A warm spring evening at Packington Hall in Meriden , Warwickshire saw cadets from No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn assisting the Royal Navy as they marked the Draw Down of HMS Mercia with a Draw Down Dinner.

As each guest arrived on Thursday 12 th May 2011 , they were met with a welcoming smile and salute from the cadets who, by personal invitation from Lieutenant Commander Richard Woodgate, Commanding Officer of HMS Mercia, had been invited to provide a Guard of Honour for the occasion.

However, this was to be a Guard of Honour with a difference as from greeting the attendees at the entrance, Cadet Warrant Officer Naomi Boyfield and Cadet Oliver Coles were selected to personally greet the Guest of Honour, Captain Hart Dyke as he arrived. Captain Hart Dyke was the captain of HMS Coventry during the Falklands conflict.

From providing the Guard of Honour for the Royal Navy, the honour was then to be bestowed upon the cadets as Captain Hart Dyke accepted the invitation of Flight Lieutenant Les Vile RAFVR(T), Officer Commanding No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn, to inspect the cadets who formed the Guard of Honour.

With the guests still arriving in a steady stream outside, inside the hall, the evening was well underway with the Sqn's Stewarding Team in full effect ensuring that the guests were well catered for with refreshments.

Before sitting down to dinner the guests and cadets headed for the balcony in the garden to listen to the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadet Band, whose repertoire ended with Sunset.

This marked the end of the duty for the cadets and before leaving the Hall, they were able to relax in the minibus whilst eating a much welcomed packed meal which had been provided for them.

With a thoroughly enjoyable evening behind them and moral at a very high level, the Sqn headed for home.

Commenting on the evening, Flight Lieutenant Les Vile RAFVR(T), Officer Commanding No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn said; “the cadets have, once again, deported themselves with dignity, professionalism and pride and I am delighted with the positive feedback I have received on their behalf. The work that they have done has gone a very long way in ensuring the success of the evening”.

He went on to say; “, the History that we have with HMS Mercia goes back many years to when the Squadron used to co-habit with HMS Mercia at the joint premises in Smith Street, Coventry. For us to have been able to assist at this occasion has been a real privilege”