Celebrating Cadets 75th

EATURES AIR CADET CAROL VORDERMAN HELPS CELEBRATE AIR CADET 75TH Carol Vorderman helps celebrate Air Cadet <strong>75th</strong> IMAGES: Philip Jones, CUTOUT IMAGE: Denise Parker Housby Celebrity aviator Carol Vorderman joined thousands of cadets from across the UK at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire on August 13th to mark the <strong>75th</strong> Anniversary of the RAF Air <strong>Cadets</strong> ... By Denise Parker Housby Head of Media & Communications Ambassador to the RAF Air <strong>Cadets</strong>, Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman attended the historic national parade and musical extravaganza and met dozens of young cadets. Also in attendance were VIP guests including the new Chief of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, himself a former cadet. The day of celebrations included a huge parade and musical extravaganza led by cadets, flypasts from the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Falcons also dropped in. The historic event marked 75 years since the formation of the Air Training Corps and several units of the Combined Cadet Force (RAF), collectively known as the RAF Air <strong>Cadets</strong>. Opening with a precision parade, 350 cadets performed a spectacular hour-long drill ceremony, before musically gifted youngsters and volunteers took to the stage for the musical extravaganza with compere Peter Dickinson – the voice of the X-Factor. The day closed with a finale of fireworks. In preparation for the parade, cadets attended a prestigious week-long drill and ceremonial camp at Beckingham Training Camp, 10 miles from RAF Cranwell, with camps for the band and choir at other venues. Honour Cadet Sergeant Shana Spalding, 16, of 2284 (Dunblane) Squadron said: “It was a huge honour – I have to admit that the band helped to keep us in step. We practised all week and then had two days’ rehearsing on the parade square to perfect it – it was certainly tough but we did it – I do have a blister on my foot but I have a massive smile on my face.” Gp Capt Vorderman chatted with cadets including one of the youngest in the organisation – 13-year-old Cadet Ethan Gray of 141 (Boston) Squadron (pictured below). He said: “My parents met in the Air Training Corps and now I’m a cadet so you might say it runs in the family! I absolutely love the RAF Air <strong>Cadets</strong> and the activities it offers – I’m always trying something new and exciting – joining is the best decision I ever made. “My great granddad was on Lancasters in the Second World War so wearing the light blue uniform goes back a generation or two.” Mr Sydney Marshall, Ethan’s great granddad, said: “I am very proud to witness this event with my great grandson. I hope I have helped influence him to join. I really believe in this – Air <strong>Cadets</strong> is a wonderful start for any young person.” The parade was just one of the many celebrations that have taken place across the country this year after HRH The 6 AIR CADET MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2016 www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets 7