Issue 1 - June 2012
Nineteen 82
Find out what’s happening at 1982 (Huyton) Squadron in our quarterly newsletter
In Memory of
Flt Lt Frank Peakin 1982 (Huyton) Squadron McCarthy House The Park / Rydal Road Huyton Liverpool
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 1 - June 2012
A true Officer and a Gentleman. He gave so much but yet expected so little. www.1982.org.uk
Issue 1 - June 2012 Wing Athletics On Sunday the 22nd April 2012, twenty-seven cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron took part in the annual Merseyside Wing Athletics Competition which was held this year at Bebbington Oval. Thirty squadrons from across Merseyside compete in the competition meaning some very strong competition for the Huyton team. Throughout the day the cadets took part in various track and field events with success being seen from the outset, with Flight Sergeant Ashley Stott obtaining a respectable 5.2 meters on the long jump and Cadet Jordan Barkley taking 2nd place in both the 100m and 200m. This was followed in the afternoon by the Junior Men’s 100m for which Flight Sergeant Stott took 2nd place and the Girls 1500m which saw Cadet Poppy Hearn take 3nd place. Overall the day was a great success for 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, Civilian Instructor Greg Jennings commented “As a squadron we did fantastically, we may not have won all the trophies, but we filled all of our teams and showed the rest of the wing our team spirit, with some more practise I am sure next year there will be some silverware on its way back to Huyton” Sporting to the Corps Two cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets have been selected to represent the Air Cadet Organisation at a national football competition to be played later this year. The cadets, Flight Sergeant Ashley Stott and Sergeant Tom Horwood, performed excellently at not only the Inter Squadron competition, gaining them a place on the Merseyside Wing team but also at the Inter Wing competition and last weekend the Inter Region competition were they represented Wales and West Region, winning 1-0 in the final and earning themselves a place on the Corps team. Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vose commented, “We take sport very seriously at Huyton, the cadet’s work hard at both practises and competitions to ensure they come home with the awards they thoroughly deserve, they should be proud of their achievements.”
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Issue 1 - June 2012 St George’s Day Cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron recently took part in the annual St Georges Day fair, held on The Park behind the Squadron Headquarters, the fair which is held every year is organised and run by the parish council, for which the Squadron Padre is the chairperson. This year the cadets played a major part in the organisation and hosted events such as ‘Beat the Goalie’, ‘Guess the Weight of the Jar’, ‘Guess the name of the Bear’ and ‘Decorate a Cake’, to name but a few. Throughout the day there was also some other events hosted by the parish for the cadets and general public to take part in, which this year followed an Olympic theme and involved events such as the ‘Wellie Toss’ and the ‘Inter Service Tug Of War’ which seen Huyton Squadron pitted against the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Police and Fire Service in a bid to take home the ‘Inter Service Tug of War’ trophy. Needless to say the team from 1982, consisting of Officer Cadet Ian Raynor, Sergeant Scott Gibson, Sergeant Tom Horwood, Corporal Aaron Stott, Corporal Jack Lynch and Cadet Craig Brothwood showed the truth strength of the squadron and were crowned victors of the 2012 Inter-Service Tug of War! Squadron Warrant Officer Edd Vose commented on the day’s proceedings “Yet again it has been a successful St Georges Day fair, the cadets represented the Air Cadet Organisation in a smart and uniform manner and even found time to win some trophies too! Well done to all involved.”
Disabled Access for Squadron HQ Cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets are back to their normal routine after their Squadron Headquarters was closed while improvements were made to enable disabled access to the unit’s two buildings situated in The Park, Huyton. The improvements were a welcome sight at the Squadron and consisted of the construction of disabled access paths into both buildings, doors widened to accommodate wheelchair access and the addition of a disabled toilet. Commanding Officer of Huyton Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vose commented, “The improvements will not only benefit the current members of the squadron but also allow many new people both young and old to come and experience what the Air Cadets has to offer.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 1 - June 2012 Five-A-Side Triumph On Sunday the 29th January ten cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets, travelled to the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in West Derby to take part in Merseyside Wing’s five-a-side competition, in which all 30 squadrons from across Merseyside compete. Each year the Merseyside Wing holds both the male and female five-a-side competitions to firstly allow the squadrons to compete for the much desired five-a-side trophy but also to select the best players to go forth and represent Merseyside Wing, eight time winners of The Gillan Trophy which is awarded to the best sporting Wing in the country. The cadets played
against the other
squadrons in their leagues; this provided some action packed competition for Huyton’s teams who had been practising in the weeks leading up to the competition and who on the day played fantastically in all their matches. However despite playing well the girl’s team narrowly missed out on a chance in the semi-finals after losing their last game by only 1 point nevertheless their spirits were not dampened as they supported the boys team in the semi-final, where they beat Woolton Squadron 2 – 1 to take them through to play Prescot Squadron in the final where they won 6 – 1, bringing home the Merseyside Wing 5-A-Side trophy for the second year running!
