On Sunday 28 th May 2006 Cadets and Staff from 2028 Southam Squadron were lucky enough to be invited to participate in the Best of British Festival at the Motor Heritage Centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire. The Festival was a national event arranged by the Heritage Centre which involved not only Vintage Cars, Countryside activities and other Exhibits but also recognition of the part played by the Routemaster Bus over 50 years.

Seven Cadets and three staff manned a ‘recruiting stand’ throughout the day which was visited by a number of people some of whom were interested in the reasons behind the Air Training Corps being represented at a ‘motoring’ event! They were very quickly reassured when we explained our Community involvement with the local area and even more interested about how the ATC could help their children develop their personal skills through becoming an Air Cadet.

Several of the Cadets also helped in the main arena at various times throughout the day, the programme involving a Parachute Drop a Birds of Prey Display and also an opportunity for the public to remember the Jet Engine invented by Sir Frank Whittle.

The weather remained fine and dry all day which everyone agreed was a bonus. There is no doubt that the response from both the Organisers and members of the public, young and old, was that the Air Cadets were well received by all those who came into contact with them, once again reminding everyone what a great opportunity the Air Training Corps represents for young people.