Wharfedale Air Cadets Celebrate Night of Success

On the evening of St Patrick's Day 2017, 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets once again gathered at the King's Hall in Ilkley for their Annual Dinner & Presentation evening, where the squadron gathers in a formal setting to present awards to members of the Squadron for their achievements during the year.

The Squadron was joined by guests and friends from across the organisation, including this years Guest of Honour, Air Commodore Ian Stewart.

Presentations were made to cadets who have recently passed exams on the Squadron in aviation related subjects, as well as First Aid certificates.

Attendance Trophy – Cadet Aiden Holmes

The Warrant Officers Trophy and the Warrant Officers Cup for the cadet and NCO each earning the highest points for consistently having best turnout over the last year were presented to Cadet Peter Monaghan and Sergeant Ryan Griffin respectively

West Riding Wing Cup for Sport – Flight Sergeant Max Franks

Flight Sergeant Franks Collecting the West Riding Cup for Sport

The Inter-Flight Competition Trophy (first awarded in 1941) was collected by  Sergeant Ellie Cooper on behalf of No. 1 Flight.

The Chaplains Award for Community Service was won by Cadet Matt Cryer

Percussionist of the Year – Sergeant Skye Donoghue

Musician of the Year – Sergeant Ellie Cooper

Best New Cadet – Cadet Matt Cryer

Tesco Trophy for Best Intermediate Cadet – Cadet Ryan Thatcher

Millennium Trophy for Best Senior Cadet – Sergeant Ryan Griffin

The David Stead Memorial Trophy for Cadet Of The Year, presented in memory of Flight Lieutenant David Stead, a former cadet of 1224 who was sadly killed, along with his crew, when the C-130 Hercules he was piloting was shot down over Iraq in January 2005 was won by Sergeant Ellie Cooper.

Flight Sergeant Skye Donogue with her Certificate of Good Service

Cadet Peter Monaghan won the Commanding Officers Cup for his dedication, enthusiasm and for his own personal development over the last year.

Cadet Lewis Hunter won the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Airedale & Wharfedale Salver, awarded to the cadet who collects the highest amount for RAFA over the year

 The Squadron was also presented with awards for being the highest collecting ATC unit in both the Yorkshire and Northern areas.

Warrant Officer (ATC) David Wood was also presented with an award for being the highest collecting Adult volunteer in the area.

In addition, Warrant Officer Wood was presented with his Air Officer Commanding 22 Group's Commendation, awarded in last years' Queens' Birthday Honours List. 

There were also several promotions for the cadets, they were:

To Corporal: Matt Cryer, Peter Monaghan, Elliot Thompson & Pearce Todd

To Sergeant: Charlie Franks

To Flight Sergeant: Ellie Cooper, Skye Donoghue and Ryan Griffin

In Addition, FS Donoghue was presented with a Commandants Certificate of Good Service, for her work in particular with music in the Air Cadets.

There was also musical entertainment during the night, including the Squadron's percussion section playing Highland Cathedral with Cadets James and John Brown from 264 (Skipton) Squadron, as well as a finale from the Squadron's newly formed rock ensemble, who played hits such as Mr Blue Sky and The Proclaimers' 500 Miles.

The Squadron Percussion Section

All in all it was another fantastic evening, with all award winners and promoted cadets thoroughly having earnt their achievements.