Its All Fun and Games! Cadets and Staff from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron recently took time out of their busy training programme to hold a fun filled evening of music and games, kindly hosted by the local RAFA club. The evening, which was organised and run by Sergeant’s Laura Brothwood, Scott Gibson and Tom Horwood, consisted of various party games such as ‘pass the parcel’ and ‘musical chairs’ as well as a disco featuring guest DJ’s Corporal’s Luke Swanson and Liam Mellor. Civilian Instructor Greg Jennings commented on the night’s activities “It’s not all work and no play, the cadets put so much effort and professionalism into all the activities the squadron participates in, it is only fair they get to relax once in a while.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 1 - June 2012 Word Search—Cadet Ranks
Can you find them all?
What Did You Do Last Weekend? Over the weekend commencing 10th March, approximately 50 cadets from across Merseyside Wing attended Altcar Training Camp, near Formby, in Liverpool, for a weekend of adventure training and fieldcraft, courtesy of 1438 (Prescot) Squadron Air Cadets. Amidst the cadets on camp were 10 Air Cadets along with 4 staff members from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron. During the weekend the cadets took part in variety of events including fieldcraft skills, shooting, archery and even a field exercise in which the cadets put in to practise all of the skill they had learned during the day.
Cadets from Huyton were split between three flights containing cadets from various other squadrons including 610 (City of Chester), 1966 (Wavertree) and 1128 (Crosby) to name but a few. Throughout the weekend cadets where scored on the numerous activities they took part in, from this several awards were presented during a small parade at the conclusion of the camp in which Cadet Ryan Taylor-Smith from Huyton won Best Cadet in Flight. Civilian Instructor Greg Jennings commented on the weekends activities “Both the staff and cadets had an great camp, the staff provided some excellent training across all of the activities and we would like to thank Fg Off Joe O'Riley for organising the weekend”.
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 1 - June 2012 Sub-Zeroing Freezing cold weather just wasn’t enough to stop five cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron from getting some rounds in down at Sealand Range’s last weekend. The five cadets, who were all fairly new to full bore shooting, endured near sub-zero temperatures but had the chance to put all the weapon’s training they had done to good use and try for some marksmanship badges. Over the course of the day the cadets had the chance to experience different types of fire, including Deliberate, Rapid and Snap shooting all in aid of gaining their marksmanship qualification. Corporal Aaron Stott commented on the days shooting, “It may have been freezing on the day but once you are on the firing point it’s all about your drills and marksmanship principles, your hardly notice the cold!” Packing for the Pounds The cadets and staff of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets, have recently packed bags for the customers of Waitrose, Formby, in aid of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust Working together with staff from the CF Trust the cadets packed shopping bags uncompromisingly to raise a total of £920.98 while providing excellent customer service and taking time to talk with members of the public about the Air Cadet Organisation and the work they have done with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK’s only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It funds research to treat and cure CF and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with Cystic Fibrosis. Civilian Instructor Greg Jennings commented on the event, “We have worked with the CF Trust before and it was safe to say that when we were asked to help out this time round the cadets and staff jumped at the opportunity to raise funds for such a worthy charity.”
