Drill

2428 (Hedge End) Squadron overcame all opposition to become the 2008 National Drill Champions of the Air Training Corps today.

The Competition features the top drill teams from each of the 6 regions in the Air Cadet Organisation and the top team from the Combined Cadet Forces (RAF Section). Held at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, these 7 teams represent the best in the ACO and 2428 tested them all and emerged victorious.

Not just satisfied with being the top drill team in the Corps, CWO Connor Bowdidge trounced all other Drill NCOs to take the coveted position of Top Drill Instructor in the Corps

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The team prepared themselves by winning the Wing Competition at Worthy Down back in July and beating all opposition in the Southwest Region at RAF Lyneham in October. On Friday evening they travelled to RAF Uxbridge in Middlesex where a final practice look place on the hallowed parade ground of the Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF Regiment. Watched by officers, NCOs and airmen of the QCS, 2428 showed their mettle and won praise from OC QCS for the near perfect performance.

At RAF Halton, the team was supported by their OC, Flt Lt Paul Terry, squadron officers Flt Lt Hans Agate and Fg Off Liesal Ackerman and CI Jamie Roan. Wg Cdr Tony Clavell and Sqn Ldr Peter Priest from Wing HQ along with GP Capt Mike Remlinger, SW Regional Commandant watched nervously from the wings as 2428 were put through their paces and judges by a DI from the QCS. The performance was near perfect and the team beat the nearest opposition by a clear 40 points!

Talking with the staff after the event, Flt Lt Agate, a winner himself on one occasion with 1105 (City of Winchester) and finalist three times said he was confident from the outset that they would win.

Air Commodore Ian Stewart, Commandant Air Cadets, watched the competition and presented the prizes. He said "everyone can be proud of their efforts and it shows what hard work can do".

CLICK HERE for some pictures of the competition

Band

After a successful season the marching band of 93 City of Bath Squadron has won the highest accolade, becoming Air Cadet champions 2008 by winning the national finals at Royal Air Force Halton. They excelled in a fierce competition involving sixteen of the top Air Cadet bands, bringing the well deserved silverware back to the West Country.

The band's Drum Major, Cadet Flight Sergeant Charlotte Smith, age 18, was runner-up in the individual competition and other members of the band were highly placed in the Solo Drum and Solo Bugle categories. Air Commodore Stewart, Commandant Air Cadets took the salute and the band marched off to thunderous applause. Band member Cadet Corporal Gay told us: "Having played the snare drum for only five months, performing at RAF Halton was a huge challenge for me. From the minute we arrived, it was "all hands on deck", with organisation, teamwork and communications the key words to describe the band and the Bath cadets. All that training was being put into practice. The atmosphere in the arena draws out your capabilities and raises morale. "After a successful day of musical talent the publicity from ITV was an added bonus. This has been one of many Air Cadet experiences that will help me towards an RAF career." Flautist, Cadet Lucy Treby, age 14, reflects: "The national competition was fun and exciting. The other bands were so friendly, a bit like meeting old friends.

This was my second national championship so I relaxed and enjoyed the experience, although I was nervous during the ensemble final." At the South West Regional Championships a month earlier, the band all but swept the board by winning six out of the eight categories available including: Best Overall Band Best Turn-out Best Solo Bugle Best Open Ensemble Best Percussion Section Best Valve Band Their sights are now firmly set on 2009 when they hope to appear at the Royal International Air Tattoo and the Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands. ENDS Picture: Drum Major, Cadet Flight Sergeant Smith leads the band off after winning the National Championships.

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