HITCHIN’S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS CONTINUE

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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Over twenty cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron have just completed a one day bag-pack at the Waitrose store in the town. The funds raised from the event on Saturday 20th December will go towards the upkeep of the squadron’s minibus for 2009.

The first group of cadets started their bag-packing at 09.00 hrs and completed their shift at 13.00 hrs. At 12.30 hrs the second team of cadets arrived for their briefing, ready to take over from the morning cadets. They completed their shift at 17.00 hrs. The hard work by the cadets also counts towards their volunteering section of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Cdt Hope Wagstaffe (15) explains ‘it was really rewarding to be able to give something back to the squadron by helping out at the bag-pack. I felt it was a great success and we all worked well as a team.’

The squadron was able to have its recruitment display out on show and this attracted a lot of interest. The event looks to have raised over £800 which is a fantastic achievement.
Commanding Officer Flt Lt Vey said ‘the cadets all worked extremely hard and did a fantastic job of packing bags and helping customers with their shopping. Thank you to the store for giving us this opportunity and also to the staff and Civilian Committee who assisted on the day.’

Instructor Cadet Flight Sergeant Samuel James (18) said ‘we had a great day at this year’s Waitrose bag-pack with a good turn out of cadets. Lots of questions were asked by the general public and as always these bag-packs are a brilliant opportunity to raise local awareness of 1066 squadron, the ATC and to raise funds at the same time.’

REGIONAL COMMANDANT VISITS 1066

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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Last week the Central and East Region Commandant Group Captain Brett Morrell paid a visit to 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron. The squadron was one of two units within Herts & Bucks Wing that he had chosen to visit this month.

Upon his arrival at 19.00 hrs Gp Capt Morrell listened to the thirty strong marching band play a variety of tunes. During the evening he spoke to Commanding Officer Flt Lt Erica Vey and Senior Wing Staff Officer Sqn Ldr Paul Mimpress. He also spent time talking to all the staff and thirty five cadets in attendance as well as observing project work being undertaken by the cadets.

At the end of the evening a final parade was held and Gp Capt Morrell presented 1066 squadron with the Vampire trophy for best squadron in the Wing for 2007. This was received by Instructor Cadet Flight Sergeant Lewis Stockwell (18) on behalf of the squadron. Other presentations included a handful of Wing blues for cross country, hockey and swimming, two promotions and a leading cadet classification badge. Gp Capt Morrell also kindly presented Flt Lt Vey with a book ‘First Light’.

Flt Lt Vey said ‘it was a great honour to host a visit by the Regional Commandant and for 1066 to officially receive the Vampire trophy for 2007. This trophy symbolises a lot of hard work and continued effort by the cadets and staff at Hitchin.’

HITCHIN CADETS VISIT HISTORIC WAR BUNKER

BY I/CDT SGT SAMUEL JAMES
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Cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron Air Training Corps had an interesting parade night when they were recently privileged enough to experience a tour around HQ Number 11 Group Bunker which was constructed at RAF Uxbridge and was used to organise operations in the Battle of Britain during World War II.

Since then it has been fully restored to its former glory and run as a historic war museum. As the bunker is on an RAF station it isn’t easy for members of the general public to tour the bunker. So the squadron was certainly very fortunate to be shown around the facility by the Bunker’s curator who showed the cadets around and spoke on the history of the bunker and provided some fascinating facts on the plotting room and how operations were run during the Battle of Britain.

One of the cadets on the trip that evening, Instructor Cadet Sergeant Samuel James (18) said “This trip to Number 11 bunker was a very fascinating and interesting insight into how the Battle of Britain was run and organised. 1066 would like to thank Squadron Leader Paul Mimpress for organising the trip.”

YOUTH TRUST'S AMAZING GESTURE

By FLT LT ERICA VEY

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Back in September 2007 the cadets of 1066 (Hitchin) squadron, under the leadership of Musical Director Instructor Cadet Flight Sergeant Lewis Stockwell, organised ‘An Evening of Music’ which was held at Hitchin Town Hall. This music concert was held in order to raise funds for much needed band equipment.

With cadets putting information leaflets about the event through their neighbours’ front doors, one of the guests at the concert was Mr Roger How, President of Hitchin Youth Trust.

Mr How was so impressed with the performances and the evening in general, that he later contacted Squadron Commanding Officer Flt Lt Erica Vey in the hope that Hitchin Youth Trust could assist the squadron with funding for more band equipment. Between them an application was then put together to try for a successful bid for funding at one of the Trust’s meetings.

A few months later 1066 Squadron received the amazing news that it was to receive a donation of £3,600 towards the purchase of new band equipment. This fantastic gesture along with funds from the concert has enabled the squadron to purchase three bell lyres, six snare drums, two tenor drums, drum sticks, a bass drum, cymbals, a mace, belts and gloves as well as protective carry cases for all the drums and lyres.

