Two First Class Lads

Two Baysgarth pupils, Ben Wash and Calum Franks have just been awarded their ‘First Class’ qualification in the Air Training Corps. The boys, aged 13, joined 2222 (Brigg) Squadron of the A.T.C. in September last year and have worked hard towards the qualification. The boys were rewarded with a day’s flying at Royal Air Force Cranwell were they were able to take the controls of one of the A.T.C.’s state of the art ‘Grob 115E tutor’ aircraft. The boys then went on to experience the joys of looping the loop and barrel rolling as the instructor took back control of the aircraft. Neither of the lads stopped smiling for a week after their day out!

The Brigg Squadron which takes cadets from the Barton and Barrow and ‘Low Village’ areas saw quite a change last year when a new Squadron ‘Officer Commanding’ was appointed. Flt Lt Gill Wills has increased the Squadron numbers by a half in her first year in command.

Gill joined the Air Training Corps as a cadet at Brigg Squadron in 1992; she has remained there ever since. Gill is proud of the fact she is the first ever Brigg cadet to remain on the squadron and go on to become the Officer Commanding.

Recent Squadron achievements include having two cadets receive their BTEC Certificates in Aviation Studies. Cadet Sgt Aaron Strawbridge and Cadet Corporal Ethan Davidson are the first cadets from Brigg Squadron to receive the qualification which is viewed favourably by future employers. Over the past year 10 cadets have achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and are now working towards their silver award.

A typical Tuesday or Thursday night at the Squadron sees cadets doing anything from sports to model making. Weekends hold the possibility of camping, climbing, flying, gliding or taking part in many different sporting or outdoor activities.

The squadron has an active band which, last year, had the honour to lead Remembrance Day parades in both Brigg and Barnetby. This year the band has been booked to lead the Carnival Parade at Brigg Fair!

The Air Training Corps is a national youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force. Membership is open to young people aged between 13 and 20 years. Cadets have the opportunity to take part in flying, gliding, sports, adventure training, camping, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, shooting, drill and overseas travel. Not only is participating fun but it helps academically too, as the Air Training Corps cadets can achieve BTEC Certificates in Aviation Studies, Public Service and Music to a level equivalent to 4 GCSE’s at grades A to C.

You may think this all sounds very expensive but through sponsorship from the RAF and fund raising activities parade night subs are just £1 and a week’s camp at an RAF Station costs around £50.

For further information on joining the Air Training Corps call in at the Cadet Centre on Bridge Street, Brigg on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings between 7pm and 9pm, alternatively e-mail Gill on oc.2222@aircadets.org or call her on 07504977506.