19 - 21 July 2024
Immerse yourself in the ancient art of storytelling.
We have an amazing line up of artists including...
Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster DY14 0EF
l Storytellers - Len Cabral, Shonaleigh, Sahand Sahebdivani
l Musicians - Ciderhouse Rebellion and Jesse Summerhayes (poet), Dan Walsh, Time Bandits
Plus lots more on our website & more to be announced!
l Dedicated children’s programme and circus activities
l International & top-class performers alongside emerging talent
l Exciting workshops and activities including: storytelling and music, tai chi, story rounds, and much more
l Excellent locally sourced food and ales in our Speakeasy bar
l Late night story sessions around the firepit
For more information: www.festivalattheedge.org email: info@festivalattheedge.org tel: 07544 044 126
Do you like a good story?
We’ve got plenty. I can tell you one now, about how we set up a festival over 30 years ago, all about stories and storytelling. But it’s better if you come along and see for yourself. And not all stories begin “Once upon a Time.”
Festival at the Edge takes place at Hopton Court, on the outskirts of Cleobury Mortimer, in the beautiful walled garden. We’ve filled it with stories, poetry, music and dance - and there’s a selection of excellent food and drink to be had too – including beer from our favourite local brewery, Hobsons.
Performances take place in three marquees where you can experience amazing tale tellers, such as the fabulous Len Cabral and Shonaleigh - and musicians, such as Ciderhouse Rebellion with Jesse Summerhayes and Dan Walsh, who will hold you spellbound. FatE prides itself in bringing storytellers and musicians together in interesting ways, in creative collaborations you won’t see anywhere else.
It’s a safe space for children – we have dedicated children’s story sessions, including bedtime stories, circus skills and craft workshops, or they can just run around and play.
There’s plenty of opportunities for adults to join in, too, with story rounds, workshops, and wellbeing sessions, or just sit and relax with a beer, or a coffee, and let the world turn.
You can camp on-site for the weekend, or commute in - there are plenty of local hotels and B&Bs nearby. If you’re staying over, you can listen to campfire tales late at night or enjoy (and join in!) with the music sessions in the bar.
This year we have fire breathing morris dancers who will get the festival off to a magical start at our opening ceremony, and on Saturday night we’ll be hosting “Sing-along-a-Wickerman”, combining the iconic 1973 classic film with subtitles, hym sheets, and a “goody bag full of dark secrets”, …trust us, it’s very funny.
In other highlights - you can find out just what it takes to get a play performed at the Edinburgh fringe (and how much it costs!) and hear about fishing songs and stories from East Anglia in a beautiful set piece performed by Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom
We can’t promise wall-to-wall sunshine, but we can promise a varied and interesting programme to keep you entertained from dawn till dusk. More details are here at www.festivalattheedge.org
OIC & Editor:
Sqn Ldr Chris Wilson Chris.wilson610@mod.gov.uk
Deputy Editor :
Mrs Sarah Jones sarah.jones830@mod.gov.uk
Article submission deadline for the next issue... 15th Aug 2024
Please send all articles for the Autumn 2024 edition to sarah.jones830@mod.gov.uk
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RAF Museum Appeal for objects
Coronation Medals Presentation
From the Chaplaincy
2023 Philip Sassoon Flying Award Winner
Deputy Air Officer Commanding 2 Group Visit
News from the Pantomime Club
DSAE Industry Event 2024
RAF Cosford’s Post Room
Inter Service Collaboration of Training
RAF Cosford and HMS Sultan Collaboration
Fit 4 Life
Charity News
RAF Cosford Kart Club News
RAF Cosford Motorcycle Club
CPD - How Do We Benefit?
RAF Reservist Wins Gold at World
Aquatics Masters
Spring has finally sprung. After what has felt at times like the dampest possible start to the year, the sun has made a sustained appearance.
Let’s hope that this continues in coming weeks, especially as we are in the final run up to the Air Show on 9 June. This year promises to be another great event and I know that many of you are already working hard to make it a great success. The flying display is already looking like it’s going to be a particular highlight of this year’s air show calendar.
Nonetheless, despite Air Show preparations and busy day jobs, many of you are organising and taking part in other great activities and they are covered in these pages. I’m particularly grateful to those of you who take the time to inform the media team of events taking place so we can cover them or, even better, send us pictures and a few words post an event. So, if you are doing something on the Station or in the local area and you think your colleagues would be interested in reading about it, please do share with us. It’s rare that we can’t use a story or highlight a team’s success, if not in these pages, at least on our social media platforms. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me or my colleague, Sarah Jones.
BY WING COMMANDER PENNY BRADY CHARTERED MCIPD MA BSC RAFWelcome to the Summer 2024 edition of the Cosford Apprentice.
As we head towards the summer months, preparations for this year’s Cosford Air Show are in full swing with the event shaping up to be better than ever!
This is the first edition of the Apprentice since I took up command of the Station and what a busy few months it has been, including a visit early in my tenure from the Deputy Air Officer Commanding Number 2 Group, Air Commodore Knight.
