On Saturday 11 th March 2006 Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing Air Training Corps held its annual Ladies’ Night Dinner in The Tower Suite at Drayton Manor Park.

117 Officers, NCOs and guests attended and dined whilst accompanied by the excellent music from the band of 495 (Sutton Coldfield) Squadron.

The guests of honour included Group Captain J A F Ford, Regional Commandant Central & East Region ATC, Air Commodore Duncan Mitchell the Royal Air Force’s medical policy advisor and ADC to the Her Majesty and Squadron Leader Brian Shorter from RAF Brampton.

Following dinner a number of presentations were made to members of staff and included Cadet Forces medals for 12 years service to the Air Cadet Organisation. These were presented by the Group Captain to Flt Lt Steve Jenkins Officer Commanding 8F (1 st City of Coventry) Squadron, Flying Officer Mandy Sinfield, also of 8F Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Mahesh Ladwa Officer Commanding 194 (BSA) Squadron.

Pilot officer Nathan Adams Oi/c 2438 (Bishop Ullathorne) Squadron was presented with a Regional Commandant’s Certificate of Good Service for recently attending two squadrons and parading four times a week for three months. He was also presented with his Institute of Leadership Management Certificate by Air Commodore Mitchell. Nathan is the first Officer within the Wing to have attained the Institute of Leadership Management Certificate and sets a good example for other newly commissioned officers to take advantage of the academic opportunities now available to adult volunteers within the corps.

On top of all this it was a former Wing Commander’s 83 rd birthday and he was presented with a wing tie and a cake as the band played happy birthday to Wg Cdr George Hanson who commanded Warwickshire & Birmingham during the early 1980s.

Cadets from 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Squadron were also present and acted as stewards, assisting the catering staff as needed.

The Mess President Squadron Leader Martin Harrison said “This was another successful function with everyone seeming to enjoy themselves. These Mess events are important as they give all the staff on the Wing an opportunity to mix in a convivial atmosphere which in turn means a happier Wing with the cadets benefiting at the end of the day. Drayton Manor is an excellent venue and the quality of service and food is very high I am also grateful to 495 and 163 Squadrons for sending their cadets along to play in the band and help as stewards which undoubtedly adds a an extra special touch to the occasion”