cadets various rope and leadership skills.

Flt Lt Vey said ‘This is the forth weekend I have run at Phasels and each time the cadets really enjoy the opportunity to try out so many activities. The training over the weekend will prove invaluable at future activities.’ Best cadet for the weekend was awarded to Cdt Ben Irwin and FS Christopher Moore led the winning flight. The squadron plans to return to Phasels Wood in the summer for a similar weekend.