In this edition you will see just how busy our whole force personnel have been in both their primary roles and in their support to wider events. The versatility and dedication of our Burnham Lecturers is showcased having provided much needed support to the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering and personnel at HMS Sultan. This collaborative project not only increased the throughput of trainees, but also enhanced training resources. The Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering also delivered its successful industry day, working with industry partners to promote the latest in learning technology and providing inspiration for our trainees in their future careers.
We were pleased to welcome back the Jon Egging Trust to RAF Cosford where our personnel got involved in activities with young people on the Blue Skies Programme, which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Once again we are able to celebrate the continued successes of our people, including AS1 Stephen Abordo who won the Philip Sassoon Flying Award and AS1 Matt Holland from 605 Squadron, who struck gold at the World Aquatics maters in Qatar. Keeping with the sporting theme, we held an incredibly successful Fit 4 Life event in March, highlighting the various sports and clubs the Unit has to offer and you can also read all about the latest endeavours
of our very active Kart Club and Motorcycle Club. More widely the dedication of our people was recognised at a mass presentation of Coronation medals, which saw almost 200 tri-Service personnel receive their medals from the Station Commander and the DSAE Commandant.
Finally, as we head into the busy months that include the Air Show and RIAT I am keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and sunny days!
The RAF Museum recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its dedication to preserving the history of the Royal Air Force.
Over the years, the museum has amassed a remarkable collection of aircraft and objects, showcasing the rich heritage of the RAF. However, there is a notable gap in our collection, particularly concerning the more recent past of the RAF. Despite over four decades of almost continuous operations, our collection disproportionately represents the earlier years of RAF history. Of the nearly 500,000 catalogued items, less than 5% pertain to the last three decades.
To address this gap and to accurately reflect the RAF’s activities over the past forty-plus years, the Museum is embarking on an exciting new project. We are developing an exhibition at our Midlands site that will explore the period from 1980 to the present. This exhibition aims to highlight the significant contributions and experiences of RAF personnel during this challenging period.
While we are fortunate to possess many airframes, we are particularly interested in smaller objects with personal stories attached to them. Whether you served in the RAF or are still serving, we want to be able to tell this story in its widest possible sense, at home and on operations, and including all RAF roles from 1980 onwards. Do you have items that hold significant
meaning or importance and are associated with specific times or events? These items could be physical objects, digital photographs, videos, or any other materials that offer insights into your experiences.
Your contributions will play a crucial role in helping the Museum tell the compelling story of the RAF to our visitors, inspiring and engaging them with the history of the RAF. We would be delighted to discuss any items you may have for potential inclusion in the exhibition.
Please contact Andrew Dennis, Curator at: Andrew. Dennis@rafmuseum.org to discuss further.
Please do not send any items directly to the museum as we are unable to accept unsolicited donations and they will be returned.
Station Commander Wing Commander Penny Brady and Commandant of The Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE) Group Captain Cameron Gibb presented personnel with their Coronation medals on Wednesday 27th March 2024.
The Coronation Medal 2023 (CM23) is a commemorative medal to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6th May 2023.
Commemorative medals are awarded to those eligible personnel who are in effective service in the Armed Forces or Front-Line Emergency Services
on a specific date that marks a specific occasion and meet specific qualifying criteria.
However, some courses of apprentices who were directly involved and contributed to Coronation duties or events have already been presented with their medals during their graduations from resident units within RAF Cosford.
n Sunday 12 May 24 a candle was lit by the Station Commander, Wg Cdr Penny Brady, in the RAF Cosford Station Church. This candle will remain lit in recognition of those deployed from the unit around the world. The event included hospitality and candle related crafts that our trainee cadre found highly entertaining!
The Number 1 School of Technical Training (No.1 SofTT) has a long and proud association with the Philip Sassoon Flying Award (PSFA). The award was founded by the most Honourable Sybil, Marchioness of Cholmondeley CBE, in memory of the late Sir Philip Sassoon; her brother and former Secretary of State for Air.
Since its inception, the income from the fund has provided flying instruction for selected aircraft technicians who were deserving of support in accomplishing a flying scholarship but were unlikely to be awarded a conventional cadetship and/or receive flying instruction within the course of their duties.
Evolving over time, the award in its current form provides the winning recipient with tuition and up to £6,800 of funding towards the attainment of a Light Aircraft Pilot’s License (LAPL). Originally offered to the Apprentice Schools, the award passed to graduates of the No.1 SofTT and has remained open to its trainees on an annual basis since. Given the prestigious and limited nature of this opportunity, competition for the award is fierce and each year the school nominates its highest performing trainees for consideration and entry into the demanding interview and aptitude testing process.
The most recent recipient of the award is AS1 Stephen Abordo. Speaking about his early inspirations for aviation, Stephen commented:
“When I was a young boy growing up in the suburbs of Ghana (West Africa), I used to observe planes lift off from a distance and marvel at the technology and science behind them. I acquired an obsession with learning why they behaved the way they did.”
