Welcome to the Flying Tyke, 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron's news blog. Keep checking back to keep up to date with the latest Squadron news.

Saturday 26 November 2011

Promotions at 1224

During final parade on 17th November 2011 Flt Lt Leighton made four promotions.

To Corporal: Cadets Kjersti Moore, Callum Parker and Karl Verspyck

To Sergeant: Corporal Alex Raabe



Congratulations to all four cadets on their hard earned and well deserved promotions!

Monday 21 November 2011

Success for 1224 at the National Championships

After placing second in the Ensemble section at the National Air Cadet Band Championships in 2009, 1224 (Wharfedale) were back again to win in 2011 and they didn't disappoint!

The ensemble section of the Squadron's band - CWO Sam White (19), FS Tom Smith (17), Sgts Rhys Leighton (17), Ben Connor (18), Jamie Partovi (16) & Alex Raabe (16), Corporals Kjersti Moore (17)& Jørgen Moore (15) and Cadets Danny Stainton (15) and Daniel Chivers (13) -  along with Flt Lt Leighton and WO Wood travelled down to RAF Halton to take part in the championships for the second time and after placing second last time were out to entertain again.



The band played a medley of Pirates of the Caribbean, Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and Pencil Full of Lead (a Paolo Nutini song), complete with singing and dancing for the final song, and managed to win first place, much to the delight of the cadets and staff!






The ensemble section wasn't the only category that Wharfedale were playing in at the finals with Sergeants Jamie Partovi and Alex Raabe competing in the solo snare drum competition and Sergeant Rhys Leighton placing second in a close solo Bugler competition.






Flt Lt Sue Leighton, OC 1224 said "Warrant Officer Wood and I are very proud of them all.  They have put alot of work into the routine and on the day of the competition they were able to show how good they are and their obvious enjoyment of the event was apparent to anyone watching".



From Regional HQ, North Region - "Very many congratulations from all of us at RHQ.  We are all delighted for you – that is quite some achievement, so well done"
From Wing Commander Wiggins, OC C&E Yorks Wing - "A great performance as we have come to expect from 1224. Please pass on my congratulations to all involved and I trust their efforts and hard work was all worth it with this superb result. Well done to all at 1224."
From Sqn Ldr Ayre, Deputy OC C&E Yorks Wing "Well Done" 
From Sqn Ldr Collins, Wing ExO - "Very well done"
From Sqn Ldr Hitchen, Sector 5 Commander " Excellent - well done"
From Sqn Ldr Mennell, C&E Yorks Wing MCO "Very well done" 

From Flying Officer Pullen " Excellent news.  Pass on my congrats to the team (-:"



You can watch a video of the performance here



and you can also watch the 2009 ensemble @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlptLATKRhQ

Monday 14 November 2011

Wharfedale in Remembrance

 The week before Remembrance Sunday a team of cadets led by Flight Sergeant Tom Smith placed wreaths at various RAF crash sites in the local area including on Ilkley Moor and Beamsley Beacon.



On Remembrance Sunday 2011, the cadets and staff of 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron were again out in force to pay their respects at Remembrance services in Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Addingham.

As with last year, the day started with a small group of cadets visiting a group of war graves in Ilkley Cemetery, during which Flight Sergeant Tom Smith played Last Post, just across from the Squadron before loading the band equipment into the minibus for the first parade in Addingham.




The ceremony began with a service in St. Peters Church before the parade, led by the Squadron's band, marched up to the memorial in the centre of Addingham. For the first time ever bagpiper Cadet Callum Carslaw played the lament whilst Sergeant Rhys Leighton played Last Post and Reveille and Cadet Ashleigh Smith laid a wreath on behalf on the Squadron.

After the parade the band travelled back to Ilkley and met up with the other members of the Squadron at Abbeyfield Care Home where the Squadron were generously allowed to use the canteen to serve food to the cadets that had been kindly prepared by some of the Cadets' parents. As tradition, there was an ample supply of home made cakes from Mrs Whittaker and Mrs Graham.  The band reformed  in the courtyard at Abbeyfield and played a number of pieces to the residents many of whom could not attend the formal parade in Ilkley. 

When the time came for the Ilkley parade, again led by the band,  the Squadron formed up in the central Ilkley car park and marched through the centre of town to the Ilkley War Memorial. The band again set a high standard playing National Marching Band pieces including Eagle Sqaudron, Army of the Nile, Aces High and of course Great Escape. At the memorial the whole band joined with Cdt Carslaw to play Highland Cathedral and then he again played the lament.  There was a short service which various veterans and dignitaries, including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire Mr Roger Whitaker and the MP for Keighley and Ilkley Kris Hopkins attended.  Cadet Alex Atraszkiewicz laid our wreath here.



