Banbury Strike Silver

Five cadets from 1460 (Banbury) Squadron are tired but in celebratory mood having successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.

As one of the final stages in their overall award training the cadets were extremely keen to ensure that their expedition was one to remember. This they achieved, partially through their topical and environmentally aware purpose which was to investigate and deliver a presentation on the habitat of the Red Kites which are prevalent in the area, and partially through their assessor who was none other than Thames Valley’s own torch bearer, Civilian Instructor Mo Merchant.

Having undertaken a large amount of pre expedition training on their Squadron, the team set off in conditions that were some of the hottest seen so far in 2012. Spirits remained high however and throughout the journey their map-reading skills proved to be extremely accurate. In addition it was noted that their overnight camp was accomplished with ease and leaving hardly a sight that there had ever been a tent pitched.

High temperatures, sore feet and the weight of their rucksacks were not enough to deter them and they completed the expedition to much praise from their 3 members of supporting staff, the views of one of whom, Civilian instructor Rachel Simmons sums it up perfectly “They certainly did us proud with their performance, now they have completed silver it is surely time to go for gold”.