Having originally joined the RAF in the HR domain, Stephen’s passion and desire to know more about aviation principles led him to re-muster into the Engineering branch, and his appetite for development and growth was clear from the outset. Stephen graduated from No.1 SofTT in the summer of 2023 and throughout his time in training had stood out as a stellar student, both for his academic performance on course and for his extensive
participation in extra-curricular activities. Stephen had an impressive background, having volunteered at the Youth and Music ministry, been a member of the STEM programme, as well as attended both the Fire and Police cadets. Also possessing a strong interest in politics, he had previously been a Youth Parliament Representative for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and whilst at Cosford was selected to participate for a remote engagement session with the Defence Permanent Under Secretary. An avid sports enthusiast, Stephen participated in several sporting activities including basketball in which he played for the RAF Cosford team and well as local club. To directly support his interest in aviation and flying, he became a member of both the RAF Cosford Microlight club and RAF Shawbury Gliding Club, gaining as much exposure to aircraft in support of his passion.
When requests for the 2023 PSFA nominations were circulated, Stephen was an obvious candidate from the outset and for him, this was the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong ambition. As such he fully committed himself to the selection process, exhibiting the very best characteristics and ultimately being successful as the 2023 recipient.
Reflecting on his success in attaining the PSFA, Stephen remarked: “Winning the Phillip Sassoon
Flying Award is a testament to the dedication and commitment poured in. It is a validation of the countless hours of training, the sacrifices made, and the unwavering passion for aviation. This award is not just a recognition of my individual achievements, but also a celebration of the collective efforts of all those who have supported and believed in me. As I reflect on this momentous achievement, I am reminded of the responsibility that comes with it. I am committed to continuing my journey with the same level of enthusiasm, professionalism, and integrity that has brought me to this point. I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams and aspirations with the same fervour and determination.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who have played a role in shaping my journey and making this award possible. I am honoured to be named a recipient of the Philip Sassoon Flying Award, and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
Having graduated from No.1 SofTT, Stephen is currently part of 70 Sqn, supporting the A400M aircraft, and is currently undertaking an OOA in the Falklands. An incredibly worthy winner of the PSFA, Stephen is wished well in his future endeavours, and I have no doubt that his flying scholarship will be one of many achievements during what promises to be a fantastic career.
Written by Flt Lt Chris MarshallDeputy Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Commodore Nick Knight visited RAF Cosford on Tuesday 26th March, following the transition to the Air C2 model.
The visit was to Provide Air Cdre Knight with an overview of RAF Cosford and its resident units, whilst meeting Station
personnel face-to-face in order to understand the daily roles and responsibilities of staff as well as the unique challenges that they may face.
Part of his visit involved trips to the Apollo Resource Centre and Common room, the Station Post Room to showcase their new automated system. The Community Centre and Single Living Accommodation to understand the welfare needs of personnel, and
finally a visit to Logistics Sqn and Number 1 School of Technical Training to witness the workplace environment and capability of training facilities.
A visit such as this gives an ideal insight into the daily business of
a RAF Station that wouldn’t be possible otherwise, ensuring the needs of RAF Cosford’s personnel are being understood by the Senior Leadership Team of the Royal Air Force.
by AS1 Haydn Brumley Banks
The pantomime club has had two consecutive years of amazing, breath-taking performances and this year we have investigated expanding and developing in a bid to ensure the longevity of the club.
We have secured a small group of lovely people and have been holding monthly committee meetings in the club’s infancy. The opportunity arose to have a stand at the ‘Cosford Fit 4 Life Day’ back in March. Granted we stood out a little considering we are not a sport and didn’t have a flashy car at our stand. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic venue to meet the trainees, staff both military and civilian and let them know that we are here and welcome anyone wanting to try something new!
We took along prop’s and set pieces from last year’s production of “Treasure Island” and our new back drops, props, and scripts for this year’s production of “Robin Hood and the babes in the Wood”.
Club, which is essential for any budding Robin Hoods and their merry men. Although all those health and safety enthusiasts out there do not fear I am sure we will have some amazing on-stage trickery on the night and not be live firing into the audience.
The Pantomime Club is now up and running on Cosford’s SharePoint site. Why not go and check it out. We have pictures of all our past performances uploaded for you to have a look at, reviews from past guests and our calendar of what is coming up. It is a great place to keep up to date with the latest going Ons within the club.
We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join our expanding troop
The focus of this event for the club was to show off the fact that you don’t have to be an actor to join The Pantomime Club. Showcasing the many other avenues the club has to offer from prop construction and stage management to sound and lighting technicians.
We made the most our time throughout the day exploring all that Cosford has to offer and practicing our archery skills with the help of the Cosford Archery
We will be getting together very soon to start putting everything in motion for this year’s performance with cast meet and greats, storyboard meetings to decide music, lighting props and costumes and much, much more.
If you would like to get involved with any aspect of the pantomime club weather that is one of the many invaluable behind-the-scenes roles or even want to try your hand, try treading to boards please do get in touch. We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join our expanding troop.
To join us or to inquire about more information please get in touch with either myself or FS Batty the Clubs IC. We are always happy to answer any questions or queries.
