30 of the Squadron's cadets attended the above at Sparkbrook TA centre Birmingham on the 5 th February 2011 . Principal Guest of Honour was Sir Stephen Brown GBE PC, a former Lord Justice of Appeal, Head of the Family Division of the Royal Court of Justice (England and Wales) and former Royal Navy Officer with a distinguished war record , serving in the Russian Arctic convoys, D - Day and the Mediterranean , towards the end of the Second World War. He attended in his capacity of President/Chairman of the RBL Forward Branch in Birmingham. Mr D Gooding, Chairman of Birmingham County RBL, Wing Commander P Ladwa, Flt Lt Brian Latham MBE RAFVRT (Ret'd) were also guests.

To commemorate the 70 th anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps , certificates (original idea from OC 165 – thanks James!) were presented to all cadets, staff and guests , and all cadets renewed their ATC promise before the whole audience.

The CO announced that 2010 had been an excellent year for the Squadron with 45 different activities, parades, events, and courses that cadets had attended. Highlights of the year included three gliding scholarships, ten Bronze D of E awards, three BTEC aviation studies, three Wing Blues, six V awards and for the first time ever three provisional and three full radio operator certificates (thanks to courses run by OC 485 Sqn).

Camps included Cyprus (FS(f) Seetal Rupra was the only Wing cadet representative to attend the RAFA - sponsored camp), RIAT, four adventure training camps and a variety of courses. In fact the Squadron had the most cadets/staff attending LADO organised courses during the year. The Squadron also won the junior - 5 - a side football trophy at Wing Training Day.

Mr Dave Gooding then presented a certificate of appreciation to the Squadron for its excellent poppy appeal collection. All 18/19 year old cadets were presented with staff cadet rank slides and Sir Stephen presented new rank slides to four cadets who were promoted on the evening.

In his address to the Squadron, Sir Stephen referred to the sacrifices made by the RAF in WWII in the cause of freedom. He reflected that the ATC objectives were as relevant now as they were then, and praised the cadets' achievements in 2010. He wished them all well for the future.

The superb buffet organised by Mrs Mani Hussain and her team of cadets' mothers went down very well (pun intended!) with everyone. All photographs were taken by Mr Satnam Ubhi whose contribution to the recording of the evening was greatly appreciated.