< 30th May 2006 - Careers Carnival

2nd June 2006 - A Bridge Too Far >

< Back to News Archive



1st June 2006

Marching Season

Between 26th and 29th May 2006, 16 cadets and 4 staff from 134 (Bedford) Squadron deployed to Dibgate Camp, Folkestone, Kent.

Each year the Squadron deploys over the bank holiday weekend to participate in the Spitfire Cadet March held on Sunday 28th May.

Deploying in strength to a campsite consisting of seven 12 x 12 army frame tents and complete with a mess tent, cook tent and sergeants mess the cadets were comfortably accommodated for the weekends activities.

On Saturday 27th May the cadets spent the morning looking around the impressive Dover Castle and discovered that its history spanned from Roman times to the1960’s. The afternoon was spent looking around the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel Le Fern before returning to camp to watch Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds in the cinema tent.

On Sunday 28th May following an early start, 0600 hrs, the Squadron commenced the Spitfire March. The NCO team under FS Otulakowski set off on the gruelling 42km march whilst those who had not completed a road march before set off with AWO’S Browne and Taylor on the 27km route.

All the Cadets, Staff and Air Dog Gibson successfully completed the march and whilst some declared a few blisters all who participated remained in high spirits and gained their march medals.

Squadron Warrant Officer P Taylor who organised the camp said, “Despite some rather wet weather the weekend went fantastically well. The Cadets worked hard to set up the campsite, visited some interesting and education venues and successfully completed a strenuous cadet march. I am proud that the team pulled together and I know that people are already signing up for the 2007 march.”

The squadron will return to Dibgate Camp in August when it undertakes a weekend of adventurous training designed to test the cadets and NCO’s leadership and fieldcraft skills.