Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing held another of its successful Dinner and Dances at the Village Hotel in Coventry last weekend.

167 guests from 21 Squadrons of the Wing attended and enjoyed a three course meal followed by dancing until 0200hrs.

In addition to Wing members ex cadets who are now in the regular Armed Forces also dined including a Royal Marine, a Sapper, a Private from the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, a Flight Lieutenant, Chief Technician and a Sergeant. Members of 637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron also came along to show support.

The guests of Honour were Commander James Hayward who is the Commanding Officer of HMS Forward Royal Naval Reserve in Birmingham and Squadron Leader Brian Shorter Central & East Assistant Regional Commandant.

Sqn Ldr Shorter responded to the toast The Guests and paid tribute to the retiring Regional Commandant Gp Capt Jon Ford. He also recognised some of the Wing achievements in the field of Millennium Volunteers and Duke of Edinburgh.

The Wing Commanding Officer Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa presented the Cadet Forces Medal to Wing Warrant Officer James Sinfield and a Regional Commandant's Commendation to the Chairman of 8F (1 st City of Coventry) Squadron for her unstinting efforts towards the cadets of the squadron and the raising of funds for the unit.

Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa's final presentation of the evening came as a bit of a surprise to one member of the Wing staff. Squadron Leader Martin Harrison was presented with the Commandant's Certificate of Meritorious Service in recognition of his outstanding work within the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing as Wing Training Officer. Wg Cdr Ladwa said that he was delighted to be able to present the award and that so many cadets and adult staff had benefited from the excellent training given by Martin and his wing training team.

Cadets from 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Squadron were also present once again to assist during dinner as stewards and to help sell raffle tickets. After the meal guests enjoyed a chocolate fountain in the bar and danced to the music of Celebration Disco until 0200hrs.

The President of the Wing Mess Squadron Leader Martin Harrison said “From what I have been told this was another successful and most importantly enjoyable evening. I think it is important to try and strike the right balance between formality and enjoying yourself and I hope we achieve that with our Mess functions. It is also of course an excellent opportunity for staff from across the Wing to mix and socialise in a relaxed atmosphere”