Mrs Leanne Ferris, The Pantomime Club: leanne.ferris102@mod.gov.uk
FS Kyan Batty, The Pantomime Club: kyan.batty835@mod.gov.uk
The annual Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE) Industry Event was held at RAF Cosford in April 2024, with over a dozen of our Industry Partners, including BAE, Boeing, Leonardo, and Pennant, in attendance to demonstrate their new training technologies.
This year’s event aimed to build upon the successes of recent years’ DSAE Industry Day and expand it from a single day event to one that was run over two days. This provided a greater opportunity for DSAE staff, instructors, and trainees to get hands on the equipment and discuss with Industry their future lines of development.
The theme for this year’s event was to further explore the opportunities for adaptable future synthetic and hybrid training technologies for a modern
defence engineering school that can be applied to training across all three Services both rotary and fixed-wing systems.
Four of our Industry Partners provided the audience with briefs on day two, ranging from Babcock’s work on next
generation immersive digital training to BAE’s brief on their development of AI-powered training systems.
The event was tailored towards air engineering, but the invitation to the event was open to the wider Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT) and 22 Group community. Commandant DSAE, Group Captain Gibb, opened the event on day one, with Commandant DCTT, Brigadier Woodbridge-Lewin MBE, the invited senior guest for day two.
The decision to expand the event this year undoubtedly provided greater opportunities for dialogue and discussion with our Industry Partners on how we can improve the training experience for our trainees. The planning now begins for DSAE Industry Event 2025.
Imagine the chaos of RAF Cosford’s Post Room, 1000 students with access to mobile phones and online shopping!
Despite the small team’s dedication, processing two to three hundred parcels daily was a daunting task, involving manual entry of specific details, long tracking numbers, and student information, all meticulously stored for distribution before 1000 students’ storm in eagerly awaiting collection of their online purchases that arrive five days a week without fail.
Promotional deals such as Amazon Black Friday only exacerbated the workload and let’s not mention what the run up to Christmas looked like. However, on 5th March, everything changed with the introduction of DeliveryPod, an electronic tracking solution, created by Channel and Mobile Solutions Ltd.
Now, with a simple barcode scan of each parcel upon arrival and collection, the team has transitioned from hours of paperwork to mere minutes. The system not only boosts efficiency but also alleviates the stress during peak periods. With ASTRA’s funding and a lot of perseverance
the project was brought to fruition after two years of trying. The team’s elation is evident as they revel in the efficiency of the new system, providing students with instant access to their parcels.
This achievement marks a significant victory, making RAF Cosford the first station within the MOD to embrace such innovative technology.
Ailidh Leather, Admin Services Manager said; “The introduction of the new postal system is a game-changer for the team at RAF Cosford’s Post Room. Gone are the days of overwhelming tasks and hours of paperwork. With DeliveryPod in place, the team can now process parcels with ease.”
We offer courses in the following: - Bricklaying - Carpentry - Plastering
Visit our website to find out more: www.learningtradeskills.co.uk
Priestgate Garden Specialists Ltd was established in Telford by Roger and Mary Birtwhistle towards the end of 1982.
Son Phil is the Managing Director and continues to provide a range of garden-based services to Telford and its surrounding area, including all aspects of maintenance, tree surgery, landscaping and a lawn care service.
Phil said: “We have many customers who have been with us for ten years or more, and even some business customers who have trusted us with the care of their grounds or gardens since the early 1980s.
“We believe in an honest and open relationship with all of our customers and suppliers, and from the first point of contact, we try very hard to do what we promise. We very much hope to continue evolving with Telford and the surrounding area for many years to come.”
During April 2024, Burnham Lecturers in No. 2 SofTT have collaborated in the delivery of training to School of Army Aviation Engineering (SAAE) Artificers in a BEng Aviation Engineering Management degree.
Students embarked on an indepth exploration of Project, Organisational Behaviour and Production Management. Delving into core topics like the project lifecycle, the pivotal role of a Project Manager, and the nuances of successful project execution. Also, leadership and management theories of hard and soft skills, successful organisations, and LEAN and Six Sigma practices. They tackled complex subjects such as selection criteria, organisational structures, budgeting, scheduling, resource management, and the critical aspects of monitoring,
control, and risk management. Through their studies, they mastered the art of negotiation, conflict resolution, managing change, and project evaluation. Their newfound knowledge was theoretically and practically applied and evaluated in extensive papers and projects, highlighting their management prowess in orchestrating a theoretical large-scale Station event, demonstrating the real-world application of their academic insights.
Feedback from staff and students regards this collaboration has been excellent, with professional opportunities for further development of experience and expertise expanded on both sides.
Since September 2023, Burnham Lecturers in No. 2 SoTT have collaborated with HMS Sultan in the training of Petty Officers at Foundation degree level and Leading Hands at level 3. Lecturers have delivered courses in Electrical Principles, Science. Mathematics and Radar.
The dedication of staff at RAF Cosford and HMS Sultan, along with their commitment to work closely together has resulted in an enormously successful project. Student results have been outstanding without a single failure in some 6 months of close collaboration.
