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