On Thursday 7 th May 2009, 487 Sqn held its annual open evening at the Sqn headquarters in Kingstanding. The evening had been publicised widely in the local area and the Sqn was looking to top the fifty people who attended last years event.

The evening was due to start at 1930, but with people still coming through the gates at that time, we soon realised that we had topped last years total by some margin and the evening started a bit late at around 1945.

Flt Lt O'Neill, OC 487 Sqn welcomed all the parents/guardians, aunties and uncles and also members of the 487 Old boys association who had turned out in force for the evening. We were also hoping that potential new cadets would attend the evening and we had quickly found that we had four or five teenagers who were looking to join the Sqn.

Following the introduction, the new promotional video for the ATC was played to the audience. Because of the late start we had to slightly amend the running programme and there then followed a video which showed the Queens Colour Squadron carrying out their famous continuity drill. This video was shown because the Sqn's cadets had been working on a drill sequence and following the videos, the cadets put on a great display not only of continuity drill, but the Sqn's drill team also carried out a great sequence.

There then followed talks on the Duke of Edinburgh programme by Flt Lt O'Neill and also on the CVQO programme by Plt Off Jennings. The parents were then treated to a display of basic physical fitness in line with the bronze DofE programme.

The evening was rounded off with a question and answer session and also the chance to enjoy the buffet which was laid on by the Civilian Committee.

Flt Lt O'Neill, OC 487 Sqn, commented “This was a great evening for the Sqn's cadets. The programme laid on for the parents showed the cadets talents and we look forward to the new cadets joining our Sqn shortly. This is the second open evening we have held and we had over 60 people here on the evening which stretched the sqn to its limits, but I believe all really enjoyed the evening”