News - May/June 2001

Newsletter May/June 2001

WING DRILL CHAMPIONS

By CWO Callan

No. 2175 (Rolls Royce) Squadron, Air Training Corps were recently triumphant in winning the Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing Drill Competition. The squadron was crowned undisputed champions for the first time in their history, fighting off stiff competition from local squadrons.
The cadets have been practicing for this competition for two months. Their success stands as a monument to their hard work and dedication

On Sunday 27th May the Squadron entered a team of 15 cadets, commanded by Cadet Warrant Officer Paula Hastie (20) into the competition, which was held at 327 (Kilmarnock) Squadron.

The cadets uniform had to be perfect in preparation for the detailed inspection before the drill display and 2175 Squadron scored the highest marks for the inspection. After the inspection a flight of 12 cadets smartly marched on the parade square, formed up and conducted movements in quick and slow time.

They finished their drill display with some ceremonial drill techniques, which included a march past and a salute to Wing Commander George Campbell (RAFVRT) who is the Commanding Officer of Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing.

The squadron formed up for the final parade when the results were announced. The squadron won by a convincing 68 points. They were duly awarded with the Wing Trophy.

In September the Squadron will represent the Wing in the Regional Competition against other wings from Scotland and Northern Ireland CWO Hastie, was overjoyed at winning this trophy. She said that they are ready to take on the challenge from the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland in September.

Wing and Regional Athletics

By Cadet Shields

On the 13th of May the annual Wing Athletics Championships were held at Dam Park, Ayr. The squadron took a strong team of 22 to the athletics, some with high expectations and others a bit nervous about their first time at the competition. After a 45 min drive to the park we finally arrived just before nine o’clock. We then entered the changing rooms and then the motivation for our events began. After a slow start with several people qualifying for the finals of their events Cdt Shields won the first medal ,bronze, Long Jump, Class B. After that the medals began to pour in but unfortunately no gold medals yet. It wasn’t until the end of the day that Cpl Hastie won the Class C High Jump and it was not long until we won our second gold medal, once again it was Cpl Hastie but this time it was the Class C 1500m. By the end of the day we hand won 18 medals including two gold medals.

As you compete in your events you are awarded points depending on where you finish with the results entered into two trophy competitions, one, the individuals trophy for the best male and female athletes and secondly the best squadron. We were placed third with 45 points. We found this to be quite rewarding, as it was the first time we had had a large team at the athletics. Overall the day was a rewarding competition for some people and an enjoyable day for others.

Many weeks after the Wing Athletics, we waited for the list of team members going to the Regional Athletics, already knowing that because Cpl Hastie won two golds he would go to the Regional Athletics. This year we had five people recruited from our squadron. This included one cadet who was recruited for the Wing relay team. The only problem with the Regional Athletics was that it had been moved to Aberdeen due to the Foot and Mouth obstructions and the normal venue of Grangemouth, Edinburgh, was cancelled due to restrictions. So the five cadets travelled up to Aberdeen. We returned with a decent tally of medals with Cpl Hastie once again winning gold medals in the Class C Long Jump and 1500m. Now, due to Cpl Hastie’s determination, he will be competing against the best athletes from England and from Wales at the Corps Athletics. Good Luck to him.

Overall the athletics play a big role in the squadron recognition and encouraging team spirit and competitiveness.

WEB SITE CONTINUES TO GROW

By Cadet Shields

Ever since our squadron has been linked to the Internet it has been CWO Callan’s dream to have a squadron website of our own. It wasn’t until a few months ago when CWO Callan’s dream came true and we finally launched our squadron website. That was a few months back and things have progressed with the introduction of a message board, on-line debate and an aircraft page has been added to the website. We have had around about 700 visitors in the last three months and from most messages posted in the Guest Book and the Message Board, the site is a success. Anyone who has seen the website will agree that the website is a great success and those who haven’t yet seen the website will be missing out on a great site for the ATC. I would also like to take this time to say that this site is for enjoyment purposes only and any abusive and foul language will not be tolerated. But back to a good note, I would like to take this chance on behalf of everybody to thank CWO Callan as she has de-voted most of her spare time in making the website. And let’s not forget the cadets who have submitted work for the website. Thank you one and all. Overall the website is a great success and will hopefully continue to grow for years to come.

WEST HIGHLAND WAY

By CWO Callan

On the 9th of June, 12 cadets began their quest to walk the West Highland Way over the coming months. The West Highland Way is a route designed for walkers, which covers the 95 miles from Milgavie to Fort William. The group plan to walk a section of the route each fortnight, until it is complete.

To date, two legs of the route have been covered, Milgavie to Drymen and Drymen to Balmaha This gives a total of 19 and a half miles. Only 70 and a half miles to go!

RECRUITMENT SUCCESS

By CWO Callan

Two months ago, we reported that a recruitment campaign had begun. We are pleased to report in this edition, that the drive was a success. Over ten new recruits have since joined the squadron, taking the monthly average to 32 parading cadets. This is 2 above the planned target for this month and only 4 away from the yearly target of 36, which we hope to reach by the end of the year. Thank you to everyone who helped make the campaign work, especially those who delivered the leaflets, well done. We would also like to give a big welcome to these new recruits and I hope that you will remain a part of the squadron for many years to come.

PAISLEY TO KILMACOLM

By CWO Callan

On the 30th of June the squadron will be walking from Paisley to Kilmacolm and back again in a sponsored event that we hope will be able to raise the squadron funds. The event was conducted last year, where we had a great day out and were able to raise quite a bit of money. It also provides the Nijmegen team with a further opportunity to train for the summer. Sponsor forms have already been issued and we would like to thank our family and friends for their kind donations.

CADET COMMITTEE

By CWO Callan

Recently, the squadron has re-appointed a cadet committee, which was disbanded three years ago. The committee is made up of cadets of many classifications whose purpose is to discuss matters that may concern the cadets, providing a forum for their complaints and ideas for improvement. It is also hoped that it will give the cadets involved a better understanding of how the squadron is run and able them to organise activities for the squadron. Already they have organised indoor football at Kelvin hall and a trip to the go carting is planned for the 12th of July. Well done to the committee and keep up the good work. If you have any ideas for the Committee, please approach one of the members.

Cdt Bradley Cdt Chun Cdt Campbell Cdt Jones Cdt McMillan Cdt Muir

NEW SQUADRON MINIBUS

By CWO Callan

The squadron has recently purchased a new minibus to replace the aging older model and it was delivered to the squadron on the 20th of June. The new minibus, picture above, is a newer model, more efficient to run and more comfortable. The minibus was purchased from the squadron fund and cost a measly £700. The money was raised from the last bag packing at Christmas, so well done to those who took part.

LOCH SLOY HIKE

On the 2nd of June 13 cadets were dropped off at the “Rest and be Thankful”. The cadets then walked just under 10 miles in a time of four hours. They walk consisted of travelling along a path and then around the side of the valley with the Loch in the middle until they reached Invereagles. The cadets had some amazing views and the weather was good, most of the time. The squadron hope to organise more hikes for the summer period and on the 7th of July we hope to climb the Cobbler.

MERLIN OF CLYDE

By CWO Callan

Cadet Neil Surgenor (17) was lucky enough to be given a weeks voyage on the Rolls Royce Merlin of Clyde yacht. Cdt Surgenor is a second year apprentice in the factory. As part of the companies training all apprentices must take part in team building exercises on board the yacht. Neil was part of a team of eight others, which included apprentices and graduates from across the UK. They must all work together as a team, navigating, cooking, sailing and (in Neil’s case) being ill. The yacht was built by the former apprentices and cadets of 2175 (Rolls Royce) squadron.