The Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing of the Air Training Corps held its annual Dinner & Dance at the Village Hotel in Coventry on Saturday 15th October. The annual function was attended by over 100 diners from across the Wing's 27 squadrons together with their guests.

Guest of honour on this occasion was Commander Noble, SO1 Royal Naval Reserve Recruiting.

Other guests included; Commander Bob Symons and Lieutenant Commander Richard Woodgate, both former OC’s of HMS Mercia and Forward. Artificer Sergeant Major George Jerecki, late of the REME, based at Radford road in Coventry. Wg Cdr Steve Mills and his wife, and Fg Off Stuart Rottenbury who is an ex cadet from 479 Sqn and who is now a Tornado pilot in the Royal Air Force. Also attending was Officer Cadet James Parker who is currently undergoing training at the Sandhurst Military academy and who is an ex CWO from 2438 Sqn. Mrs. Maureen McCarthy, widow of WO Mike McCarthy, was also a very welcome guest on the night.

Cadets from 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Squadron were also present once again to assist during dinner as stewards and to help sell raffle tickets.

Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing opened the after dinner speeches by welcoming the guests. He went on to thank all the volunteers, both uniformed and civilian instructors, across the wing for their help in maintaining the high standards of the ATC. Wg Cdr Ladwa then conferred awards on the following members of staff:

• Flt Lt Neil Watson, 2 nd Clasp to the Cadet Forces Medal
• Flt Lt Mandy Sinfield 1 st Clasp to the Cadet Forces Medal
• WO Cave, 1 st Clasp to the Cadet Forces Medal

Wg Cdr Ladwa then asked the guest of honour, Commander Noble, to address the gathered guests. He started by thanking the Wing for asking him to attend the evening, and he hoped that this would continue for many years to come! Cmdr Noble then went on to talk about the up coming anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. At the time of the battle, there were over 120,000 men serving in the Royal Navy and Cmdr Noble went on to talk about the total amount of servicemen and women who are currently on operations around the world. He then went on to talk about the Strategic Defence Review and the implications for all three armed services. Cmdr Noble finished his speech by again thanking the Wing for the invite to the dinner.

Following the speeches the guests withdrew to the bar as the Wing's new comedy double act of Flight Lieutenant's Les Vile and Barry Broom entertained the mess members with their very own hilarious style of banter and mockery of almost everybody on the Wing staff. Flt Lt Barry Broom paid particularly attention to Sqn Ldr Stuart Isles in his stand up act!

With all the formalities completed it was then time for everyone to mingle and catch up on news from colleagues they had not seen for a while and dance the night away.

To see more of the photographs taken on the night please visit the
Wing Annual Dinner & Dance 2011 Gallery