On Sunday 13 th April, cadets and staff of 8F (1 st City of Coventry ) Squadron held an awards parade at their squadron headquarters in Wyken.

VIPs, parents and families were invited to share the day and were on hand to applaud and cheer on the cadets in recognition of their achievements over the past year.

The Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Coventry , Councillor Dave & Mrs Lyn Batten were present to see youth of the city receive their accolades for hard work and commitment during 2007/08.

The awards presentation ceremony began with Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, Wing Commander P P Ladwa presenting the following certificates:-

• 21 First Class Certificates
• 16 Leading Cadet Certificates
• 7 Senior Cadets Certificates
• 2 Staff Cadet Certificates
• 6 First Flight Certificates
• 5 Gliding Induction Certificates
• 5 Gliding Scholarships inc 2 Silver (Solo) Wings
• Wing Blue Certificates
  • Athletics – 3
  • Cross Country – 3
  • Football – 6
  • Netball – 2
  • Rugby – 3
  • Swimming – 2
• Region Blues
  • Athletics (High Jump) - 1
  • Jnr Football - 1
  • Senior Rugby - 1
• St John's Ambulance
  Young Lifesaver Plus Award - 14
• Regional First Aid Competition – Wing representatives - 4
• Duke of Edinburghs Award
  • Bronze – 14
  • Silver - 2
  • Gold - 3
• Millennium Volunteer Awards – 5 totalling 1200hrs
• BTEC in Aviation Studies – 3
• Royal Air Force Photographic Competition – 1 st Prize Cadet Section, (Originally presented by Chief of Air Staff RAF at MOD HQ – London ) - Re-presented to Sgt Cygan
• Air Training Corps Parachute Course – RAF Weston on the Green - FS Wilkes
• Air Cadet Leadership Course – RAF Cranwell & Community Sports Leadership Course – DCAE Cosford Two firsts for the Sqn – both to FS Ellis
• Staff Development & BASIC Course – DCAE Cosford & Air Cadet Radio Communicator Award – Communications Badge Another first for the Sqn and also recently represented the region in a radio competition – all re-presented to CWO Stewart

The following Wing trophies were re-presented to teams that were achieved during 2007/08 by Squadron Leader M D Harrison, Wing Staff Officer:-

• Junior Girls Athletics
• Junior Girls Swimming
• Overall Girls Swimming
• Junior Girls Cross Country
• Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing Football Champions Trophy
• The Royal British Legion - Poppy Appeal trophy for best cadet unit fundraising was re-presented, 8F raised £4,966.86 for the appeal over two Days in November 2007

The following two Squadron trophies were presented by the Lord Mayor of Coventry :-

• Canning Cup for Best New Recruit – Cdt Blowers
• Best All Round NCO – FS Ellis

The following were presented by by Officer Commanding 8F Squadron – Flight Lieutenant Amanda Sinfield

• Ron Coroni Shield for Best All Round Cadet - Cdt Hulm

Mrs Marks, mother of a lost but never forgotten member of the squadron, presented the following trophy in memory of her son.

• The Rory Marks Trophy for determination and effort – Cpl Collins

A truly outstanding year in the history of the squadron and one of which all can be justifiably proud.

The presentation ceremony was complete all that remained was for Flt Lt Sinfield to say ‘I would like to thank everyone involved in the squadron for their support, determination and dedication during the last year and that together in 2008/09, I feel that we will endeavour to surpass the achievements of this year.'

Remembering the Fallen

As part of the awards ceremony, 8F (1 st City of Coventry ) officially remembered those who have served and supported the squadron with a permanent memorial.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry opened the garden of remembrance at the squadron headquarters.

Current serving members of the squadron were joined by families, friends and ex-members for a moments silence together to remember prior to the opening.

Those remembered include the crew from 8 Squadron RAF that lost their lives in an air crash in 1990, including Wing Commander Roncoroni who initiated the long standing affiliation between the two squadrons.

The garden will allow squadron members to take time to reflect and remember those who are no longer with us but helped make the squadron what it is today.

Flight Lieutenant Amanda Sinfield – Commanding Officer 8F Squadron said ‘It is important to remember those that have contributed to the squadron and its success and progression and I feel that our remembrance garden will allow their contributions to be recognised and reflected upon.'

Articles Submitted by:-
Plt Off Amanda Hobbins ATC SMCO - 8F (1st City of Coventry) Sqn
29 Apr 08