Situated in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse, 1861 (Wantage) Squadron has been serving the towns of Wantage, Faringdon and the surrounding villages with opportunities and activities for aviation interested young people since 1941.
The Thames Valley Wing Marching Team have started their training with an aim of being selected for the world famous Nijmegen Marches held in Holland each July. The team have a lot to live up to as they are past multiple winners of the prestigious Jon Ford Trophy for being the best Air Cadet team in the marches as well as having a reputation for marching at a strong pace, beating many regular service teams along the way! Continue reading
The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mrs Mary Bayliss JP has presented awards to over 30 Thames Valley volunteer staff and cadets at a glittering ceremony held at Edward Brooks Barracks near Abingdon.
The Lord Lieutenant presented commendations from both Commandant Air Cadets and the South West Regional Commandant in addition to Cadet Forces Medals and clasps. Continue reading
HRH The Prince of Wales took the salute at a Royal Review in the Mall to celebrate 150 years of the Cadet Forces in the UK on Tuesday 6 July. Amongst the 1500 cadets on parade were the Thames Valley Wing party consisting of cadets from 155 (Maidenhead) Squadron, 1861 (Wantage) squadron and 1460 (Banbury) Squadron.
The parade marched from Horse Guards Parade down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, past Clarence House, where The Prince took the Salute in honour of the anniversary. Above the parade was a special flypast by the Red Arrows over Central London down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace with a handful of lucky cadets from across the Cadet Forces enjoyed a trip in the Royal Air Force Hawk aircraft as part of the celebrations. Continue reading
In temperatures of up 28oC Oxfordshire Air Cadets have marched through the streets of Oxfordshire with Sea Cadets and Army Cadets to celebrate Cadet 150.
The cadets started the celebrations with a service at Christ Church Cathedral where following a welcome by the Bishop of Oxford, Right Reverend John Pritchard, the Lord Lieutenants Cadets read the lessons. The Lord Lieutenant, Nr Tim Stevenson OBE, also gave an address where he praised the work of all of the Cadet forces and thanked them for their valuable work they perform in their local communities throughout Oxfordshire. Continue reading
Air cadets in Wantage are smiling after receiving a donation from a local business.
Infineum, a petroleum additive company based in Milton Hill Business Park, donated £500 to the Squadron through their community support project, SMILE.
Lynne Tregoning, a member of the SMILE committee, said: ‘It was our pleasure, we are always keen to help the local youngsters and the ATC clearly does very good work here’. Continue reading
Over 20 Thames Valley Wing cadets and staff have been honoured at a glittering awards ceremony held at Falklands House in Oxford for their work by Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation; Air Commodore Ian Stewart.
Amongst the haul of awards were 16 Commandant Air Cadets Commendations, 3 South West Regional Commandants Certificates of Merit, a long service award, 4 Cadet Forces Medals and Clasps:– Continue reading
Over 400 Cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing helped the RAF celebrate its 90th anniversary in style, with a parade at RAF Halton.
The Reviewing Officer, who inspected all 400 cadets and 30 staff on parade, was Group Captain Richard Gammage, Station Commander RAF Halton. Other VIPs included Air Commodore John Lamont from MoD Abbey Wood and the Mayors of Witney and Abingdon. Continue reading