This innovative venture has supported business needs and has benefited both organisations in several ways. It has provided a range of exciting academic and organisational delivery challenges for No. 2 SoTT staff who have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It has been invaluable in developing relationships between Cosford and HMS Sultan personnel, fostering mutual respect and a better appreciation of the excellent work which is undertaken on both sides. On a purely practical level, the exercise has increased the throughput of trainees and enhanced training resources on both sides through open sharing of student support material.
The images show practical Radar delivery on a Labvolt Radar Simulator where students are investigating the differences between Doppler and Moving
Target Indicator (MTI) with extended collaboration and support from No 1 RS staff and resources.
Now that this project is nearing its conclusion, No. 2 SoTT looks forward to another collaboration to deliver training to Army Artificer F003 students in April for Management Principles.
The
dedication of staff at RAF Cosford and HMS Sultan, along with their commitment to work closely together has resulted in an enormously successful project
On Thursday 14th March, the RAF School of Physical Training organised a Fit4Life day for our whole force personnel and trainees.
The day highlighted a vast range of sporting and other activities that everyone at RAF Cosford can get involved with.
Although these activities take place at RAF Cosford, they are replicated across the wider Royal Air Force. This is particularly good for our trainees who can discover a new activity during their training and carry on with it wherever their careers take them.
It’s part of what makes the Royal Air Force lifestyle so attractive.
The Jon Egging Trust visited RAF Cosford as part of their Blue Skies Programme. This one was the one of three scheduled visits from Charlton School with the objective being to increase their resilience.
The Jon Egging Trust offers long-term support to vulnerable young people who are struggling to engage at school and may have lost focus, confidence, and self-belief. Their STEMinspired Blue Skies programmes raise aspiration, self-belief, and resilience, and empower young people to challenge themselves and re-engage with education to make informed career choices.
The students took part in building
an Air Traffic Control Tower using MTa Kits and then took part in command tasks at the low ropes area. All activities were led by RAF Cosford personnel.
The RAF Benevolent Fund has recently launched a new Lived Experience Network which aims to increase inclusion in the RAF Family.
The new initiative will bring together a group of serving and former RAF personnel, and partners and spouses, from across the UK to share their lived experiences of the air force to help shape the Fund’s service offering and drive innovation at the charity. The Fund is currently recruiting volunteers to take part in the Network.
Volunteers who join the Network can help the Fund in a variety of ways, from completing surveys, joining focus groups, or participating in long-term working groups for internal projects. All volunteering opportunities will be remote roles and can be done from home.
Volunteer Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, Zoe Oliver, said:
“We are extremely excited to work with current serving or former RAF personnel, who would be happy to share their experiences for the Fund’s new Lived Experience Network. We believe this will provide invaluable insight into the
challenges and nuances of life in the RAF and will ensure we are putting the voices of the RAF Family at the centre of our decision making.”
Zoe continued:
“We, at the Fund, would love to hear the views of those who are currently serving or have served as well as partners and spouses. Whether you can spare 10 minutes or an hour every so often, sharing your perspective can make a real difference. I encourage those at RAF Cosford to get in touch with the Fund if interested in taking part.”
If you are a current or former member of the RAF, or a partner of spouse you can sign up to the Network here and find out more about all volunteering opportunities available as they arise.
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.
The Cosford Kart Club travelled to Wombwell near Barnsley on Thursday 21 March to take part in the 1st round of the Armed Forces Karting Championship for 2024, organised by the RAF Motor Sports Association. We were starting another year with a new ‘bunch’ of novices, bar 2 so the 1st challenge was to prepare them for this high level of competition and keep them safe on track.
The Preparation. While competition on track becomes increasingly competitive due to the efforts of the team running the championship, the preparation and effort to get the drivers to venues becomes ever more complicated. FS Matt Dilks and Cpl Martin Bishop of No 1 SofTT, and Chf Tech Tiff MatthewsWatchus and Sgt Fred Clements of No2 SofTT worked tirelessly since the end of last season to get ready for this year. Additionally, our civilian staff members, Mr Mike Jones and Mr Liam Perry worked hard on engineering matters, including servicing all race engines to prepare them for
many more hours of hard use.
Training. Preparing novice drivers for Armed Forces level competition is a challenge. Some have never driven anything before they join our Club! All need coaching and tuition to drive our race karts and then much briefing on skills and behaviours. Moreover, because the club also runs a Mechanic Endowment Fund sponsored Kart Engineering Scholarship, all we do regarding engineering preparation and kart set-up and repair is focused on that as well as success on track.
Wombwell Circuit. The 1st challenge of the weekend presented itself in the form of the tiny gate to the Wombwell Football Club that doubled as the Kart Circuit entrance. Squeezing through, we were pleased to find that the paddock was a small muddy field on which camp was set up for the weekend. Glastonbury came to mind. Four squidgy hours later, boots, trainers and lower legs covered in mud, the task of setting up the ‘Cosford Village’ was complete. Focus could then be on the next day’s weather and how karts would be set up to match a racetrack the team had not seen before. In short, the track was narrow, sporting kerbs that would
do little for keeping wheels on karts if mounted and presenting challenges not previously experienced in this type of endurance kart competition.
