< 11th December 2007 - Winging It

26th December 2007 - Checkout Gold >

< Back to News Archive



15th December 2007

On Cloud Nine

A flight of a lifetime in a Tornado GR4 aircraft awaits Sergeant Sean Denham, 16 yrs, the 134 (Bedford) Squadron, Cadet of the Year.

A whole host of awards including the Cadet of the Year Award were presented to Cadets during the Squadrons Annual Awards Evening held on Thursday 13th December 2007, at the Defence Intelligence & Security Centre Chicksands, Bedfordshire.

Sergeant Denham won the coveted Cadet of the Year award in recognition of his considerable achievements within 134 (Bedford) Squadron during 2007. Sean received the award from Group Captain Haywood the Chief of Staff at Chicksands and will fly with 41(R) Squadron Royal Air Force in early 2008.

Sgt Denham collecting the Cadet of the Year trophy from Group Captain Haywood

The Commanding Officers Shield was presented to Corporal Adam Smith, 17 yrs, who leaves the Squadron in the New Year to commence training at the Army 6th Form College, Harrogate, Yorkshire.

The Best New Recruit trophy was won by Cadet Ryan Sharples, 14 yrs, who in just under a year has shown great commitment to the Squadron and participated in many of the activities undertaken.

The Academic Shield was presented to Cadet Nicholas Every, 14 years, who excelled in this years Leading Cadet examination, held in March.

Cdt Nicholas Every receives the Academic Shield

The Sports Shield was awarded to Sergeant Denham, 16 yrs, who this year has represented the Squadron and Wing at Rugby and Cross Country and in the New Year goes on to compete in the Regional Cross Country Competition at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

The Modelling Trophy was awarded to Cadet Scott Pickering, 16 yrs, who this year came third at the Wing modelling competitions.

The Shooting Cup went to Sergeant James Tye, 19 yrs, who has demonstrated considerable skill at arms on the range during all of the Squadron Shoots, held throughout the year.

The Communications Trophy was presented to Cadet Warrant Officer Antoni Otulakowski, 19 yrs, who this year completed his Air Cadet Parachuting Course and then succeeded in writing the story up and getting it published in the local media and the national Air Cadet Magazine.

CWO Otulakowski takes home the Media Communications Trophy

Wing Commander Paul Bower, Officer Commanding Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing Air Training Corps, presented Cadet Warrant Officer Esther Russell, 19 yrs, with her Certificate of Appointment into the highest rank achievable as a cadet following her promotion in September.

The awards were presented after a sketch show performed by all the Cadets who carried out their own humorous review of the year highlighting many of the achievements of the Squadron during the last 12 months.

Following the ceremony guests were treated to refreshments and home made mince pies as well as a raffle that raised £190 and completed the fund raising effort for the new squadron minibus. The Squadron has now reached is goal and raised a massive £26k in just under two years. With the vehicle on order and the finances in place to introduce it into service in 2008 the Squadron is eagerly awaiting its delivery.

Flt Lt Mark Robinson, the Squadron’s Commanding Officer said, “We have had a fantastic evening will all the cadets working hard to produce an excellent evening’s entertainment. I congratulate the winners of the various awards and thank everyone on the Squadron for all their hard work and efforts during the year.”