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30th January 2006

Dinner is served

Friday 27th January 2006 saw Bedford Squadron come together to celebrate its third annual mess dinner function at the Shakespeare Hotel in Bedford. This year the squadron has much reason to celebrate and consolidate; an incoming Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Mark Robinson, and an outbound Cadet Warrant Officer, CWO Steven Croft. Furthermore, after a year’s worth of victory in 2005, Bedford has a bulging trophy cabinet to be pleased about.

The Squadron NCO team

In attendance were all of the squadron’s cadets alongside staff, and a few special guests. The function is traditionally formal, with the male cadets turning up in shirt and black tie, or bowtie, and the females attending in evening dresses. The meal itself was also conducted as a formal mess dinner would be in the military; with a mess president (the Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Robinson), Mr Vice (the youngest member, Cdt Every), and a round of speeches.

Upon arrival everyone was busy looking for their seats, as a seating plan had been made around the three tables. After a short period of mingling, adjusting clothes and taking photographs, it was up to Mr Cirin to announce that ‘Dinner is served’. Once all the cadets were stood behind their chairs, the top table took their places, indicating that everybody could sit. Ordinarily in mess dinners, anyone who rises from the table before all the courses are consumed has to undertake a forfeit, and at 134 there is no difference. However, this year nobody left the table, though some looked extremely relieved when the comfort break was declared after dessert!

After the three courses of much-enjoyed food and a short respite, everybody once again resumed our seats for a toast to Her Majesty, and a round of speeches. As the youngest member of the squadron present, it was Cadet Every who announced ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, the Queen’, to whom all then raised their glasses. Following this the new Commanding Officer gave his speech, mentioning his return to Bedford Squadron and citing some anecdotes regarding CWO Croft, who in turn gave his speech about his time in the Corps and the people he had met. Both speeches were very well received, and gave everybody some food for thought. After the guest of honour, Squadron Leader Dave Hall, gave his address, the meal was officially over, and it was time to hit the dance floor.

The evening was rounded off with a disco, which featured a whole host of dancing, some people raising more eyebrows than others. The final song (Queen, ‘We are the champions’) saw the cadets swaying in motion around some very jubilant staff members, each holding a Wing trophy.

"We are the champions"

With excellent food and a lot to celebrate, the well organised evening was a complete success. Thanks are most certainly due to all the staff for coordinating the event, and to the Civilian Committee for making it what it was.

Sergeant Antoni Otulakowski