Practice. The novice drivers were obviously excited but apprehensive about finally being able to get out onto the circuit among other very experienced drivers from around the Armed Forces. Due to the nature of the Wombwell circuit, there was only time for half a day’s practice and no opportunity to reflect and consolidate what had been learnt before going straight into the first race! All drivers did exceptionally well. Sadly though, the drivers of Kart 19 became rather frustrated during the practice sessions; while the other 4 teams were enjoying their experience, one of 19’s engine carburettors had drawn in some foreign material, from a new fuel filter of all things, resulting in the engine refusing to run under load. Mike Jones, Chief Mechanic finally fixed the issue allowing at least some practice laps to be completed.
The Racing. The weather conspired to make life very difficult for the novices. In cold and very windy conditions on the Friday afternoon the drivers got their first taste of racing.
Cosford Village
Gridding up for Saturday’s race in the wet
Almost all survived this 1st test, except for Kart 17, retiring with a bent axle, the result of a ‘blueon-blue’ attack from Kart 10.
Tired and with falling adrenaline, the drivers retired for an early night of disturbed sleep listening to the wind and rain battering their ‘luxury’ accommodation. Saturday’s weather was forecast to be changeable and again, would prove to be a challenge for those in race 1 with a shower coming between qualifying and race start causing some difficult tyre choice decisions. Some adapted to the conditions quickly, hearing previous coaching advice in their heads, others found it rather difficult, coming off the track several times much to their frustration. Race 2 drivers had the weather on their side, and a dry race was enjoyed.
Engineering. Here is the good news. While some other Forces teams suffer from poor engineering preparation and skills, Cosford, despite the inexperience of the young apprentices, does its utmost to have them ready their machines with care and to exacting standards. No engineering issues occurred during the first race weekend caused by latent errors made during preparation of the Karts, the first time this has happened in over 23 years of competitive racing!
So, to the Awards. Whilst Cosford were never going to win any of the weekend’s RAFMSA trophies, the team does have its own awards. The first was the “Driver of the Weekend”, given to
Thanks must go to all who believe in the Cosford Kart Club, allowing it to thrive again following its move, and permitting staff and trainees to experience this high level of competition at the Armed Forces Championship’’
the outstanding individual who has performed the best over the weekend. There were many nominations from the staff but in the end the Team Principle, FS Matt Dilks decided that AR Jack Hepworth of 1242/095 was the worthy winner. His safe and increasingly improving driving over the 2 days (whilst also being such a hard worker in the paddock) edged him ahead of his peers. The ‘Alternative Award’ or, as it has been carefully re-named, “The Not So Clever Person of the Weekend”, was self-nominated. During the post weekend debrief and the explanation of what this award is for, the would-be winner was already growing more and more embarrassed and red in the face. “Oh, Dan are you going to award yourself the trophy?” Well, he did commit the blue-on-blue by driving his kart into the back of one of our own.
Next Time. Next time we go to the Ellough Park circuit near Eccles in Suffolk towards the end of April.
Thanks. Thanks must go to all who believe in the Cosford Kart Club, allowing it to thrive again following its move, and permitting staff and trainees to experience this high level of competition at the Armed Forces Championship. Also, to the training and supervisory staff who worked hard to enable the trainees to be released. The club is still supported by many around the Station, too numerous to note here, the Central Fund and FUCHS Lubricants (UK) Ltd. We are so grateful to all who help us.
As a Service organisation, the Cosford Motorcycle club has an interest in riding to locations significant to the RAF, so we are fortunate that this region is so steeped in Air Force history.
Aiming to reach as many points of interest as we could in a single day, “10 sites, 1Day, 2 Wheels” would be an official station FD staff ride aiming to celebrate local RAF history whilst promoting road safety and developing rider skills. Riders would travel on motorcycles to the sites of 10 former and active RAF bases in the greater Shropshire and Staffordshire areas, each researching the history of one unit and giving a brief presentation to the group before moving on.
Despite mixed weather forecasts throughout the week and heavy rainfall the night before, weather conditions were favourable as the riders assembled. A good mixture of motorcycles were present from full-on adventure bikes right through to custom
bobbers and spirits were high. At 09:00, riders left the camp gates to begin a 146-mile ride, taking in 10 historic RAF sites, through two separate counties, on a mix of A and B roads.
Tern Hill was the first location on the route and “Mac” McGrath set the bar high with a fascinating talk on the unit’s long history, initially as a Royal Flying Core training unit during WW1, right through to the present day, even providing handouts of aerial photographs as the unit appeared during WW2. Most of the camp now continues as an Army unit but the airfield is still an RAF operated aerodrome used for helicopter training by No.2 Flying School.
