NORTH WALES CHALLENGE FOR 1066

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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A group of twelve cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) squadron and three staff members have just returned from a busy few days in North Wales. The purpose of the trip, organised by CI Dave Dewbery (ML) was for the cadets to complete their silver practice or qualifying Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition. All of the cadets completed their bronze award last year with the help of Flt Lt Erica Vey and CI Dave Dewbery.

The group departed 1066 squadron on Tuesday 26 August in the squadron minibus with trailer. After a long journey, base camp was set up near Barmouth. The following day the expedition started with three groups leaving base camp early that morning.

With one cadet dropping out on the first day, the three groups then had to re-form into two larger groups. The next three days saw cadets covering over thirty miles on foot and camping out at two different camp sites. The three staff members on the expedition spent time monitoring the groups and checking them at their campsite in the evening.

The group returned home very tired on Saturday 30 August. Cpl Henry Wisdom (16) who completed his practice expedition said ‘by far the best expedition I have ever done! It was wet and foggy and a challenging route but I had a fantastic time.’

Cadet Oliver Martin (15) who was completing a second practice expedition said ‘the Wales expedition was a great opportunity to test my map reading skills and enabled me to work as part of a team.’
All of the cadets have expressed an interest in completing their gold awards with the squadron. Some are old enough to start the gold level now but others will have to wait until next year. They will complete their gold expeditions with the seven cadets who are already silver award holders at the squadron.

Cpl Matthew Woodward (15) who has just completed his silver award as a result of passing the expedition explains ‘it is great how the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is both exciting and challenging.’