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1st June 2007

Stepping Out

Bedford Squadron maintained tradition this weekend when twenty cadets and staff from the unit took part in the challenging ‘Spitfire March’ against the elements.

For many of the cadets it was the first time that they have been away with the squadron and, for half, it was the first time that they had participated in the gruelling route march, held near Folkestone, Kent.

The weekend began with the cadets assembling their camp site on Friday night, complete with a cooking tent, where three square meals a day were produced by the hard working members of the squadron’s Civilian Committee, and a Mess tent, where the food was eagerly consumed by the cadets.

Saturday, which began with a breakfast of bacon and egg rolls, fruit salad, and breakfast cereals, saw the cadets visit Deal Castle. The castle has been involved in many events from its construction in 1539 to four centuries later when it was the site for anti-aircraft weaponry, and was bombed during the Second World War.

Cadets at Deal Castle

The cadets then visited the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne where Warrant Officer Taylor gave the cadets a brief lesson on the Battle of Britain, and Warrant Officer Oliver Browne gave the cadets some insight into the aircraft used during the Second World War.

Sunday was the day of the walk, and began once again with a filling breakfast, before the cadets split into their respective routes, and started the hard work of completing the miles ahead. Eight of the cadets, all of whom had previous experience of road marching, opted for the longest ‘Red’ route, which is 42 Kilometres in length. Those cadets that had not participated in any road marching before instead completed the slightly shorter, but still challenging ‘Blue’ route of 25 Kilometres.

Everyone completed the routes and, despite the inclement weather, returned with high spirits and sore feet. With pride in their hearts, the cadets enjoyed a hearty meal of chicken korma, preceded by a starter of samosa, and finished off with sponge cake and hot custard.

After the annual walk was completed, it was then time for another of Bedford Squadron’s more eccentric traditions: the Mess dinner, attended in the field by staff clad in their smartest uniform. The cadets then put on a display for the benefit of the staff featuring some entertainment, and a review of the weekend so far.

 

Monday saw the cadets deconstruct the camp site and make the journey back to Bedford, before returning the kit to the squadron store, and heading home.

Cadet ‘Betty’ Soroko, 14, said of the weekend, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. It was the first time that I had done the red route, but it was such great fun and really challenging at the same time. Visiting the Battle of Britain Memorial was nice as well; it gives you a real sense of the importance of history.’

Warrant Officer Taylor, who organised the squadron’s participation in the event, affirmed ‘here at Bedford Squadron rain most certainly does not stop play. The cadets overcame adversity to complete the walk; both in the length of the route and in the face of the weather. All those who participated should feel rightly proud of their achievements.’