Next was former RAF Tilstock, now a private aerodrome. Taking the stand, Mike Lowe told us about the unit’s history; the station opened in 1942 but was
originally called RAF Whitchurch Heath until being re-named RAF Tilstock in 1943. It was occupied by 81 Operational Training Unit from 1942 to 1944 equipped with Whitley’s followed by 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit with Halifax’s. Leaving for our next destination, as we pulled out onto the main road, we could clearly see the airfields control tower still standing proudly above the skyline.
Choosing a route that went via Ellesmere took the ride off onto some of the loveliest B roads in the area. Mere road was a real highlight of the day, twisty, undulating and largely devoid of traffic, this route took us right through what is known as the “lake district of Shropshire” right to our next destination. Former RAF Rednal has been largely given over to industry since its closure. But many of the military building were still visible across
the former site as we headed for our stopping point, the ruins of the control tower, now used for paintball and airsoft. Colin Ashcroft gave us an interesting talk on the site’s history. Rednal airfield opened as an RAF base in April 1942. 61 Operational Training Unit was located here between 1942 and 1945 under 81 Group Fighter Command equipped, for the most part with Spitfires.
The route to RAF Montford Bridge was somewhat off the beaten track with roads reduced to almost green lane like conditions. The big BMW adventure bike riders weren’t fazed but those with lower, sportier rides took it very carefully. Everyone made it through though with the only casualties being a few wet feet from riding through a flooded track! Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be much left of the former RAF unit when we arrived. Only farmers’ fields were visible where its three runways once were, and no MOD buildings could be seen. Perhaps with more time to explore we might have been able to find some recognisable structures from this once busy hub where surplus aircraft were scrapped after WW2, but with time pressing on, we regretfully elected to move on.
As an active aerodrome, former RAF Slaep is well preserved, and the current owners are proud of the site’s history. It is now a tourist hotspot and a bit of a hidden gem with a museum on site (sadly closed on the day of
our ride) and a lovely café in the old control tower. This location was chosen as our lunchtime breakpoint, and we all enjoyed a ‘posh coffee’ over lunch whilst listening to a presentation from Kieran Knoblet on the site’s history. Built in 1943 as a satellite for Tilstock, Slaep saw service right through WW2 as a pilots training academy but was also home to Whitley bombers primarily used for leaflet dropping campaigns over enemy territory. Slaep continued after the war as a training unit for Air Traffic Controllers until closing as an RAF base in 1964.
A sudden downpour made this leg of the ride “interesting”, but it stopped as quickly as it started, and the group were in high spirits as we arrived at RAF Shawbury. Some initial confusion over the road layout outside the camp gates was quickly resolved and we set up on the grass opposite the camp entrance where “Team Radio-School” George Thompson and Alex Rumball recounted the extensive history of the unit from its inception in 1917 through both World Wars right up to its modern role as a Helicopter Flying Training unit with No.1 Flying Training School.
Former RAF High Ercall is now privately owned so we couldn’t
gain access to the airfield but as we pulled up to the gates, we could see that the original guardroom is still in use for its original function and is beautifully preserved. One could easily imagine aviators in WW2 USAF era uniforms busily going about their business on the once busy frontline Spitfire base. Clearly the sites history is in good hands. With traffic building as we progressed towards Stafford, we elected to do a drive-by of the site of RAF Seighford rather than stopping, instead doubling up stands at our next location. As we rode by, the old runway was clearly visible on our right. It was interesting to see that the aerodromes current use was as a glider school which seemed apt given its history as an RAF heavy glider conversion training unit during the war.
Our route took us south of Stafford through beautiful Cannock Chase. With a light rain threatening to become heavier and traffic conditions worsening though it became harder to
enjoy the fantastic green scenery in what was once, the Earl of Lichfield’s private estate. RAF Hednesford was our final destination and as a former RAF training base, the home of No.6 School of Technical Training, what an appropriate place to conclude an FD ride beginning at RAF Cosford, the modernday home of No.1 and No.2 SofTT! Local man, Dave Baker took us on a guided tour of what remained of the unit and talked us through its fascinating history. Between 1938 and 1950 the unit was dedicated to training aircraft mechanics before being repurposed for recruit training until closure in 1956.The site had also been used for military purposes long before the RAF was based there though, having formerly being known as Brocton Barracks, a training camp for New Zealand Servicemen during WW1. We all agreed that the motto of these regiments was particularly applicable to the ride that we had just completed; “Nga Tapuwae”, meaning “to follow
in the footsteps of those that came before.”
It had been an enjoyable day with some great banter, fantastic roads and ……. interesting weather!
As a Whole-Force event we had come from all backgrounds but were unified through a passion for riding motorcycles and a shared interest in aviation history. We had gained an appreciation of the rich history of the RAF around our home base. Some units we visited still held a commanding presence over their surroundings whereas others were being forgotten and sadly falling into obscurity. The ride, therefore, proved a great opportunity to remember those that had served before us and to celebrate the past.
Written by Sgt Alex Woods
In everyday life CPD is referred to with an importance placed upon not only the individual but the organisation also. We focus on the three letters that mean so much in industry today, along with other aspects including growth, relevance, and impact. This way of thinking signifies the continuous learning journey and its positive influence on both individual and organisational success. We break them down, to truly define the meaning of CPD.
