Poppy Appeal

Cadets from 2286 (Arden) Squadron had a blooming good time this weekend, as they collected donations for the Poppy Appeal at Morrisons Supermarket, Alvis Road Retail Park, and also at Asda, London Road, Coventry.

Cadets braved the elements to collect money on behalf of the Coventry branch of the Royal British Legion. Cadet Winnett, who collected on both Saturday and Sunday said “Over the last few years, the poppy appeal has become current again as more and more serviceman make sacrifices for their country. It's great that people are digging into their pockets during these difficult times to help those who have given so much.”

Sgt Dawson, who spent Sunday at Morrisons, said “I was surprised to see how much the shoppers gave; I really was overwhelmed by their generosity. Having said that, I still think we should have collected outside a Sainsbury's or a Waitrose, I reckon we'd have gotten even more there.”

Double Trouble!

2286 ( Arden ) Squadron was celebrating recently when it was revealed that not one but two of their most promising cadets had been accepted onto the 2010 Junior Leaders Course.

The allocation of the places now means that the squadron has sent a cadet or cadets to the course for each of the last 3 years. When told of the news, Cdt Flt Sgt Hacket (right) said “I'm really pleased to have gotten the place. I believe its one of the best, if not the best course in the ATC”.

Cdt Sgt Connell, who'll also be attending, was equally as pleased “I had hoped to get the place, but never thought that two of us from the same squadron would be going!”. Aside from looking great on a CV, the course will develop their leadership and teamwork skills, as well as testing their endurance to the limit. Good Luck on the course guys!

First Aid

2286 ( Arden ) Squadron want to say a big thank you to Mr. David Smith, who gave up a number of evenings recently to get 18 cadets through their first aid course.

Mr. Smith, who's a science teacher by day, was able to get all the cadets up to the standard whereby they were issued the Youth First Aid Qualification, that will remain valid for three years.

The cadets gained invaluable knowledge and experience, and have all said they'd feel much more confident in dealing with a first aid incident having been on the course.

Cdt Smith, one of the cadets who completed the course, said “I really hope I don't have to use the skills I've learned in real life, but I am looking forward to putting them into action at the Wing Training Day next year!”

Order restored after communications blackout

All communications at 2286 ( Arden ) Squadron were restored this week, following a systematic failure of both the landline telephones and the squadron broadband connection. The communication difficulties initially manifested themselves as a permanently engaged phone line, and an intermittent broadband service. Preliminary investigations were able to rule out cyber warfare, although the ACF were initial suspected of launching an unprovoked strike.

Global telecoms giant British Telecom were able to despatch one of their top engineers to the squadron, who was able to get the network up and running in no time. Flt Lt Chris Quinney, OC 2286 Sqn, stated “For a while there it was touch and go. We hadn't been able to contact anyone from the squadron for over three weeks. We're just lucky that the engineer came out when he did, without his intervention and heroic assistance I daren't imagine the devastation that could have followed”.

Should anyone wish to contact 2286 ( Arden ) Squadron, the phone number is 02476 592286, or alternatively, visit www.2286.org.uk

Watersports

Cadets from both 2286 ( Arden ) Squadron and 8F (City of Coventry ) Squadron had a great time recently when they spent the day at Kingsbury Water Park . The cadets, who were accompanied by instructors from the Kingsbury Water Park Outdoor Education Centre, spent the morning building improvised rafts. They split into two teams and their combined effort produced two sturdy rafts. Unfortunately, only one of the teams raft completed the course successfully, but great fun was had by both teams.

Following a break for lunch and a futile attempt at drying out, the cadets were soon back on the water, where they had a kayaking lesson from one of the centres instructors. Although it was a cold day, all the cadets who participated enjoyed themselves, and its definitely an activity that the squadron will be looking to organise again.