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".
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