The C refers to Continuous with the Cambridge dictionary defining this as “without a pause or interruption.” The ability to continuously do something takes commitment and drive with a passion for what we are trying to achieve in life or in our field of work. To be continuous is to learn with an open or growth mindset. No1 RS has continuously delivered CPD events to educate the team and develop remarkable people.
P is to be professional. Again, this is defined by the Cambridge dictionary as “a person who has the type of job that needs a high level of education and training.”
To be professional is a state of mind, more nurture over nature, taking time and effort to be the person the job requires you be. This is not only for the individual but the business. A professional is “Someone who can do their best work when they don’t feel like it.”
Finally, D. Development. “The process in which someone or something grows or changes and becomes more advanced”. In a digital age we on the forefront of advancements in technology, and as individuals we need to develop to keep up.
Development can be achieved at all levels both cognitively and physically, and the development of an individual or organisation is only limited by their commitment and imagination.
Following these principals, No. 1 RS developed a Whole Force CPD Event on 27 Feb 24, focusing on well-being. An exercise for all staff in the Atrium within Flowerdown Hall was conducted to look at personal values and beliefs which would be utilised later. The 80 staff who attended the event were then split into 4 groups and circulated to various presentations. These included:
• Coaching and Mentoring (Jointly delivered by No 1 RS and DSAE staff)
• Emotional Intelligence (Delivered by FDTS staff)
• Mental Health Awareness (Delivered by FDTS staff)
• First Aid and AED (Delivered by
Midlands Air Ambulance)
The use of an online QR code evaluation system, allowed staff throughout the day to have their say on each stand and the event, which provided feedback that the CPD day was a success. This also provides the delivery team developmental areas to work on for the next event in Sep 24.
Planning and facilitating CPD enables individuals to take charge of their career development and aspirations. This benefits employers too, as staff are more likely to be motivated and loyal to an organisation that invests in them and supports their development.
To quote Sir Richard Branson: “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Laser Skin Clinics is based in a converted barn complex offering a discreet location specialising in skin and hair aesthetics. We treat everything skin related from removal of skin tags and moles to laser tattoo and laser hair removal. We are passionate about the skin offer skin and hair rejuvenation treatments such as Botox, Profhilo, PRP, RF Microneedling, Skin Peels and Laser Facials. The clinic has been operating for over 10 years and all of staff are fully qualified to a high standard holding full aesthetic and medical certification.
As the UK faces debates over potential VAT imposition on private school fees, the independent education sector anticipates significant impacts. Removal of the VAT exemption could burden families with increased costs, potentially limiting access to private education. Amidst these concerns, state boarding schools emerge as a viable alternative for forces families.
State boarding schools offer comparable education to independent counterparts at a fraction of the cost. With government subsidies, they provide academic excellence in a supportive boarding environment, appealing to families seeking quality education without hefty fees.
As Director of Boarding at The Thomas Adams School in Shropshire, Lee Irwin knows that the landscape is changing “One of the primary benefits of state boarding schools is their affordability. With tuition fees subsidised by the government, state boarding schools offer an excellent education at significantly lower costs than private schools. This affordability opens up access to boarding education to a wider range of students, irrespective of their financial background. With the CEF, boarding for forces families, can be as little as £10 per day. Our reputation of being the ‘Biggest Family in Shropshire’, is one we are justifiably proud of. Forces parents who entrust us to deliver outstanding pastoral care in their absence are never disappointed”
In conclusion, while VAT on school fees poses challenges, state boarding schools offer a solution by providing affordable, inclusive, and academically excellent education. As debates unfold, it’s vital to prioritise equal opportunities for all students, regardless of financial background.
For more information about the benefits of state boarding, please visit our website: www.thomasadams.net
RAF Reservist, Air Specialist Class 1 Matt Holland struck gold recently at the World Aquatics Masters in Doha, Qatar.
As part of a five strong RAF Swimming team, two of whom were reservists, AS1 Matt Holland entered 5 individual swimming events at the Masters Championships netting an impressive haul of 2 golds and 2 silvers.
AS1 Holland, 25, from Wolverhampton, is a logistician with 605 Squadron RAuxAF based at RAF Cosford. He said; “I love the opportunities that being in the reserves gives me, I have learnt a lot that I can use in my day job but have also had the chance to travel and take part in sport like these Championships.
Being able to meet and compete with Regular counterparts means that when I am mobilised or go away on operations, I will already have built up some great friendships.”
The World Aquatics Masters saw individuals from across the world
compete in 10 days of swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming disciplines. Masters Swimming sees competitors from 25 to 100+ compete in age specific categories with entry times adjusted for these groups.
RAF Swimming Association President, Group Captain Anne-Marie Houghton, who also competed at the event added: “Masters Swimming is a very inclusive event and suitable for all ages. To be able to share this journey with AS1 Holland and to allow our reservists the same opportunities as regulars makes me proud of everything RAF Swimming is trying to achieve.”
THE NUMBER ONE BOARDING SCHOOLS DIRECTORY AIMED AT MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
