8F (1st City of Coventry) Squadron marked its cadets’ achievements by presenting them with trophies and certificates in front of their parents, Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing staff and the Lord Mayor of Coventry.

Each year this Coventry Squadron, known for being the first and largest Air Cadet Squadron in the city, hosts a Parents’ Parade. Cadets’ families are invited to come along to the Squadron, view a number of presentations by staff and cadets about the Squadron’s various activities, and see their child’s achievements marked with a special award.

The awards this year were marked as something special, not just by the glorious weather, but by the attendance of the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Brian Kelsey, Sqn Ldr Harrison and the Wing Chairman who witnessed the presentation of awards such as Best NCO, Cadet of the Year, Best New Recruit and Most Improved Cadet, as well as the multitude of classification, sports and Duke of Edinburgh's Awards accrued by 8F Squadron over the last year. Lord Mayor's Air Cadet, FS Rich Hulm, was also presented with his official Lord Mayor’s cadet badge by the Mayor, who was immensely pleased to have been included in the event and made a short speech congratulating the cadets on their achievements and 8F on its success.

After the Awards were presented, parents were challenged to a tent race exercise where they pitted their skills against the cadets in a race to erect a Sqn tent. Whilst the cadets were faster by almost five minutes, the CO ruled that the parents had done a better job of it and awarded them a certificate in honour of their achievement.

The day was a great success and the Squadron abounded with smiling faces as the parents toured the presentations put together by staff and cadets to show some of the activities and skills learnt on the Squadron.

“We don't often hear much about his activities when he's at Cadets,” one parent confided. “He seems to have a great time, but we haven't got a clue what he's up to. It's so nice to find out a bit more about it and meet the staff and other parents.”

Commanding Officer of 8F Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Amanda Hobbins, was pleased that the day had gone so well, especially as it was her first Parents' Parade as CO. “I think it’s important that the parents get an idea of what we do down here so they can help support their children in their Cadet careers. This is also an acknowledgement of the time and money they spend supporting their children as they get to see them reap their rewards in terms of trophies and certificates. This is why we put so much work into the Parents’ Parade and why it’s so worth it.”

Article Submitted by:-
Camilla Preece SMCO- 8F (1st City of Coventry) Sqn
13 Jul 10