www.1982.org.uk
1982 (Huyton) Squadron History When 1438 (Prescot) Squadron was established in May 1941, approximately 50% of the cadets were resident in the Huyton area. In February 1942 it was decided that Huyton should have its own Squadron and arrangements were made for the boys to undertake ATC training at St Aloysius RC Secondary School. The Squadron was given official recognition as Prescot and District No 2 Squadron in May 1942 and became known as 1982 (Huyton) Squadron five years later. Also during 1942, a big old house known as ‘Curvacre’ on the site of the present Huyton Telephone Exchange in Derby Road, was acquired for the Corps through the courtesy of the GPO and ‘Curvacre’ was used as a Headquarters for sixteen years until accommodation was secured alongside the Huyton-With-Roby Branch of the RAFA in Archway Road. This was to be our home until March 1973, when our present purpose-built Headquarters in McGoldrick Park was officially opened by our President, the Earl of Derby, MC TD. Former Commanding Officers of the Squadron were Flt Lt WJ Houlton from 1941-1943; Flt Lt S Marshall (1944-51); Flt Lt EC Rigby (1952-61); Flt Lt EE Prescott BEM (1961-76) and Flt Lt RM Thornbury (1976-77). Flt Lt AS Michael assumed Command after being associated with 1966 (Wavertree) Squadron since 1942. The Chairmen of the Civilian Welfare Committee have been the Late Councillor JB Beasley (1941-51); Mr. WJ Clements OBE (1951-72); the Late Flt Lt EC Rigby (1972-79) and the Late Very Reverend Canon WP Henry OBE RAF (Rtd), who, during the Second World War was the Senior RC Chaplain for the Royal Air Force in Germany, retiring with the rank of Group Captain, was Chairman from 1979 until his death in July 1983. At the 34th Annual Dining In Night in March 1980, the Squadron Motto and badge was unveiled by the Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside, Mr. P Wright. Our Badge incorporates the Eagle and Child from the Coat of Arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley. Towards the end of 1981, the Commanding Officer called a group together to plan and execute a Week of Celebrations to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Squadron in Huyton – its aims, to celebrate forty years, to show the ATC to the people of Huyton and to raise £1000 for charity. During the month of May 1982 – the year of the Squadron Number – two major exhibitions were staged in the town centre – a static exhibition lasting over three weeks in the window of the Liverpool Building Society and a week-long exhibition of the Corps on Merseyside in the foyer of the Huyton Central Civic Library. The Huyton Civic Suite was the venue for the Anniversary Dinner on the Squadron’s Foundation Day which was attended by all Cadets, many guests and a good number of Old Boys and parents. The Huyton Suite was again the setting for a concert given by the band of the Royal Air Force Regiment in the presence of the new Air Officer Commanding Air Cadets, Air Commodore PV Mayall, during which a cheque for £1000 was presented to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The final event of the week was a parade of over 120 Cadets and Officers from Huyton and neighbouring Squadrons to the ASDA car park in Archway Road where other Squadrons from the N&W Region gave displays of drill and motor cycle riding. The Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley were of invaluable assistance to the Squadron throughout the celebrations and the Mayor and Mayoress of Knowsley attended each of our functions. The Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon produced a First Day Cover for philatelists to mark the publication of a set of Youth Organisation postage stamps and the Squadron’s 40th Anniversary was featured on the cover. All 1800 covers were sold in aid of the new Bomber Command Museum after first being flown by Chipmunk from RAF Woodvale to Cambridge and having been signed by the pilot and the Squadron’s Commanding Officer. The covers have now been distributed world-wide from the museum. 1982 Squadron is proud of its achievements which include – twice being nominated for the Sir Alan Lees Trophy; twice winners of the Wing swimming gala & .303 County of Lancaster Competition. The Squadron is current holders of the Wing Ground Training Trophy – the seventeenth time this cup has been held at Huyton. 1982 Squadron was the first recipient of the Flying Officer George Wood Memorial Sword, presented to the ‘Most Deserving Squadron in the Wing’ in recognition of our achievements and publicity gained for the Corps during our 14th Anniversary celebrations in May 1982. Individual Cadets have obtained Air Training Corps Blues (6); North & West England Region ATC Blues (20); Merseyside Wing Blues (70-28 during our Anniversary year of 1982); four flying scholarships; one Royal Air Force Scholarship; two Bisley shooting individual trophies; The Harry Proudlove Memorial Trophy and the Tony Williams Memorial Trophy. The squadron Media Team is currently working to update the squadron history from 1982 to present, be sure to check out future issues for these updates.