Both the band and the overall turnout of the Squadron were again fantastic.
This years band was the largest ever with 28 cadets plus a member of staff (Flight Lieutenant Sue Leighton). Cadet Sergeant Tom Smith (trumpet) from Keighley also joined the band for the Ilkley parade.  He has been attending band practice every Friday. 

Flight Lieutenant Sue Leighton said; " I am very proud of all the cadets today.  The Cadets were both a credit to themselves and the Squadron". 

Sunday 6 November 2011

Wharfedale Cadets are On Target

Three more cadets at 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron have gained marksmanship awards.

Cadets Lisa Whitaker and Ashleigh Smith gained their Wing Marksman badges whilst Cadet Callum Parker shot Region.



Congratulations to all three!


Shooting with the air rifles on the Squadrons own range is just one activities that takes place at 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron, more for information see www.ilkley-atc.co.uk

Wharfedale Cadets Help Out The Legion

On Saturday 5th November, Cadets from 1224 (Wharfedale) Sqn took to the streets of Ilkley for the Royal British Legion’s 2011 Poppy Appeal.  The cadets worked in teams to provide a good presence throughout the day.  The day was very successful with Cadets collecting a total of £1774.03. 

In the evening, a team of 8 cadets together with Warrant Officer Wood assisted at the Royal British Legion Remembrance Festival at Otley and met Gurkhas from Catterick and two Chelsea Pensioners.  This is the third recent concert the cadets have attended, as they have assisted at the Royal British Legion concert at Yeadon featuring the Band of the RAF Regiment and at Skipton featuring RAF Swing Wing in support of the Royal Air Forces Association.



Throughout the last three months cadets have worked hard for the Royal Air Forces Association, which supports anyone who has served in the RAF, young or old who needs help through age, infirmity or injury.

Among amounts raised in collections were Stephen Smiths Garden Centre, Otley £ 913.83; Sainsbury’s, Otley £420.60; Morrisons, Guiseley £1313.74; Ilkley Street collection £1097.54; Otley Street collection, £1087.48 and Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway £924.66
 
Flight Lieutenant Sue Leighton said; " I would like to thank all the cadets for taking part.  My thanks are extended to the residents, visitors and businesses in the Wharfe Valley for their continued support. 
This week, I have had the pleasure of informing the cadets that for the Royal Air Force Association Wings Appeal 2011 they have collected £8,834.43. 
The top collector was Cadet Callum Parker who in a stunning individual effort raised £910.40". 

1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron band will be leading Remembrance Parades at Addingham and Ilkley on Sunday 13th November.

Wednesday 2 November 2011

CWO Transfers

After being at 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron since joining in 2006, the longest serving cadet at 1224 Cadet Warrant Officer Fran Cunningham has permanently transferred to 2431 (Keighley) Squadron to take up the role of Squadron Adjutant.

CWO Cunningham said "I'm sad to be leaving 1224 after so long but I'm really looking forward to the new opportunities at 2431".


CWO Cunningham with WO  David Wood, Sqn Ldr John Hitchen and Flight Lieutenant Sue Leighton

1224 wishes CWO Cunningham all the best and we're sure that she'll come back and visit us whenever she gets the chance!

Halloween Fun at 1224

Following the success of the event in 2010, Cadet Sergeant Chris Cavaliere was tasked again to organise the Halloween Party.  The Squadron were organised into fancy dress groups;  Witches & Wizards, Zombies, Ghosts, Heroes (the staff of course) and Villains (the SNCO's).  The evening started with the inspection undertaken by Hero Bob the Builder (Warrant Officer Wood).

Each team then went to tackle the new games for this years event; eating a doughnut hanging from a piece of string with your hands behind your back, cup stacking and pea chasing, the flour tester and of course the statutory water game. Thankfully, we don't have houses close by as there was some extreme laughing and cheering.

The Wizards

Break time was a feast on hot dogs & spooky cakes supplied by Cadets Graham, Moore and Silverwood followed by an ample supply of Haribo fangs.

After break Sgt Cavaliere with help from Cadets Verspyck and Forward hosted a Halloween themed quiz, the answers to which were suspiciously Americanised.

The Zombies

At the end of the night the results of the costume inspection came in, Top award went to Cadet Ashleigh Smith (A Zombie Smurf) with 3 runners up, Cadets Silverwood, Hepworth (Zombies) and Cdt Martin (Dumbledore from Harry Potter)

Cadets taking part in the cup-stacking game

Flt Lt Sue Leighton said; 'this was another successful event for everyone at Squadron.  A big thankyou to Sgt Cavaliere for taking on the challenge and providing a great fun evening.'

 The Robot building competition

You can see more pictures in the Squadrons gallery.