Preparation for the staff and cadets was intense as the guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Roger Whittaker and Mrs Whittaker, Commandant of the Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart and Mrs Stewart and Wing Commander Steve Wiggins, Officer Commanding Central and East Yorkshire Wing.
Cadets proudly arrived in their best uniform and were formally presented to Wing Commander Wiggins as they collected certificates earned in 2009.
Individual awards were presented to cadets by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Roger Whittaker and Air Commodore Ian Stewart.
Best new cadet: Cadet Sean Silverwood
Best Intermediate Cadet: Corporal Jamie Partovi
Best Senior Cadet: Corporal Tom Smith
Cadet of the Year: Sergeant Alex Chambers.
The Commanding Officers Cup was awarded to Sergeant Sam White for his commitment to all Air Cadet activities, but in particular his work with the band and his dedication to training others.
Ian Clarke Memorial trophy for Community service: Sergeant Alex Chambers
Attendance Trophy and the Royal Air Forces Association Salver; Cadet Chris Cavaliere
Sports Trophy: Flight Sergeant Dan Connor
Bandsman of the Year: Corporal Jamie Partovi
White Rose Shooting Trophy: Cadet Alex Raabe
Best dressed NCO and Cadet: Sergeant Luke Dowling and Cadet James Cowley
Three well deserved promotions were announced for Flight Sergeant Dan Connor, Flight Sergeant Fran Cunningham and Sergeant Alex Chambers.
Flight Lieutenant John Hitchen received the Trevor Sykes trophy on behalf of the cadets for the most money raised in 2009 by a Squadron in the Yorkshire Area for the Royal Air Force Association. The trophy has now resided in Ilkley for 12 years!
In his address Roger Whittaker praised the cadets for their efforts and on their turnout and appearance in Ilkley and elsewhere throughout the year. He added “It gladdens my heart to see such a fine body of young people in our town”
His thoughts were echoed by Air Commodore Stewart. “The turnout of your cadets, the presentations, the genuine friendly atmosphere and the high standard of musical entertainment provided by the band is a credit to the Squadron”
Following speeches, the 8 snare drummers demonstrated a new and difficult drum routine taught by Corporal Jamie Partovi, and then with other band members introduced the new marches for 2010; Highland Cathedral and Aces High along with the Squadron's own '1224' composed by Brian Lingley.
There was a complete change in the music when Corporal Ben Connor introduced 'One Step Beyond' featuring Flight Sergeant Dan Connor on tenor sax and the three dancers; Sergeant Alex Chambers, Cadet Greg Haynes and Cadet Nina Wingate.
The best kept secret of the evening was with Air Commodore Ian Stewart, who accepted the invitation to sing a solo and sang Fly me to the Moon. CLICK HERE TO SEE
Sgt Sam White then followed with Cadet Tomos St.John and Cadet Cameron Brown on the guitars playing Apache and then the evening was concluded with all the cadets, staff and guests (including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Roger Whittaker and his wife Elizabeth) singing “Shine” by Take That and The Beatles “With A Little Help From My Friends”.
OC 1224 Flight Lieutenant John Hitchen is still recovering from the evening and told cadets on the next parade 'this was the best evening I have ever had with the Air Cadets in 23 years - the true spirit, friendship and team work of Wharfedale’s Cadets was so visible and it is a pleasure to be your Commanding Officer. I would like to thank everyone for making the evening so special but in particular Warrant Officer David Wood who put so much work into the event.”
If you would like to see the drummers and musicians in action, footage is available on the Squadrons YouTube channel.
There are also pictures available on Air Commodore Ian Stewarts Picasa gallery (taken by SAC Craig Hunter)
The 1224 band will start this years parade at Otley on the 25th April, leading the annual St Georges Parade for the Scout Association.
March signals the start of the preparation for the Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions. We also have cadets taking part in road marching and you may have seen 50 cadets from Central and East Yorkshire out on the roads in Ilkley on Sunday. We also have cadets currently on their gliding scholarship at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
If you would like to be part of our team, the Squadron holds its parades at Ashlands Road, Ilkley on Monday and Thursdays throughout the year from 7pm to 9.15pm and welcomes all young people aged between 13 and 17.
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