On Monday 1st December four members of Hitchin Youth Trust visited 1066 Squadron to listen to the band and meet the cadets. They were impressed with the band’s performance and the hard work that the cadets put in especially meeting early on parade nights to practice.

Flt Sgt Stockwell (18) explained: "Without the money that Hitchin Youth Trust gave 1066, the band would still be playing battered instruments and would not sound anywhere near as impressive as it does today. The money has allowed the band to improve its standards of playing and because of this we are extremely grateful to the trust.’

Flt Lt Vey said: "The 1066 marching band continues to grow and the new band equipment is making this possible. We are truly grateful to Hitchin Youth Trust for its very generous donation. The cadets practice on a weekly basis and put a great deal of effort in. It is fantastic that finally the instruments that were over twenty years old have been replaced.’

CADETS HELP FIGHT CANCER

By CADET CPL HENRY WISDOM

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Cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) squadron turned out in force to raise money for the squadron and Somerfield’s chosen charity of the year, Macmillan Cancer Support.

This is the time of year when Hitchin squadron descends upon the local supermarkets for organised bag-packs, which provides the squadron with essential funds.

In the last week, 1066 Squadron has carried out three days of bag-packing at the small Somerfield store in Shefford. Two days were for squadron funds and one day was for Macmillan Cancer Support. The hard work by the cadets has enabled them to raise over £800 for the squadron.

The cadets took the opportunity of giving back to the community by organising a one day bag-pack in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support group on Saturday 29 November. Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the UK's biggest cancer charities. It focuses on helping people with cancer and their friends and families - because cancer is an illness that affects a lot of people in a variety of ways - physically, emotionally, and even financially. The cadets’ £500 contribution to the charity will be gratefully accepted.

Deirdre Wisdom, Chairperson to the Squadron’s Civilian Committee said: "The money raised for the squadron will help us hugely. Even though a lot of the cadet activities are subsidised, the running and maintenance of their minibus, utilities and band equipment are not."

Cadet Sgt Benjamin Reed added: "Everyone who attended has put in a great deal of effort and as result, we manged to receive lots of donations which will benefit the squadron greatly. Plus we as a squadron get a good reputation locally which promotes us and the Air Cadets as a whole."

With more bag packs planned in the near future at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, 1066’s work is nowhere near over.

1066 ASSIST AT ANNUAL DINNER

By FLT LT ERICA VEY

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For many years now, 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron has assisted at the annual dinner of the North Herts Branch of The Aircrew Association. This year was no exception and on the evening of Friday 28th November four cadets and a staff member travelled to the Jester Hotel in Odsey to assist.

Fg Off Elizabeth Fox supervised the cadets who assisted during the evening by taking coats from all the guests, opening car doors for the Guests of Honour and selling raffle tickets.

In return for their efforts Cpl Matthew Woodward (16), Cpl Douglas Johnson (16), Cdt Emiko Kemp (15) and Cdt Hope Wagstaffe (15) all enjoyed tucking into a Christmas meal. The Aircrew Association also kindly made a donation to 1066 squadron funds.

Cpl Douglas Johnson said: "This was a very enjoyable evening and the guests were all very kind. Being provided with a Christmas meal and soft drinks was a lovely gesture."

TASTE OF ROYALTY FOR HITCHIN

By FLT LT ERICA VEY

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Four cadets and a staff member from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron experienced a taste of the high life, with a flight in a BAe 146 aircraft on Monday, 24 November.

This was no ordinary flight as the aircraft was part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron based at RAF Northolt. The aircraft is usually busy flying The Queen, members of the Royal Family, VIPs and Politicians - but this was a training flight and the cadets of 1066 were given the opportunity to come along for the sortie.

It was a very early start for the group with an 0730hrs arrival at the departure lounge. On the road at 0545 hrs, 1066 Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Erica Vey, I/Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell, Cpl Matthew Woodward and Cdts Hope Wagstaffe and Holly Somerville survived the motorway traffic to arrive at the departure lounge with 15 minutes to spare!

Seven other Air Cadets from as far afield as Wales joined the 1066 group for a briefing on the aircraft and busy day that lay ahead. The flying commenced just before 0900 hrs and the group returned to RAF Northolt at gone 1600 hrs. The flight saw the aircraft stop at various places including Liverpool, Plymouth, London City and Guernsey.

The cadets enjoyed exploring the aircraft and sitting in the very seat The Queen uses on the aircraft. A hot meal was also kindly provided by the crew. After a long but exciting day, the cadets returned to their squadron for a regular parade night.

Flt Lt Vey, who organised the trip, said: "This was a superb experience, particularly for the cadets who have never flown in an aircraft of this size, having only flown in light aircraft with the ATC. The RAF Northolt personnel were fantastic and we are truly grateful for their hospitality."

Cadet Holly Somerville (15) added: "It was an amazing opportunity - not very many people can say that they have flown with The Royal Squadron."